Chapter Two: Ben’s Big Boy Bedroom – A New Bed

Originally, I had my heart set on the IKEA LEKSVIK bed for Ben’s big boy bedroom.  It “grows” with the child and would fit perfectly in the small space Ben will soon transition into.  Unfortunately, the only dresser that matches the bed doubles as a change table (they use to have an adult line but it has been discontinued).  Ben won’t need a change table much longer and I need something with lots of storage.  Therefore, I’ve decided that I’m going to get Ben the IKEA HEMMES dresser, buy an old single bed and refinish it.  I’ll be honest, I like things to match, especially furniture, so this is a little out of my comfort zone.  I’ve seen them do it on TV a hundred times though, so it should turn out fabulous, right?  Here are a few examples:

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Wordless Wednesday

Goodbye Morning Nap

Ben gave up his morning nap this week and overall, it went well.  I think it was finally the right time for him (I tried back in March and failed miserably).  I planned a quiet week of morning activities for the two of us.  It was a great way to kick off summer.  

On Monday, we went for a walk around Gold Bar/Rundle Park, watched the geese and Ben played at the playground:

On Tuesday, we went for a walk around Beaumaris Lake and Ben threw pine cones into the water.  We also browsed Indigo Books and Ben played with the toys:

On Wednesday, we went to IKEA to pick-up Ben’s mini-kitchen:

On Thursday, Ben played with his mini-kitchen all morning and then we went to the library:

On Friday, it was cold and rainy so Ben relaxed at home while I baked and then we headed out to run some errands:

I was a lot more liberal with Ben’s “sucker” use this week.

And he did fall asleep in the car a few times on the way home:

I think we have officially closed a chapter in our lives and Ben is down to one nap.  I really loved having two “breaks” a day but as he grows and changes so must I...

A Mini-Kitchen in Our Kitchen

I finally finished organizing all of the kitchen cupboards this week.  It took me a little longer than I had hoped but in between I organized the bathroom cupboards, washed, organized and put away 18 months worth of baby clothes and did a quick, preliminary clean of the office.  Some days I feel like I’m no further ahead and others days I can see everything slowly coming together.  Next, I’m going to tackle the closets, then move downstairs into the dreaded basement.  Wish me luck!  

As motivation to organize the kitchen, I decided that when I was done I would buy Ben the IKEA mini-kitchen.  I’ve had my eye on it for a long time now; so it was really as much of a treat for me as it was for him.  I find it so much more rewarding to buy something new for Ben that he’ll love than to buy something for myself.  I guess that’s what happens when you become a mother.  Their joy becomes your own.  

Yesterday morning, we went to IKEA and bought the mini-kitchen.  Boris put it together after Ben went to bed and it was waiting for him when he woke up.  He spent the entire morning opening and closing the microwave, cooking with his pots and pans on the stove and moving his play food from one cupboard to another.  Pure joy.