Okay, it's February 1st, and I realized I didn't even make a single post on my blog the whole month of January. I guess I kind of feel like there's not too much exciting stuff going on in the Chiodo home. Work for both of us is going well; Abby's still enjoying her preschool 3 days a week; Ben is growing like a weed. We spend our weekends together and do a little home project here and there.
Here's a house update:
1. Jason found out about Connecticut utility companies providing rebate money for make energy efficient home improvements up until March 2010. So we got their required energy audit and within the month of December we had insulation blown into the walls, ceilings, attics, and garage in our house. It costs about $1.10/sq. foot and we get a rebate of $1.00/sq. foot. We ended up paying about $300 to fully insulate our house. We also got central air installed (I find this quite lovely-especially since the rebate made Jason gung-ho to get it done instead of me asking for it many times over when it gets hot here). We already had all the ductwork set up in the house so it wasn't overly expensive to do. And we used money we got for Christmas to get a new front-loading washer and dryer. The ones that came with the house were still the originals from 1965. I'm definitely loving these Christmas presents. The good thing is-we're now getting our utility bills for January...and there is a big difference! Our electric, water, and gas bills are all significantly lower. Love that.
2. We got a new front door-goodbye ugly and creaky 1965 one! Still needs to be painted but it's a lovely one.
3. All of our new windows are installed except for our big bay window. That's a spring project. As I'm typing this, I don't think I posted on here the nightmare that we had with our new windows. The new window project started in November and it just finished about 1 week ago. Have I mentioned I'm not the most patient of people? This really pushed my patient buttons. Anyway-long story but it's finally getting resolved.
4. In November, Jason and his dad built me floor to ceiling built-in bookcases on both sides of my fireplace. I needed some storage and instead of buying cheap Target bookcases, I sweetly asked to have some built. And they did. And I love them. Although painting them white was a long and arduous project I wasn't fond of. But worth it.
5. This past weekend, Jason and I hung up curtains in my dining room/kitchen. I did a little happy dance once they were hung. I love curtains. And I haven't had any in my house for 2 1/2 years. When we rented for 2 years, I didn't hang any since it was temporary. So I had white walls and bare windows that whole time. And Sunday (yesterday), my dear husband made his wife quite happy with my curtains.
6. Projects still to come....both bathrooms need a total overhaul; our bedroom needs to be painted desperately (painted in 1965) along with a new light fixture. We still have the ugly globe one hanging in there.
So-home projects are exciting for us but I'm sure they're not that exciting for everyone else. But they keep us busy.
Abby & Ben:
We signed Abby up for soccer through the town of Stratford for Wednesday evenings. Her first one was last week. She was so cute out there running with her red curls bouncing up and down. They did lots of running and some soccer drills. When it was over, she sighed and said, "Mom. That was not fun. I was breathing way too hard." But she loved it. Abby also gave up her afternoon nap for good about 2 weeks ago. I figured I was one lucky mom to still have her take one until she was 4 1/2. And surprisingly, she's done really well. She has about 45 minutes of quiet time in her room, then she gets to watch a show, and then the two of us will play a game or do a puzzle or something fun. One day she fell asleep sitting on the couch around 5:30 when I was making dinner. And we can't drive anywhere late in the evening without her falling asleep in her booster seat. But she and Ben hit the sack around 7 each night and that makes the evenings for the two of us quite nice to spend together.
Ben is 18 months now...and no stitches, no broken bones or broken teeth or major boo-boos. He climbs on everything. And I mean everything....kitchen table, fireplace, top of the couch, etc. I tell people that BC may stand for Ben Chiodo but it really stands for Birth Control. :) He says "momma" and "uh-oh" and "ow!" And he's definitely a cuddler. He makes a "ooohhhh" sound and will just hug you so sweet and tight. And gives open-mouthed slobbery kisses.
Okay-I'm off to do some dishes. That's a quick update on us. I'll post some pictures soon.
Love y'all-Jenn
