Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Whatever happened to my dream condo?

It was actually sort of refreshing to hear everyone pretty much confirm what I am already thinking...that I am just going to have to play it by ear, see how I feel in December and make a judgement then. Best case, it will be really hard, and it may not be doable. I will just have to wait and see.

Lori S-C pointed out something yesterday that I should have noticed on my own. Call it "personal evolution", but she correctly noted that I am better at accepting help than maybe I was four years ago:-). Part of that is true, and part of it is just the overwhelming idea of two babies at once...
And Smoking Hot Roommate was upset that I left out a key logistical part of that plan...we have three bedrooms: one for us, one for Munchkin and one for the babies. Obviously, if The Boy's Mom moves in with us for that month (which, by the way, would be a complete Godsend), we have no place for everyone to sleep. Solution? Easy...Munchkin takes a month-long field trip around the corner to stay at SHR's place:-) They are both very happy at that prospect...like summer camp!

Next issue, though, which some of you have already gotten at...living arrangements. We bought our condo in August, and I have written at length about how much I love where we live and intend to live here for as long as I can see. Now, however, I am not entirely sure that it will be enough space. We are going to have to think about this one.

We have three bedrooms, and the whole place is about 1,600 square feet. Which...if it is two boys or two girls, would probably be plenty. It is not exactly palatial, but given where we live, it is likely to be adequate. What gets tricky is if there is a boy and a girl. How long can they share a room? They will be four and a half when Munchkin goes to college...can they share a room until then? Munchkin says that she will happily share a room with her little sister if she has to...but is that really fair to her [late edit...um...did I really just refer to it as Munchkin's little sister? Not quite!]? I know I am getting way ahead of myself here...but if Munchkin is 20-21 and living at home for summer or more, is it really OK for her to share a room with a 6-7 year old girl?

And beyond that, this would mean that we have no extra space for anyone else. Will that get old? one thing that is absolutely not an option: moving to the suburbs...ick!

So, this is not at all a pressing issue...it is a minimum couple of years away, and may not be an issue at all. But, at some point, we are gonna have to think about this...

11 comments:

Rachel H. said...

Definitely something to think about, but like you said, at least you've got some time to think about it and make a decision that is most appropriate for you and your family! :)

laurwilk said...

I think you'll just have to let this one play out. When we adopted the girls, we had only had 7 bedrooms (plus a half, I guess) and 10 people. There were discussions of turning part of the wrestling room (which is ginormous) into a bedroom.

And while all of those discussions were going on, the girls moved into my room together and I moved to the spare room. My parents still planned on somehow making another room so that everyone could make their own. But somehow, Cara and I just decided that we would share a room - and a bed. I went to college and so my room was hers while I was gone. But whenever I came home, we just shared a room and bed. Summers weren't as much of a problem b/c of the lake house (which you also have) but we've just learned to sleep together often.

I know that Munchkin and possible girl twin will be different ages and therefore are on completely different schedules. (Cara and I stumble in at 2:30 am together almost every time..haha.)

But just see what happens. The kids may sort of work it out on their own!

I AM SO EXCITED FOR YOU!

Accidentally Me said...

Lauren - That whole comment cracked me up. You are just about the only person I know whose family is limited by seven bedrooms (ok, you and The Body)! And...um...then there is a wrestling room? What the hell is a wrestling room?!?!?

Kari said...

Often Twins like to share a room for a long time...friends of mine who are frat (g/b)twins would sneak into each other's room at night and sleep together after their parents gave them seperate rooms. You may want to think about whether you want them to be in the same crib/bassinet when they are little. It is a modern concept for children to have their own rooms; a lot of baby boomers not only shared rooms, but beds.
As for space, we take up as much space as we have. If you have a smaller place you just have less junk. You can always get a murphy or hide a bed for when company comes (and the kids can sleep on them).
Anyhow...just remember you don't have to figure everything out now...things have a way of working themselves out and you really don't need any extra stress now!
Kari

Lori S-C said...

Yup, leave it to the Wilk fam to have a wrestling room! Apparently wrestling is a big deal in Iowa... Can you say culture shock?
Anyway, AM, the little kiddos can share a room for a long time regardless of gender. No problem there probably till about age 7. Munchkin will want more privacy than a little one will want to give her, but that is part of growing up. My kids are ten years apart and the younger is always instigating something. A good lesson here in unconditional love, which only children don't have. You fight, but still love each other...it'll all work out.

Lori S-C said...

one more thing...I always kept my babies in my bedroom in the beginning anyway...easier for me at night...

Ally said...

So you'll be moving into GLB's neighborhood, right? :)

Lisa said...

I think that the twins could still share an room when they are 5. There are always ways to give each some privacy- advice can probably be found on the ikeahacker blog at blogspot :-) you'll know what to do once the time arrives!

Lpeg said...

I agree with Lisa, the twins could share a room until they are 5, and then at that point, once Munchkin is out of the house, they could each get their own rooms.

Oh my, I'm so excited for you!!!

Rachel and John said...

I shared a room with my brother until I was 6. And when my dad remarried my step mom, I shared a room with my step sister who is 11 years younger than me. We even had a bunk bed, one with a double bed as the bottom bunk and a single bed as a top bunk. I think it made us closer and we are really great friends now.

You have tons of time to figure it out! I'm excited to hear more about it!

Hänni said...

Even if you have a boy and a girl, they can share a room while they're little. My brother and I shared until we were 5 and 6. We had no qualms about our bunk beds. We didn't know any different.