I Bought a Car in My Bathrobe

Actually, I was dressed in regular clothes (regular maternity clothes that is). I could have been dressed in only a bathrobe or even just my birthday suit. It didn't matter. Yesterday, I bought a car over the phone.

It was kind of fun. I haggled my way through all of the car buying hoops without ever leaving the comfort of home. It was the last day of the month and the salespeople wanted to make a deal. I knew which model I wanted, but I wasn't picky about features or colors. As Scott said, I only cared about it being green (as in spending the least amount of greenbacks as possible). I called a couple of dealers and said give me your best price. They called back and I said try a little harder. They called back again and I said try one more time. Before the end of the day, I got the car I wanted at a price even lower than I had hoped (though I didn't tell the dealer that). No running around town, no uncomfortable chairs at the dealership (the kind that make you want to sign on the dotted line no matter what the price), no fuss. I may never go to a car dealership to shop again.

I have to back up a little bit. You may be scratching your head, wondering why in the heck I was buying a car anyhow. Didn't I just by a car in September? Why yes, I did. In fact, I bought the perfect little microvan. I drive a Mazda 5 that I still love and that is still in perfect shape (especially if you like a few Cheerios crumbs on the seat).

The problem is that while my Mazda 5 technically seats 6, the third row of seats are in the cargo area. So as a family of 5 we can fit in the car, but I could never carry groceries at the same time. And as all moms know, having kids means a lot of trips carrying groceries.

Bye-Bye microvan! Hello minivan!

As of yesterday, we are the proud owners of a White Toyota Sienna. It is a couple of years old with only 16000 miles. With kids three young kids this car is going to take a beating. I figured get one that is a little broken in and then I won't fret when I find out that milk was just spilled all over the back seat. And though we already have a purchase agreement on the car, we haven't actually seen it yet. We will be introduced to our family mobile tomorrow in Greensboro. We are headed up to spend the 4th of July in the mountains and will sign the final paperwork on our way to Beech Mtn. The dealer is going to make one change on the interior for me (to help with all those inevitable spills) and we will pick up our car Sunday on our drive home. It should look like the one pictured above. If not, the deal isn't binding and I will be shopping by phone at the end of July.


While last week we made room in the house for Lil' Junior, this purchase means we will have room in the car for him. Of course, we still don't have a car seat for him, but that is just one little legality I will deal with another day.

Right now, I need to get the microvan packed for its last family trip. We are off tomorrow morning to visit Jan and Mike and celebrate the 4th. While we are excited to see them, we are really excited to see Emily and meet her boyfriend Marcus. They are making the trip from Chicago. As if those aren't reasons enough for the trip, Sarah has spent the week with Mimi & Poppa. And I really am missing my first born.

That is life in the Stroller Lane. Lots of Love.

Kids' Room Shuffle

As a party of two in 2001, a four-bedroom house seemed way too big. Scott and I bought it anyhow, and figured we would never fill it. Fast forward to 2009, add two (making room for three) kids and a whole lot of stuff. We find ourselves with no recollection of days with empty closets. It was time to clear out some clutter and shuffle around the bedroom arrangements to make room for our newest addition. Lil' Junior needed a room.

We said good-bye to the guest room (which doubled as my junk room). We want you to know the door is still open and welcome to family and friends. Sarah promises to bunk with Jaley and share her new big girl room with anyone who makes the visit NC.

And with decision made, it was time to do shuffle the kids. Sarah got the windfall - A BRAND NEW BEDROOM!! Still remembering our recent Disney voyage, she vied for a princess theme, I wanted something that she wouldn't outgrow next week. The compromise was a room "fit for a princess." If she asks, please agree that any princess would love to live in her room - especially princesses named Sarah (check out her name on the wall).


Jaley moved into Sarah's room. Other than moving clothes and toys, no change necessary. It is the perfect room for a girl turning three. Lucky for me, because re-doing Sarah's room wore me out. Don't feel too bad for Jaley. She won't always get hand-me-downs. I plan to redo her room in a couple of years.







And Lil' Junior is moving into Jaley's room. If you remember, we went old school with Jaley and didn't find out her girlhood until delivery. As a result, her room was gender neutral - in fact the jungle animals theme, dark wood, and blue walls it actually leaned more toward a baby boy. A decorating decision in 2006 that seems like pure genius today. So Lil' Junior will move right into a ready made nursery. We still need a crib (ours along with all of our baby gear is long gone), but otherwise his room is ready. If you visit before October, it is a private guest room for you.



With the kids' rooms shuffled, we now have room for our newest addition. I won't dare say we are ready though. I learned through Sarah and Jaley, that now matter how hard I try, I am never really ready for a new baby. Preparation aside, he still has a few months in the cooker. We are eagerly awaiting his arrival.

That is life in the stroller lane. Lots of Love.

Home Alone

Mimi and Poppa have escaped the FL heat and are settled back to their NC cabin. Scott and the girls took the opportunity to get in a little spoiling that only Mimi can provide. I, however, just wasn't up for the voyage. Since my belly and I remain on the couch potato list, we decided to man the house and rest a bit.

What could be better. I will be a mom of three in just three short months. This was my chance for alone time and a bit of quiet solitude. I guarantee after October this is house will never be quiet again. Even if no one is home, I'm sure there will be a TV or radio left on at a blaring level. As for alone time, I doubt that will happen again until 2028 (the year we hope to send Lil' Jr. off to college).

I did indulge a bit this weekend. I rented three movies - none from the "Family" section - none with a G rating. And I actually watched all three. I also went out for dinner and coffee with two girl friends at real restaurants - no crayons - no french fries - no indoor playgrounds involved. I didn't do any laundry or use enough dishes to warrant running the dishwasher.

But truth be told, I was a bit lonely. This house doesn't feel like my home unless kids shows are blaring on the TV and Goldfish crackers are being consumed by the truckload. Even while I was sprawled on couch watching my chick flicks, I was sad to miss the fun in the mountains. By the time Scott arrived home on Sunday afternoon, I was homesick. Not homesick for my house, I never left - but homesick for my home. The one that is loud and dirty and full of kid chaos.

Talk to me next year, and I'm sure I will be begging for a weekend alone again. But right now, I am happy that everyone is home. I missed them.

That is life in the stroller lane. Lots of love.