Bathroom Stain Take 2

Since my previous post, I stained the bathroom cabinet the color I tested. The test spot look good, but when I did the whole cabinet, it looked...well, not good.

It looked...western?

It's hard to describe, but it definitely wasn't the color we were aiming for. So today we went back to the hardware store to shop for better colors, and a different application.

If you have no experience with staining wood let me explain: traditionally, a wood stain requires you to "paint" it on with a brush or rag; wait 5-10 mins; then wipe off excess stain and let dry. Once dry, you can apply another coat of stain by repeating the first step or you can move on to the second which is apply a coat of polyurethane to seal the wood with a subtle sheen.

Probably not a difficult process if you have unfinished wood...but I did not. Now in any case of pre-stained wood, you will have to sand off the first stain so the new stain will "take"; but with this step, the whole "paint on, wipe off" part came out blotchy, sticky, and uneven. The stain color appeared more green and weathered than the test sample appeared and the whole project looked especially unattractive. 

I redid the whole process of sanding today and reapplied my new stain color. This stain was different in the fact that it already has polyurethane in the mix. So, no timing, no wiping...no blotchy, uneven mess.

Stain color take 2 is a success, and will proceed with the other cabinets over the next several days!

After I finish staining the cabinets, I will then replace the mirror and light fixture, paint, and then re-tile the floor. The tile we will most likely go with is:::

We like it, and I think it will look sharp, classy, and modern. It will also look great with the new darker wood.

That's how our "free time" is spent over here this weekend (and weekends to follow)!

M.LEWIS

Stains in the Bathroom

I have really been trying to get my rear in gear about remodeling the master bathroom. We have had a few things come up to stall the process, so I am not entirely to blame, but I do want to make progress to meet my end-of-summer goal of completion.


To Do List:

1. Sand and re-stain cabinets
2. Take down mirror and light fixture
3. PAINT
4. Replace light fixture
5. Replace Mirror with 2 smaller mirrors
6. Lay new linoleum tile
7. Install shelves and over-the-toilet cabinet
8. Tiny things - bleach grout, reseal tiles, etc.

A lot to do, but since the room isn't large, each project should be a one weekend event. I think it might be tricky doing these things in order, but the order makes the most sense and we always have the other bathroom if something gets delayed.
So, this weekend, I took the first tiny step in my to do list. I bought stain and sealant for the cabinets. I doubt it will be enough, but I wanted to sample the color and process before I loaded up. I also decided to test the color and process on the medicine cabinet in the other bathroom instead of our own. I figured we use it less, and worst case, I could always paint it white and it would be fine for kid use.

As you can see, the color cabinets we have now is like a off-shade of pine. It's sort of peachy? It's not good. We are more modern than this, so I thought I nice, darker stain would be more up to date, and more our style. 

I should probably share with you all the picture of inspiration for this make-over.

In a nutshell, this is it. :) Obviously I will have to change some things, but overall this is the feel I would love for my bathroom. I plan to also re-stain the two cabinets in the kid bathroom...I still think I want to paint my kitchen ones white...but anyway...

I like the stain color we sampled (so does Chris), so I think I shall buy (preferably borrow) an electric sander and just go for it. I also think I will pay my sisters in frappuccinos to come over and watch LEL while I (and Chris?) work on it. Next weekend. Maybe. ;)

I also got Chris a massaging shower head for his birthday, it ironically works better in the other bathroom and not ours, so we went and got another kind for our shower.

Kid bathroom...great for small, short people ;)

Our master bathroom

As I make more progress and there is more to show, I will update again.

P.S. This was my second attempt at blogging today. My first involved me complaining about yard work, then Chris came in from mowing to show me his hand he burned on the engine...I felt I had no room to complain anymore. Poor Chris :(

M.LEWIS

Baby Fever...?

I have been experiences waves of baby fever.

A lot of my friends are pregnant, and I mean about-to-pop pregnant. One of my friends just had a beautiful baby boy, Gideon. (Gosh, I love that name.) It always sparks a twinge of "Oooooh, babies!" in my head. I do have an almost 17-month old, it's not unrealistic for me to be thinking about #2...I mean, people have been asking me when she'll have a sibling since her first birthday. I remember being kind of shocked that people were already expecting me to be expecting.

Though we all know if my response to "When are you having another baby?" was "Right now!"; they would all awkwardly smile and then go back to whisper to someone with a look of judgement one could spot from across the room.

Though, with these rushes of baby fever, come slaps of reality.

About once a week Lorelai will have a pretty awful day. It's nothing too major, but after a couple hours of her falling on the floor crying over something as ridiculous as "there is a crumb on my foot", you start to rethink that whole let's-add-another-one-to-the-mix idea.

Lorelai is still plenty to handle right now. We are really pushing the idea of, you know, talking. For some reason this kid has been perfectly content ending her vocabulary skills with the use of only: bubble, ball, bye, pup-up (puppy), and da (everything she doesn't know the word for).
She does sign for "more" and occasionally for "all done" (though lately that is easily replaced with the act of pushing away any food with reach instead). She has actually come a long way in the last week. She regularly says "mom" now when she wants help...though she'll say it pretty much anyone. She has also been saying "h-lo" when she sees someone or pretends to be on the phone. Cookie is just "Ccccc" sound, actually it's rather weird...I don't know why she won't add the "key" noise after it. Please is also coming along slowly, but surely; "Eees" is probably only understandable to those around her all the time, but I still count it. ;)

Lorelai also just got her first pair of sneakers...with laces. "Oooooh", I know; but she looks so adorable walking around in her "big kid" shoes. She looks like a full fledged kid lately.

That's when that "baby feeling" creeps up on me again.

My baby is not a baby, she is a toddler, and she wants you to know it. She has refused highchairs for weeks, booster-seats off and on; and if we are at home, she wants to play musical chairs around the kitchen table, getting up and down in each chair all by herself.

She likes to carry around one of my old purses filled with her toys and play-jewelry. She rests the bag on her elbow and holds her hand in the air like a little socialite.
She wants to eat yogurt by herself with her own spoon, she wants her own "big" pieces of food and dislikes them if they are bite-sized; she is even phasing out "milk time" with her bottle-like cups and rather just sip it throughout the day in a little glass and straw. 

She hates her big stroller, and after a week of hunting, I ordered a small umbrella stroller hoping I can still squeeze in a few months of "wheely" time...letting her walk during grocery shopping is not an option unless I want to spend 3 hours at it; and don't even think about carrying her for longer than 2 mins.

So not a baby.

Until...she wants something I can't decode, she is tired, she wants a paci, she wants to play with a toy she doesn't understand, and about 100 other little things. She then cries and cries, very reminiscent of her 6-month old self. 

So, baby #2? Or no?

Who wouldn't want another one of these?! Awwwwww♥

Let's do some math for a second.

Lorelai is practically 17-months old. If I get pregnant within the next couple months, that means Lorelai will be around 26/27-months old. By then she will be able to talk in small sentences (God willing) and we will be about to begin the wonders of potty training, sleeping in a big bed (no crib), and homeschool preschool.
Not the best timing. Not terrible, but not great. If life works out that way, we'll all be fine...but a little tired. ;) This also means perspective #2 will be born in January/February...not bad, cold and snugly, my favorite.
So, let's do the numbers for when Lorelai is a little older.
Fast-forward to Lorelai at...oh, 20-months. Add the 9 months for the little #2 to come and Lorelai will be almost 30-months (normal-people speak: 2.5 years old). Pretty much the same situation as the first scenario, but maybe a bit more stable in most transitions.
#2 would be born around May/June...eh, Spring. I have horrible spring allergies and will probably be a complete mess from March to July. I'm not liking that idea.
Alright, 3rd scenario.
Let's wait until Lorelai is 2 (24-months) and then the 9 months for #2...so Lorelai is a few months away from turning 3. (That's a crazy thought.) I think she would be more self-efficient, independent, and more understanding of what having another baby around would mean. She might even be fully potty-trained! Sounds more like my style...though baby #2 would be born in August/September. Oh, kill me now. That sounds like hell...and August in Texas literally feels like it. Not going to happen if I have a say...which I obviously do.
So ok, wait a few months? Wait and try starting in January/February when Lorelai is a couple months in her 2 year. Plus 9 months and Lorelai will still be self-efficient, independent, and understanding (almost 3!)...and baby #2 will wait a be born in October? Still pretty pregnant during the hellish summer, but...I like the idea of another fall baby.
Hmmm...lots to think about. I might even like the idea of waiting longer.

I guess the bottom-line is: I absolutely want a #2, but it is most likely too early right now. What's the hurry, you know? I mean, if it happens, we'll be thrilled and everything will work out...but if you can try to plan it to your ideal timeline, why not go with a plan?

Until then, I will slowly catch baby fever more often, and probably more intensely...but that is a good thing, right? Then when #2 decides to be, we won't be able to wait any longer anyway. :P

So that is what has been rolling around in my head lately, I give it 2 weeks before I hear "When are you going to have another?" again and I start thinking about numbers and months once more. ;)



M.LEWIS

Blog Makeover

Totally new, custom layout...what do you think?

I was going for "modern-chic-fun"...I am really loving the gray/yellow combination of the trendy fabric lately. Odd, because I am not a "yellow person."
Anyway, it makes me smile.

:D M.LEWIS

Get Comfortable...

I have a lot of catching up to do.

Okay...so backing up a bit...Chris' Nana was taken off her life support machines Tuesday of the last week. Chris was there in support, but I know it was hard for him to witness. She did hold on for a couple more days though. Lorelai and I did stay home for obvious reasons, and I am glad we did...things turned interesting.
I did have a friend come visit us (hadn't talked to her in over a month!) so that was fun, but just as we got to talking my phone rang. I answered it, and immediately knew something was off. It was my younger sister, Hannah, informing me that she and my mom were picking up my youngest sister, Caroline, from school because she had collapsed in PE. They were taking her straight to the hospital. I thought "Well, I guess I should go and see if she is okay...? I have Lorelai and Chris is at a different hospital practically downtown...and I will have to ask Maggie to leave and she just managed to get here." Hannah then reminded me that my brother will need to be picked up from college at a certain time because his car is the shop. That was my job. That worked out all right, I could chat with Maggie, get lunch, then go pick up Jacob.
I didn't know much about Caroline's issues, I didn't know how much to worry, so I just focused on the plan and waited to hear back from my mom. Around the time I needed to leave to get Jacob, the sky grew dark and the tv stations were bombarded with meteorologists giving minute-by-minute updates of the severe weather approaching the area. "Great." I thought, but my brother still needed to be picked up, so I woke up Lorelai from her nap and got ready to leave. I received another phone call from my mom asking me to also pick up Hannah from the hospital because it had been hours and they were still running tests on Caroline and she was getting antsy. "Okay." I replied and headed out to the car. Chris then called and said he could pick up Hannah because he was leaving his Nana's hospital and it would be sort of on the way. Sounded good to me, so we formulated a slightly new plan.
I was to go pick up Jacob while Chris was to pick up Hannah. We would both drop them off at my parents' house and return home.
I was waiting for Jacob to walk out when Chris called me to say he was at the house, but Hannah didn't have a key. I told them to wake up my brother, Zachary, and he would let them in. Luckily, this worked. Jacob then walked out and we headed to the house...right as the tornado sirens started blaring. "Tornado warning. Tornado warning."
Of course.
I'm pretty sure all you reading know a tornado warning means there is a confirmed funnel cloud spotted in or around the area. You are supposed to take immediate cover...but I was in the car, on the road, with my brother and my baby girl, taking immediate cover didn't really work. I was less than 10mins from the house, so I just kept driving. In my experience, the sirens go off frequently and most times you have some flexibility on the "immediate cover" part.
We get to the house okay and watch the tv coverage for a bit. Sure enough, there is a hook approaching our area, so we tried to clear out the under-the-stairs closet as best as we could and prayed.
The feeling wasn't as foreboding as it may have read...but it was serious. We saw 18-wheelers fly through the air in Arlington on the tv and reports of a tornado at Addison airport also were coming in. I couldn't help but think about Phoebe who was at our house all alone, but I wasn't going to leave my parents' house at this point.
Luckily everything sort of weakened and fell apart by the time it reached our neck of the woods, and we were grateful. We left my parents' and finally got home for dinner.
My mom called later that evening to inform me that Caroline's EKG and sonogram revealed that she has mitral valve prolapse. You can read the link, but basically, her heart's valves to close and function just right and therefore, her blood sometimes doesn't flow properly causing her to feel lightheaded, hence the collapse. This also causes a high heart  rate and a possible irregular heart rhythm. She has to go see a pediatric cardiologist, but she is on some medication now, and seems to functioning just fine.

In case you lost track...yes, this was all one day.

The following day, Wednesday, was also a bit eventful. My mom was having some oral surgery done. A bone graft and a sinus lift. It is an outpatient procedure, and I was her ride to and from the office...plus I was handed a "goody bag" of pamphlets and oral products to help with her recovery. I also had to pick up Jacob again (and take him back) because his car was still in the shop from the previous day. I was in the car for half of the day it felt. Lorelai was able to hang out with her Aunt Hannah while I ran these back-and-forth trips. My mom was a little loopy from the anesthesia, and was told not to stand or sit too quickly, not to walk by herself, and not to lock any doors in rooms she was alone in. She slept most of the day though...so that was easy.

Thursday was a little easier on the schedule, but it was the day that Chris' Nana passed. I knew Chris would be sad, but her passing was almost expected for over 2 weeks (since she suffered a brain aneurysm). It was also Maundy Thursday, so Chris and I decided to go have dinner out, both for the holiday, and to remember his grandmother.

We'll fast forward a couple of days to Easter.
Easter was pretty good. We had planned to split the holiday between Chris' family and mine, but my MIL wasn't feeling well, so we just visited my side of the family tree. My mom's entire side was together for this occasion and it was great seeing everyone again.

Then it was Monday. Monday was the viewing for Chris' grandmother and her rosary service. Chris' brother, James, (along with his wife and kids) were coming into town for this service and for the funeral the following day.

I did leave Lorelai with my mom and Hannah while Chris, James, and myself went to Nana's viewing. I had never been to a viewing before. I have actually dealt with funerals very little. Both of my dad's parents have passed. My grandfather when I was about 6, and my grandmother last April, but I didn't see them very much, nor talked to them a lot (my grandmother's ashes have yet to be scattered). I had a childhood friend die when we were very young, I did not attended any of those ceremonies; and several years ago I attended a funeral of a young girl who was the younger sister of my older brother, Matt's, then girlfriend...that was sad day to witness. But in all these deaths, I don't recall any true connection, any conversation. I did have these moments with Chris' grandmother, and to be honest, I was tense about seeing her one last time. There were a lot of family and friends in the viewing room, and even Chris and James' father drove in to pay his respects. It was not as awful as I feared.

Nana looked peaceful...yet not completely herself. My mom has told me about the time she was at her grandmother's viewing. How, somehow, she didn't look quite like her. I didn't understand until I was in that viewing room. I think our souls bring so much into our bodies. They make that light in our eyes...and when that soul departs, the body looks just...empty. Nana would have been pleased though, the room was filled with the largest, most beautiful flowers you had ever seen. The room smelled like heaven...very fitting indeed.

On the way out back to our cars, my FIL informed all of us that he was undergoing open heart surgery most likely in July. That was a shock. I think we are still processing that one.

Later Chris, myself, Lorelai, James, Katie, and their 3 kiddos had a rushed dinner with my MIL and FIL (2) before the rosary. I was afraid Lorelai would not sit still and quiet...and she did not. I walked her around, I tried distracting her with noiseless toys and paper cards, but we ended up spending most of the ceremony in the atrium area alone. Oh well.

We finally got home around 8:30pm and put LEL straight to bed. I then called my mom to figure out plans for the next day, she was also coming to the funeral to pay her respects and to help me out with the little one so I could be apart of the service.

Tuesday.

We wanted to be at the church by 10:30am...and we were. Yay us. The service was at 11am. Chris was a pall bearer and sat with the other pall bearers, so that left me and Lorelai...of course, I didn't want to leave out my mom since she did not know anyone else attending. The 3 of us found a back corner pew...but LEL only lasted about 5mins. A very talented opera singer was preforming and LEL decided she wanted to sing along, like when Aunt Hannah sings opera. Except, when she sang in the church...it echoed! So she was very into singing then. Things quieted down...but she did not. My mom graciously exited the sanctuary with Lorelai and I stayed inside.

It was a little long, but very nice. Everyone was very honest and kind to Nana, and I think everyone felt closure and comfort at the end. What else could you ask for? She will be missed, but I think everyone loved the thought of her reuniting with her departed husband in heaven. 

My mom helped out a lot and even took home LEL early so I could join the funeral procession to lay Nana to rest.

We ate dinner with my MIL and FIL(2) and Lorelai got to dig into her other Easter basket. The day ended well.

...well, almost.

Just before bed, Phoebe kept licking her leg. I thought it was just allergies, but she kept licking, and licking, and licking. It was horrible distracting and kind of gross. So, I flipped her over to see if I could find what she was messing with. I spotted a decent-sized welt under her front leg. It looked like a bug bite so I gave her a very small dosage of benadryl and hoped it would bring her some relief...and knock her out.

It didn't work long.

Around 1am I heard her jump off the bed and disappear. I gave her time to drink, eat, or lick the living daylights out of her leg, but after 20mins I had to get up and look for her. At first I couldn't find her, and I was worried. When dogs hide while feeling ill, it is a not a good sign. So I promptly freaked out thinking she was having some sort of major allergic reaction and her little puppy throat was closing up and I turned on all the lights calling her name. Yes, Chris woke up.

I found her cowering behind the coffee table in a small ball. Her eyes would barely stay open. My freak-out intensified. I felt sick to my stomach and my exhausted body tensed up with another round of stress. I was going to take her to the emergency vet hospital, but I felt like I might be ill...you know...throw up. So I tried laying down, relaxing, but it didn't help. 

You see, I said a little prayer before going to bed, "Please God, if something is not right with Phoebe, find a way to wake me up, give me a sign so I can help her." This was my sign, I was sure of it, but the past week of stress and chaotic events and impacted me so much I started having an anxiety attack. Chris said he would take her, but he wanted to try some things first. 

She went outside okay, she walked around okay, she would drink water, and accept "puppy treats." He said that she would be fine for the rest of the night. He was right. Plus, the ER vet would cost $$$. I am glad he talked me out of it.

I did take her in the morning to our usual vet during the walk-in hours and we saw a Dr. within 10mins. He said it looked like she had an encounter with some ants. (See! I knew it was a bug bite) and he gave her 2 shots and a gave me a spray to take home to apply to relieve the itchiness. Good news? Whole visit took less than 30mins and cost minimal $. 

If you need a vet and you live in the area, I seriously recommend mine. Check the link if you are interested.

So, that brings everyone up to date I believe.

All I ask is that life goes easy on us for a little bit. We have many birthdays coming up, my car has to go into the shop, family will visit soon, I need to make myself schedule my annual Dr. appt, there might be a fishing trip (no, I will not be fishing...I doubt I will even go), and then there is our Colorado trip in June...I think that is enough to keep us busy for awhile. No need to add to it :P

I hope everyone has had a less eventful and less stressful past 2 weeks!

Thanks for sticking with this insanely long and confusing post. ;)

M.LEWIS

Oops

I realized last night that I haven't posted anything here for a little while...but for good reason.

This won't be my "catch up" post, but I have been lacking in the blog department for several reasons.

In the past week out household has had to deal with the following:

Chris' Nan being taken off life support

My youngest sister collapsed at school and was taken to the ER (later diagnosed)

Tornado sirens, and therefore, tornadoes

My brother's car breaking down, I become a chauffeur for a bit

My mom had oral surgery, and I was her transporter and medical confidant

Chris' Nana passes and we attended several family gatherings and memorials

Easter and all that business

Just learned that Chris' dad is having heart surgery in July

So, I promise I am not lazy, just busy...and a little tired.

Today is Nana's funeral and burial. I pray for comfort for Chris, his family, and all those who loved Nana Jane Westerman.

I will post a more detailed blog later, but for now I will leave you with a family picture from our wedding. Nana is "the sharp woman in red" beside me, and the rest are her loving family.

 

Lorelai's Allergy and Food Struggles

Right now my girly is watching Bubble Guppies, dancing, clapping, and singing to the music...pretty sweet little sight, but this has been a far cry from the Lorelai I have been dealing with for the past week.

Two weeks ago, she woke up with her left eye completely swollen shut. She was scared (and I was a bit too) and crying. I remember this happened to a little boy in my pre-school class, and it was nothing serious. So, with  this experience under my belt, I kept calm and took her to the pediatrician. The on-call Dr. told me what I was expecting to hear: allergies. Seeing as the swelling went down rapidly, I was pleased to hear it was nothing scary, and I was equally pleased my Lorelai was back to her old self. I got some children's Claritin along with special dosage instructions and we were on the road to recovery.
Apparently Lorelai has bad seasonal allergies...just like her mommy. :\ She has been incredibly congested lately. Runny nose, lots of sneezing, and "phlegmy" coughs. All of this ickiness means one cranky baby, well, one cranky baby who wants to eat very little. Naturally, this makes me watch her food intake like a hawk. I mentally keep track of the amount of milk she drinks, the portions of veggies and fruit she eats, everything. One day I even let her eat cake without dinner just so she would have something in her stomach.
She has coughed so much she has thrown up a few times. My poor baby. I just want to make sure my picky eater with the uneasy tummy gets some food in her so she can start to feel better.
I asked for suggestions on fb, and I did try some...though they did not go over well.

One that sounded promising was "dipping food/veggies in sauce/dressing." Apparently Lorelai just sees this opportunity as a way to constantly shove the food in and out just to lick the sauce off...no biting of food takes place. Strike 1.
This one I have tried before, but I decided to approach it differently this time. "Smoothies." I took frozen blueberries, frozen strawberries, apple juice (with carrot juice), and some baby food that had a spinach-mango-pear blend. I put all of these in my wonderful "Magic Bullet" and then acted as if I was drinking it. (See, Lorelai only wants the drink if she thinks it's yours, because that means it is instantly better.) It worked for a few minutes, but no long enough to get some considerable nutrients in her little body. Strike 2.
The last idea was my own. The "Just stick to what you she'll eat, healthy or not" theory. Even this didn't work well. Things I knew she liked (toaster waffles, black beans, bananas, cookies) suddenly were unappealing and promptly shoved back in my face. Strike 3.

This is when I figured she must have felt pretty bad. She has never turned down cookies before, and yet, the mere sight of one would invoke screams and tears lately.
I went to the store and got everything I could find that could help my Little Sweets. I have decent collection going on at home: Baby Vapor Rub, Plug in vaporizer, cool mist humidifier, nasal aspirator, honey elixir, plus the Claritin I previously mentioned. I also raised up one side of her mattress with a blanket tucked under the frame, added a "pillow" for her to sleep on, and bathed her in soothing bath wash the last couple nights.
I think all my efforts have been paying off. Lorelai ate wonderfully today...I still wanted her to drink a tad more milk, but I will take what I can get happily!
We did find some new favorite additions to our toddler menu :

I also bought the veggie mix, but have yet to try it

They come in a pack of 3 milk pouches, tons of vitamins

Haven't tried this yet, but she seems to like oatmeal in general

Again, haven't tried yet, but she dislikes marinara sauce, so I hope the sauceless option will work

She has also taken to a few of her old favorites as well. Toddler yogurt (I mix in some baby food for extra nutrition), crackers, chicken, milk, apple juice (with carrot juice), and yes, cookies.

I now completely understand why there are so many foods out there for kids with vitamins hidden in everything possible. I am not crazy about buying so many name brand foods with so much stuff crammed into a portion...but I have to admit, when she was only eating 5 bites a day, I felt better knowing those 5 bites were filled with a ton of nutrients. Today she ate a fair amount of regular food, so hopefully I will go back to using these foods as "fillers" and not "bases."

I hope all the little kiddos out there have easy allergies from here on out, for their own good and for their moms' peace of mind!

M.LEWIS