Living in a renovation is not fun, even if it is just our kitchen. You have so many things scattered everywhere and I like order so it’s super hard for me!
Everything is coming together so beautifully though and I can’t wait to show you. First that went in were the countertops and new sink. We chose quartz countertops because they were honestly the only ones that went with the look I was trying to go for.
Bonus though? SOOO easy to clean! Holy cow are they easy to clean. I am still trying to find a cleaner that doesn’t leave streaks though so if you know of one, please let me know in the comments! It’s number 1 on my list to buy so I would appreciate it.
It’s hard to tell in the pictures but they have a gray detail going all across the countertops to tie in the cabinets and I love it. Looks so good.
Once the countertops and sink were in, our flooring ended up going in next since the backsplash was the easiest to get done.
I am OBSESSED with our floors. I can’t wait until we can get them all throughout the living room because I just love them. They are sturdy and look stunning. We went with a hardwood vinyl type of flooring and you honestly couldn’t even tell the difference.
I love the contrast of the dark to light. The dark floors with the light walls and cabinets and counter area, it went really good together so I am glad we chose a darker color.
We are so close to the finish line and I can’t wait to share with you all the final project all done and looking fabulous!
Thanks for staying on this journey with me, be sure to check out the previous links to see what everything looked like before.
Something I always knew I wanted, more than one child.
But when you have your first, you get so caught up in it all, it’s hard to tell when you might be ready for another one.
I always assumed I would want my children closer to three years apart. When you first bring home a newborn all those fantasies about having another child so soon kind of go up in flames with your exhaustion and tears.
But then they grow up and they get cute and their own personality and they start to get a little bit more independent and the thoughts start creeping in…
I could totally do that all over again, am I ready!?
I think I first knew I was ready to have another child when the thought of seeing those two pink lines on a pregnancy test didn’t make me want to run for the hills.
So if you haven’t guessed by now.. we are expecting our second child!
My son is turning 2 in July so he will be about 2 1/2 when this new little bundle is born.
I remember having so much anxiety at first thinking of having two children…now don’t get me wrong I still have anxiety but there was a time when I was like…how would I even be able to do it?
You get so worried about how another baby will impact your marriage, your wallet, your home life and it’s scary. I know we have all felt it.
But a few things have changed since those first anxiety filled thoughts on having a second child and I thought I would share them with you today, because that’s what we are here for always! Being honest and sharing our thoughts.
When my husband and I started talking about it.
I knew for sure when my husband started bringing up a second child as well. Once he is on board with something it’s usually a go! It makes me feel so much better knowing we both were ready again and have my partner on board with tackling two kiddos together!
When the thought of being pregnant didn’t scare me anymore.
I remember being so nervous one day when I missed my period when my son was just turning 1. My anxiety was going crazy, and when I got that negative test I was happy. Fast forward, almost a year later and when my period would be off when I would see that one line, I felt disappointment. At that point, I knew I was at least ready to try again.
You’re ready for your baby, not to be the baby anymore.
I struggle with this still. I’m so attached to my little man and sometimes it makes me sad knowing he won’t be my only baby anymore. Don’t feel guilty thinking that. But realize your heart will grow instantly with your new little ones arrival.
You have blacked out labor from the first time.
Sounds weird I know but so true! It’s not fresh in your mind anymore. For me, of course I remember everything about my labor but the pain is definitely blacked out. Which makes the thought of another child way less traumatizing!
You want another baby.
Of course this is the most important reason to be ready! You want another bundle of joy and the thought of it makes you so excited! Of course we will always be nervous but the excitement wins out in feelings and that’s what matters most.
We are so excited for this new journey of bringing another little one into our lives. And I am beyond excited to see my little man as a big brother!
As a mom I feel like one of the biggest struggles is staying organized.
It’s a huge goal but it rarely happens, am I right?
I know in my family, I’m the one being asked what time everything is at or what day and where is this and where is that?
It’s a tough job to stay organized!! I definitely struggle on the daily no matter how hard I try. I’ll be good for maybe a week and then I slack again.
So I came up with a list for myself to help me with the areas I struggle with most in hopes that it will stick in the long run. Plus I hope sharing it will help you as well.
So let’s get started on my 5 tips to becoming more of an organized mom ☺️
1. Clean out your purse.
If there’s one thing that makes me feel like a bad ass mom, it’s a clean and organized purse and diaper bag! Throw out those random receipts, old snacks that have found their way to the bottom. Go through your wallet and organize those cards and coins. It is such a relief when your purse is organized and it’s a great start!
2. Keep a planner.
Do I have a planner? Yes. Is it halfway filled out? Also, yes. It starts out so promising but I never keep it up! A planner can be a savior in the organizing department and I’m going to try my best to stick to it! Maybe putting it on display will help my hubby not to ask a million daily questions on activities…maybe 😉
3. Use storage bins/Storage furniture.
Now this I am wonderful at! Storage bins and furniture that is used to storage is my go to! I have an ottoman that stores so many toys and I love it. I always have cute decor bins all around that hold toys and other things as well. They not only help to stay organized but it helps your house stay more picked up!
4. Meal plan.
My downfall. I am a terrible meal planner and my biggest goal is to be a great one! If I am a better meal planner I can then avoid the “what do you want for dinner?” “I don’t know, what do you want?” Argument that happens a lot. Planning dinner ahead and having a cute meal calendar is my goal! So let’s achieve it together!
5. A solid routine.
Let’s face it, it all comes down to routines! When you have a solid morning and night time routine your whole life is just so much smoother. Is it easy? No? Is it worth it? HECK YES! I strive to perfect a morning and night time routine and it’s a struggle but it’s a priority that needs to be made as we navigate through this mom life.
As I work on these organization tips, my goal is for it to help me be a better, a more calm and happy mom.
They all help make our everyday lives easier and therefore we have more time for the fun things!
What do you struggle with the most?
Let’s help each other out! Moms supporting moms it’s my favorite.
As always, thanks for reading and have a great week!
What a difference paint makes you guys! So crazy how open it can make a smaller kitchen look.
If you haven’t noticed we have been absent on here for a couple weeks!
Life has been so busy with renovations around our house and then Marissa’s girls are starting sports. A break was much needed but we are excited to be back and to bring on all the content!
Any-who, back to kitchen updates. If you haven’t read my Kitchen Remodel Inspiration post make sure you do because I am pretty sure I nailed it on the cabinet colors!
So we went with a gray finish for the cabinets and then white walls and a gray accent wall.
The painters did such a great job and I am so excited to see everything come together!
Here’s some before and afters for you all
Those are the before pictures, our house was a lot of tans and warm colors for the kitchen and back entry way but here is what it looks like after the paint!
What do you guys think!? Such a transformation already right?
We have the counter tops ordered but those take about 4-5 weeks so in between waiting for that our flooring will be installed.
Next post it will look completely different again I’m sure and I am so excited about it!!
Becoming a mom was the best/scariest experience! Being a first time mom myself I know just how scary it can be not knowing anything.
I’m here to give you a few tips today on the mistakes I’ve made as a new mom in hopes it will help all you other mamas out there!
Moms supporting moms is my favorite thing!
Believing everything you hear.
I can’t even tell you how much advice you will get while you are pregnant or a brand new mom.
Some of it is fantastic but then there’s the horror stories and the snarky comments.
Trust me when I say, you just can’t believe everything you hear. Every parent has a different experience with parenthood. Every birth is different.
Most of your anxiety comes from listening to others and your own mind so relax mama, you’ll be fine!
Not napping while the baby naps.
I was notorious for this. I felt like I needed to get EVERYTHING done while the baby napped but you don’t.
You really, really don’t!
Take that nap, or just take time for yourself when your baby naps. It’s so important and you will appreciate it in the long run!
Comparing your baby or yourself to others.
Just don’t do it. Nothing good will come of it. Each baby goes at its own pace and that’s perfectly fine. Just because your friends baby is walking at 8 months, doesn’t mean your baby won’t be up and running around soon!
So many women I know were having babies when I had my son and I felt myself comparing and it was the worst thing I could ever do.
Just because one mom looks like a superhero by getting everything done, doesn’t mean she’s not exhausted and feeling as defeated as you are at times.
Don’t compare!
Ignoring your spouse.
I feel like the easiest thing as a new mom is to get wrapped up in the baby, it’s just the most natural reaction to motherhood.
But don’t get so wrapped up that you ignore your spouse, the one who helped create this beautiful tiny human. Yess they might seem annoying because they get out of the house daily or get to sleep more but they are feeling overwhelmed too so lean on each other.
Communicate and be kind to each other.
Take time for yourself.
Even if it’s just an hour at your favorite store or 30 minutes reading a book. Or even a nice long hot shower.
Do it.
Take time for yourself as much as you can to recharge, to clear your mind, to breath.
You’ll be a better mom, you’ll feel better and you just need to do it.
Ask for help.
As much as you want to, you can’t do everything. It’s impossible.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Having a support system will be the best thing for you and your family.
Whether it’s meals being dropped off or maybe just an extra hand with laundry or dishes. The best thing I ever learned as a first time mom is definitely not to be afraid to ask for help when you need it!
I hope this helped you out mamas! And if you are a seasoned mom please feel free to leave advice in the comments below!
Always love hearing others experiences since everyone’s is always so different ❤️
I can’t even tell you all how excited I am to FINALLY remodel our kitchen!
It’s been a dream since we moved in about 5 years ago. Like everyone else this year I’m sure, we fought with the idea of selling our home or making it into what we want for a few more years.
I don’t know if it’s the “first home” attachment or if it was because I couldn’t find anything else I for sure wanted out there or a little of both but we decided to stay.
And with staying comes…renovations!!
I’m excited but a little scared because we’ve never done renovations before besides our basement but that was just flooring.
I decided I would take you all along with me in the renovation journey which this year will include our kitchen and entry way and then flooring in the living room.
Kitchen is up first and the biggest task by far so here is a peek into what we are working with and the inspiration for the renovations.
So mainly we will be updating countertops and backsplash. Only painting cabinets because I LOVE my cabinets and getting new hardware for them, and then getting new flooring.
A big task ya’ll! But here’s our inspiration for the finished look.
Subway tile backsplash Farmhouse sink hopefullyGray cabinet color Hardwood flooring and a light countertop
Anyone else have a dream of a farmhouse sink!? I hope one can fit for us!
My hubby is so excited about a subway tile backsplash, he loves it.
So excited to take you along with this renovation journey. Plus, I will be showing any DIY’s that happen of course.
I know anything to make life a little more simple and easy as a mom is a must so definitely will be sharing any tips and tricks.
We are in the process of getting estimates and picking exactly what we want right now so stay tuned my friends!
Lately I’ve just been so burnt out. There really aren’t enough hours in the day.
I just can’t keep up.
For a very patient person, my patience’s has been thin lately. Juggling all our rolls is tough.
I don’t know how some make it look so easy.
Mom life
Wife life
Full time working life
Plus all the small things in between. It’s exhausting.
I yell more than usual which is no fun. But when you have a preschooler who “knows everything” and a toddler who is a pure wild child, it happens.
I feel like I’m either asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow or laying wide awake at night feeling guilty about not playing enough or not finishing the laundry or just knowing my head wasn’t in the right place that day.
I know this is just a temporary phase but sometimes even though I have all the help in the world which I am so grateful and blessed to have, I still feel alone sometimes.
Anyone else?
It just feels like you have so much on your shoulders and even when the weight is a little bit lifted, something else comes long.
I don’t know, maybe it’s just me.
I guess I’m just trying to say is that, I see you.
I see how exhausted you are.
I see how guilty you feel when you have a bad mom day.
I see the work you put in to your family and your life.
I see how hard you try every day.
I get that sometimes that’s all you want.
To be seen.
For everyone to know how hard you try.
I see all you mama’s out there and I hope you know how great of a job you’re doing.
How all these sleepless nights and tired days and exhausted body’s are worth it.
Spring is upon us and with that comes Spring break!
Even though my son and daughter are still super young, I still think of Spring as the start of fun activities school aged or not.
We can finally get outside and play. Bring on the mud and grass stained clothes because I am so ready!
Today I thought I would share some great Spring break activities that you can do as a family, that still is a little more social distanced.
1. Break out the bubbles.
Just like bubble wrap, I feel like you’re never too old for bubbles! Bubbles are such a great inexpensive activity. You can make big bubbles, get a bubble machine or make some fun in a bin with bubbles and water. Definitely a great outdoor activity for the kids.
2. Take a day trip.
I love making a day out of a fun activity. We recently went to an indoor water park and my son had a blast. Even a trip to your local library or just finding in town activities to do are great as well!
3. Have a family movie night.
You can never go wrong with a movie night. One of my favorite things to do. Make some popcorn, set up a snack bar or ice cream station. Make some homemade icee’s. So much fun can come from a movie night.
4. Paint a masterpiece.
Painting is such a great activity no matter what age! Get creative with it and there’s so many things you could come up with! Or grab your chalk and head outside to chalk paint.
5. Have an outside adventure.
Check out your favorite trail, rock hunt at the beach, ride bikes, go rollerblading. Head to the park. Outside adventures are what I’m most excited about as the days get longer and hopefully warmer.
6. Sensory bins.
There is so much you can do with sensory bins and they are a hit at any age as well! I have lots of water bin ideas in mind for my son this Spring.
7. Fly a kite.
Spring is so perfect for kite flying! It can still be windy so get to the park and run around with a kite!
Let’s make this Spring a great one and enjoy it as much as we can! I know we all and definitely our kids need it!
What’s your favorite thing about Spring? Mine would be everything blooming and the excitement that Summer is coming.
Believe it or not but I’m actually itching for the first really nice day to get here so I can open up the windows, put some rubber gloves on and do some major spring cleaning!
I’m here today to give you some everyday cleaning tips that will make it easier for you to keep your house up throughout the weeks.
In the winter I slack so much on these tips, it’s already dark by the time I get home from work and it’s the last thing I want to do on my days off. But when the days get longer and it’s still light out by 7pm, I get back in my groove.
Here’s my 5 everyday cleaning tips!
Get your laundry ready the day before.
This is a big one because I know we all secretly hate laundry! I’ll be honest though, I’m never ever fully caught up with laundry being a mom and then my husband and I’s clothes as well. I think maybe if I had a first floor laundry room instead of having to go up and down the stairs to the basement all day long, I would be happier. Enough of my laundry hate ranting though.
It makes it so much easier if you sort through your laundry the night before and get your piles ready, that way as soon as you wake up you can throw the first load in and just add to your other piles throughout the day. Instead of being up until 8pm finishing laundry, you’ll most likely be done by 2pm and that way you can have a glass of wine by 8pm 😉
Unload your dishwasher first thing in the morning.
I always unload my dishwasher before I leave for work or defiantly when I’m off. That way you’re just putting your dirty dishes in the dishwasher all day long and keeping your sink clean and dish free.
I LOVE a clean sink.
Plus it makes after dinner dishes so much easier to deal with. I don’t know about you but if I have a clean and dish free sink, I feel a whole lot better!
Make an every two day checklist.
I am a sucker for lists. I love lists. Grocery lists, everyday lists, work lists, CLEANING LISTS. List’s make my life easier and when I feel like I am slacking in the cleaning department and just dreading it because that means I’ll have to deep clean instead of the normal freshen up, I know I have to start making my every two day checklist again.
So basically you can do it however you want to. For me specifically my every two day checklist consists of..
Dusting
Vacuuming
Steam mop
and so on. You can make your list whatever you want but when it comes time for the weekend and if I’ve been doing that every two days then it makes cleaning the rest of the house sooo much easier and cuts down my time by a lot.
Do a mini cleaning pick up each night.
I’m sure a lot of you mama’s have this on your list. Toy’s usually get scattered all around the house. My son loves his toys everywhere and so does my puppy.
Every night I do a mini pick up. I fold up all the blankets, pick up all the toys, put away all the chargers and smart device’s used that day. Clean up the kitchen and coffee table. I just do a quick sweep of everything that got used a lot that day before I go to bed so I wake up more refreshed and not staring at a big huge mess.
Trust me though, it doesn’t happen every single night!
Clean your countertops and used tables everyday.
The last thing I try to do everyday is wipe down my countertops, kitchen table and coffee table. They are used the most throughout the day so no matter what there’s always crumbs or some kind of weird stain on them. I just like to do that everyday to keep them fresh and clean since they are some of the first things you go to when you wake up or when you get home.
Those are my everyday cleaning tips I have for you that I, myself do. I hope you enjoyed this post and I wish you all good luck in the Spring cleaning phase that’s coming!
I know I have so much decluttering to do especially in the clothes and toy area.
What are some of your cleaning tips you use daily?
I also have a free weekly cleaning checklist down below you can download and use this Spring! I’m sure excited about it.
Quirky Workin' Mom's 