What a six months! I like to recap our journey as Leave it to Mama grows in the setting that all Mamas can relate - pregnancy (see previous Post 13 weeks). We just made 25 weeks and it’s pretty amazing. LeavitittoMama.com has finished fetal development and we are heading to the final trimester. We are working on several new projects and cannot wait to share with our Mama community!

Since beginning our journey, we’ve celebrated our birthdays along with the husbands’ and all 5 kids; in addition to, my sister’s wedding, our grandfather’s 86th birthday and both Mother’s & Father’s day.  I’ve started several home renovations including a home gym, office and toddler room. Painting rooms and repurposing furniture were my summer thrills. Concurrently, my sister had her dream wedding, completed summer school and is heading back to school today along with her four year old. Time sure does fly when you are a MOM.

Terrible Twos

In the midst of my DIY renegade, I’ve spent time with my precious daughter. Her communication skills are growing by leaps and bounds. The best times are those when we have a debate:

Me: Put the toys away.

2: No Mom. I’m playing.

Me: (silence)

2: Thank you for listening, Mom.

I’ve noticed when I pause before speaking, she assumes I’ve been convinced of her ways. How peculiar. Yes, I’m a first time Mama. I find tons of things peculiar, which keeps me on my toes. I use the term ‘on my toes’ in hindsight. In the heat of the battle I’m offended and I find it annoying.

My little girl’s favorite phrases are:

1. You look fabulous.
2. Thank you for listening.
3. Nevermind.
4. Hashtag rude.

The most disturbing being the hashtag statement. I’m certain I’ve said the other phrases- but speaking in hashtags is not a part of my dialogue. Especially, when I know she is recording very syllable!

Each family gathering has turned into another place for the smallest children to battle for their THEIR toys, games or clothing. It’s a struggle. Before we get out of the car, I have to reiterate the rules - no hitting, no pushing and no biting. Last Saturday, they started slapping one another so we added no slapping to the rule book. They love each other so much but once they feel violated there’s no turning back. Luckily, we’ve figured out their patterns and can identify when they need time apart.

Circus Acts

Life as a Mama, wife, auntie, sister and friend definitely has its ups and downs. I struggle to ensure all parties are safe, nurtured and secure; which brought me to the idea that seeking balance may not be the best idea. In the circus, you have a tightrope walker, trapeze artist and juggler. I am most like the juggler – I prefer to have more than one thing to manage. The more unique the item, the easier it is for me to determine a rhythm. I also get a moment to hold each. Balancing on a rope leaves my mind to wander and flying through the air wouldn’t allow my mind to wander enough. SMH.

I’ve noticed other Mamas taking the trapeze and tight rope route. One requires soaring from task to task in an effortless fashion – having faith in the execution and starting over, if necessary. The others (tight ropers) are skilled, in that, they are very in tune with every movement and are unaffected by their surroundings – unless distracted.

The love for our children is what brought us together. We are different acts in the same circus (Motherhood). Joining forces maintains sanity in my world where juggling a knife, washer machine, toddler, iron and computer is the standard.

If you were to describe your Mama-isms as a circus act – which would it be?

My husband and I are working on a several home renovation projects. Unlike, my favorite show, Renovation Realities, we are taking on small projects that require simple changes. I started with changing the paint in two rooms. As mentioned in my Conversion: Crib to Toddler Bed post, we chose a neutral khaki for my daughter’s room. Since then, we have completed the painting for the office and home gym.

Our current space functions as both a workout area and office. Luckily, we are now able to designate two separate rooms. I chose an electric blue, black and silver theme for the gym. We are using 2x2 floor tiles, Acrylic mirrors and a black cube organizer. We found the tiles and mirrors at Home Depot and are re-purposing a cube organizer to hold towels, water, and other gym essentials. The office will house two workstations. I am in search of a color scheme to motivate and inspire. Of course, I went to Pinterest to gather my thoughts and vision.

This week, I am focusing on the Family room. We applied a new coat of paint. Next, I’m going to DIY the curtains – since I cannot locate anything 74x26 that fits my color scheme. I have not decided whether we are going to do valances or curtains over the existing blinds. Ugh.

So, in the coming week, I plan to finalize my daughter’s room décor. Which includes transporting the existing the decals into a different location, painting a small dresser and converting it to a book case, selecting fabric for the reading nook. I will also pick a stain for the office and bedroom hardwood floors; in addition to, considering swapping kitchen appliances, cabinet restoration and media center re-purposing. Keep up with Mama on Pinterest - I can't wait to post the final transformation.

Alright.

No one told me not to spend so much time on my daughter's nursery, while pregnant. Time few and now I have to pick a new layout/color scheme.

Why? Because I caught her trying to escape, with her leg over the crib wall. Vet Mamas told me to wait as long as I could (just like potty training) and I did. Good news: we are doing a complete home renovation, which is gives me an opportunity to change her room up a bit.

Starting with the color. The current room alternates in color wall by wall. For the new room, I've decided to use a solid neutral color and accent with lavender (her favorite color). So far, I've found sheets, curtains and a decorative pillow for her chair.

Next, I'm searching for a toddler friendly reading nook, easy closet organizer with cubes and a rug.

As you can guess, I'm on Pinterest and created a Playroom & Nurseries by Mama board. I've added it below - check it out.

I'll keep you posted on my DIY adventures!

Mia, the Homemaker