Baby Shower!!

I had my Baby Shower on Saturday. It was a blast! And thanks to some very lovely ladies (and the men in the kitchen - thanks Dad), the decorations were spectacular and the food delicious.

Amanda (my soon-to-be sister in law, yay) and her mother were responsible for these ridiculously awesome centerpieces. Who knew you could make diapers looks so beautiful??

And Geena worked her magic yet again with these favors:

After filling our tummies we played some hilarious games then ended the day with gifts.

I received so many things, including this baby blanket made by my mother. Thanks, everyone!

When I got home, I showed everything off to Chris. He was excited as a man can be about baby things, and after trying on the "Hooter Hider" that Mandy made for me (yes, it is what it sounds like) he made Bella try out a Swaddle Me.

I think he's going to get a hang of this whole Daddy thing..

The Rebuild

The last couple of weeks, Chris and his father have spent countless hours framing the house. It has definitely proved to be a long and drawn out task. They've removed rafters, sistered remaining rafters and put up new beams (I'm just regurgitating words I've heard them use). But the end is in sight!! They're almost done, which means we're that much closer to the fun stuff.

However, we're no longer hopeful that we'll be moved in when the baby comes. Some things are impossible, no matter how hard you work. We're disappointed, but we would rather be in a warm, safe, un-smelly house when the baby comes. And Chris' parents' home is that and more.

Christmas Head

Last weekend, Deg and Jess came from Indiana to celebrate Christmas Valentine style. The snow was perfect for snowman building, so the boys went out to play. But instead, they decided to build a replica of one of those gigantic heads from Easter Island.

Only, after they finished we realized it wasn't an Easter Island head they built, it was Deg's head!!

A Very Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas from the Valentines!!

I won't bore you with all the details of our holiday, however I will show off the homemade gifts I gave.

I made this Halloween decoration for my mom, whose true self shines in the month of October.

And of course, stockings. I love them!

31 Weeks Down...

...nine to go. There are times when I walk by a mirror and see my protruding stomach that I think, "Oh my gosh, this is really happening." There are times when it's uncomfortable to bend over and tie my shoe that I think, "Ugh, how am I going to get bigger and still be able to do things?" Then there are other times (most times) when I feel something rolling inside of me that I think, "Yes! Oh, I can't WAIT to hold this teeny little baby and know it's mine."

I'm feeling really good. So far, this pregnancy has been super easy! We're down to the home stretch. :) :)

The House

So, a little explanation about the house. Chris has completely ripped out the ceiling in the kitchen and living room because he is planning on creating a cathedral ceiling in those two rooms. It will open up the space nicely, but is definitely adding a lot of work. It will be several weeks before we have a ceiling, and then we'll feel like we're getting somewhere with our home. But until then, we plug away...

I learned how to use a power-washer this weekend! Don't be fooled by the grin; I was actually quite a baby and whined maybe a little too much about getting my pants wet. But now we can say that our house is no longer covered in mildew (I can't take credit for it - Chris did all the hardest parts like a good man should).

He also installed deadbolts on all three doors leading outside. Now that no one can break in, this means we can't either - guess we'll have to start remembering to bring a key!

Thankful

As soon as the deed for the house was signed, the demolition began. We have gotten so much done on the house already. Thanks to a few boys from church who helped Chris rip out the ceilings and all of the family that have come by (even on Thanksgiving) to lend us a hand, we filled an entire dumpster in only 4 days.

The yard that used to look like this...

(this doesn't even show the worst of it; there were loads of trash and rotting wood along with years worth of leaves and tall grass)

...now looks a little cleaner.

And the kitchen that used to look like this...

...now looks a little dirtier.