Home Improvements

It's funny how things change over time. Life seems a little less predictable and "secure" should we say these days with the economy the way that it is. I went from living in a townhouse with just Baylee and myself. I built it brand new and LOVED it. It's nice that my mum bought it from me because it means I still have visitation rights (I bet she's glad I went against her advice on the upgrade to tile floor now!!) Anyway when Jeramie and I got together it didn't take long for me to realize that we were going to need more space. So I hesitantly sold my "perfect" townhouse and purchased a regular house (born in 1985). It was a HUGE adjustment going from sparkly new everything to .. well .. OLD. I haven't loved my house. I DO love not having neighbors that pound on the wall or being woken up by THEIR television at 6:30am. But it was an adjustment. It continues to be difficult knowing that this probably isn't the house we will "stay" in forever. So I constantly debate about what's worth putting time and money into and what isn't. But recently my mindset has started to change. I realize that really I am LUCKY to be able to own a house because there are a lot of other people out there that can't afford it anymore. People are losing their homes these days. I'm trying not to focus so much on thinking ahead to when we will be able to move into something bigger (with my own BATHROOM again) and instead make the current situation more enjoyable. So slowly I have more moments where I think to myself "I LIKE my house". This weekend was a great example. Jeramie and I have been talking a lot about what little things we can do to our home that will make us enjoy it more. So I am officially working on my attitude about my house. We started with one little improvement that already makes me feel better. We had this one corner of our dining room that just collected toys slowly. It was driving me CRAZY looking at it. It was a total clutter pile of 2 year old toys. So we went to IKEA and got tons of ideas for all kinds of things on Friday. But we walked away with 1 purchase that has made SUCH a difference. Check out the before and after! So now even though pretty much most of the toys are still there and accessible by Jackson, I don't have to stare at them all the time. I don't have to be embarrassed by the pile of toys when someone unexpectedly stops by. Small steps. Next I am going to tackle the UGLY orange bathroom on the main level.

BEFORE

AFTER

Tell me that doesn't look SO much better!!

Reduced Sentance

Yay!! So we took Wyland to see the helmet guy on Friday and he was officially reduced to only having to wear his helmet when he sleeps and when he's in his carseat for long periods of time. Now that he's sitting up there is the reduced opportunity of lying on the back of his head and making it flat again. We were very excited by this news. Unfortunately with this new found freedom it comes with a price. Before when he tipped back it didn't hurt so much landing on his head. Now it comes as quite a devastating shock to the poor little guy when he falls back .. it actually hurts his head without his protective gear. And we have to watch Jackson a little closer around him (he can be a little rough at times). Who would have thought we would come to have liked the concept of the helmet? He looks so "weird" to us now without it! But what an amazing improvement on his head though. It's so ROUND now!