You've heard that with real estate, location is everything? Well, guys, our location rocks. We're 2.5 miles from Luke's office, walking distance from 4 parks, a library, a grocery store, an awesome taqueria, and we have EXCELLENT NEIGHBORS. Plus, our backyard is really sweet and I can see giant redwoods from my front windows. AND rent is totally reasonable and everything is in working order! So moving for a little thing like an extra bedroom (or a slightly less little thing like an uncarpeted dining area ... grrrrr) seems like a bad idea.
Our apartment space has been very accommodating. When I started working part time, we took the doors off the living room closet and made a cute little office. And this weekend, the boys' bedroom made space for one more little baby.
It's 12x12, so not small by city standards, but not huge. We found 2 arrangements in which everything fit and we could still access the heater, and this was our favorite:
As you enter, you see our loved rocker and the new bunkbeds! Wooo bunkbeds! Scott's so proud sleeping up top!
And right next to the bunks? Baby corner. My favorite part of Klimt's 3 Ages of Woman (from my mom and dad, again!), a watercolor by Bridget (again!), and a teeny tiny sweater that babies Luke, Scott, and Mark all wore home from the hospital hang on the walls.
Under the window are the bookshelf, toy chest (both awesome Craigslist finds) and the cutest little rocking moose, a gift from some of the above-mentioned excellent neighbors and inspiration behind the 2009 hit by Ellen titled Moose Rider.
Makes me happy to look at it.
The final wall is the closet, which holds the dresser/changing table, dress up clothes, a new hamper, and lots of odds and ends that have been kicked out of other places in the house. The road rug is something my mom and I found at Big Lots before Scott was born. And the wall poster? My new favorite hippie parenting tool. When tantrums begin, Scott and I walk to the poster and he tells me which feelings he's having. It sometimes helps.
I love the feel of their little room. It's cheerful and practical. Seeing it all put together pulls me out of the grumpy I WANT TO MOVE slump that I've been in lately. I'm happy with our flexibility and when I need a sense of perspective it's good to remind myself how blessed I am and how most of the world lives in so much less. (This book, viewable online, called Where Children Sleep, is a reality check.)
xx Jenn
2 comments:
I love how you've arranged the room! Lots of cute stuff all over the walls, and I sure bet Scott likes sleeping up on that bunk bed! I loved our bunk bed when we were smaller and all were in the same room too.
Tell me more about the Feeleez poster! Is Scott pretty good at identifying his emotions? It's a neat idea.
What kind of castle scene is Luke thinking of? Something smaller like a framed picture or more like a wall decal, or are you guys thinking of getting some paint and sponges/stencils and decorating the castle yourself? Love you!
Luke wants 3D fabric "walls" to encompass the bed. Sounds awesome, right?
The Feelez don't always work, but I do think they have helped. Feelings are so hard to have and express when you're 3. The "silly" and "overwhelmed" faces are my faves.
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