18 months and settling into our new house

It's been a week since we've moved into our new duplex and I have to say it is so much harder to move with kids. We still have random stuff we need to move from our old place as well as cleaning. We got maybe half of it done on Sunday but since we have to bring the kids with us we do what we can. We have until Saturday to get everything out and have the old place cleaned! It's a little stressful but I look forward to being done with the place and we can focus on getting our new house all organized. And then once we get the keys turned in at the old place and get settled in to our new house I plan on looking for a job.

The girls seem to be settling into the new house pretty well. They are definitely liking all the extra space and on Friday they both decided to get up and walk. Now they are walking all over the place. The big downside to having them walk, it means that's all they want to do, that includes when they should be sleeping. That and on top of being in a new room it's been a rough week of sleeping. So now that they know how to walk, they are on the go non stop and always want to do whatever the other one is doing. (this includes causing trouble) Ivy is normally my trouble maker and she's starting to be a bad influence on Tayla because she likes to copy her sister.

 

These girls may be driving me nuts and leaving me sleep deprived but gosh if they aren't cute!

Changes

17 months old!

It's been awhile since I've done a crib picture. I was doing one every month up until they turned one and then I stopped. Tyrel was the one that gave me the idea to keep doing it. They didn't really want to cooperate... Tayla kept trying to roll over, wanted to put her hands in her mouth, Ivy wouldn't stop moving. You know the usual when it comes to taking pictures of your kids.

Anyway, so much is happening in this family lately. These growing girls are currently in size 5 diapers and out growing their 18 month clothing! They are down to one nap a day, enjoy eating all kind of foods (although Ivy is going through a picky phase) and Ivy is showing interest in walking!! I posted that video of her trying to stand up on her own and take steps, well now she is doing that more often and tries to let go of things while take steps! Tayla is more timid when it comes to walking. She tries to stand on her own but won't take any steps yet. They will however walk while holding onto one hand though. It's very exciting!

Another thing that's happening is that we are going to be moving soon! We found out in June that they were going to be increasing our rent here and ever since then we've been looking for a place to live. In the beginning it was because we couldn't afford it since they were increasing by $150, but the more I looked the more I realized that housing is expensive and we really didn't have choice when it came to renting! We were originally on the wait list for a ground floor apartment here at our current place but we made the decision that it would be better for our family to get a house instead. And let me tell you, rental houses do not come cheap! It's been pretty stressful but I knew something had to come up, and just recently something did! It's an adorable well kept duplex in Sublimity. It's only 2 bedrooms.... but it's big! And the best part? It has a garage! They are still processing our application but we should be hearing from them soon! 😆

I mean just look at this cute house! I'm a sucker for small towns and it will be nice to get out of Salem. Now if anybody has tips on how to move while handling little kids, that would be great! 😓

Another big change that's going to happen is that I'm going to be going back to work. I've looked at few places, but when I found out they were raising our rent I made it a priority to find a place to live! I'm mostly wanting to go back for my mental sanity, but it also depends on how much the childcare is too. Since this place will cost a little extra AND we have to pay for utilities it would be nice to have a little extra income.

Well I think that's all for now. So enjoy these pictures of my adorable kids 💓

Ivy is always blurry because she won't stop moving!

Climbed up there all by herself

Can't take a selfie without being photo bombed

16 months (and lots of pictures)

Not much going on lately. These girls are getting faster at crawling and still no interest in walking. Although Tayla can at least stand unassisted on her own for a couple of seconds!! I know I sound like that crazy mom wanting my kids walk but these guys are almost a year and a half and they are still behind developmentally in gross motor skills. I bought them a walker to help with the transition and they seem to like it. So far their doctor isn't concerned about them not walking until fall before he wants to refer them to a specialists.

We have a big trip coming up next week: our annual trip to wallowa lake! Although last year we didn't go, so this year will be the girls first trip going! It will be our second time traveling to eastern Oregon with the girls and last time we had to stop lots of times and it took forever to get there! Hoping this time it will go a little better considering Wallowa lake is even further away. Wish us luck!

I of course will be taking lots of pictures during the trip. Be ready for an update.

15 months

I always said I wouldn't use months to describe their ages and yet here I am...

Gosh I just love these girls so much!

Anyway, about a week ago I took the girls in to be evaluated for early intervention because they were really behind in their gross motor skills. Well I happy to say they will not be needing early intervention! They scored really well in all fields, even in gross motor. They are becoming more confident in crawling on hand knees and wanting to stand and walk along furniture. So I guess it's only a matter of time before they start walking on their own.

I've been trying to spend more time out of the house especially with them being more mobile. We've been doing story time at the library, which they have been loving, and also going to the park. This has been helping them interact with other kids and allowing them to climb and explore. Ivy loves climbing up and down steps and goes head first down the slide. Tayla is more of an explorer and would rather gather sticks and play with the bark chips. It's crazy the two different personalities they have.

I'm hoping to spend more time outside now that they are more active. I look forward to taking them parks where there are fountains for them to play in too since they are now loving water babies!