Just a small glimpse at our brand new second floor. It is so close to being done. Just a little bit of outside work like gutters and some siding and it will be complete. Oh and then there’s the painting. Which we are doing ourselves. We may just be a little insane to have taken on this enormous task but hey, we’re saving about $6k. It will take us a while to paint everything (especially all the trim) but then we’ll have that sweet feeling of accomplishment.  Or the overwhelming feeling of exhaustion. Or maybe both. 🙂

You are looking at the top of our stairs and the landing. Our bedroom is the door straight ahead with a bathroom and a closet off that. Samuel’s door is just to the right of that handrail that you can see straight ahead and Thomas’ room is behind. And don’t worry, the entire bannister will eventually be painted white. Along with all the trim. Yes – LOTS of painting in our future.

I am currently at stay at home mum which means I am responsible for picking up Thomas every day. This means I am also responsible for carrying on the tradition of the Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwich. Having one of these bad boys on me when I collect Thomas means that we have a much easier time leaving and the walk home is much more pleasant (and quicker!).

Thomas is sitting on our brand new stroller. It’s a double stroller without the bulk of a double. Thomas can either sit or stand on the back and Samuel rides up front in his car seat. I LOVE my new stroller. In fact I think I love it more than if someone turned up on my doorstep and said that I had won an all expenses paid luxury trip to Bermuda. Yes, this stroller is better than a vacation. It’s just that good.

Samuel seems to have a very strong neck for a 7 week old. His favourite position is up on the shoulder so he can have a good look around at the world. Then when he gets tired he nuzzles in right under your neck to go to sleep. He loves that little nook and having him sleep there is the best feeling in the world.

So apprently Kei has become comfortable letting Thomas walk along a 4 foot wall by himself without holding anyone’s hand. This makes me nervous. I guess Kei is more evolved as a parent (or more reckless :)).

I just love that look on Samuel’s face. Total bemusement like he already understands that facing a camera lens will be a daily event in his life.

We have a lot of painting to do – A LOT. I keep telling myself that the money we save by doing it ourselves can go to other things that we need. This is my mantra and the motivation I need to paint yet another piece of white trim. That, and the fact that we need to move upstairs before I go insane.

It scares me a little when Thomas gets up on the couch with Samuel. He really has no idea how much damage he could do if he were to fall on the baby and I believe he would actually love him to death if he could. But how could I resist the opportunity for a photo like this. As Thomas says regularly “I love my baby”. I think this photo shows that love, not to mention the brotherly resemblance.

The only flowers I have managed to grow in my garden. Not that I have really tried. Gardening is way down on our list of priorities right now. I am happy that I have my lavendar though. I have always wanted to grow lavendar and this one seems to be coming along nicely.

I did spend some time butchering pruning the plants in from of our house (two Camellias and a Japonica). I wanted them cut below the window level and if they survive then they will let a lot more light into the house. I wonder why I wasn’t this productive with my first child. I guess you don’t appreciate the opportunities that come with a child who sleeps for eighteen hours a day the first time around.

This is representative of a lot of the photos I take lately. Lots of motion and therefore a lot of blurriness. Also a lot of Kei and Thomas wrestling around on the floor.

Is this the cutest photo ever? I managed to capture this one while I was taking Samuel’s passport photo. I love it that he smiles so easily and I just love that the position of his hands make him look like he’s cheering.

His actual passport photo is far less interesting.