Celebrating One Year as 600sqftandtwobabies
On July 6th Mae turned one and we cheers'd her, each other and some friends for her being the sweetest addition to our family but also for surviving one year as parents of two kids. And almost equally as important, staying in our small space with 2 kids for a year. Then I blinked and it's September! When I look back and think of all the reasons we wouldn't or couldn't stay in our place it makes me laugh. Here are some of the milestones that have come and gone where we said we would definitely need a bigger place.... but we never moved:
When Theo starts walking...
When Theo starts running...
When Theo complains about our small space...
When we have a 2nd baby...
When I'm home all day with 2 kids and go crazy...
When Mae outgrows her bassinet...
When Mae's crying gets louder....
When Mae starts walking...
When Theo and Mae start fighting over toys...
...
With each phase we have found that by simplifying our possessions and adjusting our space to be multi-functional, most obstacles are overcome. Though I will say, last winter with a new baby who wouldn't nap except while being a carried, and a 3 year old who took the addition of his new baby sister very hard, is bringing back some bleak memories. Between the snow and the rain and our small space, I am a little nervous for what this winter brings. But when I think back on all we gained from our small space I feel a renewed commitment to it. Mainly, our ability to travel and experience adventures together as a family because of the choice to live small outweighs any downside. Also, I love how our small space makes us question every purchase and evaluate if we truly need it rather than just want it. I like to think we would be this disciplined and thoughtful in a bigger space but I doubt we would. The less time spent shopping and commuting also means more time for everything else!
I hope that it's clear here on this blog that living in a small space with children is not always easy and takes some creativity to ensure everyone in the family is getting what they need. But I hope that we look back on this time and see all the good it brought us rather than the tough bits. A friend sent a quote to me tonight as I was writing this and I can't help but share it:
"love grows best in little houses with fewer walls to separate, where you eat and sleep so close together you cannot help but communicate. And if we had more room between us think of all we'd miss. Love grows best in houses just like this." (source unknown)
I can't think of a truer quote to summarize the past year in 600 square feet with a 3 year old and a baby and the four of us trying to find our way. I remember some moments being so hard but this small house made us all get through it together, no running away, no hiding, no avoiding. Cheers to our first year (ish) as a family of four in our small space!