Monday, July 28, 2014

home - crossing off the to do list



We have been in our new place for three months now and we've made a lot of progress. I had wanted to share each step of the way here, but somehow taking pictures and walking through each step has seemed overwhelming and burdensome. I keep thinking I'll go back and post about each project, but that's becoming less and less likely. I thought I'd do a little run down of the list we've been working from, as both a look back and something to move toward:
  1. Paint all walls white (previously they were all various shades of yellow - primarily the mustard variety)
  2. Paint inside of front door black - currently yellow
  3. Paint kitchen french doors black or white (?) - currently yellow, of course
  4. Remove faux-copper paneling in kitchen and re-mud walls (thanks Jim!)
  5. Remove sagging shelves in kitchen
  6. Replace shelf over pass-though in kitchen
  7. Paint or replace kitchen cabinets (currently debated)
  8. Tile kitchen
  9. Remove faux-plaster texturing effect in eat-in kitchen area
  10. Repaint patio off kitchen so it is no longer McDonald's colors
  11. Potted plants, bench or chairs for main patio
  12. Chairs for back deck
  13. Remove orange dining light fixture and replace with Ikea Ranarp Pendant Lamp (first anything electrical we've ever done!)
  14. Remove orange/brown glass shields from around all the many can lights
  15. Build floating shelves in living room
  16. Patch can light hole or replace can light above floating shelves
  17. Install outlet under stairs for chest freezer, purchase and install chest freezer
  18. Replace mirrors in bathrooms
  19. Rug for Levi's room
  20. Hem curtains for Levi's room
  21. Wallpaper headboard wall in bedroom
  22. Hang art (mostly complete)
  23. Put most of the baby stuff in the attic (sniff!)
  24. Garden front patio green space
  25. Create backyard garden space
I know this list is ever changing and growing, but besides the big kitchen overhaul (we're hoping to tackle this in the fall - budget willing), we've completed a lot! It's been a lot more fun than I expected to take on some of this. Though I know much of what we've done has been pretty straight forward and cosmetic, I can't think of a better way to get our feet wet with this whole home update thing. 

Thursday, July 3, 2014

eleven months



I just can't believe my little boy is 11 months today. He has grown so much in the past two months (I was running so behind on the 10 month most, I decided to skip it). He is a happy, cheery, smiley, energetic, rambunctious, strong-willed boy. I can tell already he'll be a handful, but I think in the end what I'm going to love most about this person is his passion, strong sense of self, and energy.

These past couple months Levi has been on the move. He is a fast fast crawler, loves to cruise along furniture, and even took a few fleeting steps a few days ago. He's like a little energizer bunny, put him down and he's across the room in a second, if he wants to be. If not, he will cry in an instant, cry 'mamma' and hold his hands up. This boy's mood can change on a dime. He's also getting used to his five teeth, resulting in some biting (tough on this breast-feeding mom!) but we're through the worst I think.

He's developing such a great sense of humor - I love when he cracks up at something I would have never expected. I hope I never forget that sweet smile he gives me when I walk in a room.

Levi is a big eater - not slowing down on the nursing but also eating three large meals a day. He loves meat and veggies and savory dishes. Unfortunately we also confirmed this month that he's allergic to milk and eggs, so it will be a tough few years watching his diet like a hawk (his reaction to dairy really is quite scary!) but we're hopeful he'll grow out of it. Sleep also continues to be a challenge, but it's improving and Aaron and I are learning! He's finally fallen into a routine (nap at 9:00, nap at 1:00, and sometimes a later nap too), which I find really helpful.

It's been so fun this month to watch Levi learn- from baby signs (panting like a dog- too cute!) to toys (it was so sweet to watch Aaron teach Levi to use the Pound and Roll Tower), Levi is really catching on. He's also really begun to look to Aaron and I for different things, and it's so lovely to see him bonding with each of us in different ways. I am his comfort and quiet companion. Aaron is the lively playmate and king at naptime.

I love him more each day, and as I now begin to mourn the loss of this sweet baby year, I'm also so excited to continue to watch as he grows and comes into his own.

Welcome!

Welcome!