Demo weekend!

We had alot of fun ripping up floors & peeling wallpaper this weekend. Well...I cant take any credit for it- Jeremy, my mom and one of our friends, Dan, all got to partake in the demo that kick started our first weekend as new homeowners! I contributed by making list after list of all the things we need...and the list is long! It sure does add up! But nothing is super urgent so as long as we get all the floors done and paint up then it is pretty liveable. Here are some pictures of all the fun we had.

Kitchen Before the floors were ripped out. We will eventually paint the cabinets, add new blinds, may or may not keep the island. We definitely want an island but might replace it with something else.

Kitchen after the floor was ripped out. Jeremy had to screw down the floor because it was pretty squeaky. Im so thankful he is handy. That saved us alot of money!!
Hannie heading upstairs to check our her room!

She really was excited :)
Deciding on paint! She is as indecisive as her mother!
She was such a good little helper and kept busy with lots of coloring!
This is the living room which will be the kids play room. It leads right into the family room. We LOVED the layout. We plan on painting all that dark trim to match the trim of the rest of the house.
Dining Room below. We will replace the chandelier, and re-paint under the chair rail. We are also putting wood floors in here to match the entry way and also putting wood in the kitchen. Painters start on Thursday! We got an incredible deal on the painters. They will do all the ceilings too. Couldnt beat it!
Stairs...carpet all ripped out. They were fast- couldnt get over there in time to get pictures.

Entry way...this is a picture from the realty website. I just love it. It has two coat closets and has such a warm, inviting feel.


Much more to come! We order carpet tomorrow and the wood floor guy comes. Then..onto appliances and lighting!

It's finally ours!

We are SO excited to have closed on our new house yesterday! It felt so good to get the keys and go straight over there after closing. Even though we have several weeks of work to put into it, it is still ours and we can begin working on it! First thing we did was change all the locks....you just never know! We plan on deciding on carpet and paint today and then we can start all the little jobs. Changing faucets, lighting, blinds, fans, etc. Just the little things that will make it ours.
This week was a stressful one...we almost did not close yesterday. It was down to the last minute! On Monday we were all set to close then we learned that there were 3 claims on the house after our insurance guy pulled a CLUE report. Its basically a carfax but for a house. We learned the owners were paid to replace the roof and they NEVER did. So it has the original roof on the house (which we knew) but when we found out they had been paid for a new one and pocketed the money we were pretty upset. But at that point we had already known going into it that we would have to replace the roof eventually. So we just needed to get over and move on. BUT then....our insurance guy said Safeco was going to do an inspection on the roof because they knew the roof was 16 years old and that there had been money paid for a new one- they needed to look into the condition of the roof. At this point we learned Safeco could then withdraw the policy on our house and we could be uninsurable. So at this point- it was now affecting us and we had to do something about it. Our realtor really stepped up and basically required that they pay us for a new roof or he was going to take them to mediation for lying on the sellers disclosure. So We waited a very long 8 hours and got word that they agreed to pay us for the roof. My mind definitely went to the place of- what if they say no? Then we cant get homeowners and we cant get this house! I was so sure they would say no that I even searched for other houses online. I was so discouraged. But it all worked out! The next hurdle was getting the money in a certified check at closing instead of putting the money in escrow which would then delay closing 2-3 weeks. And they could even require us to have the roof put on BEFORE we closed. So many things running through my head. I wanted so badly to get into the house and start everything we need to do. So at 4:30 on Thursday we got word that we would still be closing on Friday. What a relief!! We were so excited that it was really all coming together.
Closing went SO smoothly and we went right over there and walked into our new house! We have so many things in mind its going to be so hard to sit at work every day knowing all that I could be doing but we will be in there soon! As long as all the big stuff gets done then we can move in. Ill keep you posted on moving day and our progress! I hope to have Before Pictures tonight! Id love to be able to post before and after pictures in the same post but we all know Im too impatient for that :)
But for now...here is our new home. I am just so thankful we get to call this place home and start making so many memories with our little family!

24 weeks, 2 year stats & our house!

Warning: long and detailed post below...but I figured Id just fit it all into one!
We've reached 24 weeks- YAY! It feels really good. Its crazy to think at my next appt I will be in the last trimester. Things are just going to FLY by!! Im feeling great besides wanting to eat EVERYTHING in sight. I remember this happening to me with Hannah but that was at like 36 weeks....this is a bit too early! Im just starving all the time.
Little man is growing and growing some more! Causing me to grow too! Ha ha! Some days I feel like Ive done really well and others...I feel like I did eat everything in sight :) Ive gained 10 pounds which is pretty good so far. But lots longer to go! My c-section has been scheduled...its on the books! As long as all goes as planned that will be his birthday. Crazy to think we already know it. Im getting a little more nervous as the days go on about the c-section but I know it happens everyday!
Its hard to believe but I have only bought ONE thing for him! I know- seriously hard to believe. Ive been so busy with the house, Christmas, Hannah's birthday, that time is just flying by. I picked up the CUTEST pair of little boy shoes for him. They are like little sperry's. Adorable. We pretty much have every big item that we will need but we will need a double stroller...of course Im sure by the time we buy one Hannah will be boycotting the stroller just like she does her highchair and booster seat!
Speaking of H....we had her 2 year appointment yesterday. That girl is a TROOPER! When the nurse said she had to get a finger prick I thought I was going to throw up. I HATE finger pricks. I mean more than getting blood drawn. I know, weird. Just something I hate about them. Anyways- she didnt even flinch. Just sat there and even watched the girl squeeze blood into the tubes. What a proud mom I was. As I was getting ready to pass out. She did cry with her shot- thankfully she only had to get one. But Jeremy was there to pick her up and console her...that girl LOVES her daddy :)
She weighed 32.8 pounds and is 35.5 inches tall. The 90th % for both. She actually weighed a little less than the last time we took her for her ears in December. Maybe she's on a diet. That would explain why she wont eat practically everything we give her. But we did try peanut butter on Sunday and all is well with that! I was so nervous about her being around peanuts that I just did not want her to have it before 2. But all is well so maybe we can start sqeezing in some good protein!

"I weigh how much??"

Now onto the house update....we are officially closing on Friday. Can you hear me shouting with excitement!! We cannot wait. This is such a dream house for us (well- once it gets all remodeled!) but its so perfect for us. I cant wait. I cannot wait to start picking out colors, carpet, floors, decorations, new lighting etc. Fun stuff! We still wont actually move in until mid February but just knowing its ours makes it even better! Of course, we do have to go back to being homeowners. Bittersweet...Ive so enjoyed the stay at my parents house. It was a really nice break from gas and water bills and our mortgage. They have been so generous to have us there all this time...once we leave they wont know what to do!! I can guarantee they wont miss Ruby or the piles and piles of laundry we bring with us :)

I cant wait to start posting before and after pictures. Maybe by May 8th the house will be ready!!

Hannah's Party

We had such a great time at Hannah's 2nd birthday party. It was filled with so many great friends and family, delicious food and such sweet gifts for Hannah. We are so lucky to have so many awesome people in our lives! It was just such a nice afternoon. Hannah had a great time and had plenty of delicious sweets :) Something we never really give her...she was in heaven! Here are some pictures to recap the day! I wish I had more of Hannah but that girl wont sit still. Its just way to hard to get her sitting down and looking at the camera! My mom and I had so much fun decorating. We kept it VERY simple and some how it was still alot of detail. Or maybe thats just because we had just started on Friday night! We went with a pink and green bird theme- that followed her invites. Finding pink and green candy was tough but we enjoyed it all!
Some how these got all out of order but you get the idea :)

pink and green candy bar
brownie pops


strawberry cupcakes in mason jars. YUM!!

bags for the candy bar









I'm TWO!
She's so sweet :)
She got a baby doll that came with all the accessories to style her hair...even little scissors...she was in heaven!
Invitations one of my friends designed- they turned out perfect!

My Sweet Hannah, you are TWO!

I cant even believe two years have flown by. They have been the best two years of our lives and continue to get better every day. The past two years have been filled with so much joy, so much learning, and so much love. You taught us so much about love the day you were born and now two years later we know we could never love anything more than our children. You are such a firecracker! You are funny, wild, loving, sweet and caring. You can make me laugh and smile whether we are together or not. The things you do make me want to just pick you up and squeeze you because you are so darn funny and sweet but lets face it- the cuddling days are over. You are independent...strong willed...and have a mind of your own. Those traits will pay off one day :) We have so many hopes and dreams for you- we can only imagine what you will be like as you turn into a little lady and a young woman. But enough thinking about the future. Because right now- at two, I want these moments to last forever. Because tomorrow you will be one step closer to getting older. I find myself looking at old pictures when you were so tiny and cant believe you've grown this big. You have made us the happiest mommy and daddy in the whole world. Our lives are better with you in it. We are the lucky ones who get to be your parents. We love reading to you, playing with you, holding you, and teaching you. But really, you are the one teaching us.
We love you more than words can say. Thank you for loving us.




And now onto a little bit about what you are doing these days:
You are going to sleep anywhere between 7:30 and 9:00- which is too late for your parents! Ha ha! If you fall asleep later than normal we are right behind you! You wake up around 6:30 or so. Sometimes on the weekend you let us sleep until 7.
You are wearing anywhere from 2T to 3T clothing.
You are 33 pounds and almost 35 inches tall
You are in size 5 diapers...but you dont love having your diaper changed anymore. You would rather be doing lots of other things! Hopefully that means you will be easy to potty train.
Youre two absolute favorites are your paci and your bunny. You cannot do anything without those two!
You LOVE Mickey Mouse and Elmo and your favorite song right now is Wheels on the Bus. But you love all music in general.
You could play HARD all day long. You love being tossed around, rolling around on the floor and even getting tickled. You even tickle yourself and laugh and laugh. Its pretty funny!
Your middle name should be "more". You want more of everything!
You are a little better eater but we are always prepared with a bag full of snacks. One day you will eat something and the next day you wont. You love fruit, cheese and yogurt.
You are a wild little girl most of the time but then I can look over at you and you will be gently rocking your babies or reading to them. Its the sweetest sight in the world!
You say everything imaginable and so many things we may not understand. I absolutely LOVE listening to you talk. I love when you read a book to us or talk on a cell phone. You have very funny conversations!
You have some of the funniest words for things- here are a few of my favorites:
Paci- Papaish (that is pronounced with a russian accent) We have NO idea where this came from. If I ask you to say paci you always say papaish and will even have a very serious conversation with me about it!
Bunny- My My. No clue again...
Gramps (my dad)- are you ready for this?? She calls him Meat. OMG. I have no words.
Hot- for something that is very hot- you look at it and point and say "berry hot".
We taught Hannah to say "I love you" but in a bear growl voice. And we also taught her to say "I love you" like a mouse. So she says I love you in a growl voice and I love you in a high pitched mouse squeal. Its adorable and hilarious. She is a mess!!
One of my MOST favorite conversations to have with Hannah goes like this, "I love you. She says, Love you. I say forever, and she says, eva. I say, love you like a bear- and she growls I love you. I say love you like a mouse, and she squeals I love you." Its one of my favorite things about every day :)

There are so many more things I could say about you but most of all you just love having fun! And we love everything about you! I have a feeling your teenage years are going to be interesting :)

23 weeks

We reached 23 weeks yesterday and even got to see our little man! He was so cute :) He was all snuggled in there with his arms up by his face and he would not move them! So we didnt get a very good look at his face but everything on the ultrasound looked great. He weighs 1 pound 3 oz. Right on target...hopefully not too big yet!

The 2nd trimester has been treating me so much better than the first :) Everything is going very smoothly! Its hard to believe in 5 weeks, Ill be in the last trimester! May 8th is seriously going to be here before we know it. I cant even believe how close we are getting. But Im also so excited- I cannot wait to see who he looks like and hold a newborn baby again!

These days Im eating well, and sleeping pretty well- unless of course a storm/dog/or Hannah wake us up. Which actually seems to be all too often! So I go to bed very early. Of course- nothing new there. I have always been an early morning person and early to bed. I am still able to get on most of my work pants but the belly band is getting a little tight but maternity pants are huge. I feel so goofy wearing these huge baggy pants. I know they will come in handy soon enough but Im stuck right in the middle right now.

I havent really been craving anything- except that I want to eat everything all day long. I find myself eating alot during the day. I have been trying to fill the gaps with carrots, fruit or lifesavers but sometimes it doesnt cut it! I think of all these great things I want to make while Im sitting here at work (or everything on Pinterest!) and by the time I get home Im to tired to even try it. Thats probably a good thing!

Everything else is great in the world. We have a little girl who will be two on Friday and we get to celebrate her this weekend- what could be more fun that that!?! Its hump day- I hope the rest of the week flys by for everyone else!

Here is a picture of our little guy...he's so cute already :)

Wee Rocked!

We had SOOOOO much fun at Wee Rock! I couldnt have been happier or had more fun. I think I might have had the most fun :) I wasnt sure what to expect since it was our first class and I had no idea how Hannah would take to it- sometimes she can be really shy. There were about 8 kids in our class and several parents. Heidi the instructor was awesome and made everyone feel very welcome. Basically you sit in a circle and go from song to song for almost an hour. We used instruments, we danced, and we sang (my favorite part!). It was so fun! For about the first 30 minutes Hannah just sat in our lap watching very seriously. Then when Heidi passed out the little tamborines it was like something clicked and Hannah was the star of the show! She was dancing and clapping, and she kept yelling, "YAY!". Hannah LOVED when Heidi opened a bag full of instruments. She kept pulling them all out and played with all of them during our "jam session". Then Hannah loved clean up. She loved going to pick up all the instruments and putting them back in the bag. My little cleaner :) It was just so much fun. I left there smiling and already cant wait to go back next week. If you live in the Louisville area and have toddlers and would be interested in something like this, we highly reccomend it. The website is www.weerock.net. I just love things like this that we get to do with Hannah. Its so hard being away from her week while she is in school so its great to get to see Hannah in her element.

The rest of our weekend was great- Sunday my mom and I traveled to IKEA and got some great things for the house. It was kind of hard shopping without an idea of where everything will go but we have a list of things we want to get after we get settled in the house. I love IKEA because of the awesome stuff they have but also their prices. Now its funny because some things are so amazingly underpriced & very good quality but then some things are just way up there. I like the cheap things :) I found a coffee table for the family room for $20!! Now with two young kids I know sharp corners will be a concern so my mom and I are going to find some awesome fabric and make an ottomon type table. I also found a $30 craft room table...Im so excited to get my own craft room. That room is obviously not first on the priority list but it will be fun to do!

Lastly, we got this huge unit for the living room (which I call the play room because it will be just for the kids!) but it has these openings for cute baskets to slide in that will hold all of their toys. I cant wait to put that room together!

We are anxiously awaiting our closing so we can get in the house and start all the work! The list is LONG but its all fun stuff so Im trying not to get overwhelmed. We looked at carpet and paint this weekend. You know you are old when....carpet and paint are a highlight to your weekend :)

Im at work today....it seems the rest of the world is not but maybe that means it will be quieter. Hannah is at home with my mom and I am jealous! They will have alot of fun though! I am so thankful to have such an awesome mom who looks so forward to a day off with Hannah. Its always an adventure! :)

Friday, Finally!

Have I had that blog title before? Oh probably! I am so looking forward to this weekend. Its just the little things that get me through the week! Like my half day Friday and a jeans day. I know- in the working world it doesnt take too much to get us excited :) I plan on running some errands today to get stuff for Hannah's party...I cant even believe we are having a second birthday party for that girl. Wasnt she just born yesterday??? Sure feels like it. Then my sister is coming in town with her new sidekick Brinkley...yay! We have Hannah's first "Wee Rock" class tomorrow morning. Which I am more excited about than anyone. We found an awesome deal on Living Social for a 10 week music class. She LOVES music so much I have a feeling she will really love it. Or she will be really shy and not like it...ha ha! You never know with her! Then Sunday we are traveling to IKEA to start getting stuff for the house. SO looking forward to that. They have such awesome pieces that I already have in mind for the playroom and craft room. Pinterest is killing me with all these ideas- I just want to be in our house already!! Im ready to decorate and get settled. Its going to be so nice once its all done. Its just going to take some time and patience...and ya'll know I dont have patience :)

I hope everyone has something they are looking forward to this weekend. Even if its a calm, quiet weekend- its still the weekend!!

Just had to add a picture of my ALMOST 2 year old! There are so many things I love about this picture- a quiet sleeping baby, her wild hair, her beautiful red lips, & those chubby hands :)

Just what I needed...

I saw this online & it totally made me laugh and was just what I needed this morning! After the morning I had with Hannah practically refusing to have her hair brushed, clothes changed, & socks & shoes put on...it's so good to see what really goes on in their precious little head. I love the Elmo reference. Happy Wednesday!

Monday odds & ends

Its Monday...UGH. I hate to dread a day of the week but Monday has to be it. Even though its nice to get back into a routine its still SO hard to get up to an alarm and rush to get out of the house without forgetting something.

But to wrap up the weekend- we had a really nice one! Friday was absolutely GORGEOUS for January. It got up to almost 65 degrees! We took Hannah to swing and she just loves it. She loves to go fast and as high as she can. She is my little thrill seeker. She loves been spun around, tossed around and tickled. She thinks its hilarious.

Jeremy and I got away for a dinner date on Friday and that was really nice. We know at Hannah's age she is pretty much impossible to take out to dinner. She hates sitting in her highchair, usually wants to be sitting ON the table, and rarely eats what we give her. So....we eat at home alot and when we can get away for a dinner just the two of us its a nice little break! Saturday we met friends at the Newport Aquarium, which was alot of fun! The girls loved the fish and the big sharks! Hannah was a little timid some of the time. Which is funny cause she can be so wild! But it was a nice little road trip and something different to do. Sunday- I think I did laundry for 10 hours. Seriously.....it was an all day affair! But it has to be done!

Here is a picture of me at 21 weeks. I hate to admit this is the first belly picture I have of myself this time. I have not been great at record keeping this time. I am not one to post lots of belly pics of myself, especially to Facebook or anything like that! This is solely for my record keeping purposes but I'll be glad to look back on it one day!

I hope everyone has a great week! We are hoping to wrap up the appraisal & paperwork on the house then anxiously await closing! We are ready to get in and start working!!

Halfway there!!

We are a little over the halfway mark! 21 weeks to be exact and 19 more to go!! Well a little less but thats a good thing for me :)

We went to the doctor last week to follow up our ultrasound and got to hear the heart beat again- what a sweet sound! Jeremy is still convinced its a girl...ha ha! Im feeling alot better and eating dinner now so thats a plus! Im still pretty tired every night but I was tired pre-pregnancy so nothing new there :) I had to break down and buy the belly band. All my maternity pants are too big and my works pants are a little snug. Ive only gained 6 pounds over 21 weeks so that makes me pretty happy! Although my appetite has increased so I need to watch it!! Everything on the baby looks good but we might need to go back and get another check of the heart. Not that anything looked suspicious- just that because of the baby's position they couldnt get a good read on it. That is fine by me! The more ultrasounds the better!

Dr Basham thinks this baby is going to be BIG! Im like SERIOUSLY??? There is no way we could have a bigger baby than Hannah at 9.6 pds. But she says that boys are normally bigger and thinks he could be quite the chunker! I thought I might get a skinny baby for once....not looking like that will happen!!

One reason I am ok with another big baby is because I will be having a c-section with this one. When Hannah was born her shoulder was stuck and unbeknownst to us- it was actually much more serious than we realized at the time. Its called shoulder dystocia and they say that is is more likely to happen in a second pregnancy and can have major complications such as nerve damage to the baby or worse. So we are definitely choosing what is best for him. We can schedule this one and that fits perfect with me and my organized self :)

At our appointment we started looking at dates for the c-section and it looks like MAY 8th will be the BIG DAY! Wow! As we left Jeremy said- why does the date keep getting closer and closer? I laughed...but its true! At first we guessed my due date to be around May 15th...then they did our first ultrasound and pushed me back to May 22nd. Then we had our big ultrasound and they moved me back up to about May 14th. SO....since they want to do the c-section the week before so I dont go into labor on my own...we had the option of May 8th or 9th. May 9th is my brothers birthday and I didnt want to take his big day so it looks like Tuesday My 8th. Its so weird to know the date already. IF everything goes as planned :)

That gives us like 4 months to get the house ready. We are feeling the pressure a little bit! House update...we have gone through the inspection. We had a few things that needed attention but no deal breakers- thankfully!! All the negotiations are done and now we just wait on the appraisal and wait for our closing date!! I cant believe its really happening! We probably have about 3 weeks of work once we get the keys but Im very thankful we have somewhere to stay during that time. We will replace all the floors, paint, replace bathroom hardware, new door locks, light fixtures, you name it! I know alot of it can wait until we are in but I cant wait to move in with all that done. Then we can focus on decorating not one but TWO kids rooms! We are so thankful for this house and everything it brings with it. Its a lifelong home for us and we cannot wait to get settled!!

Hannah's New Years resolution is OBVIOUSLY not to give up her paci :) Not even to little brother!!

a new year

2011 was a great year- but Im very excited about 2012. Lots of big things happening for us this year and as excited as I am about all of the big AND little things Im just praying we all get through this year safe and as healthy as we were in 2011. I spend alot of time thinking about decorating our new house, buying cute new things for our little guy but none of that really matters. All that really matters is that we surround ourselves with our family and the ones we love. I just hope we all get through another year super healthy and enjoying all the small things that really are the big things in our lives.
So with that being said- 2012 has big things in store....we start off the year with Hannah turning TWO! Cant even believe that! I am having alot of fun thinking of all the little details of her party. I just have no idea how it has gone so fast! This little girl keeps us on our toes and never ceases to amaze us! She is the most beautiful, most precious and smartest little girl in our world :)
We will be closing on our house in early 2012 and Im just so thankful how this whole thing has worked out. It really feels meant to be. And when something feels meant to be it makes it that much better. We are truly lucky to get this house. I cannot wait to really make this our home (hopefully our last!- moving is no fun!)
Little man will be here in early May....that is hard to believe too! With the holidays and now settling into our new home it will be here before we know it. Im very excited about spending the summer with our little guy. I know having two little ones provides its own challenges but I cant even wait to hold a new little baby again. As much as Hannah loves baby dolls I can only hope she loves him just as much :)
Im hoping we get to the beach this summer while Im on maternity leave. I know Hannah will love the beach as much as I do!
I will turn 30 this year and Jeremy and I will celebrate our 5 year wedding anniversary. I thought at one point we might take a trip to celebrate but with a new house and baby...that might not happen this year. Thats ok too!

I hope everyone's 2011 ended on a very happy note and that 2012 starts off even better! Happy 2012 everyone!!!