Thursday, January 31, 2013
Friday, January 25, 2013
A steep learning curve
There has been a new phenomenon going on around here: I have started on a housing quest even though we're not buying a house anytime soon. It's not like I'm actually starting to look for houses, but a few weeks ago I felt the sudden urge to prepare ourselves financially for the enormous task we will face when Brandon graduates. So I have been learning all about PMIs, 80-10-10 mortgages, and other things. Instead of being the one who likes to spend money, I'm the one talking to Brandon about savings goals and making a financial plan for the next year. I think Brandon finds it amusing, and somewhat relieving that I've taken over the responsibility of planning all this, instead of him. But believe me, when we go to apply for a loan, I will walk into the bank like I own the place.
But what I've learned the most about-- and what surprises me most-- is what I like in a house. I've done a few online searches just to get a feel for market value in different areas. I first looked in the Woodlands-- if you're not familiar with Houston's geography, it's an area that's so far north it could probably qualify as a suburb of Dallas, and where you can get a million-square-foot home for less than what we pay in rent. (I may exaggerate, but you get the picture.) To any normal person, it would be a dream come true. Huge houses in nicely organized communities, each with miles of counterspace in the kitchen and backyard access to the neighborhood pond. But instead of thinking like a normal person, little voices inside my head say, "Imagine how much it would cost to furnish a home that size! Those ponds breed bloodsucking mosquitoes and are a drowning danger for kids! It would take hours to clean that kitchen! All your neighbors would probably have one child and two SUVs! Suburbia! Stepford Wives! AAAAAHHHHHH!!! Am I unfit for the American dream? Then tonight I looked at some inner-city houses, where houses in the same price range are half the size. They were old, they were small. They had exposed brick and terracotta tiles and enough character to delight even the hippest of hipsters. And I got a little teary-eyed and thought, "Our furniture would look so cute in there! And look at that kitchen, it's so small that I would always have an excuse to not cook!"
Who knows. Where we end up will probably have more to do with where Brandon has employment than with satisfying my inner hipster. And there are many tempting advantages to the ones that have 7 bedrooms and a study. But none of that is for me to decide yet, and I prefer to be just as surprised as everyone else at which one we choose.
But what I've learned the most about-- and what surprises me most-- is what I like in a house. I've done a few online searches just to get a feel for market value in different areas. I first looked in the Woodlands-- if you're not familiar with Houston's geography, it's an area that's so far north it could probably qualify as a suburb of Dallas, and where you can get a million-square-foot home for less than what we pay in rent. (I may exaggerate, but you get the picture.) To any normal person, it would be a dream come true. Huge houses in nicely organized communities, each with miles of counterspace in the kitchen and backyard access to the neighborhood pond. But instead of thinking like a normal person, little voices inside my head say, "Imagine how much it would cost to furnish a home that size! Those ponds breed bloodsucking mosquitoes and are a drowning danger for kids! It would take hours to clean that kitchen! All your neighbors would probably have one child and two SUVs! Suburbia! Stepford Wives! AAAAAHHHHHH!!! Am I unfit for the American dream? Then tonight I looked at some inner-city houses, where houses in the same price range are half the size. They were old, they were small. They had exposed brick and terracotta tiles and enough character to delight even the hippest of hipsters. And I got a little teary-eyed and thought, "Our furniture would look so cute in there! And look at that kitchen, it's so small that I would always have an excuse to not cook!"
Who knows. Where we end up will probably have more to do with where Brandon has employment than with satisfying my inner hipster. And there are many tempting advantages to the ones that have 7 bedrooms and a study. But none of that is for me to decide yet, and I prefer to be just as surprised as everyone else at which one we choose.
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
New skills
Every mother is convinced her child is a genius. I was definitely on that bandwagon when Violet was a baby. Every little social or motor skill she learned was further proof of her prodigy. Well, it's different with the second child. I'm busier and I've seen it all before, and sometimes I forget that Charlie is also a smart little baby. Here are some ways he communicates to us:
Shaking his head (means no)
pointing to something (means he wants it)
making a grabbing motion with his right hand (means "give it to me!")
waving his arm up and down (means "let's go!")
slapping his chair (means "I want it NOW!")
He also combines these things to be more specific. When he sees me walk out of my room in the morning he us usually having breakfast in his high chair, and every time, he points to me and then starts slapping his chair. Translation: I want mom, NOW!
And sometimes I will be holding him, and he will point to something on the table. So I will pick it up for him and he will shake his head and point more emphatically to what he wants and make a grabbing motion with his right hand. Translation: I want that! No, not that, mom, I want that other thing! Give it to me!
He also loves playing in a certain kitchen cupboard and any time I go to get a bowl out of it, I find a little car or ball stuck in there somewhere.
He loves reading books and can do some of the motions to We're Going on a Bear Hunt.
He stalks anyone who tries to take a shower when he's awake. He crawls into the bathroom, rips open the shower curtain, and starts laughing hysterically. Every time.
And Violet... she's still a genius, in my eyes. The other day she accurately pointed out where we live on a map of the world. She also knows how to spell the word no, and she goes through her alphabet book and tells me what sounds the letters make, and what words start with those letters. Like "mall." She told me that mall starts with M. And these things may not sound very impressive, but I didn't teach her any of them. So don't ask me how she figured out how to spell no, or what letter mall begins with. She's just a smart girl.
Shaking his head (means no)
pointing to something (means he wants it)
making a grabbing motion with his right hand (means "give it to me!")
waving his arm up and down (means "let's go!")
slapping his chair (means "I want it NOW!")
He also combines these things to be more specific. When he sees me walk out of my room in the morning he us usually having breakfast in his high chair, and every time, he points to me and then starts slapping his chair. Translation: I want mom, NOW!
And sometimes I will be holding him, and he will point to something on the table. So I will pick it up for him and he will shake his head and point more emphatically to what he wants and make a grabbing motion with his right hand. Translation: I want that! No, not that, mom, I want that other thing! Give it to me!
He also loves playing in a certain kitchen cupboard and any time I go to get a bowl out of it, I find a little car or ball stuck in there somewhere.
He loves reading books and can do some of the motions to We're Going on a Bear Hunt.
He stalks anyone who tries to take a shower when he's awake. He crawls into the bathroom, rips open the shower curtain, and starts laughing hysterically. Every time.
And Violet... she's still a genius, in my eyes. The other day she accurately pointed out where we live on a map of the world. She also knows how to spell the word no, and she goes through her alphabet book and tells me what sounds the letters make, and what words start with those letters. Like "mall." She told me that mall starts with M. And these things may not sound very impressive, but I didn't teach her any of them. So don't ask me how she figured out how to spell no, or what letter mall begins with. She's just a smart girl.
Saturday, January 19, 2013
Snow day!
We had a snow day here in Houston last weekend. If you're not familiar with Houston's climate, let me break it down for you: my parents' neighborhood brought in a snow machine on a 70-degree day, which made a small patch of snow in front of the splash pad where kids were taking off their clothes and running through (see background of picture). Violet took to the snow quite quickly and started throwing snowballs at unsuspecting victims.
Charlie had a different opinion of the snow. Brandon had him touch it and he hated it so much that he managed to keep every part of his body off the ground like that scene in Mission Impossible.
But the kids were soon distracted by the park there, and everyone ended up having a great day.
Tuesday, January 08, 2013
Why 2013 is going to be great for my whole family
Because it already is.
For the kids:
1.It seems I have cured my kids of bedtime drama! The relief this brings is incalculable. I have literally had a vast improvement in the all-around mood of my home now that every night does not end with a fight.
2.Gymnastics. Violet went to her first class and I'm already convinced that it's one of the best investments I've ever made for her. She was elated the entire time. She was the most enthusiastic child there-- too busy to even miss me, but when I did catch her eye for one second, she emphatically waved and jumped up and down to let me know she was having fun.
3.I cleaned and organized their room so it's now a lovely little place to play.
For me:
1. Well, with my kids this happy, how could I not be? But in addition to that, I have already been asked to do 3 paintings. This is unique because she has something specific she wants me to paint, and when most people ask me to "paint something" for them, they just say, "oh, whatever you want." And I'm not a huge fan of guessing what people want.
2. We don't have to move for Brandon's internship this year!!!!!!!!!!!!
3. Since making my "stop trying to please people" resolution, I feel like I have cleaned out a closet in my head that had been stuffed with all the things I seek approval for. I have so much free space now. And when I'm making decisions, all I have to ask myself is, "Do I want to do it or not?" and it saves me a lot of time.
For Brandon:
Okay, I really don't know how this year will go for Brandon. I know that it's going to be his last full year of school and he has a really cool internship lined up, but in all honesty he will probably be very busy. C'est la vie. But if I know anything about Brandon, it's that he is much more likely to be happy when I'm happy, so the year is looking good so far.
For the kids:
1.It seems I have cured my kids of bedtime drama! The relief this brings is incalculable. I have literally had a vast improvement in the all-around mood of my home now that every night does not end with a fight.
2.Gymnastics. Violet went to her first class and I'm already convinced that it's one of the best investments I've ever made for her. She was elated the entire time. She was the most enthusiastic child there-- too busy to even miss me, but when I did catch her eye for one second, she emphatically waved and jumped up and down to let me know she was having fun.
3.I cleaned and organized their room so it's now a lovely little place to play.
1. Well, with my kids this happy, how could I not be? But in addition to that, I have already been asked to do 3 paintings. This is unique because she has something specific she wants me to paint, and when most people ask me to "paint something" for them, they just say, "oh, whatever you want." And I'm not a huge fan of guessing what people want.
2. We don't have to move for Brandon's internship this year!!!!!!!!!!!!
3. Since making my "stop trying to please people" resolution, I feel like I have cleaned out a closet in my head that had been stuffed with all the things I seek approval for. I have so much free space now. And when I'm making decisions, all I have to ask myself is, "Do I want to do it or not?" and it saves me a lot of time.
For Brandon:
Okay, I really don't know how this year will go for Brandon. I know that it's going to be his last full year of school and he has a really cool internship lined up, but in all honesty he will probably be very busy. C'est la vie. But if I know anything about Brandon, it's that he is much more likely to be happy when I'm happy, so the year is looking good so far.
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