We've done a skeleton move like yours 3 times. It's easy if you pack in layers just like you'd unpack. First to pack, label with "storage" and put color dot sticker on 2 sides, is the "decor layer". This is all accessories, pictures, couch pillows, dustables. Keep out 2 items from each of these that make you smile, you'll need them in your temporary space (my last temp space was supposed to be 6-9 months, was 30 months in 1100 s.f with 3 businesses). Next, are "extras"- holiday dishes, plates, pans, extra bedding, all extra craft/hobby supplies (like a sewing or knitting stash...you won't have time or space to do these). The same with most books. These get a second color dot on 2 sides, meaning "unpack next to last". All extra furniture and the stuff you store there gets put into storage. rugs also. Now you should be down to your basics of life. You won't be entertaining at home, so keep a couple of nice lamps and candles and store half of all of your remaining dishes, pans, etc.with a 3rd colored sticker (means "unpack first"). Keep the movies and video games, you'll need the stress release. Kids get two plastic tubs of toys, the rest get donated or stored. You and spouse get 1 plastic tub of extra non-clothing stuff. Think stress relief (this is not the time to pack away sexy lingeries). Put everything, everything not kitchen into plastic storage boxes, plastic shoe boxes, plastic drawers. When you move again you'll just grab the storage boxes from cabinets and drawers and slide them into your next home. Plus, you're more organized every day. Every single thing in your bathroom should be in a wicker or plastic container. I can pack a 3500sf house in 3 days, unpack in 5 days (time off for walks, movies, restaurants because you hit a wall the 3rd day). Lastly, know thyself. Let yourself have a few little luxuries. If you usually surround yourself with vibrant color then don't stop now. Put down some great rugs and don't try to live with white walls. if baking is your stress release then have the muffin tins. If you have to garden or go mad then get a small greenhouse from Harbor Freight and go to it. The one thing you cannot ever, ever do in a temp space is shop for stress relief. One item comes into the house,a similar item must go out. This is especially true for clothing and kids toys. My kid got anything for Christmas that would fit in a plastic shoe box. Think video games, they're small. I love gameboys. Keep an eye on the spouse, make certain that their downtime has what they need...for example, living with my husband when he doesn't have a garage for his project cars is both stressful and makes for some ugly yard art. We're in a larger house for 2 years right now, then we pack up and move again. I honestly don't know how other people can live with the accumulation of stuff that builds up even in 2 years. Moving is a terrific chance to purge your life of old and outworn possessions and energies. It beats spring cleaning. Good luck!

My oldest daughter did not sleep well as an infant, and I bought a noise machine at a friend's recommendation. It made a huge difference, and my daughter started sleeping much better. The book "the happiest baby on the block" also recommends white noise as it simulates the womb. I have now moved the noise machine into my youngest daughter's room, and my oldest daughter, now 4, no longer uses it. So she is not dependent on it. However, I did find it helpful to bring it when we slept away from home as it blocked out the noises of a new place and was a familar nighttime sound. The noise machine blocks out the noise of the dog barking, my older daughter yelling, my husband clomping down the hall. In the middle of the night, my younger daughter would probably sleep through all that without the noise machine. But in the morning, the noise machine makes the difference between her waking up at 6 or 7:30. As far as breastfeeding, I was kind of grossed out by the idea (for me, not anyone else). I decided I would try, and if it worked, great; if not, I would bottle feed. I went to a class prior to giving birth, and the one thing I remembered was that breastfeeding should NOT hurt. If it does, unlatch and relatch. At first, it would take numerous tries to get the latch right. But, I never had any issues with pain. I also used Gerber's NUK Gentle Moisturizing Balm, which is like a big chap stick. I liked it better than lansinoh as it was not so messy. Plus, it is not harmful to apply and then feed the baby. Anyway, initially nursing did not feel at all natural. But it worked out good for me--so easy and convenient. Our hospital offered a session with a lactation consultant which was very helpful. Good luck with whatever you decide!

Oh, gosh thanks for all the ideas! Oceanna, I HAVE that very same picture! It is small though. That is toooo funny! msrose, the color is Desert Camel by Pittsburgh paints. Thanks. brutus, yes I need to do some tweaking yet. Thanks for your thougts. igloo, you are so funny!!! LOL I do have a picture of an old man smoking a pipe that is quite large. I may try that. I can use the mirror in another room. I think it would be too high up to put it above the dresser. What about above the chair?

Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU! Such wonderful tips you've shared, and now I'm feeling a bit more confident about the whole thing! I work best when I have an organized process going on. It's when things become jumbled and chaotic that I tend to feel like I'm going to lose it. And speaking of losing it - yesterday, DH and I were working together and found that we kept moving things. The scissors - which were JUST RIGHT HERE not five minutes ago, had somehow taken flight and flown two rooms away. The packing tape ... where'd the flippin' packing tape run off to? It went on like that for quite some time, until we determined it would work best if DH would go out and mow the lawn and leave me to the packing on my own. Sometimes having a helper isn't much ... help. Our boxes are all broken down into flat pieces at this point, and DH is going to "make" two or three of them that I can work on each evening. I think that methodically working my way through the breakables and getting them all boxed up will be a big load off my mind. I know this will all come together and we'll get it done. I appreciate the encouragement and the info shared here -- definitely ideas we will be putting to use as we get further along in this.