What a difference a week (or a few) makes

9 weeks ago

Last weekend

7 weeks ago

This weekend

 1 week ago

Last weekend

My, how time changes things.  :)

5QF - Baby girl edition

I have a babysitter watching the boys this morning so I can work. 

She's here right now...and I'm blogging.

In my defense, I've already spent the last half hour talking with people who don't know their head from a hold in the wall....so, as a public service, I'm taking a chill-break.

I blog for the safety of those around me, really.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.  :)

Anyway, thanks for all the lovin' we received from our big announcement yesterday!  I felt so loved!



Let's get to some questions, shall we?



1. Did you do anything special for your kids on the last day of school? Or did you parents do anything special for you?


A few years ago, I started taking the boys out to lunch on their last day of school.  However, this year, A. wanted to eat the hot dog lunch with his friends....so we stayed.  That's about it. 

My parents really didn't do anything special either.  My dad was usually working (he was an amazing provider!) and since my mom was a teacher, she was busy saying good-bye and packing up her room.  She would let us go through her last-day-of-school gifts and eat some goodies, though.  That was nice of her.  :)

2. What's your favorite summer tradition with your children?

I'm trying to do something fun and spontaneous at least once a week.  Whether it be an impromptu play date at a park or just something cool to do with them.

We always go camping once a summer with our church group- and that's something they REALLY look forward to....

But otherwise, I'm totally open to suggestions!

3. What was your favorite thing to do during the summer as a kid?

I loved the freedom of being able to play with my friends whenever the heck I wanted.

And I loved going camping with my family.  We went a few times every summer up to a campground set up through my dad's work.  We'd go for extended weekends, and swim, boat, run, play, fish, you name it...we had fun doing it.  Those were amazing summer memories!

4. How old were you when you were married? Were you a Bridezilla?

I believe I was 24 when we married....and turned 25 a few days after returning from our honeymoon.

I don't think I was a Bridezilla.  I was assertive...to a certain degree.  I'm a people-pleaser, by nature, and I realized that a few people were trying to take advantage of that a few times....and there was some unnecessary drama on their part.  So, I just let them know it wasn't acceptable.  I don't think establishing firm boundaries would equal a Bridezilla...but if it does, than perhaps I was?  That's a question better asked to those around me. 

5. What is your favorite girl name? (I'm needing suggestions.)

Hey M!  Thanks for putting this in the line up!
 
This question is for me.
 
After our big announcement yesterday, the next question was, do you have a name for her?
 

Answer:  nope.

 
We always had a girl name picked out for the boys.  It was the same name both times.
 

This time....well, the name we loved just doesn't seem to fit.

 
Chances are, in true Dave-and-Sandy fashion, we won't have a name picked out until I'm in the throes of labor....but I need a short list!

Suggestions PLEASE!

We opened the card. We have no willpower.

Yesterday morning, I was getting ready for my ultrasound.

While I get ready, I decided to spend some time in prayer. 

After all, this would be where they would diagnose any ailments this baby may have. 

Given my advanced maternal age....well, it's just a possibility.

So, I started praising God for this baby, and thanking Him for the (almost) 21 weeks spent with it.

And I asked him to be with us that morning...come what may.

And I realized that in my prayer, I was using pronouns like:  she and her.

"Hhhhhmmmm, this is interesting", I thought.

Then I saw a face profile.

It was small and dainty.

I thought, "wow, she's a cutie."

"Weird," I thought.

That was my gut feeling.

I texted it to Melody, and when Dave asked me, I told him that I kinda thought it was a girl.

So...last night....

A. was a baseball practice,

C. was blissfully asleep in the van

(from baseball practice drop-off)

Dave turns to me and says,

"It's just you and me.  Let's open it."

Well, twist my arm.

So, we un-sealed the envelope.

And opened the card.

And my husband promptly melted and gave me the warmest kiss and hug ever.

Whoa nelly! 

It's a GIRL!

Ultrasound Day!!! It's a.........

This is the first time I've had an ultrasound in the morning.

It'll be the last time too!

The baby was crazy active, and the ultrasound tech (Jen) said,

"It's like chasing a fish around in a fish bowl."

Head up, facing up......

Head down, facing down......

Feet crossed.....

Feet kicking the ultrasound wand....

Hands covering face.

Completely uncooperative little one in there.

Finally, I think the calisthenics tired the baby out, because at the very end, it calmed down.

Then (and only then) were we able to get some good shots.

So...here's our standard profile shot:

And then the lovely Skeletor shot:

(That's what Dave and I call it- cleraly sealing our identity as "children of the 80's")

So.....

What is it?

Did we find out this morning?

I can tell you with 100% certainty that

It's

a

BABY!

Sorry, I just couldn't decide this morning.

I even took a pole on Facebook, and it was pretty much split down the middle.

And since you all know that Dave and I waited with the other two....

....and since he was working this morning during the ultrasound,

and I didn't want to find out without him....

....I had her write it on a card and seal the envelope.

Yes, just like we did with C. 

Only we didn't open it with C.

So...here's our sealed envelope.

We could open it....or we could wait until October.

One thing the tech did say is that the baby was measuring a tad (tad meaning 1 week) small for my gestational age...

...which supports my OB's theory of the possibility of my dropping two eggs that fateful month.

....possibly putting us closer to having a Halloween baby.

One thing I will tell you....

...that gut feeling I was telling you about?

Yeah, it kicked in this morning.

Actually before the ultrasound - while I was brushing my teeth (and gagging).

It kicked in.

And then it was even stronger when I saw the profile.

So, I'm just going to sit tight on opening the envelope for a bit.

And sit tight with this gut feeling...to see if it changes.

But I don't think it will.  :)



Summer Vacation Miscellany

1.  I don't think I've worn a lick of make up since last week.  And I'm ok with that.

2.  I'm officially 1 1/2 days into summer vacation, and we're all still alive.  I'm ok with that too.

3.  Tomorrow, we'll have two concrete mixers here for core filling and flat work so the house doesn't smell musty.  I'm VERY ok with that.

4.  Pregnancy has weird affects on my brain.  I have a nightmare every single night.  I'm not ok with that.  At all.

5.  A. starts football tonight.  In the same week that he's finishing baseball.  Really? 

6.  My boss called yesterday to see if I could handle more work.  This is both an answer to prayer, and a curse.

7.  I'm discovering that maternity underwear that has spent the majority of the last (almost) decade in a Rubbermaid tote will NOT retain its elasticity.  It's comical, really.

8.  My 20 week ultrasound is tomorrow.  I still haven't figured out if I want to know the sex of this baby.

9.  I made fruit dip yesterday by mixing a bar of 1/3 reduced fat cream cheese and a jar of marshmallow cream.  I want to dip everything in it.  Wait....forget the dip, just give me a spoon.

10.  I wished my boys still took naps. 

Seven years, one month, two days.

We moved into this house exactly

Seven years, one month and two days ago.

(actually three days now...but since DEMO was yesterday, I'm counting "two")

You know....but who's counting?!?!?!

I thought I'd make an obscenely long picture-filled post for y'all to relive the past few days with us.

Thursday, Dave and his brother, Matt, started demo-ing the inside of the house.

There was a window to the outside originally here...then they built the addition and drywalled over it.

D. is just too happy to stop and get his picture taken.  :)

______________________________________

Matt did a little Matrix - action demo on the bathroom wall...hanging from wires.

Sorry, Matt...this is the only "action" shot that I got.  (photographer fail, my bad.)

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I stuck this shot on Facebook with the caption:  "Donde' esta el bano?"

Four years of Spanish in high school....and that's about all I remember.

Awesome.

________________________________

The major project on Thursday was taking down the ceiling (along with the 4" of sprayed in insulation).

The boys were a MESS.

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They also pulled the shingle-siding off...now you see the original half-lap logs.

_____________________________

Fast forward to Saturday morning!

Saturday = DEMO DAY!!!

WOHOO!

Front before:

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The boys took sections of the roof off- since we had large appliances and water pipes in the crawl space

under the house.

Below my husband is dangling off the side of the house hooking up the chain to the loader.

_______________________________________

I snapped this picture of A. and his grandpa's while we took cover on the neighbor's steps.

This boy....LOVES his grandparents.

Can you tell which one is my dad, and which one is Dave's dad?

_____________________________________

The back roof getting pulled off.

Kinda action-y.

_____________________________

Back addition almost all the way torn off.

The house was built in 1947.

This back portion was added 5 years later-

It was originally another bedroom and a sun room.

You can see pictures of the original owners building this addition here.

(OOPS!  UPDATED:  click here instead)

____________________________________

Dumpster #2 arrives.

________________________________________

Below was supposed to be a picture of Mr. James (our mason)

slamming portions of the roof out with a 2x4.

And, it just ended up being a nice silhouette.

I must say it, though....Mr. James was a demo-animal.

____________________________________________

Matt on top with the saw, James inside breaking it free with a 2x4.

Once again, U of M fans come out on top of Michigan State fans.  :)

(just sayin')

____________________________________________

The back wall comes down!

I'd LOVE to tell you that my umbrella survived the day.

But then I'd be lying.  :(

_____________________________________________

I saw Matt break the lower left window to put the cord through.

He saw my face light up at the broken glass, and graciously offered to refrain from sawing the roof until I broke some glass.

And proceeded to present me with a crow bar.

Oh, sweet bliss.

Seven years of angst and five unbroken windows.

What an awesome feeling!

___________________________________________

Matt and James on the front roof, Dave on the back roof.

Teamwork!

____________________________________________

The back side cleared down to flooring...the roof 2/3 gone!

Good friends Randy and Ryan working hard.

THANK YOU SO MUCH for the help, guys!!!

_________________________________________________

I saw the upstairs window/wall and I wanted to vomit.

Look at all the dust!

Grody.

_________________________________________________

Adios Dumpster #2, hello Dumpster #3!

_____________________________________________________

We're officially without a roof!

__________________________________________________________

The next three go in quick succession....

Front wall!

_____________________________________________

The other half of the front wall!

Oops!  Hit the new house!

Thankfully, not too much damage, and that particular corner needed to be replaced anyway....

______________________________________________________________

Dumpster #4 arrives.

___________________________________________________

Back wall!!!

(notice it too TWO guys to PUSH down the exterior walls of my old house?!?!?)

_____________________________________________

Side wall coming down!!

______________________________________

My hottie boy in the middle of the mess!!!

_______________________________

A few years ago, A. did a little "growth chart" on our wall....

...Matt grabbed it for posterity. 

I'm glad Uncle Matt thinks about these things.  :)

_________________________________________

After all the guys left, the boys jumped in and helped.

They LOVED helping daddy!

_______________________________________________

Today, we are the proud new owners of....

A HOLE!



What a pretty hole.

It only took

Seven years, one month and two days

to get this pretty hole.

But who's counting?!?!?!

5QF - DEMO edition!

Today was A's last day of school.

Which officially consisted of chapel, awards, and lunch.

And now he's all mine for summer.  :)

I now officially have a THIRD grader and a kindergartner.

How did this happen?!?!?!

Tomorrow is DEMO DAY!

Let me say that again....

TOMORROW!!!!  DEMO DAY!

Dave and his brother Matt were at it yesterday tearing out the bathroom and pulling down ceilings and shovelling insulation out.  Yes, shovelling.

They found some interesting stuff here and there....  I'll post those pictures later.

Anyway, stay tuned for a ridiculous amount of pictures on the biggest weekend of the year.



1. What were you scared of as a kid?


I was a scaredy cat kid.  I was afraid of everything...falling off my bike, falling out of bed, drowning (I lived literally seconds away from Lake Michigan), getting hit by a car, a loved one dying, etc. 

I was a real worry-wart.

Almost to an OCD level.

There was one house not far from mine that always haunted my nightmares.  It freaked me out all the time.  Now every time I drive past that house, I see nothing to fear and just kinda shake my head that I was so neurotic.

2. Do you sleep well in a hotel?

Not really.  There's so many noises and new smells, etc.  Unless I've been out and about busy all the live-long day...then I'll sleep from exhaustion....but normally, I prefer my own bed, hands down.



3. If you could meet any celebrity, dead or alive, who and why?

At first, I was going to say Oprah....because I'd like to give her a piece of my mind...and let her know that she's not all that and a bag of chips....and then I realized that it's not showing her God's love....so I'll have to settle for a pass on Oprah.  (I'm not a fan, if you haven't realized that.)

I think I'd have to say Dr. Oz. I love his show...when I can catch it.  I love his approach to education, and I'd just love to have a nice long conversation with him.

4. It's a hot summer day. Do you prefer to be pool side or at the beach?

Depends on the pool.  If it's a fun friend's pool, then heck yeah!

Otherwise, I'd go to the beach.

5. What is your favorite summer dish?

Taco salad.  Yeah, baby!