Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Around the house...

We've been sticking close to home these last few weeks, with the other two pregnancies I think we were still traveling at 37 weeks but this one has been so different in a lot of ways that I've become a homebody. The repercussions of that, much to Mr. Tech's dismay, is that I think up projects to do around here. This may also have something to do with that urge they call nesting, what ever it is it's been fun to see some improvements small though they be. This first one Mr. Tech helped with since it's was a bit out of my expertise, new lights in the kitchen!
Before... (and in progress)
After

I never did like the "chandelier" in the dining room as it wasn't centered with anything properly anyways, nor the cheesy gold fixtures in the kitchen. These lights finally "go" IMHO so I was excited to see this one done!


This next project was not in the plans but would have had to be done someday. The person who owned this house before us must have been some what of a do-it-yourselfer and was rather creative with some of his projects. One of them being that several inside door knobs have outdoor knobs on them with key locks to which the keys are long gone. If you have a two year old you may be able to see were this story is going.
This two year old ...
is very into locking locks at his stage of the game and happened to pick the bathroom door which is one of the long lost key locks. Mommy unsuspectingly walked out and closed it like usual and immediately realized there was a problem. After much searching in vain for said keys Mr. Tech had to pry the knob off. So when all was said and done we got new door knobs for several rooms in the house. Small changes but improvement none the less.

And this was my latest project...
Mr. Tech says I always get the urge to repaint some room not too long before the baby comes and there is some truth to this. With Phi is was the kitchen and with Leroy the bathroom, this time it was the livingroom's turn. I painted it a year or two ago but it was time for a change, it started with a border (it usually does) that I liked and got on sale.

The old color on the left and new on the right.

In progress...

Keeping the little men busy while the paint was drying between naps. Very thankful for good weather or it would have been a bit more of a challenge.

And the finished product...

I like it (for now anyways) ;) don't tell Mr. Tech I said that), he helped me put up the border this time, a job Aunt TeTe usually helps with. She was off to conference this time so I was very thankful for his help.

And since the weather's been so beautiful (off and on between rain and hail storms) we grabed some dinner and went out to the park last Friday evening before meeting. It's a private park so we had it all to ourselves other than the occasional tractor much to the boys delight.
Leroy snickering on the swings...


Mr. Tech enjoying the view...
And Phi's favorite, the big slide...


Keeping small men busy...
Phi loves to play in "da bubbows" and begins dragging the nearest chair in that direction as soon as he hears the dishes being done.

And Leroy... who's in to other things besides bubbles.


He finally started walking (when he feels like it) this last weekend. He also learned to drink from a straw...

he's quite proud of that one as you can see.

And currently our livingroom is an indoor jungle gym as we got a "new" to us, (thankyou Uncle M. and Aunt C.) queen mattress for the boys/guest room. The old double mattress is currently being enjoyed as a slide and climbing toy while we figure out what to do with it.


So 38 weeks and waiting... rather impatiently I'd have to say. Mr. Tech so these projects will stop :) I am just ready to meet this little person.. any time.

9 comments:

NaomiG said...

Oh man... glad one of the kiddos wasn't in the bathroom when the door was locked!! Glad you're feeling well enough to get some stuff done around the house right now... I think God gave us nesting at that stage of pregnancy to keep us from going crazy while we wait. :-)

Glenda Conner said...

Wow I can't believe you at 38 weeks already (don't ya love it when people say that Ü). Your little men are getting big! And your house changes look amazing - it's so fun to get projects done!

Amy said...

Special moments with two special little men. It is so fun when they figure out a straw for the first time, usually on accident. The improvements look great--all things, big or little, make a place YOURS! Craigslist the mattress for free, I am sure you'll get responses, that is if you just want to get rid of it. Will be praying for your little one and his/her birth--and you too, of course!

Sjo said...

Naomi- Very true about nesting, if not for doing things I would be going crazy.

Thanks Glenda and Amy for your comments, it does seem like the times gone fast and in other ways sooo slow. As someone said recently the last two weeks seem more like two years.
Craigs list would be a good idea it's worked well in the past.

Debbie said...

Fun to see your home improvments. They look great! I am still waiting, as far as what I should do or not do with the whole not knowing when we may or may not move. There are so many things I would love to get started on while I have the time and energy.
The pic of Leroy with his straw is too cute! :)

Brooke said...

Nice lighting changes, new lights make a big difference. We have the same lock issues here. Ezra locked himself in the bathroom a few months ago and I ended up having to kick the door in. Not as easy as they make it look in the movies, I might add. I'm glad that you have new handles!

The Chatty Housewife said...

Double beds have never bothered me, but The Mr. will be happy to hear the good news about the addition of a queen size bed to the spare room.

We can't wait to see your new little one and hope to come visit some time after the arrival. Hopefully after you are rested and before all that cuddly soft squishy newborn-ness has rubbed off. Or most likely you guys will end up coming here, it often seems to work out that way!

I love the new kitchen lights, they really help balance the area instead of having all the random lights that were all different shapes and sizes. I love the change of color in the living room, much warmer!

Sjo said...

Deb- Having a new space to decorate will be fun. If you paint try Walmart's ColorPlace brand as it doesn't have the strong paint smell and so far has worked great as to color tones and coverage for me. It's cheap too.

Brooke- That would have been crazy if one of them was locked in side. Kicking a door in does not sound easy!

Chatty- Sounds like fun either way, we definitely missed seeing everyone up there at conference time, though it sounded like everyone probably kept pretty busy. That was my issue with the old living room color is it seemed so cold.

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