Right on Track

Friday, February 26, 2010

The doctor confirmed this week that we are right on track. The baby is measuring right at 34 weeks and weighs approximately 4 - 4 1/2 pounds. Now if only I could get her to stop pushing so much! She's a stubborn little girl that likes to camp out on my right side, squeeze up under my ribs and push out on my side.

We're off to the farm this weekend for baby shower number 1 and to spend some time with the family. Then its back to a busy week and baby shower number 2 next weekend. Then hopefully we'll be able to spend some time getting ready for this child of ours...let the nesting begin!


One More Stop

Tuesday, February 23, 2010


While spending time in the Hoosier state, we detoured north on our way home to visit Sondra & AJ, and of course their two little cuties, Lilly & Bella.

Baby Bella is just over a month old. We haven't seen the Stewart's since before Christmas and it was great to meet the new addition to the family.

Big sis loves her train set and put it out in the living for us to see.

Why don't we just call this a "milk coma"

Sweet baby Bella can't keep her eyes off of mommy.


Fun in Indy

Monday, February 22, 2010

This past weekend, we heady to Indy to meet up with a couple of Ron's college roommates/buddies. I haven't laughed so hard in quite some time. While most of the conversations included trips down memory lane (to some extent, at least), a lot of new fun memories were made as well.

Meet Corey and Eric...they are a riot, to say the least.

This is Corey's wife, Ashley. "No pictures, please."

"Well, maybe one, but with Doyle. He acts normal in front of the camera."
Unlike my hubby, who feels the need to make faces as well.

Once again, we failed to get a group photo at our yearly get-together (which is okay by me -as you can probably tell, my face is getting rounder, as is the baby belly, and the swelling goes all the way down to the feet).



Happy Birthday Dad!

Monday, February 15, 2010


Sending you lots of kisses today!


Family Contributions

Thursday, February 11, 2010

I'm sure baby Estes will be showered with lots of love from her family. Everyone, including her parents are anxiously awaiting her arrival. While sorting some Christmas photos earlier this week I found some videos too. Now I know exactly what kind of things her cousins can teach her...

Jackson can share his groovy dancing skills


Maddy can teach her the alphabet


Kayla can help with facial expressions


and Leslie will undoubtedly let her know the importance of orange and blue and being an Illini fan.


Warm and Snuggly

Friday, February 5, 2010

We interrupt the "flip this house" posts to share some warm and cuddly blankets baby girl Estes received for Christmas. Can you tell the nursery is going to be covered in farm animals?

Leslie and Kayla made this adorable blanket that is sure to be cozy when its cold outside! (I have to apologize for the quality of the photo - its a little bright, but I took it after we opened the gift, and now its packed up for the remodel).

Our friend Dawn has also been busy. She whipped up two little flannel blankets and a beautiful quilt for us for Christmas. My quilting mentor continues to out-do herself!




Flip This House: New Window

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

We replaced all the windows in our house a few years ago, with the exception of the big window in the front room. We decided that it was now or never. Despite the new window coming in late and delaying the remodel a little, we're happy with our decision. Upon tearing off the old drywall, we found they failed to insulate the front wall of our house as well.

We now have an insulated wall with a much more energy efficient window!



Flip This House: Kitchen Cabinets
David hooked us up with an amish woodworker near Champaign where they get all of their kitchen cabinets from. If you're in the need for new kitchen cabinets, we HIGHLY recommend Miller's Holzwerks in the Tuscola area. We couldn't be happier with our selection.

These cabinets are handcrafted and stained. And absolutely beautiful! Here are a few photos of the cabinets getting installed.


This could very well be one of my favorite parts of the new kitchen....a pantry cabinet. I can't wait to get it filled up and started cooking!
Stay tuned for more updates later today!


Flip This House: Knockdown and Paint
After drywall, knockdown and paint. As explained to me by my hubby, knockdown is a texture sprayed on the wall before painting. My perception is that its watered down drywall mud that is sprayed on the walls and then you use a squeegee across it to flatten some areas.

Ron doing some touch up on the knockdown.

And the paint color....nomadic desert.

That linen closet is coming along!


Flip this House: Insulation and Drywall
After demo, I packed up the dog and headed north to my parents. Ron started his "vacation" and with the help of best friend David...who also owns Briggs Construction with his brothers, started on the remodel.

After patching some holes from demo and ripping up the kitchen floor, the guys put in a linen closet at the end of the hallway for me.

First up - insulation and drywall. You may or may not have noticed, but as it turns out, the builders of our house failed to put any insulation in the kitchen walls (and some other keys places too). As drywall was put up, new electrical boxes and a stub wall were also put in the kitchen.
Another key addition to the kitchen - a door to the garage!
Remember that ugly mountain scene? Replaced by drywall!



Flip This House: The Demo
Now our little house was built in the late 50's-early 60's, so don't be judging some of the architecture. We've lived with it for 5 years, but it was worth the wait to see it go!
Goodbye countertops!


The bookshelf, that had a built in planter in the top. We had no idea that the previous owners had dirt all the way to the bottom...

More shelves....gone!

Your eyes aren't deceiving you...that is definitely a mountain scene. I tried my best to hide it all of these years.
Kitchen cabinets, gone! Did you notice the green paint that's under the white?

End of the primary demo day...whew! Thanks to all our family and friends that helped!



One Month of Chaos
In just to short days we will have officially been been remodeling our little house for one month. Those 30 days include the official "move out", demo, and reconstruction. Luckily, today, the last major puzzle piece will go in - the new carpet. Sure there is some clean up left (anyone want to come help clean the bathroom?) and some odds & ends to take care of, but by this weekend rolls around, our things will be slowly filtering back into the house.

What a month! But wait until you see the transformation....it's pretty spectacular if I do say so myself!