Another Project - Almost Complete!

I remember thinking: It would be great to get rid of this dirty old carpet and redo the floors in the house before our little Quadzilla starts to crawl all over them! We can do it! Summer time would be perfect! Well, my imagination sure got the best of me. It was a little more (a whole lot more) than we initially thought it would be, and the labor has turned out to be more also. For some reason I thought we could do it all at once and pay for someone to install it all - there's all kinds of deals on TV . . . etc . . . etc.

Needless to say, plans changed! We're only conquering the main living area and the hallway for now - and we're doing it ourselves! It saves us over $800 to install ourselves!!!
So the battle began on Monday morning. Gus and I tore out the carpet and started to pry all of the little wooden boards from the perimeter of the work area and removing the baseboards (that we just installed not even a year ago)!
Tuesday was an errand day to buy forgotten supplies, anything extra we needed before the "big day." Plus more sweeping the floors of course.
Wednesday - the BIG DAY - started at about 6:30am, because that's when little Gus wakes me up with hunger pains every morning. So I eat and get right to work, lay the moisture barrier down, start taping, and my friend's bro. in law came over at 9 to help! Thank goodness - I wouldn't have made any progress without him!!! And we worked until 5:30. We finished the HALLWAY (only)! Such a small space can be a HUGE project. The first and last row of the hallway were very difficult to construct, but we did get that done!

Then, I cooked dinner for my wonderful husband, and the two of us worked on the living area until about 9:30. Progress . . . yes - it's really coming together!

(Above picture) That's all the saw dust flying around after cutting a board, and if you look closely you can see my little pregnant belly starting to show! I'm still in the stage where people probably wonder if I'm pregnant or have a beer gut . . . but I'm thankful to not be any bigger too, because it's just too darn HOT!
(Below picture) I did a lot sitting and tapping vs. squatting - yet my legs still feel like I did a million lunges yesterday!

Now, I knew I would be tired when done for the day, but that was an understatement!!! I woke up this morning still exhausted after an almost full night's sleep - I think I only woke up to go to the bathroom once - which is really good for me! I even went back to bed after breakfast, it was just to lay down and watch Regis and Kelly, and next thing I knew it was 10:30!!! And I'm STILL TIRED! This kiddo is definitely getting all the energy - he's been doing flips pretty much all day. I usually just feel a kick or two when I'm holding still, but he's been REALLY active today! Hopefully, he'll leave me some energy to try to finish the floors with Gus after dinner tonight. We have to work around the fireplace and then fit in the last row - it should be an interesting evening!

A Kickin' Weekend

Well, we took the drive down to my parent's house for the weekend. It really isn't a bad drive, but when we don't get there until 5:30 on Saturday night and then leave on Sunday afternoon by 4:30, it makes the drive seem longer!
It was really worth it though! We grabbed a lot of tools that we'll need to put down our new wood flooring this week. We saw the family. We got to spend time with all of the DADs in our immediate family ON Father's Day! Great food. Great company. Great Times.
We also got to hang out with our precious nieces! They are getting so big!!! Elena knows her name - first, middle, and last - and her sister's too. The best is when you get to hear her say them . . . she does a great job . . . "What's your sister's name?" "Alexa Lee!" "What's your name?" "Elena Rae!" "What's her (mom) name?" "Momma Rae!" "And his (dad) name?" "Daddy Rae!" So everyone now has Rae for a middle name! She is something else!!! (Elena Rae at almost 2 years - top; Alexa Lee at 2 months - bottom)



Also, Gus and I always try to take updated pictures of the house/projects we've done since the last time my family visited us in Dallas. This time it was the baby room walls - they're almost done - just one more to go . . . Maybe I'll do it tomorrow . . . Everyone wanted to see which color green they are going to be - I guess they were worried about my choice of color not looking right?
Well, the accent wall is darker (Jekyl Cottage Green) and the rest of the walls are a very soft green (Willow Wind). This is the best picture I could get with the lighting. The room is coming along quickly, everyone approved of and loved the colors, and I can't wait until we get to put the crib in, decorate, and most of all . . . just hang out with Little Gus in there!



SPEAKING OF LITTLE GUS . . .

The best part of the whole weekend . . .
I FELT LITTLE GUS KICK FOR THE FIRST TIME!!! I was sitting there holding Alexa, and felt a small kick. At first I thought it was her, but I had felt it near where her little bottom was resting on my tummy - not where her foot was. Then a moment later, there it was again! I knew it was my little guy and, with tears in my eyes, ran outside to tell Daddy Gus!!! Now Daddy is waiting for his turn to feel THE KICK!

WHAT A GREAT WEEKEND!!!

My First Blog

Jess -

I dedicate this "first blog" to you! I never thought that I'd be a blogger, but here I am starting one today. Being home for the summer has me busy with house work and baby projects, but I really wanted something that I could have for "me time" and to help me keep up with the world around me. I was looking at your page - you're always so up to date, and I love to see little Madilyn growing up. I see so much of you and Jeff both in her little face. Reading the story about that doctor trying to take her blood brought me to tears!!! I was so glad to have read it though - and instantly wanted to start my own blog spot to be able to share too. I am very excited to begin my new hobby!