Yesterday, my sister send me a listing for a house in the small, old "downtown" near us. The house looked amazing! Built in the 1880s, it had 4 bedrooms and a wealth of space...plus, the great and enviable asset we don't have...a yard!
John and I have gone around and around about the advantages and disadvantages of new vs. old homes. Who can deny that an older home with beautiful built-ins and woodwork has more character? This particular house even has a large, historic carriage house as one of its charming features.
On the flip side, though, I can't ignore how accustomed I have become to modern home amenities. We don't even own a dresser because our closet is big enough for twice as many clothes as we have. I appreciate a bathroom vanity that we can actually use to hold our toiletries. Most importantly, I love our laundry room located just 6 to 10 feet from all the upstairs bedrooms.
It's hard to weigh all these things. If I had my choice, I'd look for a beautiful, renovated old house that has all the modern conveniences already added. Unfortunately, this is a tall order on our budget. Sigh.
Anyway, I'm excited to take a look at the house tonight. I just hope we aren't blinded by its charm.
13 March 2008
10 March 2008
Motherly
Is it wrong to compare your daughter's staggering efforts at walking to those of a drunken soldier?
09 March 2008
Big House with No Little People
About once every sixth months, I get a day or an afternoon off from parenting and my house is quiet. If you are single or don't have kids yet, it's hard to appreciate the quiet. Perhaps, like I used to, you fill you home with noise from the television or radio. With two small kids, though, the quiet is simple blessing that I relish.
I'm not really sure what to do with myself today. I'm fighting the urge to get cleaning done, because I could do that anytime. I just finished reading Love in the Time of Cholera and Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim this week, so maybe it's time to visit the library and browse for something new. Tommy would probably appreciate it if I looked for his current favorites, Boom Chicka Rock and Trashy Town.
What do people DO when their day isn't exhausted just filling the needs of a 2 year old, a 1 year old, and a growing baby in utero? I don't even remember. Sometimes I want to scream because it seems no matter how hard I try, I can't keep Cheerios off our floor for more than a half hour.
And then, I have a moment like this: all I want is my Lucy Goose to snuggle, and my Tommy to pull off our couch cushions and build a fort.
I'm not really sure what to do with myself today. I'm fighting the urge to get cleaning done, because I could do that anytime. I just finished reading Love in the Time of Cholera and Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim this week, so maybe it's time to visit the library and browse for something new. Tommy would probably appreciate it if I looked for his current favorites, Boom Chicka Rock and Trashy Town.
What do people DO when their day isn't exhausted just filling the needs of a 2 year old, a 1 year old, and a growing baby in utero? I don't even remember. Sometimes I want to scream because it seems no matter how hard I try, I can't keep Cheerios off our floor for more than a half hour.
And then, I have a moment like this: all I want is my Lucy Goose to snuggle, and my Tommy to pull off our couch cushions and build a fort.
07 March 2008
Things I'm Thankful For: The Ring
Some rings are less expensive and more useful than others. My husband recently brought a ring into our lives that has saved my sanity over the past month.
Tommy had stumbled onto the habit of obsessively slamming our baby stair gates against the walls and railings of the staircase. Loud and damaging, this activity had me ready to become violent.
John took a simple teething ring and latched the gate to our stairs. No sound can be made, and through some miracle, Tommy hasn't thought to pry it off.
Little Orange Fish
Three kids, one grandma, and two sisters head downtown from the exurbs to see a little orange fish and his dad. Who knew this adventure could be so complete?
Tommy was enamored with Nemo on Ice. I didn't expect much from this kids' show, but once again, Disney's mastery of a child's mind stunned me. The lights and costumes were fabulous. The acting and skating were sub-par, but in a kids' world, these are trivial. The sharks were terrifying, the octopus was cuddly. Tommy didn't blink for two straight hours.
I wish John could've been there, because maybe this show would've given him more insight into why Disney World is the Greatest Place on Earth. To me, it seems there could be no dispute. To a man accustomed to "nature" on family vacations, however, there seems to be some debate. Either way, we will take the kids there. I won't have completed my mission as a mother if we do not.
Don't get me wrong. I'm all about teaching my kids actual history and seeings the great wonders of America. But Disney IS one of the great wonders of America!!
Anyway, back to yesterday.
I bought the kids two giant slurpee cups of lemonade, and they spent most of the event happily sucking away. When Nemo had waved goodbye, I erroneously handed Tommy my cell phone FOR A SPLIT SECOND, and he managed to immediately drop it into a crevice at the bottom of our temporary stadium seating. Thankfully, Grandma bought us 7th row seats, so I could see my magenta phone glimmering 15 feet below.
I hauled my pregnant belly to the ground floor, and proceeded to crawl underneath the stadium seating to retrieve the phone. It was sticky (with lemonade? with puke? with pee?) and claustrophobia-inducing and my thoughts very quickly turned to rats. I grabbed the phone and scuttled back out to the Disney lighting only to discover that in the commotion, my scarf had also fallen down under. Aaaack! Goodbye, scarf. Facing rat world for you is not worth it.
Post event, we naturally lost ourselves trying to find the correct parking garage. Claudia declined a trip to the bathroom, and thought I knew this was stubbornness on her part, I did not intervene. Finally, we found the car.
Just as Claudia's booster seat belt was snapped into place, her pleas began, "Moooooooom.....I have to gooooo....tooooo....the.....baaaaathroooom....RIGHT NOW." Sarah tried to convince her otherwise, but the emergency was clear. She hopped out of the car, and in a Seinfeld-esque move, stripped off her polka dot tights and peed into a drain in the parking garage. Thankfully, no policemen were nearby.
Tommy was enamored with Nemo on Ice. I didn't expect much from this kids' show, but once again, Disney's mastery of a child's mind stunned me. The lights and costumes were fabulous. The acting and skating were sub-par, but in a kids' world, these are trivial. The sharks were terrifying, the octopus was cuddly. Tommy didn't blink for two straight hours.
I wish John could've been there, because maybe this show would've given him more insight into why Disney World is the Greatest Place on Earth. To me, it seems there could be no dispute. To a man accustomed to "nature" on family vacations, however, there seems to be some debate. Either way, we will take the kids there. I won't have completed my mission as a mother if we do not.
Don't get me wrong. I'm all about teaching my kids actual history and seeings the great wonders of America. But Disney IS one of the great wonders of America!!
Anyway, back to yesterday.
I bought the kids two giant slurpee cups of lemonade, and they spent most of the event happily sucking away. When Nemo had waved goodbye, I erroneously handed Tommy my cell phone FOR A SPLIT SECOND, and he managed to immediately drop it into a crevice at the bottom of our temporary stadium seating. Thankfully, Grandma bought us 7th row seats, so I could see my magenta phone glimmering 15 feet below.
I hauled my pregnant belly to the ground floor, and proceeded to crawl underneath the stadium seating to retrieve the phone. It was sticky (with lemonade? with puke? with pee?) and claustrophobia-inducing and my thoughts very quickly turned to rats. I grabbed the phone and scuttled back out to the Disney lighting only to discover that in the commotion, my scarf had also fallen down under. Aaaack! Goodbye, scarf. Facing rat world for you is not worth it.
Post event, we naturally lost ourselves trying to find the correct parking garage. Claudia declined a trip to the bathroom, and thought I knew this was stubbornness on her part, I did not intervene. Finally, we found the car.
Just as Claudia's booster seat belt was snapped into place, her pleas began, "Moooooooom.....I have to gooooo....tooooo....the.....baaaaathroooom....RIGHT NOW." Sarah tried to convince her otherwise, but the emergency was clear. She hopped out of the car, and in a Seinfeld-esque move, stripped off her polka dot tights and peed into a drain in the parking garage. Thankfully, no policemen were nearby.
04 March 2008
I Spy with my Little Eye
Two children playing.
Tommy saying, "Now it's your turn, Wuce!!"
[Watches her put the ball into the ball poppin' toy]
"Good job, Wuce!!!! Now it's my turn."
And over, and over, and over again.
Tommy saying, "Now it's your turn, Wuce!!"
[Watches her put the ball into the ball poppin' toy]
"Good job, Wuce!!!! Now it's my turn."
And over, and over, and over again.
01 March 2008
The Sea Witch
Sometimes kids identify unexpectedly---and embarrassingly---with strangers. Like when we were at Target yesterday.
We passed a woman in the soda aisle. She was rather large, with even larger, unwieldy dark hair.
Two feet after we passed her...."Mom!!!! Is that Ursula?!?!!!"
And then, as I was pushing the cart faster and faster into the next aisle, "Mom....is that Ursula??? Mom!!! Mom!!!"
Maybe she didn't know her Disney characters.
We passed a woman in the soda aisle. She was rather large, with even larger, unwieldy dark hair.
Two feet after we passed her...."Mom!!!! Is that Ursula?!?!!!"
And then, as I was pushing the cart faster and faster into the next aisle, "Mom....is that Ursula??? Mom!!! Mom!!!"
Maybe she didn't know her Disney characters.
27 February 2008
Rules of Engagement: Bar Soap
1. We don’t run out of bar soap at our house. Or toilet paper. If either of these things appear to be lacking, check the linen closet (general overflow) or underneath the bathroom counter. On my side.
2. A bar of soap is not used up until it is at least the size of a votive candle. I feel that is generous. A bar of soap does not need to be replaced when has only done half of its job.
3. If you are the person who “needs” another bar of soap, then you are also the person responsible for eliminating the soap remnants from the soap tray.
Isn’t this basic logic? Do I need to start a remedial soap training course?
2. A bar of soap is not used up until it is at least the size of a votive candle. I feel that is generous. A bar of soap does not need to be replaced when has only done half of its job.
3. If you are the person who “needs” another bar of soap, then you are also the person responsible for eliminating the soap remnants from the soap tray.
Isn’t this basic logic? Do I need to start a remedial soap training course?
23 February 2008
On Her First Birthday
One year old. The house is decorated, and quiet. We have pink streamers and pink balloons, and yes, I am the kind of mom who actually had those just sitting around the house from some other project. I bought pastel napkins with little baby ducks on them. I guess I still want her to be my baby.
And she is. She is a squealing, gurgling delight. She is feisty and curious and has as much energy as Tom. But she also has a dainty streak, a snuggly streak, a difference that makes her Lucy Lu and my special little girl.
We bought her a shopping cart for the occasion. What better way for a little girl to be like Mama? She is truly obsessed with it. She laughs maniacally as she begins to push it, faster and faster on the wood floors. The wheels on this thing spin uncontrollably like the real carts at Costco. Then, she spies a wall ahead. She breaks down even before she hits the wall, because she knows a wall ahead means her journey will be halted. This process went on and on for about an hour this morning until finally, tired and exhausted and wondering why we have so many walls and so little room for shopping, she crumpled into a pile of tears. Tommy ran to console her and held her in his arms, rocking her back and forth and whispering, "It's okay, Wuce. It's okay."
There are more days now that I feel ready to be a mother of three. Still, the diapers pile up at an enormous pace and the grocery store seems an obstacle for the insane. But the kids are snuggly and peaceful and beautiful when they aren't fighting. Lucy pages through her fuzzy chick book, and Tommy asks, "What letter does lobby man start with?" It is rewarding...and exhausting.
Then again, what full time job worth keeping isn't?
And she is. She is a squealing, gurgling delight. She is feisty and curious and has as much energy as Tom. But she also has a dainty streak, a snuggly streak, a difference that makes her Lucy Lu and my special little girl.
We bought her a shopping cart for the occasion. What better way for a little girl to be like Mama? She is truly obsessed with it. She laughs maniacally as she begins to push it, faster and faster on the wood floors. The wheels on this thing spin uncontrollably like the real carts at Costco. Then, she spies a wall ahead. She breaks down even before she hits the wall, because she knows a wall ahead means her journey will be halted. This process went on and on for about an hour this morning until finally, tired and exhausted and wondering why we have so many walls and so little room for shopping, she crumpled into a pile of tears. Tommy ran to console her and held her in his arms, rocking her back and forth and whispering, "It's okay, Wuce. It's okay."
There are more days now that I feel ready to be a mother of three. Still, the diapers pile up at an enormous pace and the grocery store seems an obstacle for the insane. But the kids are snuggly and peaceful and beautiful when they aren't fighting. Lucy pages through her fuzzy chick book, and Tommy asks, "What letter does lobby man start with?" It is rewarding...and exhausting.
Then again, what full time job worth keeping isn't?
01 June 2007
29 May 2007
All Before 8AM
Read a book, ate bo-nana, cleaned up cereal, watched a backhoe and a bobcat in action.
Never knew that holding my boy in my lap, outside, on a muggy morning, could be so beautiful.
Never knew that holding my boy in my lap, outside, on a muggy morning, could be so beautiful.
01 May 2007
06 November 2006
Job-related Risk
Every job has its hazards, but none so humbling and dangerous as this:
I was grooming my son's toenails last night when a shard landed in my eye.
I was grooming my son's toenails last night when a shard landed in my eye.
24 October 2006
Happy DiDi, Mama!
On Saturday I turned one-quarter of a century. 25. I'm not feeling too old, in case you're wondering. In fact, I feel just about right.
John and Tommy made french toast for breakfast that day, and John worked pretty hard to get Tommy to offer birthday congrats. What came out was, "Happy DiDi!!" Pretty close.
Then, this morning, we had waffles with syrup, which Tommy confused for french toast. "Happy DiDi!!" he exclaimed. After all, syrup must mean it's my birthday again.
I like the way this kid thinks...
John and Tommy made french toast for breakfast that day, and John worked pretty hard to get Tommy to offer birthday congrats. What came out was, "Happy DiDi!!" Pretty close.
Then, this morning, we had waffles with syrup, which Tommy confused for french toast. "Happy DiDi!!" he exclaimed. After all, syrup must mean it's my birthday again.
I like the way this kid thinks...
23 October 2006
Materialism: The Reason for the Season
I have to admit I'm already pretty well prepared for the gift-buying season. I have a list of what I'm buying for who, and (to toot my own horn a bit) I have already figured out what I'm getting for those my most difficult-to-shop-for category.
At the opposite end of the spectrum is Tommy, of course. I can barely go into a toy store or think about Christmas without wanting to buy him just about every toy out there. Ok, I am exaggerating a little. First of all, I definitely do not want to buy him any of the Noisy Toys out there, and that's almost all of them. Second of all, I do have a pared-down sense of what is needed, compared to most parents, so I don't think I'm going overboard. Still, I haven't bought him a thing yet. I think the longer I wait, the less likelihood of excess...
And also, days like today come when I realize that getting him more toys won't occupy him any more than those he already has do. In fact, he has spent the last 45 minutes playing on the living room rug as quietly as a mouse with just 3 items:
1.) A cup,
2.) A brush, and
3.) A rubber duck.
At the opposite end of the spectrum is Tommy, of course. I can barely go into a toy store or think about Christmas without wanting to buy him just about every toy out there. Ok, I am exaggerating a little. First of all, I definitely do not want to buy him any of the Noisy Toys out there, and that's almost all of them. Second of all, I do have a pared-down sense of what is needed, compared to most parents, so I don't think I'm going overboard. Still, I haven't bought him a thing yet. I think the longer I wait, the less likelihood of excess...
And also, days like today come when I realize that getting him more toys won't occupy him any more than those he already has do. In fact, he has spent the last 45 minutes playing on the living room rug as quietly as a mouse with just 3 items:
1.) A cup,
2.) A brush, and
3.) A rubber duck.
20 October 2006
Are You Mischievous? Are You Curious?
There's nothing in the world like making your kid squeal with delight. Especially when all it takes is cutting a picture of his favorite cartoon from the paper.
"Monkme! Monkme! Monkme!"
13 October 2006
Occupational Responsibilities
Things to Add to my Resume
(Or, what I have been doing since I haven't posted in forever)
*Scrubbing chocolate chip cookie residue out of every orifice of Tommy's body
It's shocking how much talent it actually takes to do this when your toddler is running away from you.
*Teaching Tommy the ABCs.
So far, he can get to D.
*Working out at the Best Gym Ever.
Let me remind you that it is heavenly for a mother to drop her kid off for an hour of relaxation and know he is safe. And, can I get an extra round of kudos because I somehow drag my pregnant self out of bed for this, against all odd?
*Avoiding finishing touches around the house.
We still don't have window treatments or hand towel hooks or the painting hung that has been sitting on our bedroom floor for over 2 months.
*Covering pumpkins in very fine glitter.
I got this idea from Martha Stewart, and since I like to christen a house by getting as much glitter around the place as possible, it was fitting.
(Or, what I have been doing since I haven't posted in forever)
*Scrubbing chocolate chip cookie residue out of every orifice of Tommy's body
It's shocking how much talent it actually takes to do this when your toddler is running away from you.
*Teaching Tommy the ABCs.
So far, he can get to D.
*Working out at the Best Gym Ever.
Let me remind you that it is heavenly for a mother to drop her kid off for an hour of relaxation and know he is safe. And, can I get an extra round of kudos because I somehow drag my pregnant self out of bed for this, against all odd?
*Avoiding finishing touches around the house.
We still don't have window treatments or hand towel hooks or the painting hung that has been sitting on our bedroom floor for over 2 months.
*Covering pumpkins in very fine glitter.
I got this idea from Martha Stewart, and since I like to christen a house by getting as much glitter around the place as possible, it was fitting.
02 September 2006
Back to Me
One of the difficult things about just having ONE child* is that children are not fools: they covet your attention 100% of the time. At least, this is what I find with Tommy. He will NOT sit quietly and read books so I can fold the laundry. He will NOT play with trucks so I can take a shower. No, he must explore the dangerous laundry room by my side or peek his little head in through the shower curtain, leaning himself into a stream of water.
Mostly this attribute is exasperating, but sometimes it is endearing. Yesterday, for instance, Tommy sat on my lap while I was watching the 5 o'clock news and realized my attention wasn't on him.
And then he grabbed my chin and physically turned my head back toward him as if to say, I am the main attraction here, Mama.
*So, if you suffer from this persistent annoyance, like me, you could just have two children. For that reason. Haha. Or you could rent two cousins from down the block. They are also quite distracting.
Mostly this attribute is exasperating, but sometimes it is endearing. Yesterday, for instance, Tommy sat on my lap while I was watching the 5 o'clock news and realized my attention wasn't on him.
And then he grabbed my chin and physically turned my head back toward him as if to say, I am the main attraction here, Mama.
*So, if you suffer from this persistent annoyance, like me, you could just have two children. For that reason. Haha. Or you could rent two cousins from down the block. They are also quite distracting.
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