Fixing it up

We have been busy around here, namely Phil has been busy around here. First project was to install a new ceiling fan in Philip's room, which took a few days longer than expected due to unforeseen circumstances...like a chipped ceiling, an old very rusted light fixture brace and Natalie REALLY wanting to be involved in the process. But, after all of those impediments, Phil got it set up and it is great. Provides something for Philip to look at, air circulation in the room and doesn't look half bad!

Second project was to install Natalie's new bedroom tent. We bought her a cute over bed mosquito net contraption thing at Ikea a few weeks ago and finally decided to hang it up. She loved it and although we need to move the puffs I put up when she was still in her crib, it is pretty cute! Once I get a chance to paint her bed white, it will be even better!

Last project was to plant our garden. It has finally been somewhat warm enough that we decided to plant all our fruits and veggies last weekend. We planted tomatoes, zucchini, cucumbers, peppers, a few different squashes, strawberries, basil, and rosemary. I also re-potted my thyme plant because it had grown so much since last year that it needed more space. This weekend, I'm hoping that it is warm enough to plant some flowers. I have a bunch of pots that are begging for pretty flowers.

Two Cans Later

With the birth of the baby quickly approaching, I've been in full nesting mode for the past few months. The first thing I decided to tackle was to change up the mailbox and porch light. I love spray paint and sort of just want to take a can of paint to everything; however, I decided to buy a new porch light that was black, rather than spray paint the old one we had. So, my dad came over and installed it. While he did that I painted the mailbox black to match. It looks SO GOOD! Amazing what a little paint can do.

painted and ready to receive mail

From there, I decided to attack the big window in our garage. I hate that people can look in and see all our junk, so I bought "frosted glass" paint...who knew that even existed? I painted two coats on the window, so now the light comes, but prying eyes can't - which is added security. Security in a can is what they should call that paint.

After the paint

From there, I didn't stop. I took a table from Ikea which had been sitting on the back porch, unused, for three years. I painted it a light brown to match the basement bathroom. Now I have a little table next to the sink to hold towels and look cute.

pre-paint

Painted!

I also painted a mirror from my grandparents bedroom set that I want to hang in the nursery. It looks amazing in the bright white I picked out. I'm looking forward to the weather warming up a little so I can paint the dresser and bed that go with the set. Paint breathes new life into old furniture, which I LOVE.

Along with that "nesting", we have also been busy getting everything else in the house ready for baby. I have two giant trash bags full of stuff for the good will, along with a few other things that wouldn't fit in the bags. I'm planning on filling at least one more bag by the end of the month. We have also been working hard turning the "red room" (extra bedroom upstairs) into the nursery or "Blue Room" as it is now known. Every time Natalie walks past the room she says "Baby room" and points at the blue room, then points to her room and says "my room". So smart that little lady.

A full nursery post is coming once we can get it all put together.

Transformation

When we first bought our house we decided that we would eventually turn this little cubbie hole spot in the basement into either a play room for the eventual children or into a storage spot. The baby came first so we turned it into a play room.

Once we had the play room, the God Father suggested that we paint a house on the wall outside of the cubbie hole, so we enlisted the help of a friend who is an artist. He took a photo of the blank wall and gave us a few options. We settled on one of the options and yesterday the painting happened.

The basement family room has officially turned into a play room

**this was done freehand, by our friend Tyler and his wife Hadley. If you need a good artist for a mural on your wall I'll give you his number

Photos

Two posts in one day....

First up, do you remember when I told you about our trip to Ikea back in July? In that post I promised photos of the finished product - the entertainment center, and then never delivered. I, like most people, hate those blogs that do that - I don't want to hate my blog any longer...here is the reveal:

I would still like to hang the TV on the wall, but it works for now. What doesn't work is the opening for the cable box and speaker system. Natalie LOVES to push those buttons. So for now, here is what it looks like:

Now to the good stuff. I mentioned in my last post we spent time over the past weekend with family. Godfather was over to watch the hockey game and then took Natalie and her balloon for a walk:

Here is Natalie sitting in her booster chair, which is her favorite chair in our house. She is showing me her zuby (tooth in Bulgarian).

Here she is eating our afternoon snack, using her pencil as a fork

Two things

First thing is that we are now the proud owners of a new heater and air conditioner...which is supposed to keep us comfortably warm all winter and cool all summer. For the money we paid, it better. I won't shock you with the total price tag, but if you want an idea, take what amount you are thinking it would cost and double it and you might be close. I almost fell off the couch when he told us the total price tag.

Second thing is so wonderful I barely have the words to explain, but because this is a blog, I'll try. You might be thinking, "Oh she found the cure for cancer" or "She must have solved the crisis in the middle east", but no...I have kicked those pregnancy pounds and then some to the curb. I don't know how it has happened, maybe a combo of lack of sleep, breastfeeding, and forgetting to eat? Any way, I'm just excited to report that while at the mall last night trying to find an outfit for a holiday party on Friday I tried and purchased dresses that are half the size I used to wear! It is very exciting and when I actually decide what dress I'll be wearing I'll take a picture for the blog.

A Weekend of Party Fun, 5K Run, & Getting Pictures Hung

All dressed up and no where to go? That wasn’t our problem on Friday night. We were dressed up and ready to P-A-R-T-Y! The farewell party was on Friday night and so much fun! Below are photos from the event:

Saturday my mom, Natalie and I traveled to Kaysville for the Best Buddies 5K run. We met Laura and Angelina there. It was a little cold outside, but very pretty, so we bundled up and went on the walk. There was a quick egg hunt after the race, followed by some prize drawings Laura helped with.

Natalie relaxed after running a 5K

(This is how she woke up from her nap)

Sunday, after a trip to Costco for more frames, I started a picture hanging project. I started by cutting out frame templates and hanging them on the wall to get an idea of where I wanted the photos hung.

Once we had the layout down, I found the photos I wanted in the frames. It was so fun to look through the photo albums and find photos to hang on the wall. Then the fun part, banging nails into the wall and hanging the frames. The wall looks great and I’m already excited about buying more frames and hanging more photos.

Frozen Solid

I’m overjoyed! Overjoyed because my Valentines Day present came today, it is sitting in my garage right now.

You’re probably thinking, “they bought a new car?” NO, what is sitting in my garage is even cooler (I can’t resist a good pun). It is a stand up, manual defrost, 17.1 cubic feet freezer! It is white and has a lock and fits perfectly.

I have wanted a freezer since we moved into our house and now I have one. I’ve transferred almost all the food out of our inside freezer into the new outside freezer. It was wonderful, oh so wonderful!

I can’t wait for my next trip to Costco. Just the thought of all the meat and frozen food I’m going to buy sends shivers down my back. Who knew such joy could come from a freezer? I did, that’s who!