Projects Before Baby Comes

One project that I have been working on for some time is drawing pictures for a book for our little boy and future children. Since I love animals so much, I decided that would be the theme. Right now I am focusing on safari animals, but I also want to draw farm animals. I am drawing the pictures mainly in oil pastel with touch-up in color pencil. I am trying to make the book so that it can be of interest with little ones as well as when our children get older. I figured children love to imitate the sounds animals make and will love the bright colors. I told Matt he would have to come up with the sounds that a giraffe and elephant make. On each page is a fact about the animal so when our children get older they can use it as a book to read. I have also contact papered each page in hopes that it will preserve each page longer.

Matt also brought to my attention that "Nathan" will not have a stocking for his first Christmas. I hurried and ordered stockings for Matt and "Nathan" on-line. You can see that I have a long ways to go before I am done, but I have really been enjoying the project. I have already called Mom several times about questions, which she so patiently explains to me over the phone. It has been quite a learning experience. Who said I can't sew!!!

The New Experience of Owning a House

Matt and I moved into our house at the end of May of this year. We are grateful to get rid of our one bedroom apartment. Don't ask how we managed to fit all that we did in there. In just the living room we had an entertainment center, bookshelf, treadmill, keyboard, hopechest, and a sectional couch. It has been nice to spread our furniture out in our four bedroom home. We had been looking for our home since January. Let's just say, I was sick and tired of looking at homes, but we found it.

One of the very first things we did was start a garden, even before we finished unpacking. I wanted to get a garden in before it was too late. Gardening is one of my favorite pasttimes, and I have very fond memories doing it as a child and teenager. Let's just say this year was a practice year. We did not get any tomatos, but we harvested tons of basil. We also were able to get a fair amount of green peppers, which we are still getting now. Mom helped me plant some lettuce, spinach, and onions when they visited in September, so I am hoping that her green thumb will help them to grow.

We also had quite an interesting experience with what we thought were hornets. Matt kept spraying them day after day. We had no idea how to get rid of them. I took a picture and sent it to my all-knowing Dad. He said that they were honey bees. The next day we were able to get someone to take care of them, but it is no wonder that my garden was doing the best during that time. We have also had an interesting fiasco with our water heater. The inspector told us that it was somehow connected to the sprinkler system. Thus, when the sprinklers came on, we could not get hot water. Thank goodness Matt normally takes his shower before me, so he could get the nice cold shock from the water. He would then rush to light the piolot light before he headed out for work. We now have that fixed as well, but it took Mom and Dad visiting for us to finally get it done. We replaced the water heater and put in more sofit vents. We are crossing our fingers as it has worked for about three weeks with no problems.

Another problem we were facing was the stench that came from our master toilet. I know that I am pregnant and smells are enhanced, but this was awful. I never used our toilet in our master bathroom from June to September. Matt would say, "Sweetheart, it isn't that bad." I would roll my eyes and tell him to try being pregnant. I am grateful that the toilet is by itself and can be closed off with a door. We finally got it fixed before my parents visited us in September, so they wouldn't have to share with me. It was a simple part called the wax ring that was missing. It took a whole 10 minutes to fix.

A project that I took on toward the beginning of moving in was painting the formal dining room. It was red with green sponge marks over the red. It looked like a 1st grader did it. I love to paint, so I was in heaven looking at all the colors I could choose from. You will have to decide for yourself whether it looks better.

I also painted the nursery, but pictures have been posted of it already. Matt and I worked on the molding together so that was definitely a new experience. It was not as hard as I thought though.

At first Matt and I disliked the wall paper in the kitchen, but now it isn't too bad. We will probably take it down and retexture the walls sometime, but for now it is fine. It looks bad in pictures but better in person. I love all of the counter space.

This is a picture of our living room.

Hope everyone enjoys the pictures.

Matt and I were able to take two trips to Cedaredge, CO this year. First, we went during May. We were lucky enough to be there for the birth of Jessica Liberty Gilmore on May 23rd. My family all made bets of when Lisa was going to have her baby. What do you know I guessed right!!!

We were also able to enjoy the birthday and baptism of Payton Carter Pyle, my nephew. He was baptized on May 31st. Time just goes too quickly when we are with family.

During our second trip to Cedaredge, CO at the end of August and beginning of September, we were able to attend Sabrina Denae Gilmore's baptism. It was great to be together as a family again. We will always cherish and remember those moments

Matt had the time of his life as he helped Granddad and Kenny work on their new barn and carport. He wonders what project Granddad will be working on next when we visit. He is always busy helping and serving others.

Lastly, my wonderful sisters, Juli, Lisa, and Tanya, with mom's help threw me a baby shower. Let's just say I was very spoiled. We had a great time and most of all enjoyed each others company. It was also nice to have some of the nieces attend and celebrate this special time with me.

Matt and I took a trip to Cedaredge to see my family. For a few the days we went camping with my parents. First we hiked up to Hanging Lake, a family favorite hike, which Matt had not seen yet. We had to take several breaks, especially with me being 27 weeks pregnant. Let's just say, my bladder gets full quickly. We ate our lunch at the end of the hike overlooking the beautiful lake. We also enjoyed feeding the chipmunks. Dad was even able to get a couple of the chipmunks to take chips and grapes from his hand. I tried, but the little creators wouldn't do it for me.

Matt also wanted to try and beat John's record of walking out on the log which is in the middle of the lake. I think Matt won as he got his feet wet, and John never took his shoes off. I thought that he was going to fall in the entire time. Oh, already those motherly instincts kicking in. We had a very memorable time.