Alright, I'm not one to make excuses - but we did just move into a new house since my last post. That counts as a very good reason for being late to the game on my post, right? Right. And since I write my blog (and am one of the only ones that reads it), I guess that means what I say goes!? Hooray!
We have been in our new home 4 weeks this Friday. And it's slowly, but surely, coming along. Now, I do not claim to have a lot of patience with waiting for my life to be in order - so this has been a challenge. I tend to want it all done NOW, so I can sit back, relax and enjoy (and not stress from the mess). But that's just not what happens when you buy a home that needs some updating. And you have a toddler. And full time jobs. Oh yeah, and have to manage sleep in there somewhere.
Our house was a blank canvas when we bought it - literally. Filled with white tile; the walls all some version of a neutral, boring white in every single room.Well, with exception to our living room, which was filled floor to ceiling with wood paneling, courtesy of the 1980's. And our guest room - which we affectionately call the "Maverick room". Apparently its last occupant was a big fan of our local basketball team. I can't blame him (or her), but yet, this room theme has to go!
We managed to replace all the tile in the living room, hallway, dining and playroom with wood flooring before we moved in; the result single handedly turned our family room into a built-in log cabin. Yikes! The first week after we moved, we had the wood paneling painted a beautiful grey. Bye bye, log cabin! We also painted the kitchen, laundry room, master bedroom, front hallway and, of course, our little man's room. Next on the list is the dining room, play room and last but not least, the Maverick room - only for lack of being able to choose a paint color. This room is our guest room, but will become Ronan's room in the future when we decide to add to our family. I would really like to avoid having to paint again. So finding a color that will work for a future big boy room and also currently as a guest room is tough!
So, that's the long and short of what we've been up to in the last month. Ronan absolutely loves his new house, and I am giddy with happiness since we moved in. I love the house so much. I don't have to worry about him climbing up any stairs all day long, he has more space, his own room that no longer doubles as the guest room, his own playroom (and we get to keep our dining room in the process), and most importantly, a HUGE yard that he absolutely loves - not going to lie, his Mommy loves it equally!
Back to Ronan. There aren't really any new developments to report this month. Just that he is now definitely a toddler. One minute he's fine, the next minute he's on the floor screaming for seemingly no reason at all. Dinner time is interesting. This kid is hungry CONSTANTLY. The second we walk in from work he says "Eat. Eat. Eat." and if we don't oblige and tell him he needs to wait for dinner? We have one unhappy baby on our hands. What's even worse is if we happen to put a plate in front of him that has something he does not find appetizing. Then our entire meal is filled with wails and whines. So much fun these days (note sarcasm). I know it's a phase and it will pass - but this is the most challenging phase yet, that's for sure. We just cannot seem to make this child happy. It's especially awesome if we are in public and we give him something he doesn't want. The stares from strangers have begun! What's even more interesting is he seems to only do this around us - his parents. He's testing his boundaries, for sure, and we are doing our best to teach him rules and provide fair discipline - so he doesn't walk all over us one day! When he's at school or my mom is watching him, they all say he is an absolute doll and so easy. I wish we got to see that side more often!
It's hard to believe that it was this time TWO years ago that I was pregnant. I was thinking the other day that it was last summer, but nope! I had a 7 month old this time last year. <sigh> How time flies. This time last year, we had tentative plans to think about adding to our family this summer. Those plans are definitely on hold for now. Once we figured out we wanted to move, that pushed everything back, for sure. We are burning the candle at both ends just taking care of one child. I am also very content with things right now, although the baby fever creeps up from time to time. I sure loved being pregnant, and I would love to give Ronan a sibling. Some day I hope, some day. :) For now, we will work on trying to add those hours into the day as I mentioned before! Here is a typical day in the life of US, and as you can see - we are low on time.
5:00 - Rise and shine for Rob. He gets up and heads to the gym most days (and when not sick like we have been for the last 2+ weeks!)
6:00 - Rob home to shower and get ready.
6:15 - I finally drag myself out of bed to shower and get ready while Dad heads to the kitchen to eat, pack Ronan's lunch, milk, water and snacks for the day.
7:00 - I head to the kitchen to eat.
7:10-7:15 - Wake Ronan (if he hasn't already), change him, get his sunscreen and bug spray applied for school.
7:25-7:30 - I (reluctantly) kiss and hug my baby and head to work for the day. That's right! I only see Ronan for about 15 minutes every weekday morning. <insert sad face>
7:30 - Rob and Ronan head to school & work.
8:00 - 11:30 - Work, work, work.
11:30 - 12:45 - Head to the gym to work out as many days (if not all) a week as possible.
1:00 - 4:59 - Work, work, work.
5:00 - Sprint out of the office and rush home to see my baby.
5:30 - Home, start prepping for dinner.
5:40 - Rob and Ronan get home, I smother my baby with hugs and kisses.
5:40 - 7:00 ish - continue prepping & cooking dinner while Rob plays with Ronan
7:00 - Eat! And usually endure lots of screaming while doing so.
7:30 - Rob cleans up and packs lunches for the next day while I get my turn playing with Ro. Sometimes if the weather is nice, we head out for a walk.
8:00 - I head back to give Ro his bath.
8:15 - 8:30 - Dress for bed, wind down and read a couple books or play.
8:30 - Ro in bed.
8:30 - 9:30 - Finish cleaning the kitchen and do other chores. Usually cooking Ronan some food for his school lunches (since I wouldn't dare let him eat the food they feed those kids), or mopping, laundry, vacuuming, dusting, etc.
9:30 - 10:00 - TV time. IF we're lucky. If not, it's usually space filled with more work around the house.
10:30 - 11:00 - We fall into bed, and set the alarm to do it all over again.
Meal planning happens usually on Friday during any spare time at work, grocery shopping done on Friday afternoon on my half days, or first thing Saturday morning while Rob mows the lawn.
How anybody does this routine with a second child is my idol. I foresee the next few years being exhausted. However, very well worth it. When I just simply read my schedule, I get tired.
Why share all of this information? Just to record what we did these days, during this time - to remind myself that I CAN do it, that we will get through it....just in case I need a reminder in the future. :)
I don't have my camera with me to upload any better pictures, but here are a few of my phone favorites from this month. Enjoy!
Ronan's new room - nearly complete!
Happy 4th of July!
Bath time babe
My favorite boys
My poor babe fell, bled and got his first fat lip last night!
The look of pure joy in our new backyard
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