Today is Tuesday

Last night Ava, Juliette, and I made it back to the Denver airport. After a quick visit with the Colorado grandparents, we made our way back to our apartment.

Walking into my apartment that I hadn't seen for about 11 days was a little weird. I had rushed to clean things before I left and I'm glad I did that. Not having to worry about the trash, diaper pail, or dishes was a good welcome. Morgan had retrieved a dresser for Ava's room while we were away and left it in my living room. Upon inspection, I was delighted to see that it had five drawers, one of them being very deep. It's quite spacious and a good piece of furniture, even for when she's wearing much bigger clothes. I was so excited to have a place for Ava's clothes that before I even went to bed, I dragged it into her room. I went to bed exhausted although a few things were on my mind so I tossed a bit until I finally fell asleep.

My alarm interrupted my sleep because I had school this morning. I didn't make it. My body felt so worn out from traveling the day before that I texted the kid's dad and said I wasn't bringing them; I was skipping my classes for the day to sleep in. But I don't regret it. I felt more rested when I finally got out of bed.

This happens every time I come home from visiting my family in California; I get a somewhat sad and depressed at how quiet things seem. Having my dad, sister, brother in law, and their three kids around me all the time can be stressful but I guess I really enjoy it. I suddenly felt very empty.

Ava, Juliette and their three cousins in California. I love them all!!!!!

So I started to do what I always do when I'm feeling anxious, sad, scared, angry, happy, overjoyed, or just plain bored; I started cleaning. 

At first it just started out with unpacking the suitcase, putting things away, and putting together the baby jumper that I figured Juliette was finally big enough for. 

But then it turned into filling Ava's new dresser and just generally cleaning her room. It took me a good part of the afternoon to redo her closet which has been full of diaper boxes holding clothes from size newborn to 5(T). Ugh. What a project. But I finished! I wanted to be able to utilize her closet for more than just storage. I wanted her to be able to get in it too. 

I should have snapped a picture of what it looked like before I started taking boxes out...it had been a bad attempt at organization. 

The clothing storage diaper boxes work if you have maybe 10 boxes. But we were pushing 30 boxes. Something had to be done. 

Can you believe all of these boxes were in Ava's closet? I much prefer the plastic containers! 

So I got some clear storage bins from Target and moved most of the clothes to those. 

I plan on rotating the clothes well enough and getting rid of the stuff the baby outgrows so that I won't need more than the 6 boxes. 

And while I'm at it, I squared Ava's room away as much as I could. My room is next. But that's another day because that's both Juliette's and my clothes. 

(Juliette isn't in the crib yet.) Here's the "before" picture. I had been storing J's clothes in here because both girls were sharing a four drawer dresser in my room.

One day, when the baby stops waking up at night consistently, she'll sleep in here. 

Here's a random one from my California trip... that's me and Juliette

Ava was caught digging in her nose

My only niece Natalie 

Handsome little Nathaniel, one of my nephews

Juliette with grandma, my mom

My mom entertaining my kids

Two very dear friends with my kids 

Love this girl

Juliette with grandpa, my dad

Nathaniel and Ava, only a few months apart in age. Totally caught them playing dress up :-)

Juliette with my grandpa, her great-grandpa. She loved him! He has Alzheimer's but hasn't forgotten how to love his grandbabies!

Ava and my grandma, her great grandma

My grandparents with Juliette

Grandma and Ava

My aunt and I :-) Love her!

Out of order, but Ava's room after I tried to organize it.

Her room is mostly done! Just need to put the baby in there eventually.

So after doing Ava's room she asked for a snack while I made dinner so I started chopping up an apple. Then things got interesting. 

Um, whoops. I guess I'm stronger and more violent than I thought. 

I told Ava she better eat the whole thing because I put blood and sweat into that apple. Of course, that was after I pulled out the ninja star. 

So all in all it's been a productive day full of organizing, cleaning, sending Ava to the corner for beating up her baby sister, and missing everyone back home. Hopefully I'll get to visit again soon. 

Peace out!

Stephanie