Closet Organization...getting close to move in!

Yesterday the carpet was to be installed, but hammering into concrete and slate rock proved to be too much for the carpet guy so he had to resort to gluing the tack strips down, so they had to dry overnight. It should all be done soon with furniture moved in and we'll get to use our new bedroom and office and then get the nursery and guest bedroom set up.

Anyways, in between all of this Scott and I are hoping to go down to Forsyth Park in Savannah for a Praise in the Park celebration, it will be a good break to enjoy some food, music, and fellowship with everyone. It's usually a pretty big deal!

Here are some pictures from our progress. Scott has been working so hard and we've had some very gracious help from Scott's parents almost on a daily basis! They've been painting, hanging doors, cutting doors to make them fit, and most of all a constant support group. Thank you so much! We love you both and you've been life savers!!!! The master bath is being put on hold for a few weeks, so no pictures there.

Bedroom colors are Artic Ocean with an accent wall called Jute (above).The office and entrance is Crisp Celery with Scott's beautiful chair rail (white).

We were also very productive last night as we mastered the art of closet organization. OK, well it was a kit from Lowe's, but the kit was for a standard 8' long closet. We have 2 walls of about 4' each, which we had come up with a design before we bought the kit and we managed to figure out exactly where we could utilize everything in the box. We were successful! All that is needed is 1 more slide hanger hook. We are very proud and excited because this will be the first time in our marriage that all of our clothes will be in 1 room!

Check back soon for more updates!

Carrie

Project Update-Laundry!

WE HAVE A LAUNDRY ROOM (MINUS DOOR)! I am very excited to say that Scott completed the laundry room last night and I was able to do 4 loads of laundry! I LOVE IT! Now, the rest of the house is another story. There will be no pictures tonight because we cannot find the camera card reader (found it!). Everything is so cluttered and disorganized that I don't know how I haven't cracked and gone into labor already! We're working it out though. Again, taking 1 day at a time! I guess Tyler will never remember what the house looked like when he comes home anyway, so I don't know what I'm worried about.

We (I say we, meaning Scott) is in the process of painting the Project Area. We ran into a snag at the moment because the Primer is not cooperating with the rollers or vice versa. We were hoping to get the walls painted and floor trim done in the office and bedroom by Thursday night so we could get carpet installed Friday. Then this weekend we could move some of the furniture into those 2 areas and start getting some of the stuff cleared out of our living area. We'll let you know what actually gets done later this weekend.

Only about 6 more weeks until my due date, and I really hope he stays in there until Thanksgiving! He's being so good in my tummy. I have decided that I have officially passed the cute pregnancy stage into freak mode. But I still love it. I'm still out working, I am on driving distance restrictions staying within 1 hour from Savannah, but otherwise everything is going well.

Baby Shower Pictures

I only have a few pictures that I can post on the blog. Karen made these two cakes: the Carriage Cake by hand, and the diaper cake with 2 ribbons per diaper! They were so detailed and perfect, it's amazing to think someone would spend that much time on something to make sure you have the perfect 1st baby shower. Oh and she also made the best punch! Scott calls it Magically Delicious.

This is the giraffe that my mother-in-law got us for the nursery, we are thinking of naming him John the Giraffe. Anyways, Sarah hosted the party at her house, which was beautiful as always, the colors were perfect and the atmosphere spectacular.

More pictures and details to come!

Mudding Party

We had some wonderful help this weekend "mudding" the drywall from Scott's parents and our friend Kenny. They were there from 6-10pm on Saturday night, they were all machines! We offered to help our contractor get a head start on mudding, so hopefully everything can be ready to paint this coming weekend, carpet the next week, and tile the next weekend. We still need to make the opening from the living room into the "new WEST wing" of our house. Scott continues to do all he can to help him along, considering we are practically doubling the usable space in our house, it really is a pretty overwhelming project. We are so grateful for all the help so far and hopefully more help to come so we can have everything complete weeks before baby so maybe we can have some rest and enjoy it.
I finally figured out a way to share with you our plans. Maybe this will help you visualize it.

Baby Tyler Ultrasound Pictures

We had another ultrasound today, this is Tyler at 30 weeks and 3 days, but measuring in at 32 weeks and already 4lbs. He's really looking great! It makes it all so real again. Only 9 weeks or so left...oh my....so much to do....but can't wait meet him! Then again, he's pretty quiet in my tummy!

...and how is mom doing? Well, besides the hemorrhoids, body crashing after my morning breakfast (can't figure out if it's my blood sugar or blood pressure dropping), waking up absolutely starving in the middle of the night (we think it is so I know what the baby feels like when he wakes up every 2 hours to feed the first few weeks!), going to the bathroom every 10 minutes only to tinkle as Tyler clamps down on my urinary track, no sleeping position is comfortable, swollen ankles at the end of a long day...oh I'm not complaining or anything, I think I've had it pretty easy so far! Plus I ABSOLUTELY LOVE BEING PREGNANT! It's the best feeling in the world...I'm just a little nervous about delivery, oh I will cry and be scared.

Carrie

Carport Project Update

I feel like there is not much going on but in reality there is OH SO MUCH going on in our world! Scott has been working really hard on our Carport Project (he has a contractor doing the plumbing, framing, and drywall), and me being the pregnant wife, I am trying to be the support system to keep him going. Although I must say, he keeps adding things to the list! Anyways, things are progressing and I am just taking in one day at a time!

Brief summary, we are turning our carport into a Master Bedroom, Closet, Master Bath, Laundry Closet, Office, and Water Heater Closet...all with newly run heating and air and new electric. And a few new windows and a front extension (one of the add-ons mid project!)

Carport Before-was used as an exercise room, laundry, and make shift office. Not very pretty huh? It's about 435 sq ft. Scott and I put our idea's on paper and came up with a blue print. It's really fun to see it all come together! Although walls sure do take up a lot of room!This front window was cracked and needed to be replaced, it was impossible to find the same size window so Scott said he'd have to re-frame the window and cut up into the siding. Here he is ripping out the old frame with dad watching.OOPS...Scott must have been letting off some HOME DEPOT frustration because before he knew it the whole wall came down! I was a little anxious about the whole thing...ok really freaked out! They decided that the wall was not built very well and had some rotting wood, so not only did they decide to rebuild the wall, they also decided to bump it out 3 feet! What! You have to build a roof?!?!?!?!Well, the next day, it turns out with some help from Uncle Greg until 12:oo am Sunday night, there is some structure to our new entrance, and it also gives it much more curb appeal.And finally, here is the window that started this whole process! Great job honey....and I only cried once!!! Obviously siding and a column needs to be added, and I think Scott has wires ready to install a light on each side of the window. Things are coming along.

This weekend they are hanging dry wall, because all the framing and plumbing is done! (and only 1 night without water!) We now have running water in the carport, I did 3 loads of laundry, Scott flushed the toilet, and ran the shower. Sorry but the framing pictures don't do justice to how cool everything is coming together, you'll have to wait for more finished project pictures! Maybe I'll figure out how to scan in our blue prints!

Only 70 more days until Baby Tyler enters our world...can we get it all done? Let's hope, it will really be great to have company over with 2 bathrooms instead of just 1. The next projects include the kitchen, original bathroom, deck, 2nd story with 2 more bedrooms and bathroom, and a garage with bonus/guest room. It may take 5 years or so, but it's a good list and fun to dream! As you can tell, we don't plan on moving!

Labor Day Weekend Festivities

Yesterday the rain took a break around 2pm so our Small Group BBQ could have some outdoor activities. They guys played some football and the girls stayed inside. Here is a picture of Alan's new grill and the guys looking impressed with how many hotdogs and hamburgers were going to be cooked.

Ron came with us, but the true guest of honor was Jeff, who was back on leave from "The Iraq." Be safe Jeff!

Then today we woke up to a beautiful sky and sunshine, so we went and played 9 holes of golf. Here is Ron, playing from the BLUE tees.

Scott played from the WHITE tees, and his dad played from the GOLD tees. Here they are waiting for the players ahead of us, only 9 holes of the course was playable so there was quite a backup. It was good for me though, so I could walk slow and take breaks!

And finally here I am playing from the RED tees watching my drive. It wasn't my best of the day, but I finished with 1 par and a score of 55. Better than the time I played in Des Moines, but then again this course is not as tough as Echo Valley!

Well, we didn't get a chance to go water skiing this year due to the weather, but we enjoyed the sports on TV and everyone's company.
Happy Labor Day everyone!

Still Raining in Savannah

3rd morning in a row waking up to a steady down pour of rain. Scott says it has rained so much we now have water front property! J/K. Looks like another lazy day and a wet BBQ we are going to at 3pm with our Small Group from Church.

Scott and Ron try to figure out what we are going to watch on TV, with only 13 channels to choose from it is quite a challenge. At least tennis is on CBS again from 11-6pm.

Small Rainy Saturday Project

Scott wired up a ceiling fan for the living room today...what a handy man (We call that a small To Do List item! I'm so lucky) We've just been hanging out waiting for the rain to break on this Labor Day Weekend Saturday afternoon. We were hoping to get out on the water again this year, but the rain just won't stop. Actually, Scott and Ron just headed out to a golf course to try to squeeze 9 holes in before more rain/thunderstorms come. Me, I'm just relaxing watching some US Open Tennis.

28 wks

This is me after work on Friday, officially 28 weeks pregnant! (90 Day Plan remnants in the backyard)

90 Day Plan

Only about 90 days to go before baby Tyler comes into this world. So of course Scott and I have made a list, some of it is completely out of our control, alot of it is hard work and we have started and I am excited. And just so you all know, I am also taking it one day at a time and not letting any hiccups stress me out. Maybe over the next few months you all will see the progress on some of the big projects. This weekend we tackled 1/4th of our yardwork. Our plan is to trim everything down to the bare minimum, rake out the mulch, and see if they grow back. They were all out of control and we need to start over. Here Scott is saving the palm branches to one day build a tiki hut and place to put his fishing stuff.
Other items on the list are too big to discuss, but we will update as things get accomplished. I'll give you a hint...a jackhammer is involved!

So, things have been going really well here in Savannah, just working and getting plenty of rest.

My amazing trip home to Des Moines

Where to begin...a few months ago I decided that I wanted to get home before baby Tyler came. (yes, I thought I'd get that out there as well, baby's name will be Tyler Scott) So, I jumped on the internet and searched for tickets, knowing that a flight from Savannah to Des Moines was not going to be cheap. Yep, it was $500 per ticket, so I searched a nearby airport of Kansas City, only 165 miles away. Sure enough $177. On top of that I had a $100 voucher. So all in all my trip only cost $92, so I thought nothing of making my parents drive almost 3 hrs to pick me up. Well, Delta's crew came in late Thursday night and due to FDA regualations they had a mandatory crew rest and could not leave Savannah until 7:20, all in all I would have missed my 9:00 flight to Kansas City. I then asked if it would be possible to make the flight to Des Moines instead. The lady at the Delta desk could not figure out why I would want to go to Des Moines when I reserved the flight to Kansas City, I said well, about $320 worth of reasons. Anyways, she then went on to say well, you won't make the 9:30 flight either, and I asked her with my sad pregnant eyes, can I try? In the end I made it! Got to Des Moines at 10:15 (2-3 hrs earlier than I was planning) AND a bonus on Sunday when it was time to go home, I made a quick call to Delta, said YES to take a survey, and Mr. Montgomery got the outbound flight changed also from Kansas City to Des Moines, another 2 hrs added to my trip home. OK...enough about the flight situation, but I have to say that was the best flight experience I've ever had! Thank you Delta!

Friday when I got to Des Moines, my dad picked me up (my parents live 2 miles from the airport!) and we went home, my brother was home as well and we just hung out for a few hours. My brother showed me a Gumball Fish Tank he was engineering for my mom. It was pretty amazing, I never knew my brother was so smart. Here is a picture of his little work shop in my parents basement. Next, I was off to meet my grandma for lunch. I wouldn't say the restaurant is my favorite place in Des Moines, but their signature dish is my favorite pasta meal ever. It is amazing and I keep telling myself that the only reason I ate the whole thing is because it was a lunch size portion, but it doesn't matter because it WAS GOOD! It's called Ziti Cocina and the restaurant is Cosi Cocina's. It's ziti pasta, spicy sausage and sun dried tomato's in an orange cream sauce. SO GOOD! My grandma said at lunch, "now that you're here, it's like you never left!" She is so sweet and I loved spending time with her this weekend. After lunch I went over to my best friend Jill's to hang out with her and see you new baby daughter, Karly. She is 5 months old and beautiful and such a good little baby!

Friday night was family night, ordering Casey's General Store taco pizza (another favorite, but I was so full after lunch I only had 1 piece) and watching tennis. It was my dad, mom, brother, and me just sitting around talking, oh and did I mention I think I fell asleep around 8pm! It felt so good to be home, Saturday morning I woke up with a smile on my face at 5:30am! I couldn't fall asleep because I was starving, so I went upstairs and found some Lucky Charms! Then went back for a nap (my favorite Saturday morning routine!)

Saturday Jill met me at the Super Target in Des Moines to help me register for baby stuff. I've been putting it off, because I can't imagine we need anything after my brother and sister-in-law gave us LOTS of great baby items, but 94 items later I have completed my registry at Target. It was so much fun, Jill knew the in's and out's of everything from baby nipples to baby bibs. She had a reason for everything and it was so helpful. I feel like I've taken my first child class! Sorry for the blurred picture, that is Jill taking the picture with her baby in her arms...multi tasking! Thanks so much Jill...I had a blast!

I spent some more time at my Grandma's showing her all that I registered for and ate a chicken sandwich from a gas station (another favorite). We did a devotional and I checked out her basement and organizing and de-cluttering process.

My mom hosted a family gathering Saturday night and I think there were about 20 people there! All of my family was there, including all the women in the family on both sides. We took a few family shots and Jill and Tricia also came! The food was great, but the conversation and pictures were even better! Here are a few group shots.All of the Women on my mom's side.

My dad's side of the family.

My best friends.

Sunday I went to early church with my Aunt Debbie and then she treated me to a nice little Bread and Breakfast breakfast in Norwalk. It was the best Cinnamon french toast! We had great conversation and I really enjoyed the extra time I was able to spend with her. She also took me on a tour of Norwalk which was hit by a tornado a few weeks ago and the changes at the middle and high school. I can't believe it's been 10 years since I was in high school....where does the time go?

Next, I proceeded to tell my parents that I could walk 9 holes of golf if they wanted to go. Well, at 11am-1pm it is really HOT. I lasted 3-4 holes and then dad had to take over the push cart. We had a great time, I came in last place, but I did par 2 holes! It is a memory that I will never forget.

Wow, what a weekend, are you all still there? It was a fun family and friends filled weekend and it was totally worth $500 if that is what I have to pay next time.

Babymoon with a Lobster Theme

Standing by the Big Lobster in Islamorada Key, Fl. There is a curse on this famous picture spot for us, we both lost our camera cases at this spot? I lost my in 2004 and Scott lost his this year 2007, the only 2 times we've taken our picture here?

Anyways, we had a great time again this year. This year I stayed off the boat while Scott played on the boat, fishing and lobster diving. I did make it out on the water for a boat cruise on a 38 ft Cabin Cruiser and also another day to do a little snorkeling. I read the book The Testament by John Grisham, sat by the pool and under the Tiki Huts on the beach and even took a nap under tiki cover during an afternoon rain storm. It was FANTASTIC! These are the newly built docks after a hurricane destroyed them 1-2 years ago. We did make it to a Par 3 Golf course up in Marathon Key, the course took less than a hour for 9 holes, but that was enough for us...it was really hot! On the golf course there were iguana's running back and forth through the fairway, it was really cool! Sorry no pics of the golfing!

Scott says he learned a lot fishing and had a great time keeping busy. We ate well every night with plenty of snacks to go around. The best was the lobster! My favorites are steamed lobster and Lobster Pasta. Thanks to everyone who dove down and tickeled those little creapy things out of their rocks! Scott said he was close snagging one, while just snorkeling!

Doesn't that look good? Just the other day Scott said 1lb of Lobster was $29.99! I'm glad I got my Lobster fill for awhile. Overall it was a really relaxing vacation.

Carrie

Off to the Keys!

Tomorrow Scott and I will take off for our "babymoon" to the Keys for a week of fishing, beach, lobster diving and boat rides. I am really looking forward to getting away! Here are a few memories from last years trip where my brother came with us!

Me and John-E at the Southern Most Point in the Continental U.S.A.

Scott and John-E fishing.

Me and John-E snorkeling, watching the others dive for lobsters.

Scott cleaning off the diving gear after a full morning of lobster diving.
Scott preparing the lobster for the lobster feast!





We'll update you again next week on how this years trip goes!
Take care!

Breakfast at Wimbledon

Yep, it all started 3 years ago (not the Tournament's tradition of breakfast at Wimbledon, but Scott's tradition of breakfast during Wimbledon) when Scott and I were just dating and he came with me to Iowa to spend the 4th of July with my family. The Sunday that the men's final was on fell on the 4th of July (2004). Scott decided to make this big extravagant breakfast at my parents house and invite my grandma over as well. (he knew how to win my family over!) Well, it worked! Since then every year we've had our annual breakfast during Wimbledon. 2005's location was at my Aunt Chris's in Des Moines and 2006 was in Annapolis with my brother. This year as you can see it was just us, but what a morning it was! We even blew a fuse a few times as Scott was trying to microwave, toast and cook on the stove, at the same time I was trying to clean the dishes in the dishwasher. We figured it out and soon enough breakfast was cooked and the 3 hr 45min. match was beginning.
It was a great match too! We were both pulling for Federer, but Nadal never ceased to amaze us with his quickness and persistence in each and every point. We were happy for Federer in the end...now next year we want him to win the French as well!

Molly and Sam's visit!

Our friends from Annapolis that moved to Charleston at the same time we moved to Savannah spent the weekend with us last weekend. First stop was Savannah's Famous Vinnie's Pizza by the slice at City Market. The plan for the weekend was to hang out on the boat, waterski, wakeboard and enjoy lovely Savannah on the water. AND that's exactly what we did! Saturday morning we got up and I made french toast for our guests. We then went out on a quick morning boat ride so the boys could try to fish. Unsuccessful yet again, however on the way back to the house I was inches away from catching our first trout, as one just about jumped in the boat! What a story it would have been if I was able to grab that fish with my bare hands and officially caught the first fish in our new house! Next, we were off to Scott's brother dock to spend the day on his brother's boat. It took awhile for the boat to be lowered from the lift, but with Sam's strong fingers he was able to get 'er done! Only to find out the boat had a dead battery! My handy husband was quick on his feet, while under a little bit of pressure as we had 5 friends anticipating a day on the water, by removing his Jeep's battery and borrowing our friends jumper cables to get the battery charged up, and we never had a problem with the boat all day! Molly and Sam were pro's on the water and Sam won the award for hardest fall on the wake board.

There they are out on the boat for round 2! I stayed back on the dock to give my belly some rest and soak in the sun and a magazine.
They were finally able to get our friend Rob up on ski's (for about 5-10 seconds before he leaned on back and fell. He was really a trooper, we thought for sure he would get the hang of it...maybe next time!

We had a great time with Sam and Molly and it was actually the first time all four of us were able to hang out together. We hope they can come back again before they leave for their next destination.