Upstairs, downstairs

If you have, or are planning to have children, do not buy a 'skinny' three-storey house.

We live in a fabulous location, five miles from the city centre, a couple of miles from glorious countryside and close to lots of good boutiques, cafes and baby and toddler groups. We have a lovely house, which is more than big enough for the four of us. My problem however, is that it is too tall and skinny. There was no room for the baby on the first floor with our toddler's and our bedrooms (unless you count the tiny room that we call a study, but is actually a big cupboard stuffed to bursting with books, papers and anything else that we don't have a home for and probably don't really need!), so we put him in the room on the top floor that was previously being used for all the stuff we'd bought for our first child and were no longer using (moses basket et al).

Seemed logical enough, but never did I contemplate the number of times that I would have to walk (or run, depending on the level of screaming) up and down those two flights of stairs in any given day. Take today as an example, I put the baby down for his lunchtime nap, then I come back downstairs to play with my toddler for 20 minutes before he goes for his nap. I sit down for a much-needed cuppa (with the obligitory piece of cake) and the baby wakesup. Sit there for a few minutes to see if he will settle himself, but then have to climb the stairs (remembering my cup of tea this time - usually it is cold when I return to it). By the time I get to the top of the two flights, he is quiet again. Drink my tea standing motionless on the landing. Finish it and hang around for another few minutes wishing I'd brought my laptop with me. Decide all is clear to return downstairs. Settle back down on the sofa for about 10 seconds and the crying resumes. Back up the two flights of stairs...and so it goes on.

On a positive note, it has helped me to lose my baby weight. Just wish walking up and down stairs toned tummies.