Vivi: "What does mama do at work?"
Paulie: "She sells furniture"
Vivi: "But mama needs to do work"
Paulie: "She does, that is her work"
Vivi: "But mama needs help at work".
Paulie: "She has help from her co-workers"
Vivi: "But no one listens to mama"!
While Mom, Viv and I were road tripping, Paulie was home working away on the bedroom. Out came the groovy orange closet, fluorescent lights, acoustic tile ceiling and dark faux wood wall paneling.
Underneath the 70's vintage cladding were remnants of a 70's teenage graffiti conversation, complete with sketches of guitars and booze bottles. This house has history. If the previous owners kids ever pop by, I want to ask about "taking Mary to Nino's". No need to ask about the window screen missing a neatly cut 2" square of mesh. I think I can guess.
We have returned from our annual spring break road trip. Our final destination was Berea, Kentucky so there was less road than last year when we drove all the way to Ashville, NC. The weather provided less spring too this year too. But what sunshine there was we enjoyed and the flowering trees were a treat.
The first stop was quaint Nashville, Indiana (Brown County) with a day trip to the Midwest modern architctural gem Columbus, Indiana.Then on to Berea for three days in our favorite Kentucky art town with another day trip into Lexington. On the way back, we spent a night in the gorgeous West Baden Springs hotel in French Lick, Indiana. At each destination we stayed at wonderful, historic hotels and took historical architecture tours–Columbus's midcentury modern tour (65 incredible buildings!), Henry Clays restored estate Ashland, and lastly the West Baden Springs famous dome hotel.
Funny, on all three tours there was not a single other child.
When I asked a Viv which tour was her favorite, she gave the bus tour of Columbus her enthusiastic endorsement. It's too soon to tell if she's developed my same affection for modern design; I suspect it was more about the…wheels on the bus.
After a day of walking in quaint Nashville, Indiana:
Me: "Did you notice there was a good mix of tourists in town? Kids, seniors, quite a few gay families too, that's nice".
Mom: "Well, there are a lot of fudge shops"!
Getting ready for Baby #2's arrival has included lots of preparatory conversations with Viv. We cover sharing, gentleness, jealousy…all the expected topics for a soon-to-be-sibling. Turns out, as I listen to our household with my mind on adding a new baby to the mix, it may be Paulie that needs the prep talk.
He has a hard time seeing Viv as the toddler she is; he is emotionally about one year behind in her development. He is frequently stunned at her ability to do things herself. Tasks I've had her do on her own for months he routinely does for her. Come baby time, he's not going to have the time or energy for all that dotage, as I remind him often. Viv reminds him too:
Paulie, behind her on the way down the stairs: "Careful Vivi, hold the railing".
Vivi: "Papa, I know what I'm doing!"
Before After
Just in time for the early spring weather, our new storm doors were installed a few weeks ago. Oh wait, we are supposed to get a big snow storm tomorrow—-nothing like a return on an investment!
We get the set! Number two is a boy. I didn't know Paulie wanted a boy until the most recent doctors appointment. When I asked him why he hadn't mentioned his wish to me, he said "I didn't want to be 'that guy'". He was totally "that guy" when he threw his arms up in the air touchdown style in the ultrasound room.
We both agree, it's not about having a boy, it's the thrill of having the set and never again having to field the question: "So, are you going to try for another?"
More progress! The toilet, medicine cabinet, light fixture and sink are complete. That is technically a half bath—I'm totally thrilled!
Just the shower tiling (and redoing the shower surround build out that was done incorrectly) remains. I give it another year.
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