Some Solutions

I just went back and found some posts where I was sharing how I was trying to figure out some stuff as a new mom. (Well... some of the issues don't have that much to do with being a mom -- just my life -- like the closets in our rented duplex.)

And since I have figured some of it out for myself, I thought I would share.

I apologize in advance, this post is just gonna be kinda a jumble of stuff.

The first solution I wanna share was my struggle to "Understanding The Toddler Mind."

Nearly a year ago, I shared with you how I just don't understand small children.

For some reason I get babies. Maybe because its pretty much eating, sleeping and cleaning.

But once they can show me a mind of their own, I'm lost.

I have never spent time around kids, unless you count when they were my peers, loooong before becoming a mom. My life just kinda lined up in a way that I never was around people much younger than me. And I never baby sat or anything. I also didn't take any classes on kids (unless you count that one in high school where they basically tried to scare teenagers away from getting pregnant by showing labor movies, giving you a fake baby doll that cries all night, and telling you how expensive kids are.)

So I've been lost. REALLY lost since Jasmine turned two.

I tried looking for some books, but I didn't come across what I was looking for until now.

(So, I totally missed out understand two year olds! :) We have moved on to being confused by three year olds now.)

I just grabbed this book of the library shelf this past week and I am LOVING it!

Its called: "Your Three Year Old: Friend or Enemy" by Louise Bates Ames. (I found the inclusion of the word "Enemy" a turn off, but I get the usage of it, and I'm glad I still grabbed the book despite my idealism.)

I don't know if anyone else would like it. But its seriously EXACTLY what I was hoping to find. Just a book that explains what a person of that age is like: what they are capable of, what they find difficult, what a stereotypical persona of that age looks like, what they enjoy, what they dislike, basics of their day and how they see the world.

Its like the author read my mind on what I needed to know.

Now the book is a little older. It came out in 1985. So I read a couple reviews on amazon of some of her books where people were thinking it didn't apply now. But, I can say for me its a total hit. The author acknowledges that every kid is an individual and they each go through things in their own way -- but the generalizations she makes really do fit what me and Jasmine are going through. And I find it really reassuring because I never could tell before I read this if she was doing something strange, or something that needs correction, or if its just an age appropriate thing she will out grow. And as long as I know its just an age thing I don't feel compelled to worry about it any more. And I can take deep breathes and just say, "It will get better."

I'll be going back and reading the one year old and two year old books for Ruby's sake. And I'll definitely be reading the four year old book and likely the rest too. (They go up to nine years old, and then there is a book covering 10 -14 years old.) The one I'm reading is really helping me out, so I'm definitely looking forward to the others.

Ok moving on to clothes:

Around Thanksgiving last year I whined about having no nice jeans and not being able to find underwear that fit, are cute, comfy and not wedgie machines.

More Toy Cabinet---I forgot some pics! And some lesson from small-space-living.

So, 

I totally forgot that I have more pictures I had been planning to add to the cabinet post.

Mom Brain -- I hope this doesn't get worse per child birthed, I cannot keep thoughts in one spot in my head anymore!

I was going through photos for Christmas, and low and behold, cabinets in progress photos -- since I was sad I didn't include them...here you go!

(I'm sure you are as pumped as I am! :) ) 

I spent every nap and bedtime painting these in my kitchen.

Worrying Ruby would wake up and I would need to nurse her, while covered in paint.

Extra Triva: I was watching Downton Abby (on Netflix) the whole while! Love that show! (18 Days!!)

Painted and waiting for Blake

:)

Look how tiny Ruby is! Oh my gosh! I already forgot she was ever that little!

5 months went by at the speed of sound!

I didn't even realize there has been time for her to grow! But there has!

So Here's our living room before, with the furniture we moved to town with:

DVD player under the table, DVDs in the black cabinets beside it.

I was just telling my friend how I like this small-space-living because it gives me the emotional ability to go through my the logical process of making our stuff work for our life.

Small Space Living

Since our next place is going to be significantly smaller than our current home, I've been trying to decide what to take with us, and what to get rid of. 

I'm also brainstorming up decorating ideas like crazy. (umm hi pintrest. Yeah its awesome.)

So, I decided to stop by the library and grab some books.

One of them was "500 Ideas for Small Spaces"

A lot of it was stuff I can't do since we are renting  (good stuff, but things that would require painting trim or redoing a bathroom, ect)

But the things that I can do, were pretty helpful.  I wanted to keep the ideas on hand for myself. And I thought maybe someone might enjoy the help as well.  So I thought I'd blog them up.

Enjoy:

Ideas for Small Space Living

In the Living Room:

• When possible guide foot traffic around (rather than through) conversation areas. Position main seating in the center, in a tight U-shape.
• It is preferable to choose an ample two-seat sofa rather than a small three-seat sofa. The slightly smaller sofa allows room for an end table.