Master Bedroom Renovation

I don't typically post home project posts.
I mainly just write about babies and motherhood and stuff, but we LOVE a good project.
And it seems like we are always doing something.
Most of you know we are doing a lot of room changes and renovations right now to finish up before the new baby comes.

Our large old master is becoming the new guest room/playroom.
The empty room downstairs is going to be converted into the new nursery.
The unfinished room downstairs is becoming our new master.

So the first of 3 room renovations is DONE!
Our new Master Bedroom is totally finished!
I am quite pleased with the progress :)

Before I get too far into it...let me remind you what this room looked like.
The previous owners tried to finish it...but...yuck.

We gutted it, and then my dad helped Matt frame in the closet.
Thanks daddy!

Then Matt drywalled and mudded (?) the closet.
Sanded it down.

The only closet in this room before Matt and my dad built one was like 1 foot, by 1 foot.
I have no idea what their intention of it was for, but we decided to make it useful space, so Matt drywalled and finished that up as well.
Then we decided to texture the ceiling...
The people who tried to finish this room before we bought the house didn't do such a good job and you could see a lot of lines and cracks and we didn't think it would look good just painting it flat.
We had no idea what we were doing, but we did a lot of research and we figured it out quickly.
Honestly I think it turned out great! It looks just like the rest of the house.
SO MESSY THOUGH!

Then we started painting.
I really wanted to go with a very very faint purple, but Matt said that was an absolute no-go.
So we compromised on a faint yellow.
We both love it.

Matt built the window frame.
I might be biased, but I think it is the best frame in the house.

Then we got new carpet installed.
Yay!
And then we added the new trim.
And got a new light fixture.
It is amazing what a few upgrades will do to a room!

We were planning to make a new tufted headboard.
There are so many tutorials, and it didn't look so hard, but we are pressed for time before the baby comes. And we still have 2 rooms to finish, so we just decided to buy one. And we really love it.
Reagan approves as well :)

I read a blog somewhere awhile ago that said your bedroom is a reflection on your marriage. Precisely 1 minute after reading that blog I walked into our bedroom and "...." embarrassing.
I kind of took it to heart that our bedroom does always get neglected.
It isn't a room anyone really sees, so if people come over we just tend to close the door.
In this season of babies and chaos, there is a whole lot of mess.
And as most parents know...you can't control it all.
I do my best to stay on top of the laundry and dishes and keeping things picked up.
But in reality by the time I get one room cleaned, Reagan could have completely destroyed another.
It is an impossible game of catch-up.
And while I may feel defeated most of the time in the rest of my house I needed a space that I HAD control over.
A space that was always clean and organized and that made me feel at peace and cozy....not stressed and overwhelmed.
The same for Matt as well.
So I made it my mission to make our new master such a space.

We tried to keep things on a very low budget...and by doing most of the projects ourselves and buying everything else via thrift stores...we did just that!

We were a little concerned with space in this new room, because it is so much smaller than our old room.
We decided to make the closet just for hanging clothes and made two racks.
One for my hubby and one for me.

We also built shelves in the tiny useless closet before, and bought baskets to store things in...which turned out perfect.
Matt was not impressed that I wanted a mirror AND my armoire in that corner, but he obliged...and it makes me happy.
I have had that mirror for about 2 years and this is the first time it is hung up!

And then we also had enough space for a dresser, so we actually ended up having more storage space than our old room...which I am not complaining about!
Eventually there will be a vase for fresh flowers next to that frame...and I love that thing on the dresser that we can leave each other love notes on :)

Our bed before was so big that neither of us ever had nightstands, so we are both SO excited to each have one!
Matt's only request was that he have a cool clock on his and that it not be cluttered.
:) Love him!

I am still planning on hanging a painting and buying some more pillows in fun accent colors, but for now it is done and we love it!

Now if only I could gain the courage to sleep in it and be on a different level than Reagan...

"With this baby..."

I haven't been very good at blogging lately.
I guess exhaustion from a pregnancy and chasing around a 1 year old and redoing a whole lot of house limits my time to sit down and jaunt my thoughts loud and clear.
But no fear! I am back! With a new computer and an organized house and ready to conquer the bloggers world.
Or at least the 100 or so people the typically read my blog ;)
Be on the lookout though. I am going to do an 18 month update on Reagan soon. He is a completely different baby from his 12 month update, so I figured why not add some more milestones and keep them fresh on my mind for whenever I get around to finishing up his scrapbook.

So without further ado: a blog post!

I catch myself saying "with this baby we will..." a lot lately.
We will do "this" better.
or be more strict on "this."
or be more lenient on "this."

While I know things will be different the second time around, and while I may be more prepared; I also know that most of my "plans" will be thrown out the window.

I know I say I won't snuggle him so much so he doesn't get so used to being held.
But in reality I know that they grow SO QUICKLY, and I will snuggle away as much as I can.

I know I say I will be more strict about sleeping schedules.
But in reality we did pretty well with Reagan. He has been sleeping through the night since two weeks old.
And as strict or lenient as we are I know that it doesn't really matter how good of a sleeper they are, because I now know that they will regress when they are teething, and when they are having a growth spurt, and when they are sick.
But no fear, because I also know that when that time passes they will go back to their old schedule.

I know I can give him formula, even when people say not to, and he will be just fine.
My milk won't go away...and I will probably be able to nurse for an entire year again.

With this baby I won't be as scared...I am a veteran mom now.
But in reality I know I will be in pain, and my hormones will be all over the place, and I will probably call my mom the minute we get home from the hospital and feel like crying and overwhelmed and say "help."

If you would have asked me two years ago, I would have assuredly told you I was ready for Reagan.
Umm...I think we can all agree that no one is reallly prepared for children. Amen?

My brain is now FILLED with what most people would view as useless information. Like which diapers make Reagan break-out or what soap is the most natural.
I can tell a tired cry from a whiny cry from a sick cry from an in pain cry.
I have tried cloth diapers, making my own wipes, making my own baby food,
I know about so many things that 2 years ago I had NO clue about.

Things like putting your kid under a fan - try it...it fascinates them.
Or take them out. It is most moms worst nightmare to take a fussy baby out, but if Reagan was ever fussy and we went out...he was almost immediately calm.
Did you know that their toenails hardly grow? Or maybe that is just my kid, but I have clipped Reagan's toenails exactly twice. On the contrary I am clipping his fingernails weekly.

Yes, with this baby things will be different.
I might be more prepared.
I might understand the day to day life a little more than I did before.
But I also know that things will not always ever go as planned - and that is ok.

So while I say I am going to keep this baby with me in the hospital room our whole hospital stay; reality is that giving birth is hard work...and I might just need to sleep a little bit before we are sent home. I can send the baby to the nursery...that is why its there! And he will be just fine.

Newborn photo cred: Ashley Clark

Goals for Fall

This picture doesn't have anything to do with my goals for fall, I just can't have a blogpost without a picture. My sister snapped it last weekend and it is probably one of my new favorites.

I like lists.
I like stuff written down and organized.
I like plans and structure.
And I am terrible at getting anything done if it isn't that.

I remember telling a friend once that Matt writes out lists for me to do during the day.
Things to get done, projects to work on, food to make.
That person got really upset and said they would flip out if their husband was telling them what to do all the time.
On the contrary, I asked him to.
I don't know if it is like an ADHD or I just can't focus or what...but to have to think of things to do on my own and actually do them results in little getting done.
So it just works better that way.

I have gotten better at writing out my own lists and things to do, but with this upcoming season I am slightly overwhelmed.
Remember that ADHD thing where I can't focus and get stuff done? Well it is two-fold when there is a lot to get done. Which is totally a disaster, because then I do even less. Resulting in not a whole lot of my to-do lists getting accomplished.

Now that we have kids, I want them to experience fun things.
Someone asked me once why I document so much of the little stuff.
I document the little stuff, because it matters.
We may not be going on cross-cultural trips, or hiking up mountains.
I don't spend my days creating the latest cure for a disease or the next great piece of technology.
But I am teaching my child to walk, and talk. I am seeing them experience a bug for the first time, or trying to understand what a thunderstorm is.
My life is very mundane, and I think that is why many stay-at-home mom's struggle with finding contentment and joy.

So you have to think like a kid again and find the joy in the small things.
Find the joy in the excitement of your children's eyes when they see a waterfall for the first time, or a BIG ANIMAL at the zoo, or a skyscraper!
Some of my greatest memories growing up were the simplest things:

yearly trips to the orchard, countless sleepovers and nights out with my cousins, going to Grand Haven for Christmas, cleaning up the yard in the spring, going to pumpkin patches, hunting with my dad...

Yes, we occasionally took a big trip, and those were fun memories as well, but I love the traditions.
The small trips or get-together's repeated year after year.

While the introvert in me wants to curl up with my little family in my own home and watch a movie, the mother in me wants to get out and have my kids experience life.

I usually just write on paper and keep it to myself, but to help me stay accountable...and just for fun, I decided to make our "goals for fall" a blog post!

GOALS
-Finish our bedroom
-Convert our old room into guest room/playroom
-Take Reagan to an Apple Orchard - and pick and eat as many as possible!
-Finish new nursery.
-Take Reagan to the zoo.
-Eat as much homemade donuts and cider as possible ;)
-Go on a babymoon vacation - we are still undecided where and whether or not we are bringing Reagan with us. If you have any ideas, let me know!
-Matt to get a deer!
-Bake a fresh homemade pumpkin pie. I HATE pumpkin pie, but it is the ONLY pie that Matt likes, so because I love him...I will make one. Who knows...maybe Reagan will love it too!
-Take Reagan to a pumpkin patch and carve pumpkins.
-Go on a color drive tour and hike.
-Attend as many Thanksgiving and Christmas parties as we can while I am largely uncomfortable.
-Last, but certainly not least, HAVE A BABY!

My list at home looks much more intimidating writing out EVERY.LITTLE.DETAIL of things we still need to make or buy for the rooms. There are a lot of projects to be finished in the next few months, but we are looking forward to having some fun too and enjoying our favorite season!

Baby E 2 - 21 weeks

Don't mind my hair. I was going for the get-this-hair-off-me-I-am-so-hot look.

How far along: 

21 weeks! Over half done already!

Total weight gain:

I have gained about 6-7 pounds in the past two weeks! So that leaves me only down about 5 pounds from pre-pregnancy weight!

Size and growth of the baby: 

About the size of a large carrot. 3/4 of a pound and 10 and 1/2 inches long!

 

Sex:

BOY! Totally surprised us all!

Maternity clothes: 

Yup. Large and in charge :)

Just kidding. I am just all about comfort though.

 

Sleep:

Pretty good. Still tired like alllll the time.

Best moment(s) of the week: 

Our ultrasound! It never gets old to get a peek into a miracle being formed. The 3D ultrasounds totally creep me out, but they are so amazing!

Also our new room is almost done! Ahh! Carpet gets put in tomorrow and then we can start buying new stuff and organizing and decorating :)

Movement: 

Yes, definite movement :) :)

I can't tell if he is less active than Reagan or if it is because how he is positioned. Reagan was head down and face up, so I was constantly feeling his arms and legs moving, but this guy is head down, but face backwards (posterior?) I don't know the medical term, but he is facing my back...so I think most of his kicks and punches go toward my back and I don't feel them.

Food cravings/aversions:

Still nothing sounds very good. I always have a bad taste in my mouth....ugh.

Morning sickness:

Pretty much over. I still just have nausea with different food or tastes. I am really sensitive to how stuff tastes when I am pregnant.

Symptoms: 

I started having heart palpitations, which totally freaks me out...but my doctor checked me out and I'm fine. I have also had some definite contractions already. Crazy! I am hot ALL.THE.TIME! It's ridiculous.

Labor signs :

A few contractions, but other than that nothing. My doctor said I am right on track for delivery in December.

Belly button in or out:

It is almost out already! It is crazy the differences between my first pregnancy and this one.

What I miss:

Feeling good. If it isn't nausea...its headaches...or cramps...or overwhelming fatigue. This pregnancy has been much more trying. I was really sick with Reagan, but that was it. This pregnancy has been so much more wearing on me.

What I'm looking forward to: 

Finishing up our new room and starting the new nursery! :)

If you want to follow this pregnancy I will link up below.
Baby E 2 - 12 weeks
Baby E 2 - 15 weeks
Baby E 2 - 18 weeks

18 weeks - Baby E 2

 

How far along: 

18 weeks and a few days! I can't believe how quickly it is flying by!

Total weight gain:

I am still stuck at about 13 or 14 pounds lost. I stopped losing weight though and have stayed about the same the past few weeks, probably will start gaining very soon.

Size and growth of the baby: 

About the size of a bell pepper! 5 and a half inches long and about 7 ounces :)

 

Sex:

Not sure yet, but almost everyone is still thinking girl. I guess we will see!
Looking forward to the ultrasound in two weeks!

Maternity clothes: 

Some things I am, some things I'm not. Still don't feel very big. My doctor even commented on how well my stomach muscles are holding baby in for my second child, especially one so close after my first! 

 

Sleep:

Good. I am tired all the time. Sleep sleep sleep.

Best moment(s) of the week: 

Making progress on our new bedroom! We love working on projects and changing things up...and I am so excited for what our new room will look like when it is done. And then we can start working on the nursery and making a playroom upstairs :) so much to do before the new baby comes!

Movement: 

Yes, definite movement :) :)

Food cravings/aversions:

Same same. I have oddly been craving salads this time around. Yum!

Morning sickness:

Much better. My hormones must switch around 17-18 weeks, because this was about the same time I started feeling a little better with Reagan too.

Symptoms: 

Movement and crampy off and on. Won't be able to sleep on my belly much longer because I feel like I am squishing the baby. I am not a belly sleeper normally anyway, but why all the sudden now that I am not allowed to does it suddenly sound so comfy?!

Labor signs: 

Nope.

Belly button in or out:

In.

What I miss:

I am starting to get nostalgic about Reagan not being the only child much longer. I know he will LOVE having a sibling, but I am going to miss it just being him. I don't know. I guess I feel a little sad with how drastic his world is going to change in a few months, and how I won't always be there when he needs me or wants my attention. At the same time I am so so so looking forward to him and the baby interacting together :)

What I'm looking forward to: 

Our ultrasound! Very soon and we can know the gender! 

If you want to follow this pregnancy I will link up below.
12 weeks with Baby E 2

15 weeks with Baby E 2

When your heart just hurts.

I have always thought death and heartache seem to come in waves.

These past few weeks it just seems like there has been one thing after another, and my heart just feels so heavy.

A young beautiful woman who was engaged to one of Matt's good friends. We were planning to go to their wedding next week.

A young energetic guy who was one of my cousins best friends.

Word of a couple really struggling in their marriage after losing a young child a short time ago.

A classmate of my sisters in critical condition from an accident.

This all just sounds like typical everyday stuff to most people.

But when it strikes over and over again in a small community it shakes us to our core.

That is the thing about small towns; when tragedy does strike...it really does have an effect on everyone.

As a small town family, we are hurting right now.

We are hurting for their families, we are hurting for their friends, we are hurting because we too in some way were affected and knew them.

Right now we don't understand, and we are going through all different stages of grief at all different times.

But one thing I do know, is we will eventually move on.

It may take weeks or months, but our lives will go back to normal.

We will still miss them, and we will probably think of them off and on, but our lives will more or less return to our same, typical, everyday life.

But for their families, the people they were closest to...their lives will never be the same.

They will always have that void in their life.

Holidays, and birthdays, big monumental life events...that person is no longer there with them.

So it is in that time that we need to remember to surroud them with love.

They will be overwhelmed with people coming by right now, offering sweet words, or just listening and crying with them. 

They will have people bringing flowers and cards and food a lot over the next few weeks and months. 

But remember to support them years from now.

Send them a card or give them a hug when you run into them.

Let them know that their loved one has not been forgotten - that their hearts haven't been forgotten.

I feel like I am pretty well-versed in death.

I feel like I have experienced it to quite some degree for someone of my age.

I feel like I know how to help others cope.

To know what to say or when to listen.

But if I am being honest...I am so scared of death.

I can't say that if I was to experience death so close to home like I did when I was younger that I would handle it with such grace as I handle dealing with the loss of acquaintances of other people I knew.

Actually, I am fairly certain that I wouldn't.

When I hear of all these tragedies and so much pain, I can't help but think that our world is still so flawed.
The Lord is coming one day to make all things new, but right now we will never experience heaven on earth.
There will always be pain and heartache.
One day our tears will be wiped away and we will be free from this world.
What is that quote from that song? "because the pain that you are feeling, can't compare to the joy that's coming!"
And while that may fall on deaf ears and hurting hearts right now...we never know what God has in store, but I do know that we can't fathom how great the outcome will be!

I read earlier today something that said "don't pray for someone, when you can pray WITH someone." and I thought that was pretty clever.

While praying for people during this time is important, I think just coming around them and bringing them before the Most High when they are in such a vulnerable state could do a world of measure. Just being there with them and allowing them to feel whatever they are feeling and letting them know that it is ok. And sometimes...maybe you just need to cry with them.

Eddies obituary and an "in memory of Eddie" event keep popping up in my newsfeed.
Hundreds of people (literally) keep popping up and writing on Kassandra's wall.
I keep seeing people writing updates to how Kyle is doing.
All 3 of them are such special people. So energetic and so loved.
We will never be able to hide from it or push it aside and try to forget about it what happened - what is happening. 
So surround yourselves with people you love.
People to encourage you.
People to pray for you.
And know that it is ok to feel whatever you are feeling.
If you just want to cry..that is ok.
Or maybe you just feel numb...like...is this really happening?
If you are angry and screaming out...that's ok too. God can handle it.
Just don't try to do it alone.

           "For where two or three gather in my name, there I am with them." - Matthew 18:20

I mean...what a better place to be than in the comfort of the Prince of Peace himself?

15 weeks - Baby E 2

 

How far along: 

15 weeks and a few days!

Total weight gain:

I lost a few more pounds since last time. I got really sick and dehydrated last week, so I am probably around 13 or 14 lost total. Gotta start gaining soon!

Size and growth of the baby: 

About the size of an apple! 4 inches long and about 2 and a half ounces. Little peanut :)

Sex:

Not sure yet, but almost everyone is still thinking girl. I guess we will see!

Maternity clothes: 

Pants - not shirts. Still don't feel very big.

Sleep:

Good. And with all this time up north Reagan is completely wore out. He slept 13 hours the other night! Matt and I woke up about 9:30 and were so confused as to what time it was...and when we realized it was so late we immediately ran to check on Reagan. He was fine :) snoozing away.

Best moment(s) of the week:

This has been a long week. 4th of July was fun spending time with family though. Reagan loved the fireworks!

Movement: 

I feel like the past week or so that I have started feeling little flutters. Seems really early, but it feels like exactly what I remember those first few times with Reagan felt like.

Food cravings/aversions:

Nothing really sounds good still.

Morning sickness:

It came back with a vengeance this week when I got a really nasty cold and ended up in the hospital.

Symptoms: 

Not much unusual. Feeling crampy off and on.

Labor signs: 

Nope.

Belly button in or out:

In. Although it is definitely a completely different bellybutton since my pregnancy with Reagan.

What I miss:

Food. This happened with Reagan too. My taste buds just change so drastically and nothing ever sounds good or tastes good. I miss just feeling really really good.

What I'm looking forward to: 

This weekend! I always look forward to time with my little family :)


If you want to follow this pregnancy I will link up below.
12 weeks - Baby E 2