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My cousin Cindy recently chastised me for not keeping up with my home improvement posts. I’ll skip over the master bedroom and the nursery - both with the ultra-tedious task of wall paper removal and go right to the two big outside project for this summer.

First we had the house painted. Still white, but with green-ish shutters. We used Rutgers Painting and they did a really nice job. They were neat and fast, as well as courteous and professional. They price was, well, we could have paid less with someone else, but I definitely don’t think we would have gotten as good a job out of it. They we also really sensitive to the lead paint issue. With a new baby, that was a huge selling point.

Just this week, we had our wooden front steps taken out and replaced with masonry steps. They look really wonderful. We used Duran Landscaping and we are hoping to use them for some other projects, too. They are fast, good, and reasonably priced. Can’t beat that!

Today, Nate and I are going out to buy some mums for the new front steps. It looks so great, we may as well draw attention to it!

catbird :: Sep.17.2004 :: house stuff :: Comments Off

I stopped reading books. I still have them (and occasionally buy them) but they are just for reference. Too many different theories made me crazy. Sleep books are the worst - car sleep is bad, naps should happen a specific times of the day (and for certain durations), only nap in the crib, let him cry, don’t let him cry, blah, blah, blah.

That’s all well and good with one kid, but what about when you have two, three, or (holy Ted and Anna, Batman) four? It all goes out the window and the baby is sleeping where ever and whenever as your carting the other kids around. And they all turn out just fine.

Nate started sleeping better once I relaxed about everything. Now his naps are more predictable and he does nap best in his crib. But those things came when he was ready. Meanwhile I continually remind myself that what is happening right now - good or bad - will probably change by next week.

catbird :: Sep.17.2004 :: mommyhood :: Comments Off