I told you I wanted to try a new old kind of blogging in 2021 and my lack of posts — so far — doesn’t change that. January was weird and I just didn’t feel like writing. I didn’t feel like sharing too much of myself or disagreeing with people who don’t really know me. You know?
I remember thinking that being at home would give me so much more time to write and that just hasn’t been the case. I think part of that was the kind of posting I used to do here, that took hours to coordinate with photographs and links. The kind of writing I really miss is the thirty minute power post where I share what is actually on my heart and mind. So, here is the first official post of the new year, full of what is currently bouncing around in my head.
It’s weird to do an update on Sophie’s room for two reasons — one, we just updated it last summer and two, I never even shared that with you. Right after quarantine began in the spring, we installed new luxury vinyl plank on our second floor. We had been debating replacing the carpet, but good carpet is crazy expensive and my children are not the cleanest people you’ve ever met. After pricing hardwood alternatives, we realized the LVP was a more affordable option and we could keep it clean and in good shape for a much longer time. We painted the walls and trim back in January of last year and have been adding new furniture and decor ever since. I honestly thought everyone was happy with their space, until Sophie had a bit of a meltdown last week.
We knew that sharing a room with a toddler wasn’t going to be easy. When we found out we were expecting Polly, we let Sophie choose whether or not to bunk with her older sister or the baby. She ultimately picked not to share with Ella and since Polly slept in our room for almost eighteen months, she really has had her own room. I’ve been careful to keep most of Polly’s toys downstairs and have tried to make a conscious effort not to make the space feel to juvenile. Apparently, I failed.
Last week, she started freaking out about what it might look like as Polly gets bigger. I think she was worried about baby dolls and rainbows and just wanted a sophisticated, grown up space like her older sister. I know that it’s an unnecessary expense and that I literally just finished this project, but I really want my girls to be happy in their own rooms. She’ll have a room to herself the shortest amount of the three girls, so I want her to love what she comes home to every day.
Here’s the new vision: we’ve already replaced the Swiss dot bed skirt with a DIY drop cloth version — the neutral color ties in great with the floor and rugs and definitely elevates her Beddy’s zip up bed situation. We also ordered this throw for the foot of her bed, to help us intentionally introduce a few colors other than pink. We removed the pretty pink bedside tables and replaced them with a single warm, wooden sewing machine table. New drawer pulls are on my list of things to do this week, but it already looks better after a quick scrub with Orange Oil. Her bed is getting a fresh coat of black paint this weekend (I’m trying not to be sad about it) and we ordered this dresser (in the caramel color) from Overstock. I’m going to sell the dresser that I’ve now painted twice (this should have been an indication that we weren’t communicating) and hope to recoup some of the money I spent on the new one. She’s requested a hanging chair for her birthday in April and with a few hanging planters and a new piece of art, I think we’ll land on a more grown up, boho look.
As for Polly, we’ll transition her to a matching iron toddler bed later this year and continue to keep her toys downstairs. Her bed is in an alcove and all of her clothes and things fit inside her closet, so we’re able to keep the bedroom feeling as “big kid” as possible. We’re fortunate to have a sun room, where she and I spend most of our time, and it’s the perfect place to keep her toys downstairs and easily accessible. It’s not the most ideal situation, but when you have three kids and two available bedrooms, you have to make it work!
