A Month of Sundays

Four long months since I've posted anything, and it feels like walking into a hoarder's house; you just don't know where to start.

To make it seem more manageable, I did what I do best and made a list of post inspirations and I'm gonna be checkin' it twice until I get them written and post-dated.

From that list there should be new content up until about the time Cherub #3 enters the stage...which could be as early as three weeks. Three Weeks?! Yes, three weeks. This pregnancy has gone so fast, consumed with a blur of completed home projects, compulsively checking pinterest for nursery inspiration and a month of solo parenting thrown in during our first T-Ball season for good measure.

I did a lot of things that I've been talking a big game about for a long time; raised beds in and planted, living room color lovingly applied to the walls, wild boys in consecutive swimming lesson sessions so as to decrease the risk of drowning, knitting up a storm for my etsy shop, running in my third trimester and awkward bootcamp sessions, T-Ball for H and the list goes on. Don't worry, you'll get to read all about those projects and more over the next three weeks. And, maybe by then, I'll be so inspired by your voracious readership that I'll just keep on a'posting.

Who am I kidding? People stopped checking for new posts after about a month of absence from the blogosphere, so if you're still here, thank you-I'll try and make it worth your while!

Voluntary Commitment

It seems that life has a way of rushing in and swooping me along the swift path of productivity, and I often don't notice it until I find a little lull and have a minute to appreciate just how busy I've been. At the beginning of this school year, because it was such a rough school year last year, I tried to keep our after-school commitments to an absolute minimum.

This Spring, seeking some additional physical outlets for him, I decided it was high time we tried swimming lessons again. Our prior sessions resulted in H acting like a little spinner dolphin on the side of the pool while he was supposed to be sitting patiently awaiting his turn, or listening raptly to the instructor. Needless to say, it was counter-productive. This time, I asked that he not be given flotation devices and wouldn't you know, the realization that you may drown if you don't do as instructed has had the desired effect. Swimming, to me, is one of those life-skills that are not an 'extra'. Our trip to Aruba in December confirmed that my kiddos need to be confident and competent swimmers before our next water trip, because it will just be more enjoyable for everyone.

This session went really well, so I signed him up for the next as well. At the same time, I signed Charlie up for his very same lesson and was shocked when the child who had clung to me like a frightened spider monkey anytime we approached any form of water aside from the bath-tub, leapt into the arms of his teacher without hesitation on the very first try. Go figure.

Lessons proceeding swimmingly (aren't I so witty?!), I read an article in the Union-Bulletin about an imagination yoga class offered through parks and rec. Designed to help kids aged 4-12 control their bodies, quiet their minds and gain greater attention spans, I did not hesitate to sign up both of my bouncing baby boys for the April session.

Oh, and did I tell you that I had also promised H he could sign up for T-Ball? Right...when I started entering the games and practices into my calendar, I realized that there will be several nights when we go from swim to T-Ball, or Swim to Yoga, and I started to panic. Wouldn't you know, H had one of his best weeks ever in school when we were committed to the gills? Not that I'm advocating over-committing your kids, or that it will work for us each time, but with a little overlap of activities, I'm glad I didn't sacrifice one for the other. Also, while my calendar looks really full, the actual time commitment is not huge. A half-hour lesson twice weekly for swim, 45 minutes once a week for yoga and T-Ball practice three times  a week (one of those days being Saturday morning or early afternoon) for about an hour; taken piecemeal, it's not so overwhelming.

I've tried to do this with any other requests that come in for my time; can it be done in the evening after my kids are in bed? Is it something I can do on my own, without having to coordinate schedules with someone else? If I stay on task, how much time will it really take? If I think about it that way, and I feel like it's something I can truly manage, I'll take it on. If it interferes with the sanity-saving time I've laid aside for my own needs (read: time that Charlie is in pre-school), I say no. I felt a crushing wave of guilt when I declined coaching H's team for T-ball, but the realities are these: I would be a really shitty coach, since I don't know very much about baseball. I really want to be H's cheerleader, not his instructor, because it's just a better combination. Finally, I have darling Charlie to drag along with me as it is and he's, how do you say, attention-starved since the revelation of baby #3 on board.

After the initial guilt passed, I'm so happy with my decision. With Junior Club (my town's version of Junior League), exercise and other 'self-care', the activities that the kids are in, a burgeoning belly and an already full schedule, I feel like I have a full plate. But, it's delightfully balanced with leafy greens, carbs, protein and a little bit of dessert at the end.

How have you managed to stay balanced with a busy life?

Sole Sisters

Today, I posted here. Read all about my newest running 'challenge'.

Gimme A Giveaway

I was so excited when my friend posted to my facebook account this morning that she'd seen a post about me on Our Humble A{Bowe}d. If you've been eyeing my newsboy caps, head on over to see how you can win a custom cashmere cap of your very own! There will be two winners, so don't miss out!

Rhapsody in Grey

After many, many paint samples lovingly applied to the walls in crazy quilt fashion, I finally hit on the perfect grey (or 'greige') tones for my kitchen and living room that weren't too blue, too green or too anything other than what I had envisioned. When we built the house, I had to pick one color to put all over the house; walls and ceilings, so I didn't go for anything too dark. I settled on Knot by Parker Paints after a quick flip through the available swatches. I'm really glad I didn't have them paint the rooms the colors I thought I'd want because a) we didn't have the exorbitant amount of money they'd have charged to do that and b) the colors I've settled on were nowhere in my consciousness at the time. Now, after almost two years of living in the spaces, I feel like I know what I want. For now.

For the kitchen, I went with Behr's Fashion Grey in their Ultra Paint plus Primer. Not only, does it have the most amazing coverage of any paint in a single coat (remember the crazy turquoise in my bedroom? One coat!), but it's a no VOC paint as well, so my preggo self can use it with confidence. Wait? Did she just say preggo? Yes, it's been awhile!

I've been a little preoccupied with nesting instincts, school obligations and the other general chaos that comes with a busy life of little boys, volunteer work and striving to make my house a home before a newly imposed deadline of mid-August. We found out yesterday that the bundle we're bringing home is going to be adding even more testosterone to our abode, as it's baby boy #3 for the HP clan.

Okay, back to paint. I started cutting in along the ceiling of the dining room last Saturday morning, took a short break to take the kiddos bowling, then back at it until I got 'er done and all put back together at about 12:30am. Climbing onto the countertops with a five months baked kiddo in utero proved to add a little 'fun' to my already afeared of heights self, but I prevailed.

My mom was here while I was painting and was not afraid to voice her reservations about painting the entirety of my main living spaces grey. But, alas, she was able to eat her slice of humble pie with a smile as we sat back at the end and admired how lovely it was. The woodwork now looks rich instead of bland and the tone plays off the stainless appliances nicely.

These photos were taken at night (obviously) and I love the daytime glow of the paint even more!

Today, I'll be starting on the main living space, because we have company coming for dinner tomorrow, who haven't seen our house in almost a year...so why wouldn't I tear my living room apart tonight?  I love me some unnecessary stress.

For my next indoors project, I've already started an active pinboard with nursery ideas, which will be a soothing grey with pops of bright colors. I have so many fun ideas and I can't wait to tackle my first real nursery.

Mr. HP will be gone for most of April and May, so our Pergola, outdoor shed and raised beds will be built upon his return. Believe me, he's rushing home in anticipation of those fun chores, while I've created another pinboard with ideas for how to stage seating areas around the yard and our newly extended patio. Should be a busy spring and summer with lots to share, fights to snark about and stresses to laugh about 'someday.'