No More Monkeys!

Let me start by saying, "Our kids are crazy!" This week was already stressful, what with my daughter being born and Steph going through major sugery. We spent all week in the hospital, going throuugh the normal newborn/ surgery recovery stuff. We even used the nifty alien bed to fight off the jaundice. We have several appointments set up the rest of the week to drive back up to Loveland to get Kinley checked out. Tiring, but normal stuff.
We got back from grandma's (and the doctor's) this evening and were settled down watching the rest of the Swiss Family Robinson, eating popcorn, when Tyler started screaming because he had a popcorn kernel stuck in his nose. After deciding we wouldn't be able get it out, we started packing up to go to the emergency room, then spend the night at Steph's parents' house, then go to the doctor in the morning for another blood test. We were calling people for ideas on how to get it out, fighting the boys to get in pj's and get packed, and trying to feed Kinley at the same time. And I broke a shelf in the garage.
Finally, after talking to my brother's wife, Heather, we decided that we would try to get Tyler to blow the kernel out, which did eventually work. So we put the kids to bed, fighting through the tantrums, locked their bedroom door, and set about preparing for our second night home. I was down in the kitchen, cleaning and starting the icemaker, washing the breast pump parts, and getting drinks for bedtime (mother's milk herbal tea and a white hot chocolate) when I heard a thump and a bloodcurdling scream in the boys' room upstairs. Even if Steph hadn't been feeding Kinley, she just had a C section, so I knew I had to be the one to check it out. I ran at ninja speed across the house, up the stairs and into their room, where Brayden was dangling from the siderail to the top bunk, kicking his legs and screaming in terror. I'm still not sure what he was trying to do, but they both swear Tyler didn't push him. Somehow, I actually believe them.
In the end, I think I will call this week a success if my kids are still in one piece, my house is still in one pile, and I am still allowed to sleep in my bed.

Getting Ready for Baby

So, my dear friend, Ash, pointed out that I haven't blogged in 4 months and with all we've been doing to get ready for our baby, I'd better get on it!

It started in December, when my mom took the boys for 2 whole days (and the night in between) so that Brian and I could start to get the house reorganized.



Our house was looked like a tornado casualty before it looked better! We worked hard and I'm glad we got it done so early, because we had a LOT more projects coming up!

In January, Brian received his bonus from work, so we were able to purchase the materials to take the carpet out of our dining room and put in laminate wood floors in the entry, dining room and kitchen.

Here are the BEFORE pictures:




Here are the AFTER pictures:


I'd like to give a shout-out to my wonderfully talented and hardworking cousin, Shauna, for her help in this project. She worked tiredly for 2 days with Brian to get this done. (Don't worry, I made it worth her while {i hope} by paying her with a massage.)

We also painted in the 1/2 bathroom:



We had to paint in the boys room before my wonderfully talented and hardworking Father brought his grandson's the rest of their Pirate Boat Bed!


And here's a sneak-peek at the mural that my wonderfully talented and hardworking friend, Heather, has been painting on the boy's wall:


The other big project that we've been working on is the Baby's room. If you look up to the very first picture in this post, you'll see her room. It was our office. Our office is now in our bedroom, along with my craft station. (Sorry for the mess in this picture. I'm blogging instead of cleaning!)

Don't believe that I'm crafty? Well, if you don't believe it, you DO know me well, but I had to learn some things in order to accomplish my baby goals. Check it out:



I had the help of one of my wonderfully talented and hardworking mother-in-laws to make the valance, but the boppy pillow cover and the flowers I did ALL BY MYSELF! (You can be impressed now.)
All of that, along with lots of painting and making chair rail fit on walls that aren't straight, brings you to the final product (minus 2 pictures that still need frames):



We've worked really hard on her room, and I'm really proud of it. Thanks to Ash, who helped me finish it with the flowers this morning!

Don't worry, I did take time in amongst all that hard work to party! A baby shower is a very important part of getting ready for a baby and my wonderfully talented and hardworking friend, Ash, threw me the most fabulous shower!







We had delicious parfaits, a cake that was SO perfectly me, fun games, and the rest of the pictures are of hand-crafted gifts that my wonderfully talented and hardworking friends made for me. It was a great day and I feel so blessed by all that helped make it special for me.

In case you haven't noticed the trend in this post, I am surrounded in my life by all sorts of wonderfully talented and hardworking people who have blessed my life in so many ways. I couldn't have accomplished all that I have in the last few months without their help. I am more than lucky. I know my Heavenly Father has blessed me with these individuals (and with so many others that I haven't even mentioned in this blog, including all of you reading) and I want them to know how much I appreciate their love and support and acts of kindness and service. I am humbled by your love for me. Thank you.

Our sweet baby girl arrives on Monday, and I will try to update as soon as possible.