our kitchen remodel...befores and durings!

Looking back, we thought our kitchen and dining area remodeling project would be a lot easier than it turned out to be. Isn't that always the case though? But for the most part, we stayed pretty much on budget and we'll have to save up for the little touches that will personalize the space especially for us! I can live with a functional space for a bit until it gets beautified!

We were planning on hosting Meyer's 2nd birthday party here at our house on March 27th so all the demolition was supposed to occur around the first of April. Until my husband ripped a door off one of the cabinets the week before the party...thus relocating the party elsewhere and starting demolition early on March 19. Here are a couple of before and during pictures and plans:

The laundry room was hidden behind the double doors and red wall. The plan was to demolish both walls and move the laundry room to the basement so we would have a small dining area eliminating our need for the current eat-in kitchen. That was quite a project in itself which required a visit from our plumber and the amazing power skills of my husband's talented brother.



The eat-in area of the kitchen. As you can see, it's totally cramped and inefficient.



The rest of the tiny kitchen. For reference, all appliances are in the same spots as before.



(left) After demolition of the red wall! (right) Drywall is complete.



Bye, bye ugly paper thin cabinets!! And hello to new drywall!!

speed of light.

Well, it looks like the almost-daily explorations of my life and it's little happenings have given way to almost-monthly. It's been over 3 months since we found out our little peanut has some girly parts, and I spent the better part of that time in utter denial of that fact! However, we have been assured and reassured and now we are deep in the process of readying our tiny abode for #3, which has included some major kitchen remodeling (stay tuned for some pictures...we still have some details left to attend to), yard re-landscaping, and now we're just about ready to bunk our boys together so our daughter has a beautiful and peaceful little space of her own.

33 weeks today and sometimes it feels like time is moving in slow motion...others it seems that it's flying by. Baby is moving and shaking away in there- barely giving me a moment of stillness- and I wouldn't have it any other way. The fact that the baby is a girl is finally growing on me...enough to feel confident to start purging all of my baby boy clothing and accessories. It's kind of bittersweet that this baby won't be wearing or using so many of the things that have become so sentimental to me. There is a fun element to this though- nursery decorating!! I get to decorate baby girl's room and I'm SO so excited about it. I've got a few ideas brewing and it's going to be awesome seeing them come to life. For some reason, my ideas are always better in my head, but hopefully, this time will be different.

Logan is 4 1/2 now and turning into quite the little man. He is my lover. Such the sensitive soul, much like his mommy, that's for sure. Meyer turned 2 at the end of March and he's my fighter. It's his way or the highway, no doubt about that! But most of the time, my boys are amazingly sweet together and it's such fun to watch and hear them interact. Logan loves to teach Meyer about every little thing and Meyer pays rapt attention, like his brother's word is gospel. Just this morning, I asked Logan to go open Meyer's bedroom door when I heard that he was awake. I hear sweet little voices talking and giggling, and sure enough, Logan had climbed into Meyer's crib to keep him company. They truly are best friends and I'm so happy they have each other and they can set that example for their little sister.

Summer is super close now- only 2 full weeks left of the school year. Logan's first year of preschool was a super success!! His report card was filled with praise and good marks and his teachers love him, just like I thought they would. We have a family picnic the last day of school and then it's summertime!! The boys will both be taking swimming lessons and will attend classes through our library, participating in the library reading program, and Logan will be trying out his karate chop! Yep...he's enrolled in karate for the summer! And Logan will also be going to vacation bible school for a week this summer. Things are going to be super busy!! And I can't wait till we welcome the baby and our family is complete. :)

surprise!!! it's a...

My biggest fear in the aftermath of the winter storm this past week was that my BIG ultrasound appointment scheduled for Thursday would be cancelled or postponed. We'd already waited almost 19 weeks to find out the gender of our little peanut- I knew I would be unable to stand it if I had had to wait any longer! So when I got confirmation that my appointment was still on, I breathed a sigh of relief. Matt and I knew this baby was going to be another boy anyway based on comparing this pregnancy with my 2 previous ones, so I have no idea why I was so on edge. I guess it was just excitement that we were finally going to know for sure and start the big planning- finalizing name, room decor, etc.

Since I'm considered advanced maternal age, I had to have a Level II ultrasound performed at a perinatalogist's office. That meant one scan with an ultrasound tech, and one scan with the doctor. The ultrasound tech asked if we wanted to find out gender and I said yes! She was so calm as she ran the wand over my belly and we saw our precious little one perfectly formed on the screen and looking strong and healthy. At the same time, I could feel my blood pressure rising and my nerves balling as the moment of truth came closer and closer. Then...

"Hmmm...it looks like a girl to me!"

Um, excuse me? Are you sure? Can you please check again? It's supposed to be a boy!!!

"I'm pretty sure...but I'll have the doctor verify for you."

I couldn't believe it. I was so sure it was another boy! So much for maternal instinct.

Then the doctor came in and explained a few things to us as she looked our baby (girl?) over. She confirmed with 99% certainty that our little bean is indeed a baby girl. My husband and I were both hoping for a girl even though a boy would have been wonderful, not to mention more economical. But I think we both wanted the daughter dynamic to even out our family a bit. :) So even though we are still recovering from the shock, we are over the moon. Logan and Meyer are going to be the best big brothers ever. Hooray for little girls!!