Something I have to keep reminding myself (not sure why I keep forgetting) is that my to do list takes a lot longer to complete then it used to because of the kid factor. The worst timeline blow out being cleaning the house which used to take a solid hour or so now takes days and I am still not on top of it, it is an endless cycle of vacuuming and washing floors which used to only need doing once a week. Plus at the moment the constant interruption of my daughter telling me my almost two year old boy is on top of some piece of furniture or other that I quickly have to retrieve him from.
The other area you really need to put the kid factor into the equation is leaving the house to go somewhere. I used to always be on time if not a little early to everything, now I am often a few minutes late. And trying to organise a day trip or holiday - no more rushing from place to place or on the other hand that leisurely coffee admiring a view - the kids want to leave when you don't and won't rush when you want to.
Anyway even knowing all this hubby and I have decided to bring our home renovation forward (was going to be more planned and start January 2011) and it looks like the build is going to start in August to be completed in time for Christmas which we might even host! We are now in the mad rush of choosing fittings, not easy with kids in toe, the problem being one of us always has to watch them closely as they zip around the showrooms, so no discussion, just picking things then comparing notes. Thank god for the Internet where we can check a lot of things out first and for friends and family who have looked after the kids at different points.
Still it is going to be an interesting, full on few months with some great stories I am sure: - seeing how my daughter goes with the portable toilet (at least my son is still in nappies), how we move from one area of the house to another so we can live in the house and how we keep my son in particular away from the builders or climbing things he is not meant too!
If you want to see more about the design side of the renovation please check out - GeorgyGdesign@blogspot.com
