House Projects...

For those who have been asking, here is the update on the recent "built in" work we had done at the house.  

Let's start with the kitchen, which was missing one big thing...seating!  It's a decent size, but we had nowhere to sit down.  Our table from the old house is too big and has since become our dining room table.  We also didn't have any chairs in the old kitchen since we had the built in bench seat and small white bench which has since been repurposed.  Of course I immediately wanted built in bench seating again.  

Here's a progression of the kitchen transformation:

Note the dog crate on the left...perfect little nook for some seating!

 

Here's the only shot of the nook I have after paint

This is the drawing I came up with for what I wanted

 The next step was putting our friend Will to work!

 

I also ordered a new table which we love

And Viola!!  Don't you love it!

Of course I had to make some new bench cushions, the plaid print in the background is going to become throw pillows...once I become better acquainted with my sewing machine ;)

The back bench has storage under the cushion but these pullout drawers are by far my favorite!

Next up was the family room.  Something was missing in my opinion...

A real fireplace was a must for me when buying a new house, but I prefer for it to be the heart of a room.  This fireplace just kind of looked plopped there

I had one idea in mind, Will had another and we met in the middle and he got to work!

Looking good, but not quite there yet

Much better!  We also added a darker green paint to the back wall to make it more of an accent

And here we are decorated

The super cute knobs I found are quite possibly one of my favorite things

We went back and added the curved moulding under the mantle as well to bring out the curve in the brick and the curve we added to the top of the bookcases

And again before:

And After - Love it!

Finally I found this image on Pinterest which inspired the last project. 

Our garage door is becoming the most frequently used entrance in our house for us and our friends.  I realized we needed to spruce up the entrance area a bit and also create a "drop space" for coats and bags etc.

I had the bench already from the old house, I just needed the moulding and hooks. 

After!

I'm pretty sure you can pick up the same hooks at Lowes, but I paid .50 cents more for the cool weathered look they have, thanks Anthropologie

 I added the key ring hooks to the end for easy access

So that's where we are today!  So very happy with out everything turned out!  I still have so many projects I want to tackle, but we have decided we need to refocus our energy on that "other project" which arrives in 2 short months!!!

31 Weeks

Oh the difference a week makes!!!  Last week I could barely move without shrieking in pain and today I am feeling MUCH better!  I think a combination of the chiropractor and my wonderful baby picking a new position has helped alleviate the sciatica pain.  Sure there's still a little twitch now and then, but no where near like it was last week.  Fingers crossed baby decides to stay OFF my nerve for awhile!!

Stats of the Week 

Size of baby:  16 inches long and about 3.3lbs or the size of 4 naval oranges!!  I guess there wasn't an individual fruit that would work this week.  What scares me is the next sentence I read on my weekly baby update: "Baby is heading into a growth spurt!"  Oh lordy, I guess now is when the Shamoo feelings begin

What I miss:  sleeping through the night

Best Moment this week: Having my back start to feel better!!

What baby likes AKA cravings:Lately it seems like everything.  I went from feeling full after eating a small amount to now being hungry ALL THE DAMN TIME!  Now I've always been somewhat of a grazer, but this is ridiculous.  I feel like I could eat all day!!  Of course I still prefer the cookies over the fruit and veggies, but I'm trying to force myself to eat the healthy stuff.  Easier said than done when for valentines my husband handed me a bag of all my favorite preggo candy...mostly involving peanut butter and chocolate.  And of course a bag of gummy bears...love those!  OH, and what did I give him...I made a batch of brownie cookies and cut them out in the shape of hearts, because clearly we need more sweets around the house!

Movement:  Lots of it lately, and now I have to start keeping track every day, because I have nothing better to do than count the number of the time the little nugget kicks me in my ribs!

Sleep:  Could be worse...could be better...

Looking Forward to: seeing some old college friends/sorority sisters this weekend!

Picture: Here we are, a little more put together than last week!  Unfortunately you may also notice a little bit of "fat face".  It is an unfortunate condition that has started to develop the past week.  I'm trying to combat this by upping my water intake three fold...this also ups my bathroom visits 10 fold...

30 Weeks!!

Missed a week...my bad.  

We've been busy little beavers at the Coble house trying to wrap up some projects.  Expect another post in the next day or two near future to show what we've been up to.  I have declared however that we are taking a break from house projects for a bit!  I'm reaching a breaking point...or maybe I'm reaching my nesting point.  I can't stand living in disarray anymore and want to get our house in order!  I like to be prepared, and right now...I don't feel prepared. 
 I have an exciting weekend ahead of me!  My mom is scheduled to arrive on a 1:30 flight from NJ and I'm pretty sure we'll immediately go shopping.  It's what we do best.  We'll need to be home by 4 however because the crib is being delivered today!!!  I'm very excited about this!  Then tomorrow the fun continues since my wonderful friend Jenn is hosting a baby shower for me.  It will be nice to see lots of Bryan's family members that we don't see often enough and celebrate Baby Coble for a little bit!

Ok, here's where we're at this week.  Unfortunately it's not the best of updates.

Stats of the Week 

Size of baby:  15.7 inches long and almost 3lbs!!  Again it says like a head of cabbage, I'm assuming this is an American cabbage this time around.  

What I miss:  The rest of my wardrobe I haven't touched in months

Best Moment this week: Let's see if I can turn a negative into a positive here...an unexpected trip to the doctor yesterday confirmed the baby appears to be head down already!!  Typically this would be a good thing, however it's head is now pressed on my sciatic nerve.  I won't bore you with all the details, but I'm in pain.  A lot of pain.  In the past week I have been to a massage therapist, a chiropractor and then my regular OB doctor.  Unfortunately there is no quick fix, but I'm going to continue with the chiropractor and my doctor armed me with some exercises and different things to try to get the baby to move.  (The massage therapist felt wonderful...but unfortunately will not do the trick.  Darn!)  All I can do at this point is hope the baby changes position soon...and keep moving v e r y s l o w l y.

What baby likes AKA cravings:Blue box kraft mac n cheese.  I asked Bryan to pick up a box at the grocery store the other night and he came home with 4 boxes.  I looked at him funny and asked why he got so many and his response was "I'm not sure if you realize this, but you have been asking for kraft mac n cheese rather often.  I figured I would save us a few trip to the grocery store and pick up more than one box this time."  Haha...whoops! 

Movement:  Clearly not enough...lots of arm swinging and leg kicking, but I need baby to move it's whole body!!! 

Sleep:  Not too good at all lately.  It's very difficult to get comfortable and getting in and out of bed with the nerve pain is close to impossible.  I'm probably waking up at least every other if not every hour.  The bags are starting to form under my eyes.  I guess I should get used to this. 

Looking Forward to: My baby shower this weekend and getting to spend some time with friends and family!

Picture: This photo is not flattering in the least, but at least you can clearly see how sleep deprived I look...AKA I look like shit.  Please...no judging.  It's been a long week.  At least I gave you a photo.  

28 Weeks...

And it's officially the third trimester, less than 3 months to go...

How the HELL did that happen?!?!?

I think what makes me the most uncomfortable about reaching this new milestone is that at some point I have to actually start thinking about the one fact I have been able to avoid thinking about up until this point...I actually have to give birth to this child!  No, indeed it will NOT miraculously appear on my lap one day at the hospital, but I actually do have to go through that whole labor process.  A process I have managed to put out of my mind up until this point.  

There is a part of me that wants to panic, but then my sensible side says "Kelly, millions of women have been doing this for thousands of years.  Stop being such a wus!"  

That, and the fact that there's only one way out of this situation...

Time to suck it up.  But really, I don't think I need to bother myself with thinking about it until at least April...or when my water breaks...

Stats of the Week 

Size of baby:  About 14.8 inches and 2 1/4 lbs...the size of a Chinese cabbage.  I didn't realize the Chinese had their own special cabbages.

What I miss:  Eating and not feeling like I'm going to explode.  I'm fine at breakfast, but by the time I get to dinner I'm usually wondering how I'm going to fit a morsel of food in my belly

Best Moment this week: Being able to actually see the baby moving around.  Sounds strange, but when I push on my belly now I can actually tell what is baby and what's not, or where the baby is hanging out.  Very strange but very cool too. 

What baby likes AKA cravings: Nothing crazy, but I'm still amazed when I go for "just a bite" of apple pie and then I finish the whole piece.  It could be worse I suppose...I could be finishing the whole pie!  My sweet tooth just keeps surprising me!  That and a bag of white cheddar popcorn from trader joes didn't stand a chance this past week...

Movement:  Lots, mostly at night.  It's like we get a little performance now in the early evening.  Only annoying if it keeps up when I lie down to go to sleep.

Sleep:  OK

Looking Forward to: Well I should be saying going to Aruba next week...but we're not going.  I guess this is the first "parental decision" we had to make, the first of many to come in our future!  You see, I made our Presidents Club list for 2011 and the trip is to Aruba this year.  TECHNICALLY I'm still in the time frame to travel, however neither Bryan or I were comfortable with the distance and how long the flight is, the fact that I'm in my third trimester etc.  On top of all that my comfort level hasn't been the best lately since I've been having some back pains and I would hate to get down there and not enjoy myself.  Basically, we made the best decision for us and declined the trip this year.  *Sigh*  Here's hoping we make it next year!!

Picture: Here's two for good measure.  Gunnar is starting to get more acquainted with his future brother or sister...we hope!

 

New House updates

I realize that all I have posted about recently is baby, baby and more baby...or complaining about the move. 

My appologies if that's getting boring and/or repetitive.

I did however manage to take a bunch of pictures of the house before we made any changes to it. Ok ok I had my mom take all the before pics but I wanted to make sure it was done!  I snapped a few quick "after" shots this past weekend that I figured I would go ahead and share.  Everything is still a work in progress, but at least you can see what a huge difference a little has paint made!  I'll start with the kitchen and dining room for now...and also because that's all I have after pictures of at the moment.  

 

Kitchen Before

 Kitchen Before

 Kitchen After

 Kitchen After

 Dining Room Before

 Dining Room Before

 Dining Room After

Dining Room After

We also started another project early this morning...

NEW ROOF!!

We're pretty sure it was the original roof from when the house was built in 1978...needless to say it needs to be replaced.  I was quite surprised when my doorbell rang at 7am this morning and they got right to work!  Gunnar is not thrilled about all the tarps being draped over the house, but he'll get over it. 

And that's where we are today!  

I'm hoping we may start another big project next week involving my favorite carpenter...I'll keep you posted!

27 Weeks

Here I am...last week of the 2nd trimester.  The books aren't lying to you either when they say the 2nd trimester is the most comfortable, because the further along I get the less comfortable I am!  

I am slowly being able to shift my focus from HOUSE to BABY!  I even managed to get Bryan to go help pick out a rocker for the nursery this past weekend which his parents so kindly purchased for us!  I love it!!  Thank you Pottery Barn Kids (and Cobles)!

Bryan was also given this "fun" book by a friend of ours which he has thoroughly enjoyed reading

It contains all sorts of fun and interesting information.  It seems overnight Bryan has become a baby expert!  In fact he was coaching me last night on proper burping methods and some tricks of how to get them to "latch on" for feeding...neat!  Personally, this was one of my favorite parts of the book:

In all honesty though, I couldn't be happier that he is excited and enjoying reading up on all things baby!

OK, time for the updates!

Stats of the Week 

Size of baby:   14.5" and about 2lbs - like a head of cauliflower!!  Based on my weigh in at the Dr. yesterday I believe this baby is every ounce of 2 lbs.

What I miss:  Sushi, I'm back to sushi.  I can't wait till I can have a very large plate of sushi and a nice large glass of vino to go along with it!

Best Moment this week:  Picking out the rocker and scheduling the deliver of the crib.  I feel like I'm on my way to prepare for Baby Coble's arrival!

What baby likes AKA cravings:I'm trying to control my cravings a bit more and substitute with healthy foods like nuts and fruits, and cut back on the cookies and cakes!  Based on my last weigh in I feel like the weight can add up quickly towards the end if you let it!  Don't get me wrong, I still like to top off my dinner with a yummy milano cookie or some other form of sweet goodness!

Movement:  Regular, and a little stronger

Sleep:  Good for the most part, and I'm wanting more of it again!  I'm not real enthusiastic when I hear the alarm in the morning, but then again when have I ever been. 

Looking Forward to:  Getting my test results back from all the blood work at the Dr. yesterday

Picture: I tried to take one this morning before I left the house but it came out fuzzy, so I had Bryan take another at the office.  I'll just add both of them though for shitz and giggles

26 Weeks

How am I already almost to the end of my 2nd trimester, it doesn't seem  possible!!  I'm guessing it's because I feel like I haven't sat down in over a month!  We certainly wasted NO time starting projects on the new house.  Here's some things we have accomplished so far (with lots of help, thanks mom and dad!!)

- Unpacked (almost) ALL our boxes

- fixed plumbing issues in two bathrooms

- cleared out about 2 years worth of leaves from the front and back yard

- changed out some light switches

- added new shelving to the linen closet upstairs

- Changed shelving and rods in master closet

- converted an old pantry to a coat closet

- converted an old nothing closet to the new pantry

- PAINTED just about every wall in our house

- painted the kitchen cabinets from an old knotty pine to a nice cream (like the old house)

- Painted the garage and patched holes

(side note, we didn't do the painting ourselves FYI.  Unfortunately the paint fumes also forced me to flee the house last night and have a little slumber at the Pino home.  Thanks for putting me up!)

Whew!  All that and we've only been in the house two weeks!!  We still have a few more projects lined up over the next week or two before we take a break and switch our focus back to baby preparation!!  I will get house pics up as soon as I get my act together!

Stats of the Week 

Size of baby:   14" or about 1 2/3 lbs.  About the size of a hothouse cucumber!  I've realized though the size and weight predicted varies on which publication you're reading.  These numbers come from babycenter.com each week.

What I miss:  Eating a full meal without feeling ridiculously uncomfortable!  It's like I'm full after 3 bites.  I'm understanding the need for frequent small meals now.

Best Moment this week:  Having some family and close friends in town and over the house this past weekend and everybody got to feel the baby moving around.  

What baby likes AKA cravings: Two nights ago it was blue box mac and cheese!!  I added sauteed spinach to it so that makes it healthy right!?!

Movement:  more often at night than in the morning 

Sleep:  OK but I think I need another pillow in bed

Looking Forward to: My Dr's appointment next week.  I have to do the gestational diabetes test and some other things and I want to get them over with!  Hopefully everything is going ok!

Picture: And again...forgot to take one today.  I'll work on it...