Monday, August 31, 2009

Projects resurfacing...

I can't believe that we have lived in Texas for almost 11 months. It has gone by very fast, (looking back). While we have been very busy, moving in, barfing for 4 months, nesting, then waddling, not sleeping etc, we haven't done much on the house, by way of major changes.

This has actually been hard on me. For the last 7 years of our 8 we have been remodeling houses (we even did quite a few remodeling projects to our apartment the first year). I love to remodel. I love the work, I even admire the look of a ripped apart room because I know what it will be after. Luckily, Justin is the most stellar of craftsmen. I love the designing and finishing.

Well, this house has been great because of the space, but as for charm... there is none! Which is actually what I want when buying a house because it makes it harder to sell to others. BUT- I can stand it no more. We started working last weekend on our first real project. My brain is reeling with design ideas. Here then, is the first phase of our remodel for our living room/dining/kitchen/entry room (why yes, that is too many spaces in one).
WAY Before:

Those were the original pictures of the house as it was during our walk through. Here are some of the in-between befores. In these images, we have changed the lighting (besides the kitchens fluorescent, removed the old breakfast bar, painted the wall green and added the drapes etc.
I have wanted to delineate the spaces a little more in our house. Not to cut them off completely, but all the openness has been almost too much. We had been throwing around the idea of adding a column, I asked Justin to frame two for me to see how they would feel (then I covered them in paper so they were solid...) Here is our test shot.

We immediately liked it. I was afraid it might make the space feel smaller. Surprisingly, it has made both spaces feel bigger, because it encompasses previously unused space and gives it more of a purpose. Also, we will be able to add some more cabinets to the kitchen.

After our "column" test, I drew up the basic plan, shown below. This is that plan, it also shows the future kitchen updates. Also art that my sister is printing for me of the SLC temple. I will show you when I get them back we took the pictures last June). We will also be moving the piano out.

Now we are in the middle of dry walling. Can't wait to show you the finals in a few weeks. I LOVE projects! (and I love how great Justin is at doing the hard work, THANK you honey!)

This is the entry. I painted it with a mis-mixed paint a few months ago, when I was pregnant and bored. Although, I don't love the color, I plan on going darker later. I hung the shelf as an entry table, since space in limited and the picture collage. I changed out the pictures today I will show you those soon. By far though, my favorite change was when I painted the door black, also with mis-mixed paint. For one dollar I have a beautiful stunning black door, and I love it! I would recommend it to anyone.

Firsts

Can you see what we had for the first time at church this Sunday?
I just can't help it, who cares if Mom has dripping wet hair(at least I showered), but Etta...
Seriously, she had just enough hair for an adorable ponytail, could you have stopped yourself?


And, to top it all off, she is wearing my baby blessing dress. I was a big baby (11 lbs), so I didn't fit into the blessing dress my sisters had worn, my Mom made this. I had to have her wear it as soon as I could get her in it! She is such a doll!

Even Buddha's jealous.

Some of the best things in the world are baby bellies!

Saturday, August 29, 2009

The stats

We went to our first month appointment this week, here is the report.

97% for Height (23"3/4), about 90% for Weight (10# 12 oz)

So, we are growing strong and loving it!

Here is a picture from last night, of all the girls hanging out together!

Monday, August 24, 2009

Cock-a--Too-de-loo

We had a quiet farewell on Saturday night.

Goodbye to Beauty and Penny!

We found a home for our 2 roosters, and so we sent them off in a cardboard box to some greener grasses, 2 acres to be exact. Hopefully it will feel like home in no time!

Penny

Beauty


(We may still have one rooster, but are not sure and at least he is quiet for now, we shall see)

Best Husband Ever

It's official. I have the best husband ever. He as been the biggest help, and best Daddy ever, he even takes the baby at night, for an hour or two if he can see that I am too tired.
But to prove it, I had to share this picture. He made me lunch on Saturday, and this is what it looked like. (yes he cut a heart out of the top piece... Too cute)

Saturday, August 22, 2009

Time flies


I cannot believe that already our baby girl is one month old.
We love every minute of everyday with her. She is getting so big. She is starting to hold up her head really well, is trying to smile, (the other day we had three awake smiles!) and FINALLY her little belly button fell off and I can give her real baths!

We had a 1 month birthday photo shoot to celebrate!
Here are some before pictures with Mommy!
(so fun to cuddle the softest little baby)

Daddy got in on the cuddling too! We hope she stays a cuddly baby!
Etta was given this beautiful little dress. I had to dress her in it for pics.

We tried the cute headbands, but they are still a little big, so we did a little switch-a-roo.

Happy First Month Birthday My Baby Love!

Buddy-Budster-ton

Buddy is such a loving cat. I just adore him.
I got this picture of him today and I think it my all time favorite picture of Buddy!
Buddy sure likes to be where the action is,
I had to get a shot of him in the picture cuz he is too cute!


Wednesday, August 12, 2009

What a Grand-momma...

Thanks for coming mom!
We appreciate all you did, and Etta was so happy to meet you, and we were glad to show her off!
We had a very fun visit from Grandma O last week. Mostly we just enjoyed this sweet little baby. Grandma made us healthy food, helped keep the house clean and did all my saved up sewing! Yeah for no more hem repairs.We also started on Etta's blessing dress, that isn't finished yet, but just you wait, it is going to be fabulous!
We saw a few things, namely the water gardens and the stock yards and went to a few restaurants that we love (Jersey Mikes, La Madelines and Joe T. Garcia's). Here are some pictures!

Our tribute to the Little Dutch Boy!


I love to see the Long Horns,
every time I see them I almost commit to never eating beef again.
They are just wonderful creatures.


We love you Oma!