No One Puts Baby in the Closet

Photo Credit: A Cup Of JoeActually, using a closet as a nursery is a great and common solution for people with limited space like me! We live in a two bedroom condo and space is lacking to say the least. Especially after two years of collecting children's toys, books, clothes and everything else child related. With our second child on the way we contemplated moving to the burbs (where we know we'll live and love one day). We imagined more space, a backyard, storage, much less street noise, better weather, room for entertaining and the list goes on.

But living in the burbs also means a longer commute for my husband, which translates to him not getting home in time to see either of the kids before bed and also lots more driving on my part! Sounds silly but I hate packing up the car and doing the car seat thing! It's tedious.

While having a large gourmet kitchen to cook in, more space to entertain and a backyard for the kids to play in is a dream of mine someday, I had to think about what I truly value right now in my life. And that is time with my husband and conveniences of city living. I realized I am not ready to give up my walking life style. I can walk to my daughter's preschool, public library, coffee shops, restaurants, convenience stores and more. We have a park across the street that we consider our backyard and most important to my family is that my husband has a less than 15 minute commute home and can be home most nights in time to help put the kids to bed. So you can bet that I am willing to sacrifice all the joys of the burbs for this... at least for a while longer. Not to mention there is a good possibility that we'll make a big move to the burbs in the next two years. 

So where does that leave us? We've decided to do some major rearranging and organizing of our place and clean out a small walk in closet that we have for our second child. The closet is located between my toddler's room and a bathroom area. We have some major work to do since we currently use it as storage and my toddler's room is half her room and half office but we'll get there. We figure we'll keep our second in the closet nursery for at least the first six months to a year and then move her/him to my toddler's room and they will share.

One couple in New York City made a nusery closet in their 500-squre foot studio apartment. I found the post, (which the picture to the left is from) inspiring. I've also been finding inspiration on Pinterest, Project Nusery and Babble. If you have any thoughts, ideas, suggestions I'd love to hear from you!

When Baby Turns Toddler

So much has changed in the last 14 months. The transition from baby to toddler is huge! (Side note: When exactly does your baby turn into a toddler? Is it as soon as they turn one? Is it when they start walking?). I remember like it was yesterday when Reese first learned how to roll over, sit up by herself, eat her first solids, crawl, eat finger foods, wave bye-bye, say her first words, get her first teeth and stand. 

Just a few weeks ago Reese took her first real steps and now she is walking. My baby girl is walking and I am a very proud Mamma. She is into EVERYTHING! Cupboards, laundry baskets, closets, my suit case, make-up – anything she can get her hands on. She helps me with the laundry, meaning she takes clothes out of the laundry basket and then puts them back in.

Boy is she sassy! Lately she throws her food off of her high chair tray when she is done eating and then giggles. Umm really Reese? And our visits to the park typically end in tears because she’s never ready to leave, but she’s getting better.

Although sassy, she is so sweet and sensitive. It melts my heart when she crawls or walks toward me with her hands up. She loves giving kisses, cuddling and she is really great at sharing (we had to work on this for a while).

Reese has fully transitioned to one nap so there’s a lot more time for activities. – music class, swim class, play dates, and field trips in-and-around the city. I liked the baby stage but I’m loving the toddler stage.

Here is a video that I took of Reese today walking. Eeeks!! Natali - I'm embarassed to post because my camera is turned the wrong way!! 

What’s your toddler up to these days? 

MommyBeta Podcast This Week: Stompers and Tantrums

This week we discuss early gender detection in pregnancy, how to deal with a stomper, or tantrum, and having a career and a baby at the same time. Can it be done!? 

Also, we've got a walker! That is our little victory this week. Be sure to share yours too! 

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD

A Toddler, By Any Definition

Some people say that infants turn into toddlers at their first birthday.  Others insist that it’s when they start walking.  Well, by either definition, I am officially the mother of a toddler!

Nic started walking on Easter Sunday and put on quite a show at our family Easter gathering.  I love how proud of himself he is for accomplishing this major milestone.  I am so proud of him too.

I can’t believe he’s a toddler though!  I don’t think I can even call myself a new mom anymore.  It’s like my excuse for being disheveled, late or exhausted just went out the door.  Crap!