Dining Room

This is the dining room. Matt's mom, Helene, helped us paint the walls, and we finally got shades for the piercingly bright gaudy gold "chandelier." The tall cabinet in the corner is a cheapo from Ikea that we bought for our last apartment because it had less cabinet space that our apartment before that. It is really an eyesore, I think, and I would prefer a buffet, but it will do for now. It holds cookbooks and less used appliances, such as the ice cream maker and popcorn maker. My dining room table is from my parents. My dad found it in a thrift store in MN and it has four leaves and came with the four chairs. We had 3 leaves in it the other night, fit 10 people, and it was great. It would actually be tight with another leaf, and I'm not sure my table cloth would still fit, now that I've washed it! Anyway...more rooms to come. :)

Our Bedroom

So, here's our bedroom...finished. That box with the pillows on it in the foreground has since been eliminated! It was the last box and its gone! I finally buckled and went through it even though it was Matt's stuff. I basically shoved it all in his night stand. I kind of want to paint the wall behind our bed the same red that is accented around the room. However, as excited as I am to be allowed to paint my walls, the thought of having to paint it back at the end of our lease is discouraging me.

Busy, Busy, Busy

So, we've been kinda busy, and the last few days have flown by. Matt and I were in California last weekend for a conference and a wedding, and Matt's installation is this weekend, so we are planning for that...being busy makes the time come and go. But, last week we had very nice weather and we walked to the mall, where I was unsuccessful in finding a dress for that wedding that I went to, but the kids were able to play in this great play area that they have in the mall. The next day Emma rode her tricycle to the gazebo, or "gabozo" as she called it. We tried for quite a few minutes to get that word right...it was so funny.

One Room Down

So, this is the girls' room, finished. That is, everything has a place and pictures on the wall. Our bedroom is basically done, also, unless I decide to paint one wall. I will post pictures of it when the large box with Matt's stuff in it is off the floor!

Swimming in Stuffed Animals

To all of you who have ever bought stuffed animals for my kids, thank you, BUT PLEASE, NO MORE! I admit that I, myself, have a thing for the soft, loviness of an unrealistic looking animal, but the maddness has got to stop! And why do I keep them, you ask, well because they're cute, and I have a dream that one day Emma and/or Siri will appreciate them and give them names and want to sleep with them. Every once in a while I try to weed out the animals that don't have any sentimantal value, however too many important people have chosen this gift avenue. Right now they are in a mound in their bedroom and the only playing that goes on is climbing on them...and I guess that's good, too!
Emma quote of the day: "Pirates wear underpants, right Mom?"

Emma's First Haircut

Before we moved to Maryland Emma received her first haircut!

Movin' In

Ok, I'll be honest, I am kind of a neat freak! When I packed up out stuff, back in NY, I put all the pieces of mail that needs attention, to-do lists, etc., in one spot so that I could continue life when we got here. However, I don't think I have opened that box yet! I need to go to the post office to get a package, but I don't want to leave the apartment yet...not unless it will be unpacked when I get back! Siri is not awake yet so I cannot tell you for sure, but its very possible that I will not be movitated enough to go on a walk!
The weirdest thing about unpacking is that there are some things that just will not find a home here. They had a place and belonged on a certain shelf or in a certain box in the old apartment, but they may not fit here. Then I have to find a spot, we'll call it the "refugee camp," to stack all of the homeless items until the essential items are placed first. Then we'll see if there is room for the "refugees" and if there is not, the trash/give away box will be their home. The sad thing is that this sounds a lot like the world.
But on a lighter note...I got a new dresser!