Today is a great day. Two years ago, I gave birth to my sweet girl. It really is hard to believe on some level. I feel like it's been two years, but that's mostly because it's been a long road. We've never had any major, life altering problems with her, but many things have taken quite a bit of work. However, what child ISN'T worth all of your strength and energy for years to come? Not one!
Arabella is my petite ballerina. She's just a sliver bigger than her brother, she has more energy than five toddlers, and she's smarter than Steve and I combined. She hates new foods only to love them three months later. She still wants her bottles, because, damn it, Jude has one too! She sings everything she can remember and she shakes her booty while she does it. She kisses her family and tells us she loves us. She's everything I've ever wanted in life and more. And right now, she's throwing apples on the floor :).
Happy 2nd Birthday, Arabella Nicole!
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Worst Waiting Game Ever
We sold our house. That's definitely exciting. HOWEVER...now we begin one of the most miserable waiting games in the history of mankind. To sell your house, you actually have to close on it to finish the deal. That will not happen for another 30 days (actually, October 27th for us).
There's a number of things that can go wrong in the meantime that can cause the contract to fall apart. We have to have our house inspected. Once that happens, the buyers will create a list of things they want taken care of before the option period is over. That option period is 10 days. Then we have to have an appraisal to ensure that we are selling for what the house is worth. Really, what our house is worth is up for interpretation. The first person might say something and a second person will suggest it's 10K higher or lower than the first person. Either way, whatever the appraiser says can cause things to fall apart. Then there's also the fact that the buyers can just change their minds. Isn't that a bunch of sh......poop?
All in all, things look good. These buyers are getting the house a great price and in great condition. Still, jumping through hoops to be sure the house is acceptable and constantly waiting for update phone calls and emails is not my idea of fun. One thing this does afford us, though, is the opportunity to get serious about where we want to live up here in Maryland. Some of you may know that we have been considering living with Steve's parents. It would help us pay down some debt by having a smaller housing cost and it would help them afford a bigger (IE nicer) house. Our other option is to look at housing in our own price range.
The market here is very different from Texas. You get less house for your money, but there are different amenities that come with a house here, as well. You may be buying a townhouse and it may have smaller rooms in general, but you also tend to get a deck and a basement (many of them actually are finished). There's also more affordable housing on the water, although I'm pretty certain we aren't really interested in living on the water. Also, taxing is different, so while we'll buy a more expensive house, our monthly payments won't change very much. So, tomorrow we will go look at some houses in the area to see if it is worth buying our own house or if we will go forward with living with Steve's parents for a couple of years.
Even still, buying a house here is contingent on closing on our house in Texas. And so, we wait.
There's a number of things that can go wrong in the meantime that can cause the contract to fall apart. We have to have our house inspected. Once that happens, the buyers will create a list of things they want taken care of before the option period is over. That option period is 10 days. Then we have to have an appraisal to ensure that we are selling for what the house is worth. Really, what our house is worth is up for interpretation. The first person might say something and a second person will suggest it's 10K higher or lower than the first person. Either way, whatever the appraiser says can cause things to fall apart. Then there's also the fact that the buyers can just change their minds. Isn't that a bunch of sh......poop?
All in all, things look good. These buyers are getting the house a great price and in great condition. Still, jumping through hoops to be sure the house is acceptable and constantly waiting for update phone calls and emails is not my idea of fun. One thing this does afford us, though, is the opportunity to get serious about where we want to live up here in Maryland. Some of you may know that we have been considering living with Steve's parents. It would help us pay down some debt by having a smaller housing cost and it would help them afford a bigger (IE nicer) house. Our other option is to look at housing in our own price range.
The market here is very different from Texas. You get less house for your money, but there are different amenities that come with a house here, as well. You may be buying a townhouse and it may have smaller rooms in general, but you also tend to get a deck and a basement (many of them actually are finished). There's also more affordable housing on the water, although I'm pretty certain we aren't really interested in living on the water. Also, taxing is different, so while we'll buy a more expensive house, our monthly payments won't change very much. So, tomorrow we will go look at some houses in the area to see if it is worth buying our own house or if we will go forward with living with Steve's parents for a couple of years.
Even still, buying a house here is contingent on closing on our house in Texas. And so, we wait.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
In Maryland
And here we are. We made it to Maryland. I would be more excited if we didn't have an angry neighbor who decided to yell on his phone for an hour last night. Lots of f-bombs. Angry neighbors scare me. Other than that, things are going pretty well. Our apartment is what we need it to be (mostly) for the time being. There are lots of restaurants and shops convenient to us. Things just seem to be in a short driving distance in general and I appreciate that.
One thing that does freak me out though is that the highways are lined with trees. I can't see where I'm going! It's a little unnerving since I don't know where things are yet. I'm sure in a couple months it will be beautiful.
Something else that is fantastic about the area is the temperature. Even when it's warm outside, there's a nice breeze that doesn't just waft more hot air in your face but cools you down a bit. I'm kind of excited to go check out Annapolis because I'm sure there's going to be an even nicer breeze by the water.
It's a little hard to fathom what the coming holidays and events are going to be like in this new area. We have to remain frugal while we're waiting to sell our house because we only have a certain amount that the company will assist with. It's fun experiencing a new area and a new adventure, but I would be lying if I said I wasn't scared out of my mind right now. The coming months hold a lot of unknowns, but we'll do our best to figure it all out.
One thing that does freak me out though is that the highways are lined with trees. I can't see where I'm going! It's a little unnerving since I don't know where things are yet. I'm sure in a couple months it will be beautiful.
Something else that is fantastic about the area is the temperature. Even when it's warm outside, there's a nice breeze that doesn't just waft more hot air in your face but cools you down a bit. I'm kind of excited to go check out Annapolis because I'm sure there's going to be an even nicer breeze by the water.
It's a little hard to fathom what the coming holidays and events are going to be like in this new area. We have to remain frugal while we're waiting to sell our house because we only have a certain amount that the company will assist with. It's fun experiencing a new area and a new adventure, but I would be lying if I said I wasn't scared out of my mind right now. The coming months hold a lot of unknowns, but we'll do our best to figure it all out.
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Cheers
We're going to move. It's really going to happen. We have expected it was really going to happen but never had anything tangible until now. Within the next week, Steve will be in Maryland and begin to work on his new project and hopefully look for a house or apartment for us. Yes, we also have to sell our house, but I'd rather not think about that. The best we can do there is get our house looking as close to a model home as possible and hope that somebody wants it.
All of that being said, I am guessing that my posts will become sparce after the next few weeks. I'll be visiting my parents for a short time then moving up to Maryland. Once the kids and I get up to Maryland, things are likely to get very busy. I'll be finding new doctors, looking at places (if we haven't chosen one), and figuring out the lay of the land. Also, I get to prepare for winter. A REAL winter! I'm excited and a bit nervous. After all, I've driven in a bit of ice a couple times, but I have no clue what snow will be like. And then there's all the cute winter clothes that I will actually need. I'm sure I'll post about all of that excitement after I get started on it.
In the meantime, here's to Texas. I'm probably not going to miss the state (and who can blame me at this time of year), but I'll miss quite a few people who live here and some of the delicious food that won't be matched (I'll miss you Tex-Mex). And, here's to Maryland. You're bringing me closer to friends I have so missed and will give me an opportunity to live a different kind of life. Cheers!
All of that being said, I am guessing that my posts will become sparce after the next few weeks. I'll be visiting my parents for a short time then moving up to Maryland. Once the kids and I get up to Maryland, things are likely to get very busy. I'll be finding new doctors, looking at places (if we haven't chosen one), and figuring out the lay of the land. Also, I get to prepare for winter. A REAL winter! I'm excited and a bit nervous. After all, I've driven in a bit of ice a couple times, but I have no clue what snow will be like. And then there's all the cute winter clothes that I will actually need. I'm sure I'll post about all of that excitement after I get started on it.
In the meantime, here's to Texas. I'm probably not going to miss the state (and who can blame me at this time of year), but I'll miss quite a few people who live here and some of the delicious food that won't be matched (I'll miss you Tex-Mex). And, here's to Maryland. You're bringing me closer to friends I have so missed and will give me an opportunity to live a different kind of life. Cheers!
Monday, July 25, 2011
Ready or Not
These next two months are going to be very stressful. In the next 48 hours, Steve will receive his start date and we will be able to get in contact with a realtor to get our house on the market. Most likely, Steve will be leaving on August 10th or 11th and will be in Maryland from then on. I get to stay behind for a bit as we try to sell the house. I find this very frightening as I have to watch over my two sweet little monsters. It might not be so bad if I had a near by adult to spend time with but most of my friends and family live at least an hour away. That makes it hard to just get up and go find some good company.
There's also the fact that I have to try to keep this house immaculate while I remain here. Ideally, we will find a townhouse to buy within the first month that Steve is there and, after another month, we will be able to move into it. However, there's never any guarantees that things will work out the way you want. So, I plan on bracing myself for the worst. Even while doing that, though, I plan to keep myself sane by reminding myself that this isn't forever and my situation is not that bad. It isn't. I'm not completely without help, it's just a little ways away. This isn't forever.
I'm glad that we are finally getting close to the end of this journey. I am very much ready to move.
There's also the fact that I have to try to keep this house immaculate while I remain here. Ideally, we will find a townhouse to buy within the first month that Steve is there and, after another month, we will be able to move into it. However, there's never any guarantees that things will work out the way you want. So, I plan on bracing myself for the worst. Even while doing that, though, I plan to keep myself sane by reminding myself that this isn't forever and my situation is not that bad. It isn't. I'm not completely without help, it's just a little ways away. This isn't forever.
I'm glad that we are finally getting close to the end of this journey. I am very much ready to move.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Children's Inspiration
With an impending move ahead, I've been thinking about the (eventual) direction I would want to take with the kid's rooms. Decorating a room just the way you want can be expensive, so these are merely ideas to get me started. I thought I'd share some of my favorite things I've found so far!
For a shared room:
For a room just for Bella:
For a room just for Jude:
I'm really getting into the idea of fantasy and fairy tale themes for the kids. I've always loved anything fantastical, so why not immerse my children in it!
For a shared room:
For a room just for Bella:
For a room just for Jude:
I'm really getting into the idea of fantasy and fairy tale themes for the kids. I've always loved anything fantastical, so why not immerse my children in it!
Make it Work
It's been 6 months since Jude was born, even though it doesn't really seem possible. All along I've been making things work. Feeding two kids at the same time. Getting two kids to sleep at night, at the same time. Getting two kids to take a nap at the same time.....working on that. Keeping a house tidy....really bad at that still. Keeping Steve and I fed. There's always a laundry list of things that need to be done.
I have a problem of making things as simple as possible. Doing the bare minimum, if you will. My goal for the rest of the year is to change that. I want to find a way to make things work without sacrificing the quality of the outcome. Things have been so up in the air for months now with this move looming over our heads that I haven't done much of anything I've intended to do. Now, we're going to move in the next couple of months, and possible again shortly after that if we go find a house. No more waiting. All of the things I've wanted to do, its time to take the steps to make them reality.
I need to start setting my goals and looking at the steps I need to take to attain them. I want a massive white board with sectioned off areas. That would be great :).
I have a problem of making things as simple as possible. Doing the bare minimum, if you will. My goal for the rest of the year is to change that. I want to find a way to make things work without sacrificing the quality of the outcome. Things have been so up in the air for months now with this move looming over our heads that I haven't done much of anything I've intended to do. Now, we're going to move in the next couple of months, and possible again shortly after that if we go find a house. No more waiting. All of the things I've wanted to do, its time to take the steps to make them reality.
I need to start setting my goals and looking at the steps I need to take to attain them. I want a massive white board with sectioned off areas. That would be great :).
Thursday, July 14, 2011
One baby per month (sort of)
Holy cow! Babies be everywhere! I can't even guess how many babies that have been born in my circles in the past few years. In fact, this year, it's almost 1 a month! Steve says that we are just at that stage of life and I completely understand. Most of our friends who are married have been so for at least 2-3 years and have had a chance to settle into a career or whatever else it is they've wanted to accomplish. That means babies!
For example, 2008 started it all. 2 babies (April and December). In 2009, 6 babies. In 2010, 8 babies. This year, 7 have already made their appearance. There's still 5 to come....that I know of. And we have our first entry for 2012. One of my cousins is expecting his first in January next year, around Jude's birthday. This is crazy, in a good way of course.
After talking about it with Steve, he made the point that it will be like this for a few years. It's family building time. Honestly, there is not better time of life! The next 20-30 years are going to be a grand adventure that's for sure. Then, our kids will be doing the same....scary.
For example, 2008 started it all. 2 babies (April and December). In 2009, 6 babies. In 2010, 8 babies. This year, 7 have already made their appearance. There's still 5 to come....that I know of. And we have our first entry for 2012. One of my cousins is expecting his first in January next year, around Jude's birthday. This is crazy, in a good way of course.
After talking about it with Steve, he made the point that it will be like this for a few years. It's family building time. Honestly, there is not better time of life! The next 20-30 years are going to be a grand adventure that's for sure. Then, our kids will be doing the same....scary.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Here we go
So, we're officially moving. Now we officially need a date. This whole mess is very frustrating. Until Steve gets some paperwork turned in, we don't really know what's going on and contacting the relocation people is pointless. I'm very excited for this move to be done and it hasn't even started. And by done, I mean we're there, settled in, and our house here is sold. That last part is VERY important. I mean really, who wants to pay for two residences.
There are some things working on my side for all of this. I do have to find a new pediatrician (BOO) but at least I have until October to find one for sure. That is when Bella will have her 2 year and Jude will have his 9 month appointment. I'll have to find new doctors for Steve and I, not that we ever go now. However, we probably should.
I can search for new Mother's day out programs for Bella. I like the one we're in, but there might be a Catholic one in MD and Steve would be excited about that. Also, perhaps there will be a little bit of variance in the pricing.
The one thing that I'm really excited about, though. DE-CLUTTERING! During this move, we have to be able to whittle down our belongings to what can fit in a 2 bedroom apartment. I must say, I love that idea. I feel like we have so much junk and half of it doesn't get used. Time to clean out!
One added bonus is that I might be able to go see my parents (who have been in Alabama for a month now). It would be a tad out of the way, but what better time to go than when you're on the move anyway!
By the end of August, all of this will be decided and done. It seems unreal that in 2 months we will go from knowing nothing to not being in Texas and everything (almost) being decided. Here we go.
There are some things working on my side for all of this. I do have to find a new pediatrician (BOO) but at least I have until October to find one for sure. That is when Bella will have her 2 year and Jude will have his 9 month appointment. I'll have to find new doctors for Steve and I, not that we ever go now. However, we probably should.
I can search for new Mother's day out programs for Bella. I like the one we're in, but there might be a Catholic one in MD and Steve would be excited about that. Also, perhaps there will be a little bit of variance in the pricing.
The one thing that I'm really excited about, though. DE-CLUTTERING! During this move, we have to be able to whittle down our belongings to what can fit in a 2 bedroom apartment. I must say, I love that idea. I feel like we have so much junk and half of it doesn't get used. Time to clean out!
One added bonus is that I might be able to go see my parents (who have been in Alabama for a month now). It would be a tad out of the way, but what better time to go than when you're on the move anyway!
By the end of August, all of this will be decided and done. It seems unreal that in 2 months we will go from knowing nothing to not being in Texas and everything (almost) being decided. Here we go.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Never Bored
I'm very bad at updating, aren't I? Well, it's been an interesting month so I suppose it isn't a big deal. Recently, I've had to learn to cope without my mom being in town. Now she's not just not in town, she's not in state. It's been strange, but I have done a lot better than I thought I would. I find things to occupy our time and I think it's been easier on the kids being at home all of the time.
Being that we're in a new situation, we've been trying some new things as well. Steve and I decided that it was time to sleep train Bella. It's been 3 weeks, and while we've had success we certainly still have a ways to go. She still cries when she has to go to bed, but that's our fault for not creating good sleeping habits for her in the first place. Another thing I know will need to happen soon that could throw a wrench in our plans is moving to a toddler bed. She's starting to climb and I'd rather not experience broken bones if I can help it.
We also started back up with food therapy since Bella was starting to slip in her growth again. We've seen immediate progress! She's begun to eat more solids and take less bottles and now we are slowly trying to wean her off formula all together. Now, she's a solid 22 lbs and continuing to gain weight, so now seems like the right time to move in that direction.
As for Jude, well he's so delightfully normal that it's almost boring. I say almost because he's my son so he simply can't be boring to me! He's gone through all of the vegetable purees and we're almost through the fruits. This kid can pack away the food, that's for sure! I'm guessing he's close to 19 lbs now. Then there's his quickly emerging personality. Lots of people thought I would have a nice calm, sweet baby since Bella is such a ball of energy (and has been known to be a bit challenging at times). That's a load of baloney! Jude is super energetic and is already becoming quite talkative. He doesn't really say any consonants like Bella was at this point, but he loves experimenting with raspberry sounds and gurgling, among other things. He's getting close to sitting on his own and then most likely crawling will come very soon after.
I'm certainly not bored during the day. Perhaps a bit overwhelmed at times, but never bored.
Being that we're in a new situation, we've been trying some new things as well. Steve and I decided that it was time to sleep train Bella. It's been 3 weeks, and while we've had success we certainly still have a ways to go. She still cries when she has to go to bed, but that's our fault for not creating good sleeping habits for her in the first place. Another thing I know will need to happen soon that could throw a wrench in our plans is moving to a toddler bed. She's starting to climb and I'd rather not experience broken bones if I can help it.
We also started back up with food therapy since Bella was starting to slip in her growth again. We've seen immediate progress! She's begun to eat more solids and take less bottles and now we are slowly trying to wean her off formula all together. Now, she's a solid 22 lbs and continuing to gain weight, so now seems like the right time to move in that direction.
As for Jude, well he's so delightfully normal that it's almost boring. I say almost because he's my son so he simply can't be boring to me! He's gone through all of the vegetable purees and we're almost through the fruits. This kid can pack away the food, that's for sure! I'm guessing he's close to 19 lbs now. Then there's his quickly emerging personality. Lots of people thought I would have a nice calm, sweet baby since Bella is such a ball of energy (and has been known to be a bit challenging at times). That's a load of baloney! Jude is super energetic and is already becoming quite talkative. He doesn't really say any consonants like Bella was at this point, but he loves experimenting with raspberry sounds and gurgling, among other things. He's getting close to sitting on his own and then most likely crawling will come very soon after.
I'm certainly not bored during the day. Perhaps a bit overwhelmed at times, but never bored.
