Happy Home-iversary To Me!

One year ago today I closed on my house.

It's been a great year and hard to believe how quickly it's gone by. This blog also started about a year ago (as you may recall after a few drinks by Devon and Haley) to chronicle my home ownership. It's certainly turned into a chronicle of other aspects of my life but I still try to share all the details of home ownership. Something excited that happened this past weekend is that I fixed my back door that was had a sticky lock. Guess how? Good old WD-40. Oh sure, I've learned that WD-40 and duct tape can work wonders.

I still love coming home everyday, especially this time of year now that I have a Christmas tree up. Thanks to my Dad for helping me decorate it last night. I'm still a bit in denial that it's my first 'non-real' tree but I'll get used to it.

I know I'm way behind on blogs and I promise to catch up but I had to post on this special 1 year day.

Party Success

Last year, Jess and I co-hosted a clothing swap at her house. It was such a huge success, we decided to do it again this year and it was my turn to host at my house!

I've had a few events at my house in the year I've lived here (can you believe it's almost been 1 year!) but I always get excited to have people over. Not only is it a good excuse to clean it's fun to share my house love with others.

For those of you who don't know what a clothing swap is, essentially we invite all of our girlfriends to clean out their closets. Whatever you find that you don't want, need or doesn't fit anymore, you bring to the swap. This could include clothes, shoes, purses, jewelry and scarves. Among the group of women, there are most likely 1 or 2 people who are similar sized to you and then it's a free for all! We organize the items in categories and then you just take what you want.

After we're all done taking what we want, we show each other what we picked out and discuss the items. Then we bag up the leftovers (of which there are usually a lot). This year we donated items to Dress For Success and Goodwill. Despite the fact that many of us got a lot of items, there were still 7 bags of items left to donate.

I've found that I'm more likely to bring an item to a swap than just donate to Goodwill directly (even though it may end up there eventually). Somethings that I may be reluctant to let go of, I like the idea of knowing that they may go to someone else's home. Truly, one person's junk is another person's treasure.

Best of all, it's like going shopping without spending any money!

While the clothing swap part if fun, it was also nice to have people over. I really enjoy entertaining and I think last night was a big success.

So same time next year, back to Jess's house? I hope so!

Family Bonding

Last night I babysat Lucie and Audrey (as well as a 15 month old baby of Chris and Missy's friend). The 'older' kids were asleep by 7:30 and that left Audrey and me.

It was the first time I felt like I was really starting to bond with her. I fed her a couple of times, changed her diaper and overall just enjoyed snuggling with her. At four weeks old, she's pretty alert and quite adorable - making all the cute baby noises, stretching in odd positions and nuzzling into my arms - and it made my heart swell for her.

I was also relieved.

I hadn't felt that bond with Audrey yet. Most of the four weeks of her life, when I've been with Chris and Missy, it's to help with Lucie. So tonight it was much more about Audrey and I was so happy.

I give my friend, Jen, a hard time on behalf of second/younger children around the world. While I'm largely joking, it is different. Your first child and everything they do is special and exciting and scary (I imagine) at times. As a second child, I felt it was my duty to make sure parents (especially those who were older children) understand that we're just as important.

But of course we are. And of course it's different. It can't possibly be the same. But it doesn't mean it's better or worse.

I know that Lucie will always be my first niece and hold a special place in my heart. But holding Audrey last night and getting some time with just her is exactly what I needed to know I will also hold a special (but different) place in my heart for her.

Meanwhile, Lucie woke up several times while I was there and needed some extra nurturing to fall back asleep. It made me feel good to know I could do that for her, while still love on Audrey. As always, I continue to be in awe of all mothers and how they do it.