Bunk Beds!

In January, we made a big leap in our house...Abigail and Lucas got bunk beds!

We'd been talking about building bunk beds pretty much since we bought the house. We knew space was limited, and they were a great way to maximize some. I'd been checking out beds for awhile now, just trying to decide what I wanted. I knew I wanted a very solid set, as obviously bunk beds double as a climbing structure for two 3-year-olds =). I also knew I wanted the top bunk low, like below my shoulders. I wanted to be able to peak in easily at my sleeping babe =)

I finally picked out a set I liked, and Dave and Uncle Tony created plans, shopped for wood and supplies, and got to work!

The twins were SO THRILLED to watch this process throughout the morning!

Luke testing it out for Daddy...

Pretty excited kiddos!

That morning I took them to Target to pick out sheets for their new beds, since we don't own any twin sized sheets. I told them they could each pick out two sets, and they could pick whatever they wanted. 

We walked down the "Boys aisle" and the "Girls aisle" (pet peeve of mine...whose to say a girl doesn't want Batman sheets? Or a boy Doc McStuffins? Argh) and they each deliberated for a bit before making their final choices.

Ab's ended up going with Hello Kitty and Horses, while Luke chose Spiderman and Toy Story.

They're actually in each others bunks here, but this is the finished (for now) project! We eventually want to paint them, but for now they are sanded, sturdy, and safe =).

David and I worried it might be a battle over who got the top bunk, but the kids actually decided it themselves without a single argument (thankyouJesus). 

Whenever we talked about building the beds, they'd both say "and Lucas will be on the top one, and Abbey on the bottom!". 

We're glad it worked out that way, because I had some legit fears about Ab's being on the top bunk. She is a wicked crazy sleeper! Even though there is siding around nearly the whole top bunk, I just felt uneasy about her crazy sleeping antics. 

Think I'm overreacting? 

We found her -asleep- like this one night...

 

True story.

I think they've each enjoyed having their own little space, and while Luke feels lucky to be on the top bunk (he especially likes to peer out the window from up there =) ), Abbey loves her "cave" down below! She snuggles in with her 3,247 lovies (which never all fit on her little toddler bed) and is so happy.

We've been pleased with how well they've shared their space as well. The rule is, you're not allowed on the other person's bed - in their space- without their permission first. So far, they each seem pretty welcoming =).

This picture is blurry, but I wanted to post it because it's a moment that warmed my heart. 

I heard them up and chatting one morning, but they weren't yet calling for me to see if they could get up. I peaked in on them and found this...

...they were both sitting up on Luke's bunk, watching the outside world, and talking together.

Our babies are growing up.

On raising boys...

I grew up in a house with all girls. Four sisters, to be exact. My husband grew up in a home with two brothers. Each of us was so excited at our ultrasound when we learned we were having one of each - for many reasons - but one of them being that I would get to watch a boy grow up, and Dave a girl.

I wish I could articulate how much fun my son is, but I don't think I'll ever be able to do it justice. Our Luke is many things; brave, tough, smart, handsome, crazy observant, kind, empathetic, witty, private, loyal, curious, sensitive...and most of all FUN.



Luke has tons of energy. Like, A LOT of energy. The boy wakes up in the morning and GOES. Even if he's watching a TV show, he's playing on the side.
He was very young when I recognized I was going to have to be creative about giving him ways to get his energy out. In a 900 sq foot home with a small (SMALL) yard, I was going to have to get used to getting out and about more than I would have liked in order to give him a chance to explore and get his energy out. If he doesn't get the chance to do so, he tends to make naughtier choices ;).


 It's better for all of us to get out and play where there is room to run. It's an important part of childhood, and we're lucky to have so many opportunities around us. But some days we can't fit it in, or we just need a day at home, or someone's under the weather, etc. Some days we just have to spend the whole day at home. On those days, Luke finds the funniest ways to get his energy out...

Like having me move the coffee table and running circles in the living room...




Last night he was running from the laundry room door into the living room and jump kicking the chair & 1/2. He did this about ten times (complete with Ninja headband on, naturally) and then turned to Dave and said "Daddy, I'm just a little bit trying to break the chair"
It was hilarious.


And he is SUCH a Ham. I asked him the other night if he wanted to do something, and he replies "Sure Momma! It would be my pleasure. Momma? 'it would be my pleasure' means 'sure, I'd love to!"
hahaha.






"Need something off the top shelf? I'll get that for ya Momma!"



This boy...



What amazes me most about this boy - what makes me feel so incredibly lucky - is he's just as quick to be gentle. He has such a tender heart, and he is the first to ask why someone is sad or scared. When he plays too rough (it's truly not often, but it happens) he consistently recognizes it himself and always apologizes before being asked. He HATES to hurt anyone!

Sweet boy feeding a baby doll it's bottle =)

 

Pretty much every day I feel lucky that I get to know our Luke. He is SO fun, and such a rich blessing in our lives!