Nursery-Start to (almost) Finished...

Diane is a new mom!

Lilyanna Barnett was born Thursday morning. This was all very exciting because they were one of those new trend's that did not find out the sex of their baby until she was born. Very exciting! She was a healthy 8lbs 5oz and 21 inches long. Mom and Dad are doing great. Thanks for putting me on the call list! (thanks goes to my friend Tiny, she called me Thursday morning to tell me the news!). Can't wait to get all the good advise from my friends in Maryland that have beat us to the punch of mother and fatherhood.

Here comes the Nursery!

Well, not quite yet, but we do have a new window (that opens and has a screen!). Scott and his dad installed it tonight (minus 1 crow bar). This weekend the room should get painted and on Monday there will be carpet installed (to make it nice and cozy for a baby)! So during the week I'll be able to put everything together and get everything organized for Tyler's room. I am very excited! I will also be able to get the guest bedroom back in order and decorated nicely. While I am putting those two rooms together and cleaning the rest of the house, Scott will be finishing up the rest of the master bathroom, hallway, and office entrance. (Lots of tiling and painting left to do...).

We've taken a little break from really working on the house, but there is a time crunch with no set end date. We are 28 days away from our Due Date (can you believe it?), but who really knows when Tyler wants to enter this world! We must get back to work! Wish us luck!

Jessi had her baby boy!

Jessi is a frequent commenter on our blog and she and her husband Adam had their baby yesterday! Chase Harper is his name and he is gorgeous. I keep thinking how much their life just changed in the last 24 hours! Congrats to a beautiful family, may God bless you always!

We met Jessi and Adam in Maryland at our young married small group. We were all gearing up for babyland when Scott and I moved to Savannah. Now practically everyone in that small group is either pregnant, trying, or just marveling at all of us.

Love and misss you!

Carrie and Scott

Pumpkin Spice Latte-DECAF!!! DUH!

Pumpkin Spice Latte:
a delicious blend of pumpkin and traditional fall spice flavors combined with our signature espresso and freshly steamed milk, and topped with whipped cream and pumpkin pie spices.

So last night we were at Kroger getting our $1.00 movie rental and I spotted a sign that was featuring the only coffee drink that I can stand (and actually love). PUMPKIN SPICE LATTE. This fabulous contraption was introduced to me by my Maryland friends 2 years ago (I believe it was Heather and Danielle). However, I soon learned that it is only a seasonal specialty at Star Bucks so 9 months out of the year, no coffee for me! I went up to the counter, with my pregnant belly spilling all over, and asked the single question I never thought to ask, "Can you make me a DeCaf Pumpkin Spice Latte?" She said of course! WOW! Never even thought about, I was just convinced that I was not going to get it! Anyways, it didn't last long, and of course I burnt my tounge, but it was delicious!

Y'all should try one!

This is for Di

Here it is, remember I am 5 WEEKS away from my due date....and you are 4 days away from yours. You be the judge! You look great...I'm just thinking I'm going to have a huge baby boy! He is really taking the energy out of me, kind of like I am on benadryl 24/7. Good luck to all my pregnant friends in MD (Di, Jessi, Danielle...am I missing anyone?) The count down is on!

Our new Bedroom!

We spent our first night in our new bedroom last night, it was like living in a new house! The furniture is gorgeous and fits perfectly in our room! I slept so good that I didn't have to make the trek to the bathroom until 6:30am! When I woke up I had the biggest smile on my face. Everything is perfect.

We ordered our furniture from http://www.furniturebuzz.com/ and of course it came in weeks ago, but we weren't ready for it. We were planning on picking it up yesterday, but we were pleasantly surprised by it being delivered yesterday afternoon (Thanks Rob and Amy!). That was such a HUGE help to Scott. Then our friend Jimmy from our small group helped Scott unbox it and put it in place after work, it was such a blessing! You all don't know how happy you made this pregnant girl yesterday!

This is my awesome vanity area to get ready in the morning! What a sweet husband to think of me and making my dream come true to have a dressing/makeup area!Quick closet update with it packed full of our clothes! The office pictures will have to wait until we get it more organized!

And so now I digress, it's funny how God times everything perfectly, sometimes you don't see it in the heat of frustration and disappointment, but in the end it always comes out so much better. I am thankful that through all of this construction, I have had prayer and God to help get me through everything. I also am very thankful to have a great support system through our family and friends, because sometimes when we get tired and frustrated we get emotional and vent through our emotions and we need a little comfort and sometimes even a little forgiveness.

Hope you enjoy the pictures showing our progress, we appreciate all your support and excitement for us.

And a quick note to my husband who just keeps on going like the energizer bunny, thank you for all of your crazy hard work! You are amazing and I love you so much!

Carrie

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.