BEST HUSBAND EVER!

I have such a handy husband! I love, love, LOVE that he can build or repair almost anything :)

This weekend Ian completed a pretty big project that included, putting in a wall/door, building shelving, trim, installing pot lights and rearranging/repairing our drop cealing.  It looks great (and will look even more awesome once we get new carpet in).  I hadn't thought about this space being very useable before but I think it will be a great place to stash some of Hailey's bigger toys, where she can play out of the way.  Maybe perhaps a play kitchen that might be coming for her birthday this summer!  Here are the transformation pictures!

wierd, useless open space

more of the space

wall and door up and in

shelves built

the handsome handy man ;)

fridge in storage room

completed wall, ceiling, trim

so pretty

installed these 2 potlights and adjusted the ceiling with the new wall

removed old light and rewired

nice space for Hailey to play once carpeted

I'm so proud and thankful for my handyman :)

When will winter end?

I've been so blah lately, well probably for the past 3 brutally cold months.  Not going outside really affects my motivation.  It also makes me pasty white ;)

I have so many fun projects I could work on, or the endless 'to do' list that comes with house and family but I just don't want to.  I sit at this computer for too much of each day.... or on the couch watching Hailey play/watch tv.  I need spring... I NEED spring!  And so does Hailey because she is even more of a hermit than I am!

Could someone just tell me how many more days until the sidewalks are clear and the weather above -10?  If I know when the end is coming it will be easier to wait it out ;)

I'm grateful for

a safe place to live with almost zero natural disasters

upcoming spring, summer and fall

my hilarious, sensitive and tender hearted baby girl Hailey

my handsome, reliable and hard working husband

another baby girl on the way... who is either dancing inside me or having seizures (hopefully the first)

a wonderful home

family, those close and far

Skype that lets me see my family, near and far

a healthy body

and much, much more!

One of those people?

Have you heard of Debbie Downer?  Years ago I saw the live premier of this SNL skit with Lindsay Lohan.  I was with my roomates and our good friend Dan Harker.  I must say it is the funniest thing I ever recall watching (though having seen it so many times since then it has lost some of it's humour... but not all).

 
It may be a great, funny skit but lately I have encountered some real life Debbie Downers!  You know the type  of person who always feels a need to tell you that things could always be worse than it is?  That person who traded in their sympathetic ear for one of doom and gloom.  I wonder if they think that what they are saying is helping in any way?  If they think they are being uplifting in those situations?

People need to be free to speak what they are feeling and be able to recieve some empathy in return without being guilted into feeling bad that their struggles aren't as difficult as someone else's.  That is what friendship is.... supporting, caring for and listening to each other.

Often times I really don't feel that hard done by.  I actually feel very blessed and think the things that come our way are often funny (not 'ha ha' funny but 'of course' kind of funny).  Like "of course we are having numerous things break right when our tax return is set to come in and we were planning on buy carpet, or another vehicle".

We truly are blessed that these recent 'home repairs' that need to be done can be done without going into debt for them.  It might end up being a big blessing that the new carpet is delayed if our basement ends up flooding this spring from all the snow melting!!!!  Maybe we can get some free carpet ;)

I know I have sometimes been a Debbie Downer... okay probably a lot when I was a teenager/young adult.  But to be on the recieving end I realize how useless and depressing it is.  I am motivated to never again start the sentence 'at least you aren't  _________________________'!

A nursery look back...

Our nursery will be staying the same (mostly) for our next little girl!  I have been looking at it though each night as I have my cuddle time with Hailey.  There are still some things I would like to finish in the room that I never got around to.

The wall above the crib has remained empty.  I would like to put a hanging shelf up there but it would have to be high enough to be 'unreachable' from a child in the crib.  I would use it for the baby monitor as well as some cute keepsakes.

The family pictures in the wall mural will be updated with the new addition.  The bow holder will stay as we are having another girl (maybe this one will have hair to play with :)

The rocking chair should be replaced by 'baby time' with a model that matches and is way less NOISY (and more comfortable)!!!  This one we got for free and it has been nice to have but the creaking is unfixable and makes me crazy!

I got this stand mostly to be used for the fan (and humidifier) but haven't really used it for anything else expect to stash stuff on.  Any ideas what to do with it?

This tile picture keepsake will be put away for Hailey.  I still need a new idea to fancy up the closet doors a bit.  It seems too plain to me.

I love this hook and use it often for drying towels, the next days outfits, ect.  I will be putting one in Hailey's big girl room as well!

I like this organization pocket but it needs some flair.  I will add some ribbon accents to it... or something to make it not so plain.

 The bedding set will stay the same as the room decor all matches it and I would have to start from scratch (including removing the alphabet from the wall, which I don't want to do).

This is my favourite, most practical addition to the room.  We decided to go with a 3 drawer dresser instead of a specific change table.  The dresser didn't have much space though so I needed a handy spot to put the diapers & wipes for changes.  My husband screwed some coat hooks on the side of the dresser and we hung some Ikea baskets that fit the items perfectly.  It has been super handy.  I almost want to put another basket on the other side for creams/ect.

I loved decorating this room and am a little sad that I don't get to plan another nursery but a big girl room should be fun too right?  Or we can move and I can start over!!!!!  NOT... we did the moving while pregnant thing last time.  Not something I want to repeat again :)

Thanks for taking a look at my nursery with me :)

When did I have a newborn?

I haven't... yet!  So why am I up 5 times a night with my 18 mth old?  Arg.  I miss sleeping.  I think I need to read that sleep book again and become the 'mean mom' who ignores her crying child.  I'm excited to be the 'mean mom' who gets more than 40 min of sleep in a row.  At least a new baby won't be a shocking transition :)

More water play

Trapped inside on another cold and snowy day!  I love how easy it is to clean up water!!!!

10 on Tuesday

I wanted to post on March 1st and have borrowed this idea from my friend Rhonda found here

1.  I am CRAZY nesting right now and want to get everything done but think it is too soon to have all the baby clothes washed and ready 3 mths early.  I was seriously contemplating packing my hospital bag this morning.

2.  I don't want to cook supper... this is normal.... but since we got sick I REALLY don't want to cook supper.  So tonight it is hashbrowns, eggs and toast!

3.  We have so many house projects we want to do but don't have an endless bank account to fulfill all these wishes!  A few being carpet, painting, baseboards, bathroom reno's, flooring, kitchen hardware/countertops, lighting, doors/windows, deck repairs.

4.  Currently we are deciding what to do with our tax return (we have finished, just need to file it and get our money)

5.  The baby boom has begun with my group of friends that are expecting.  2 have come in the past week so far  (another in the past month) with more to come every month until September (congrats to Rhonda and Jenn who delivered just the other day).

6.  This morning it was -45 with windchill here in Lloydminster.  I'm so lucky to live here ;)  and I get to go out and get groceries tonight!!!!!

7.  I recently got a perscription for reading glasses and have to go pick out some frames.  I need bifocals.... what an old lady ;)

8.  I'm crazy annoyed that my closest sister moved to Switzerland and I never get to see her.  She moved 4 years ago and it gets more frustrating every year.  Now we are both Mom's and I wanted more than anything to live close to each other and have our kids grow up together.  Now I have to settle for Skype :(  Better than nothing I guess.

9.  I haven't slept through the night since I got married 4 years ago :)  So all crankiness in my personality is acceptable ;)

10.  I have been wearing stretchy cotton pants everyday for probably 2 weeks straight, maybe more.