Winter Home Projects

So even with the Pea on the way, I have not lost my interest in home projects.  We took a little break and now have been back at it.  Working to get some big projects started and completed (hopefully!) before the pea arrives.

Starting Small....

Something was missing in my guest bedroom, I had to make a change. First I started with making some pillows. Yes I made those pillow covers!!  Then  last Saturday the builder and I painted the room.  I had the builder sold on painting one wall and then it led to the whole room.  It made such a difference.  It took away the start hotel feel!  I love the gray.  All the white frames and furniture pop now.  Still contemplating some large horizontal stripes on the wall with the beds, thoughts?  I keep going back and forth and the builder is not sold yet so we are waiting.  I want to find a throw for the end of the beds with some bright colors, on the prowl.

The picture color looks more blue but it person its gray!

So after painting the plain white walls in one room it lead me to the next room.  The builders office...I love this room!!  The color turned out perfect and once again our pictures pop.  I also finally ordered the fabric for the curtains and made them this weekend.  I was so proud of myself, first time making curtains and it was a success!  They are my favorite curtains, if the matched my office I would put them there.  Does make me want to change my office curtains...surprise, surprise I love changing my office.

One other small change to our master bed room.  Anniversary gift to the builder!

So the big projects....re-doing this.... Everything is ordered for a new bathroom!  Good bye to the white and black. 

Yes that is me! Sorry for the robe, its snowing outside and cold!

Thought the mess would show we live here!

Also we are starting our kitchen...not as far along for this one but we have a design!  Looking forward to all the fun and decorating to come!! 

LOVE

 

Invites made by A &S for our Annual Couples Valentines Day Dinner Party!  LOVE them!

Mailed out today so let the party planning begin!! 

Pea Bump!

Back to back posts on the pea!  I thought it was time to share some pictures of the little peas growth.  It took some time but I have a full blown bump!

It's a very cold Monday so please don't judge!

I will be 24 weeks tomorow.

Cravings:  Still no real cravings.  Eating has improved but I still have 3 good days and an off day.
Clothes:  I can still wear almost all my clothes however jeans are not comfortable.  The button is not comfortable pressure on my tummy.  I did buy my first maternity jeans this weekend so we will see how those go!
My standard is leggins and uggs....had to add that for builder.  I do wear that 6 out of the 7 days.  But cut me some slack, I blizzard is coming and we have had snow all winter!
Sleep:  I sleep just fine.  I have adjusted to a side sleeper, still like my back better (but that doesn't work).  I mostly sleep slightly sitting up.
Movement: Love it!  Pea is a mover and builder has been able to feel more regularly.  Pea is gaining strength
Loves: Pea still loves the morning walks with oh bother, we have not missed one yet.  The blizzard coming may change that.  Also still enjoying our workouts and walks. 

All in all its been a great 24 weeks, I am soaking it all in.  Every little kick makes the beginning so worth it.  Can't wait to meet the pea!

20 weeks!!

First major update since we found out that the little pea was coming in May!!  It was been a very exciting 20 weeks.  The best way I can describe this pregnancy is the opposite of everything I had thought.  I really can say that through it all I have found enjoyment in every little step.

First Trimester:  The first 3 months I was pretty sick.  The worst time of day for me was the evening.  I ate a lot of cheerios, plain noodles, cheese, pretzel thins, and water.  Water was really the only liquid that tasted good.  My beloved coffee was a no go...I could hardly take the smell.  It was a boring time of eating for the Builder.  Poor guy was alone for most every meal.  It was a successful day if everything stayed down...didn't happen often but we made it through.  I have to write this so I remember but on Halloween I decided to be adventurous since I felt better and try just a few bites of chili....chili coming out your nose burns so bad... no more chili during this pregnancy!  I did not gain any weight this trimester actually lost weight.   In this trimester I did not really miss anything...take that back I did miss flavor in my food and having an appetite.

2nd Trimester:  It is amazing how much energy does return!  I still get sick but nothing like the first trimester.  We joke that the Pea does not like food!  As long as I eat small meals often I can usually make it through the day.  I usually go 3 good days and then an off day.  I am very use to it now so it is no big deal.  I am still enjoying my workouts and moving around.  Moving is actually the best.  When sitting the Pea loves to put pressure on my left rib...I swear my ribs are going to be bruised by the end of this.  Sleeping has become more interesting as I was a stomach sleeper.  I often have to sleep more sitting up and try hard to sleep on my side!  I have a baby bump!!  I will admit I was waiting for this and it came just before Christmas and is growing!  I can feel movement...love it!  Builder was able to feel the movement on Jan. 1st!  It was moving a lot as we went to sleep and he could feel what felt like a kick.  The pea is very active when I wake up and when I first get in bed at night.  Such an amazing feeling!  I can't wait for builder to feel big kicks, just not too hard! 

20 week appointment--Jan. 10, 2011.  Well we started off as very laid back parents....we missed our 20 week.  This is a huge appointment that I am pretty sure no one misses.  It was an honest mistake and we thought it was the next day.  It all worked out and when the nurse called we were able to get there in 15 minutes.  Just 2 hours late!!  This appointment was amazing!!  The pea sure does show off!!  We were able to get a great view of the profile many times.  Everything looked great.  Pea has the builders long fingers, it was almost like pea was waving at us.  It was so great to hear that everything was coming along as it should.  We are truly blessed!  Pea weighed 14 ounces and was the size of a banana.  According to Dr. Kate the pea is going to be a big baby!! I weighed 9lbs and Builder 8lbs.7oz (or close to that) so we had thought we would have a big baby.  Pea is measuring one week ahead.

The Pea's nursery is complete and ready for all the accessories.  We are so happy with the outcome!!  The builder has out done himself again.  He put up all the wainscoating and had the crown molder come to assist with the crown molding.  Then we had to call in Dwayne to work his painting magic.  They sprayed the white so it has such a polished look and the navy is perfect.  Of course I am so happy that we got rid of the carpet when we did and I love the look of the white against the dark floor.  The question is will it be navy and light pink or navy and blue??  We will be ready with both and it will be so fun to put on the finishing touches.  Just so I never forget the furniture was a story.  We ordered our first pick, white furniture.  Set it all up and liked it but something was missing.  The white was not white, white and it felt very small in the room.  We just didn't love it!  On our way back from STL we stopped at Treasure Rooms and of course feel in love with an Espresso colored set.  Wood...as I said this has all been opposite of what I thought I would do.  After a trip back to STL after being there all week.  We returned the first set and set up the new furniture.  On trash day it looked like we had one hell of a christmas!!  Cardboard from 2 full sets of furniture stacked high. So now we are all set and love the outcome!

 

oh where, OH WHERE, have you been

Welcome 2011!  The end of 2010 flew by and from the lack of posts I think it was clear we were busy, busy!  So a few updates to wrap up the year and start the new year!

The holidays were fabulous!  We spent a lot of time traveling but also a lot of fun times with family.  We started the holiday week off the weekend before Christmas celebrating S's graduation from Mizzou!!  It was so much fun to host my entire immediate family in CoMO to celebrate such a great accomplishment.  Builder turned into a cook for the weekend and whipped up the most fabulous dinner, followed by a perfect breakfast.  Safe to say no one drove back to STL hungry. S graduated with "a lot of flare", as her professor put it.  We were all so proud of her!  She graduated in the top 10% of the Journalism and Business school and from the Honor College.  Best part was she graduated already employed!!  In October she was offered a full time position with the Richards Group in Dallas, TX.  Yes bittersweet time for the Mandas.  S is a huge part of our lives and we will miss the daily drop ins, the cookie baking Fridays, random trips to the Lake, and the list goes on.  Its very hard to say goodbye but we did get to spend lots of time over the holidays. ...

We headed to STL on Wed and stayed through Monday.  A great time was had by all!!  We started a new tradition this year with a carriage ride through Tilles park for the winter wonderland lights.  It was so fun to all be bundled up in the back of the horse drawn carriage, munching on candies, and taking in the holiday lights.  I really loved it!!  We kept the fun going with many lunches with friends, pilates, nails, Carls, time with Grandma, and Ted Drewes.  We celebrated a snowy Christmas eve in our matching plaid pjs!!  Builder and I love our Christmas plaid and decided to share the look with everyone this year.  We ended the Christmas fun with Holidaze Cirque sol le show!!  It was very well done and a fun performance. 

On Monday we saw Shelby and crew off to Dallas!!  It had been a few weeks in the planning but it all worked out well.  We rented a Uhaul truck that pulled Shelby's car.  Shelby and Kyle followed in Kyle's car.  It was a seamless process after much planning....glad I am not in the rental car book business in STL bc there was nothing to choose from!  They were Dallas bound and it was time to head back to CoMO!

Recap of some of the holiday fun in pictures!!!

Thankful for so much...

Its Thanksgiving am and I am curled up in front of the fire at Mamo's on this cold day, in my plaid pjs, watching the Macy's Day parade with my favorite person...(he lasted an hour before having to go build at his parents house across the yard).  I look forward to enjoying a relaxing Turkey Day and reflecting on all that I am thankful for.  This day starts the beginning of my the MOST WONDERFUL TIME of the YEAR!!  I will begin to deck the halls tomorrow with our annual trip to Atchison, KS for Christmas decor shopping at Nell Hills.  I can't wait!!  Gobble, Gobble, Gobble today!!  My Thanksgiving meal may just be mac n cheese (stomach is still touch and go) but its worth it for a healthy baby manda!!

Where or where have we been???

 

Due May 28, 2011!!!  We are so excited and feel so blessed!!  Boy or girl we will be surprised in May!  First two appointments were a success, Baby Manda has a strong heart beat (160bpm)!!  Looking forward to all that is in front of us.