mason jar champagne

Party of Four

2016-09-18T16:46:00.000-04:00

And just like that, we became a party of four. In hardly more time than it takes for you to read this, our little boy made his much anticipated debut and our hearts expanded beyond our imaginations.

I've heard the second comes faster than the first. They ain't kiddin'. Burke was 3 days overdue, so I wasn't surprised when this guy wasn't here shortly after his 9/4 due date.

Regardless, I started to replicate a similar pattern that seemed to work on Burke's eviction: swimming, sitting on the yoga ball, and the infamous labor inducing smoothie. (Sidenote - y'all...this thing has been pinned over 12 THOUSAND times on Pinterest. I'm not entirely sure it works. So I am now terrified of the overdue mama mafia I may have created in case they're out to get me, pitchforks and all.)

I thought we might get to share a birthday, but when mine came & went without any signs of labor, I got anxious. I kept eating lots of pineapple and dates and tried some spicy cookie things that were a total failure. He wasn't budging.

Luckily, my mom was in town so she helped me stay distracted. She drove in from Arkansas "just in case" so she wouldn't miss this one's arrival. She joined me for my 9/7 check-up followed by pizza with extra oregano and 1-hour foot massages. For dinner, we had Indian street food. I started having contractions, but they dissipated once I went to bed. That was not the day. But, she got some good time in with B, playing blasters in the back yard, testing out their head lamps, and learning B's newest trick: mooning!

Gran getting to know Grandson #2

After I was officially 1 week overdue, we had an appointment with the perinatologist on 9/12 to have an ultrasound and non-stress test. They needed to check amniotic fluid levels, take measurements, and make sure the kiddo responded to stimuli appropriately.

My biggest concern, beyond the healthy stats, was this kid's size. If you recall, Burke was 9 lbs, 7 oz at 3 days late. His size resulted in a prolonged labor and almost an emergency c-section that I thankfully avoided since dude was crowning as the c-section team scoped out the situation. Recovery was rough to say the least. We were now pushing over a week late, and I was terrified of how big this melon might be growing to be. The ultrasound confirmed that the babe's head was measuring "only" 9.6 cm...leaving a whopping 0.4 cm of "space" for him to fit through the birth canal at full 10cm dilation. Seems like a pretty tight margin for error, even if we're talking the Metric system.

They confirmed everything was a-ok in utero and that there wasn't a reason to induce. The doc's actual words were "Most women don't go over 43 weeks, so just hang in there. We'll start seeing you 2x/week if you pass 42 weeks." Don't go OVER FORTY THREE WEEKS? Oh boy. Hunker down and make the ice packs. I went to bed thinking we still had quite a ways to go before we met this kid.

He had other plans. Here's how it all went down...

At 4:00am, contractions woke me up. Nothing terrible, much like some of the false labor I'd experienced earlier on. But they were repetitive enough for me to time them. They were 30 seconds to a minute long, and coming every 6-10 minutes. But not intense yet.

4:30am: I woke Jason up to let him know I'd been having consistent contraction for the past half hour and that he might want to shower just in case we needed to head to hospital. He did. Contractions kept coming at the same pace and intensity. Jason woke my mom up to let her know we might be going to the hospital, so she started getting up so she could be home with Burke.

5:00am: I got out of the shower - which felt amazing - and contractions were only lasting 25-40 seconds now, but coming every 2-3 minutes. We called the midwife who advised us to wait it out until they were lasting a minute and were growing in intensity. We live close to the hospital, so she wasn't worried about us waiting until the last minute. A shift change was coming up at 7, so she promised to alert the next midwife on call that we might be coming in.

J packed the car, woke up my mom, and we prepped for the hospital. It was only 5 minutes down the road, so we weren't in a rush. I'd hoped to try laboring in the labor pool, and they'd told me it could take 1-2 hours to be filled, so I didn't mind getting there on the early side.

6:35am: We decided to head on to the hospital. Burke would be waking up soon, so we figured it'd be better to get out of the house before he woke up.

6:45am: At the hospital, J dropped me off in front and I headed up to reception to get checked in while he parked. The friendly security guard greeted me and said "Are we gonna have a baby today?" I responded with "That better be the reason this guy woke me up so early!"

No one was at the desk, so we had to wait a bit. Finally, got all checked in. I requested a labor tub, and she told me just to let the nurses know once I'm called back. I should have plenty of time. They were going to work on getting me in as soon as they could. Apparently, we were right in the middle of the 7am shift change. I went to the restroom and felt like I was going to be nauseous.

7:02am: My ID bracelet notes our admission time as 7:02am. I waited while J went to get the bags.
Contractions continued occasionally, but I was mostly relaxed, drinking water while I waited.

7:14am: I took this photo in the waiting room and texted my sisters at 7:16. We exchanged a few excited texts. Shortly after, J brought up the bags. It was probably another 15 minutes before we were called back to triage.

7:30am: They call us back. As we walk through the triage door, a contraction hits. I pause a minute before continuing down the hallway. The nurse smiles and directs us to the triage room directly across the hall from the nurse's station where everyone is greeting each other as they come onto their new shifts for the day.

I don the flattering hospital gown and wait on the gurney. The doctor stops by to say hello, and we joke about how we just saw him less than 18 hours prior. The midwife was on her way in.

A nurse comes in to get my vitals and says "alright, we'll see if we're gonna keep you here or not."

The midwife joins us and asks if I have a copy of my water birth certificate since it's apparently not in my file. They need that to fill the tub. Yes, I have it. Great. She puts her gloves on to perform the cervical exam. A contraction hits once I lay back on the gurney. That one hurt. I squeezed J's hand. There were 2 more like that.

7:50pm: After the cervical exam the midwife said, "Well, I don't think you're gonna get that tub."

I said, "Oh. Where are we?"

She said, "Oh," she says calmly with a twinge of disbelief, "we're at 9" and yells out the door to the nurse's station, "She's going to have this baby - we're at 9cm with a bulging bag. She needs a room now!"

J texts my sisters that I'm 9cm dilated at 7:50am.

Pandemonium ensues. (Spoiler alert: in the next 5 minutes, my water breaks, I am transported down the hall, transitioned from gurney to bed, and pop out a baby.)

Another contraction. Flurry of nurses. Lots of nurses talking. "She's going to 6. Room 6 is hers. Is 6 ready? Take her to 6. Get room 6 ready." Water breaks as they push the gurney out the triage room door. Nurses start talking of meconium, "significant meconium," "notify the NICU." I feel the baby crowning. The army of nurses led by the midwife navigate the gurney down the hallway to Delivery Room 6. I'm pretty sure I'm gonna have a baby in the hallway.

J follows like a pack mule with all of our stuff in tow, not missing a step.

They wheel me into Room 6.

Nurses scramble to find the equipment. Apparently Room 6 is not quite ready for welcoming a baby. "Where's a table? Can we get one from another room stat?!" "Where's the IV?" "We aren't doing an IV - no time." This sweet sweet midwife is running the show, no question. I remember being very surprised by her assertiveness, yet politeness, since I'd only encountered her tender side thus far.

Now the nurses have to convince me to move from gurney to bed. Excuse me? Contractions are coming quickly and furiously. You want me to what?!? They might as well be asking me to pole vault in Rio. Between contractions, I manage to shift one foot and one cheek and one hand to the bed, but another contraction hits before I can fully make the move.

The midwife calmly explains to me (or so J remembers...it's all a bit hazy from here out) that I can't deliver the baby with one butt cheek on the gurney and one on the bed...the baby will fall on the floor between the two beds. Seems I'm in a predicament.

I remember one of the nurses encouraging me to "just" lift my butt up a little bit more and scoot over. Seems simple enough. Unless you're holding an 8-pound bowling ball between your legs with only 0.4cm room for error of said ball falling on the floor while excruciating tidal waves of pain wash over you every 30 seconds.

Somehow, I go for it and swing the left half of my body from gurney to bed as a contraction ended. They are trying to get me into position to push. I said something about "No, I think I'm gonna do it this way." The midwife says something about not having sterile gloves on (again, the room isn't quite set up for this). Instead of settling into the bed, my body takes over, and the momentum from swinging from the gurney flips me all the way over onto my hands and knees. J asks the midwife if he should coach me to push or anything. I lunge into a contraction and the baby is out.

TIME OF BIRTH: 7:55AM

Now that the baby is out, he's still attached via the cord, and I'm on all fours. There are some awkward gymnastics required to situate everyone where they need to be, and the room goes quiet for a millisecond. I don't think anyone can believe this all just happened. Everyone catches their breath and then picks back up the frenzy. Where are the cord clamps. What's the meconium situation? I need scissors. What about the NICU? Why don't we have any baby blankets in here?

7:58am: J texts my sisters, "He's here" which is met with responses of disbelief.

Meanwhile, I hold the beautiful baby boy against my chest, him just as calm and perfect as can be. I think he's a little shell-shocked to be on the outside so quickly, too. J cuts the cord once it stops pulsing (and they track down some scissors). We look at each other like "weren't we just in the waiting room?"

Labor stopped as suddenly as it started, and they give me a shot of pitocin in my leg to help deliver the placenta. As soon as the babe latches my breast, my uterus contracts expelling the placenta.

Minimal bleeding, no significant tearing, no pain meds (what?!?), no stitches. Shortly thereafter, I was able to walk myself to the restroom.

Not only was there no time for an IV, there was no time for paperwork. So, once everything is calm, the nurse starts reviewing the standard questions. All which are comical at this point: are you allergic to latex? Any blood thinner medication? Family history of xyz? Fortunately, none of the above.

Phrases like "you're made for this mama" and "I've never seen it happen so fast my entire career" echo throughout the room as various nurses tend to their duties. Before long, we were headed up to the recovery floor to soon meet Big Brother.

While an unmedicated birth was something I'd once aspired to, it wasn't something I went looking for. With B, I had grand expectations of how "my" birth would go. All of these ideals in my head of what I was going to "try for" and "work towards" or whatever. Most of which flew out the window during labor's transition and excruciating pain. Then, after Burke was born so large, I was quite scared of the idea of a medication-free delivery.

For this adventure, I was committed to listening to my body for whatever it needed at the moment. Epidural, fine. Water labor, fine. And whatever may appeal in between. It was going to be a game time decision with no preconceived notions or self-imposed ideals or judgment.

But, this accidental experience has been such an unexpected blessing. I never felt the childbirth hangover. We were discharged from the hospital 30 hours after delivery. I've been able to keep up with the toddler (to a reasonable degree) - actually going on a walk to ride his new bike and going to his soccer game within 5 days of baby bro's arrival. I didn't really exercise or anything this pregnancy, so I can't attribute the quick recovery to being in excellent shape - far from it. A smaller baby, reasonable expectations, incredibly short labor, miraculous Mother Nature, and other things all contributed to this be a far less traumatic labor than what I'd previously experienced. Both incredibly special, both so unique.

Besides no time for medical intervention, everything happened so quickly that the swell of emotion I expected once they laid him on my chest was replaced with a degree of shock and an almost eery air of calmness. The absence of the physical exertion made it seem too easy. Like my body was saying "okay, now what?" I keep waiting for the emotional train to hit me, and I know it will in due time. It will hit me off guard and overpower me, and that is okay. Once my brain catches up with my body and realizes the feat we have mastered, it will likely humble me to my knees. In the meantime, I will continue to be in awe of what our bodies are capable of, of how God designed them to create, nurture, and bring forth life, of the newborn's instinct to nurse from its mother.

"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, for I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn for me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your soul. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
Matthew 11:28-30

I would be remiss if I didn't acknowledge the healthcare workers who supported me that morning. A few weeks before my due date, the hospital surprisingly revoked some of my doctor's privileges. Reasons were never disclosed, and it seemed like a political fight more than anything of medical concern. Some presumed it was related to the recent court judgment against this Alabama hospital. Protests were planned, media was enlisted, and, while the policies in question didn't directly affect me, I feared the environment between my practice and the hospital might not be as collaborative as it once was. I was afraid my baby would be born in the midst of tensions, or worse yet, used as a pawn in a political game should the opportunity present itself. Fortunately, the hospital provided clarifications and reinstated the privileges shortly thereafter, thereby calming the waters leading to my delivery. But it was unnerving to say the least. While the practice and the hospital still have further agreements to iron out, I cannot say enough positive things about my experience.

The sweet hat handmade by the hospital volunteer auxiliary.

The midwife was expertly prepared to facilitate my delivery. I know she didn't expect to find me dilated to 9cm when she entered that triage room, but she did not skip a beat from that point forward. She commanded the delivery room with a calm assertiveness in the midst of potential chaos. Her gentle spirit hung in the air, and I had zero doubts baby & I were in expert hands.

Had I delivered at another facility or with another practice, there's a strong chance I would have likely done so on my back in "the right" position. Likely delaying labor, tearing, or requiring additional pushing or intervention. Instead, I met the little guy in the quickest possible amount of time with minimal resistance. The team put our safety & urgency above typical protocol. I felt like I was able to birth the way God built me to, and that's empowering. And to know that a team of women in that room supported my choice to do so was liberating.

I am grateful for a healthy boy. I am grateful for a strong, supportive partner. I am grateful for the proud big brother that is my firstborn. I am grateful for the delivery team. I am grateful for this experience. And I am grateful that I get to "do life" as this party of four. I cannot imagine it any other way.

My stance on all of this

2016-06-17T15:53:00.000-04:00

While everyone else is sharing their mind about the latest tragedies and how it ignites the issue of gun control in our country and how that translates into some political showdown, my heart aches.

My heart is aching for the victims and their families, and I cannot help but internalize it and think "What if this happened at the school down the block?" "What if I was one of the mom's reading her child's last text from a place they felt safe?" "What if I had to break the news to my child that his friend had fallen victim?" While I hope those remain "What if's" I never ever ever have to answer, I have had to do some soul-searching to figure how I feel about the issues at hand.

That's me on the far right with the braids and awesome flannel after someone killed a deer at Thanksgiving circa 1988. I'm sure we kids had a lot to do with it, especially the one in the pink raincoat (who's former lunchbox is now Mom's gun case).

Don't get me wrong. I'm a fan of guns. Maybe fan is a strong word, but I don't have anything against them. I've been around guns my entire life, without issue. Born and raised in Arkansas, I joined my dad for pre-dawn hunting trips as a little girl. The opening day of deer season was a school holiday. I won a .22 rifle playing BINGO at my dad's company picnic when I was 10 (which I proudly swapped for a 6-inch black & white TV with AM/FM radio since I already had a .22 -- thankyaverymuch). I won the Annie Oakley award at camp when I was 13. And I can still hold my own shooting clays with the guys. When I first moved to Atlanta and lived in the hood, my roommate landlord kept a pistol at the house - my requirement was that if she felt the need to have a gun in the house that she be OK if I felt the need to use it, and she happily obliged. My mom's a card-carrying member of the NRA - probably the only Methodist pastor who carries her gun in a pink case whose former life was toting my little sister's lunch to elementary school at the local Baptist church. And we've taken shooting lessons together.

That's Pastor Pat at shooting camp.
Don't mess with her.

I am FINE with guns. I respect them. My stance has always been that if you're gonna have a gun, be comfortable with using it. A gun you're scared of using is the most dangerous one. I'm all for responsible gun ownership. Responsible. That's where I think we've gone awry.

While the Annie Oakley side of me loves the thrill of pulling the trigger and hearing the beer can target "ping", the Mom in me cringes when I see my 3 year old run down the hall making blasting noises. It breaks my heart to know that for the past year I've been teaching him "What do we do when you see a gun? Hide. Run and hide." That should not be one of the first lessons I have to teach my son, yet it's one we repeat regularly. As often as "please take your plate to the sink."

I am scared to death. Scared to death that protecting my own kids is out of my hands. We have all the time and energy in the world to argue, but it isn't doing a damned thing.

My three-year-old is obsessed with bad guys and loves "getting" them - whether it's with a light saber or his Karate Kid crane kick or is super powers. But also imaginary guns and water guns. I've seen him running around with water guns playing with his friends, and it thrills me to see him having a good time, but it makes me panic inside to see him take to the trigger so readily. With another little boy on the way, I'm sure there are lots of good guy vs. bad guy bouts to be held on our lawn, but it scares the shit out of me to think I'll soon have two precious boys with an innocent affinity for shooting and blasting and ka-powing. Part of it is boys will be boys, right? I'm one of 3 girls, so I don't really know. I played with Barbies, but I didn't turn out to be a size 0, blonde, have an elevator in my house, or drive a convertible, so I'm sure it'll all be okay, right?

What pains me is the debate that will never end: protect the 2nd Amendment right to bear arms. Okay, what about the Declaration of Independence...which outlines the right of LIFE first and foremost and pre-dates the Bill of Rights by fifteen years? Which is more important? The right of my child to go to school in a safe place? The right of mine to know he'll come home unscathed by flying bullets? The right of a child to ride his bike down the street free from the risk of gunfire? Or the right of someone to recklessly abuse a man-given right to protect himself? The 2nd Amendment right was for self-protection. When someone walks into a crowded school, theater, night club, or mall and starts randomly picking off bystanders, that's not self-protection. That's not a hunt in the forest providing food for his family. That's evil. And there's far too much evil in this world today to just cross our arms and pout that we have the right to own a gun.

I'm not asking anyone to take away the right to own a gun, but let's use some sense.

Need to have a gun? Take a test. Get a permit.
Semi-automatic weapons have no civilian purpose.
Those with significant mental illness have zero business purchasing high-powered life-ending artillery. Let's do something to address the mental illness.
Guns are stored in child-friendly homes loaded and unlocked. Could we require insurance policies on the damages guns inflict to encourage responsible ownership?
There are very broad limits to the amount of ammunition one can stockpile, much less purchase in a single transaction. Yet we limit the amount of Sudafed one can buy.

We require you to have a license to drive a car, and no, "operating an automobile" is not outlined in the Bill of Rights, but the right of LIFE is unalienable. Which means, according to our forefathers, it can't be taken away. Yet, it too often is. By people who took advantage of the 2nd Amendment and committed a horrendous act. And most always the victims are innocent bystanders who happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, likely pursuing another inalienable right: the right to pursue happiness. What are we doing to ensure that right isn't taken away?

We require you to be of a certain age to consume alcohol - some might argue that interferes with the right to liberty. So should we open the floodgates and let a bunch of drunk toddlers start shooting high-powered weapons as they drive down the highway? Heck, those kids deserve to get to do what they want, too. I don't think so.

I have zero problem completing an application or taking a test if I want to purchase a gun. I have nothing to hide. And I'm not paranoid enough to think the government will put me on some watch list or care that it's none of their business. I trust the DOT to pave the streets I drive upon each day. I trust the FAA to regulate the airline I fly and ensure my safety is at the forefront. I trust the Board of Education to educate my child in a safe environment. I trust the FDIC to insure my financial institution. Do I love every decision the government agencies make? Of course not. Do I follow blindly? No. But I know we must do something. I know we can't continue the way we have been and expect change. I know sometimes we have to compromise, and put others ahead of our own selfish wishes. If I have to give up the ability to walk into a Walmart on Tuesday to buy a gun without a due diligence process, so be it.

I don't see this as a black and white issue. I see it as a compromise. You aren't giving up the right to bear arms. You're preserving the right to life. And quality of life. And, just like the "hide when you see a gun" lesson we're teaching our son, we're also teaching him about compromises.

Truck Party Details

2015-03-30T21:14:00.002-04:00

B's party was a big success...and, surprisingly, not entirely too complicated. I love a good party. I really love a good party that's easy to clean up.

The two-year-old loves all things trucks, so we focused on trucks and construction.

Cake: Chocolate cake with peanut butter frosting from Whole Foods. I decorated it myself with these little trucks, chocolate rocks from Hobby Lobby, a candle from Target, and some chocolate sprinkles. I cut out a big 2 (printed it out and cut out the # itself) to make a stencil. I laid the stencil atop the cake and filled in the chocolate sprinkles within the 2.

Serveware: Easy disposable paint liners from Home Depot, paint dishes, and small buckets. I used the metal mesh paint drip catcher thing to hold the rice krispie treat paint brushes. Also, I washed off some of the truck toys we have and put them to good use. The wheelbarrow was a great ice bucket! Plates, napkins, forks, etc came from Hobby Lobby.

Decor: I made these "Toddlers at Play" signs and hung them with painter's tape. So simple. You can download and print them, too.

Spiral signs
Caution tape - used this as a streamer curtain in the doorway, on the front door, as a runner on the dining table, etc
Crepe paper: yellow, orange, and turquoise
Happy Birthday banner from Hobby Lobby
Straw toppers from Hobby Lobby

Games: Each kiddo got a yellow construction helmet, and we had a plethora of stickers for them to customize their own hat. We also had these inflatable hammers which were a huge hit--and nothing got broken or bruised! Bonus.

Favors: The turquoise & white striped containers are from Hobby Lobby, so are the little orange stickers I placed on the front. Inside them:

Mini construction bubbles
Truck tattoos from Hobby Lobby
Lollipops
Pirate's Booty snacks

B turns 2!

2015-02-16T17:54:00.002-05:00

Today's weather and a pair of late nappers has afforded me the luxury to actually upload photos from the camera, edit them, and...wait for it...write a blog post. Indeed, Atlanta may soon freeze over.

So hard to believe this little guy entered our world two years ago.

We had a busy week. Gran came to visit to celebrate B's birthday, so we celebrated multiple times as any good family should do. This kid won the grandmother lottery.

After a cupcake celebration & early pick-up from school, the family celebration commenced.

Who doesn't love a dancing chihuahua card?

This little guy got a bike. And while he's probably disappointed that having his own means fewer trips to REI to try them out in-store, he was pretty stoked to have one to himself.

[Anyone know how to pause life right about here?]

As the cool temps drove us inside, it was time for the official Birthday Dinner. With ice cream cake, duh.

He's pretty proud of himself, I think.

With the family celebration under the belt, we took a few days off to recover and prepare for his official party. Today, he loves all things trucks, hence the party theme. What the truck? How can he be TWO???!?!

It's CAKE!!!! More cake!!!

So, what do you think, Lucy? I think it's pretty tasty.

Peanut butter chocolate cake. Kid approved.

I'm afraid this is a glimpse into my squiggly boy's future...very few pics with Mom. At least he paused from cake eating to consider it, even if for a millisecond.

Thanks for everyone who made this birthday extra special. From the teachers who celebrated at school, to the grandparents who traveled near & far, to the friends who carved out a little of their holiday weekend to consume extra sugar amidst chaos.

For party details, read on....

Family Room Reveal

2014-09-18T16:19:00.000-04:00

Here's a quick update on the almost finished product. It's taken a long time to take photos since the moments of the house being quasi-clean, having good lighting, and having the toddler entertained elsewhere are few and far between. It's like a split-second utopia.

Overall, we love the house. We still have some nesting to do, but it will come (right??). The big stuff is complete, and making it ours is a work-in-progress. We are getting there slowly but surely. But, here's where we are today...

the little rocking chair was left with the house. i painted it & B loves having his own "big boy" space in the family room.

Need a reminder of the before? (shield your eyes from the shag carpet!)

The inspiration behind the transformation...

Favorites in this room:

The black windows. Replacing all of the aluminum-framed casement windows throughout the house wasn't in the budget. Painting them black gave them an INSTANT update and we love it, despite the pain it was to get the painters to finish the job correctly.
Natural light
Fireplace - hubs did an amazing job installing the wood cladding.
Fireplace surround
Shelving update - a little trim on the shelf fronts and paint on the rear wall is another instant update
B's play area isn't as pretty or contained as the Sarah Richardson in me would like, but I wouldn't trade having him a place to hang out for all the designer fabric in the world.

Details:

Rug: One Kings Lane
Bench: Antique
Mantel: Custom reclaimed Douglas Fir
Fireplace surround: Absolute Black granite, honed
Fireplace cladding: Custom
Armoire: Crate & Barrel
Curtains: Ikea
Wall hanging: vintage
Paint colors: see here

Kitchen Reveal

2014-09-18T15:50:00.000-04:00

As we near a year on being in our house, it's about time I post some pics of the finished product. Well, almost finished. Between trying to finish some little projects and keeping the house quasi-clean amidst a toddler's endless energy, it's been tough to get photos. Let alone upload them and find time to post them. So, bear with me.

We are really happy with our kitchen, to say the least.

It started ugly, but with a little inspiration like this...

...we went from drab to fab.

We didn't do too much in this room from a structural perspective except remove the peninsula. Knocking down the bulkheads helped to elevate the ceilings and open up the space all around. We removed the pantry and replaced it with floor-to-ceiling pantry cabinets for more functional storage.

Before:

After:

Before:

After:

Before:

After:

Some of my favorites in this room:

Dual fuel range - this sucker can turn out some yumminess in a jiffy
Bench storage & window seat - perfect spot for coffee and family meals
Open shelving - this is uber functional for us and we're surprisingly able to keep it tidy. We love the mix of old & new that this adds, too.
Marble counters - we languished over this decision a good bit, and we're ultimately really happy with it. More on that coming in a future post.
The openness - we originally planned to have a small island in the middle of the kitchen, but we nixed that after living in the space a while. We love being able to dance during dinner prep (neighbors must love watching us) and Burke can spread out his toys to really make quite a mess.

Details:

Cabinets: Wellborn Shaker full overlay, glacier white
Countertops: honed Carrara marble, more on that search here
Shelves: Custom from reclaimed Douglas Fir
Hardware: Signature Hardware and My Knobs
Bench: Custom
Paint colors: see here
Lighting: Restoration Hardware (over sink) and Ballard Designs (over table)

Paint Colors

2014-09-18T15:21:00.002-04:00

We labored over paint colors like most people do. Endless swatches painted on walls, way too many pints of test paint. It's a tough decision! We ended up going with one paint strip throughout the majority of the house, and I'm super pleased with how well the colors all work together yet still give enough interest throughout the home. It flows without being the same color. (the screen makes these look a bit more yellowy than they truly are...so be sure to test for yourself.)

SW 7042: Shoji White (a great creamy warm white)

Guest Bedroom

Guest Closet

SW 7043: Worldly Gray (this is a great warm greige without green or blue tones. sometimes it looks beige, other times more gray)

Foyer

Hall

Kitchen

Master Closet

Laundry

Hall Closet

SW 7044: Amazing Gray (a slightly more saturated hue from the halls, kitchen, etc. Warm greige without weird undertones and a perfect neutral base.)

Master Bedroom

B's Bedroom & Closet

Family Room

SW 7048: Urbane Bronze (love the pop this gives)

Fireplace

Family Room Bookshelves

Interior of Front Door

SW 6244: Naval (a solid navy without being too dark or too blue)

Guest Bath

Dining (above rail)

SW 7008: Alabaster (a fave white that isn't too stark or yellow or pink or anything. We've used it multiple times)

Trim throughout house

SW 6990: Caviar

Metal Window Trim

SW 6204: Sea Salt (this is so pretty with the Carrara marble floors, counters, and shower tile!!!)

Master Bath

Estate Sale Preview

2014-05-28T10:21:00.002-04:00

Part Estate Sale. Part Wedding Planner inventory liquidation. Part Garage Sale.

Saturday, May 31

8am-1pm - NO EARLY BIRDS

Artwood Road & Ponce de Leon Ave

Prices subject to change.

Some furniture items include:
- East Lake Antique bed - $500
- Antique butcher block kitchen table & chairs - $250
- Pottery Barn sideboard / island - $500
- Mid Century Modern dresser - $150
- Industrial metal desk & chair
- Hemnes dresser - $50
- Expedit 6-cube shelving units - $50 each
- Custom robin's egg blue buffet / sideboard - $400
- Wicker ottoman - $40
- Red wooden counter stools - $40/pair

Wedding decor includes:
- 166 silver acrylic chargers - $200 for lot or $1.50 each
- Mason jars
- Assorted vases
- White tablecloth linens (to fit 8' rectangular and 60" round tables) --cheaper than rentals @ - $10 each or 5 for $40
- 60+ woven hand fans perfect for a summer wedding! - $40
- Serving platters & trays

Household Decor & Entertainment:
- Stainless steel SimpleHuman trash can - $15
- Gray & Cream woven chevron wool rug - $175
- Turquoise & White painted chevron cotton rug - $100
- Reclaimed door hall tree - $75
- Books
- Wii - $75
- Wii Fit
- Playstation
- Assorted decor & accessories
- Baskets...LOTS of baskets
- Clothes steamer
- Mirrors
- Wall decor & frames - $2-$10
- Quilts
- Curtains - from $10/pair
- West Elm F/Q Duvet - $75
- Storage drawers & containers
- Grilling accessories

Tools & Equipment includes:
-Generator
-Lawn mower

LOTS MORE!!! Brands include West Elm, Pottery Barn, Crate & Barrel, Ballard Designs, Ikea, and more.

Around the corner from Fernbank Elementary School. Do not block drive.

Time flies...B's first birthday

2014-02-12T22:31:00.002-05:00

It seems like just last week that we were headed to the hospital in hopes of soon meeting our babe. I would've never guessed I could love so much, yet love so much more every single day. And be exhausted at the same time. Today's Atlanta weather makes me oh-so-thankful we met him this time last year instead of 2014.

While life for the Velmers is completely different than it was this time last year, it is most definitely all for the better. A "catastrophic" ice storm or "national emergency" wasn't gonna keep us from celebrating our favorite little fella.

After a blueberry pancake breakfast, we focused on some serious playtime while Dad tended to some work stuff. Someone was very happy when Dad emerged for fun time.

After a solid nap, it was party time.

And, for the cake? Lemon blueberry cake with blueberry jam filling and lemon buttercream frosting, topped with fresh blueberries, of course.

the poor little cake doesn't know what's coming

really dad, i can eat all of these blueberries? with no bib??

oh yeah. nom nom nom nom nom.

I think he would've been perfectly content to just eat the blueberries, but that wouldn't be as much fun. After removing some of the berries, we got down to business.

mmm. this stuff is tasty.

hey dad! there's BERRIES in here!!!!!

And, sometimes cake is so good you just want to sit in it.

Once the cake saw its demise by derriere, we cleaned up and got to some presents.

A dump truck, a swing, and a hammerin' bench - not a bad haul for the cutest one year old on the block. A few out-of-town gifts are held up due to Snowmaggedon, so it'll be the birthday that keeps on givin'. That's the best kind anyway.

The Santa Clause

2013-12-03T23:50:00.001-05:00

Yes, I know there isn't an "e" on the end of his name. Thanks for bringing up a touchy spelling bee subject from 2nd grade. I could've won state dammit.

Anyway, I need to vent about something else entirely. I may be new to this mom thing, but I am not new to Christmas. Or Santa. We go wayyyy back. I visited multiple times during my holiday shifts at mom's store in Mellor Park Mall. But where did I miss the memo that in order for my 9 month old to have his requisite nostalgic pic with Santa I'd have to (ahem) make an appointment (ahem, ahem) MONTHS in advance. Seriously? Is it somewhere in fine print on the hospital discharge papers??

I'm not into "the" Santa at Phipps Plaza for this very reason. I'm pretty sure it was September when I heard about making appointments online. Of course, none were available & I was put on the wait list. For SANTA. In SEPTEMBER. (It may have been August. Actually, pretty sure it was still summer.)

But all. of. these. people. freaking out on social media about it is KILLLLLLLLLLLLLLLING me. I can't help but feel like those so focused on something so trivial are missing the meaning of the holiday altogether. Yeah, I'm a Christmas nut like the rest, but this just irks me. Tonight I held B, singing carols to him as he dozed. And I think he liked it. Those are the moments, mamas. Not some unshaven stranger with your kids on his lap.

And while I get that older kids may question Santa's differing appearance if you see a different one each year, I'm pretty sure it's not the biggest concern of the holidays. If those bell ringers had a penny for every wait listed mom...

That is all. Stepping off soap box. Good night.

Renovation: Progress Report

2013-10-31T22:55:00.001-04:00

So yeah, I promised updates along this renovation road we've now been traveling for 3 months (so much for a 6-8 week project, ahem). Well, I would've LOVED to share progress--if any had been made. Seriously, demo still had a loooong way to go as we entered Week 7.

However, we are rolling now. I honestly don't know what's come over the crew the last 10 days, but holy smokes. It's really amazing how much they can accomplish when they, well, show up.

So here's a check-in with our initial project list & some photo updates to document (the photo layout isn't cooperating, bear with me):

Kitchen:

Install hardwoods - in progress
Remove the peninsula- check
Demolish bulkhead- check
new cabinetry & countertops - check, check
new appliances - scheduled for delivery
new lighting - purchased, pending install
update wiring - check
install tiled wall with open shelving - tile, check; shelves pending
construct banquette eating area
move gas line for stove - check

Secondary Bath:

Demo tile - check
Replace floors - check
Install new tub/toilet/vanity - triple check
Update all fixtures - check
Remove built-in cabinet - check
Swap position of toilet & sink to accommodate larger vanity - check

Living & Dining:

Update built-in cabinet doors (in living & hall)
Remove brown shag carpet - check
Install chandelier in dining - pending install
Install can lights in living - check
Install ceiling fan in living - pending install
Update fireplace surround & mantle - scheduled
Bump-out fireplace to accommodate TV mount & cables in-wall - check (big shout out to hubby's carpentry skills here!!)
Install hardwoods (also in foyer, kitchen, & halls) - underway
Replace moldings (not originally planned, but due to unexpected ceiling collapse & replacement, the old ones had to come down)

Electrical/Mechanical:

Replace existing radiant heat & boiler with efficient Central Heat (at least Central A/C is already in place!) - check
Convert to tankless hot water to make room for master closet expansion - check
Bring electrical up to code - check
Install can lighting in main living areas, per code - check

Master Suite:

Expand & renovate master bath - check
Close doorway from master to guest bedroom - check
Convert former mechanical room to walk-in closet - check, pending install of Elfa system
Remove brown shag carpeting - check
Install carpet

B's Room:

Remove shag carpeting - check
Install carpet
Install closet system in large closet
Convert small closet to reading/play nook

Guest Room:

Paint wood paneling
Close & patch secondary opening
Install closet system

Miscellaneous:

Update laundry space - underway
Repair windows as needed - underway
Updated moldings throughout - underway
Sheetrock repair throughout - check, plus a surprise project: the plaster ceilings collapsed while the electrician was banging on the electrical panel, so we had to replace the majority of the ceilings. Of course, that requires some molding updates where the ceiling meets the walls.
Update paint & finishes throughout
Replace interior doors
Bury rear electrical lines to garage

Wow, seeing all those check marks feels good! I mean GOOOOOOOOD. I love crossing items off my to-do lists! A week ago this update would've looked very different. It's a good thing we're making such headway since we have to be out of our apartment in 10 days. Let the packing begin!!!

Once we move in, I promise real, non-phone pics of the finished product. Heck, I may even edit them. Considering that most visits were in the evening, we haven't had power until 2 days ago, & that I often was balancing B on my hip, you're lucky to have any photos at all. Just sayin'.

Taking a Moment to be Thankful

2013-10-24T09:55:00.000-04:00

My wonderful husband just texted me a sweet reminder that even though this house renovation isn't quite the "fun" we always imagined, that even though we shed a lot of tears over the past few months, that even though this apartment life is driving us freakin' bonkers, that even though the limited playtime we get with Burke in the evenings is on contractor-grade bleh carpet, that even though we second-guessed the decision to sell our perfectly good former house, that even though we have to twist our contractor's arm every single day to actually show up to work, that even though my career took an untimely-but-so-much-better path, that even though the weather is turning cool & all my fall clothes are in storage, that even though we're paying double house expenses for an apartment we can't stand & a house we can't live in, ultimately, we are doing everything for the right reason.

via luvocracy.com

In case we were doubting any of our decisions, one of the hoodlums from the old neighborhood was thoughtful enough to remind us last night. He decided to break into a home at 4am on our old street because he wanted the car parked out front. Ironically, that car did not belong to the person in that home, and fortunately, no one was harmed. But, it could've been our old house. It could've been Burke's room that the idiot stumbled into in the middle of the night.

And it wasn't. Praise God.

Renovation: Living Room Inspiration

2013-10-15T18:50:00.000-04:00

With the renovation going so slowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwly, I've had entirely too many nights to peruse Pinterest & Houzz. Of course it goes to reason that after spending endless hours pinning images, I find "the" inspiration pic I've been looking for while browsing the website of a home decor store that's less than two miles from my sofa. Stumbling upon it was like finding the Holy Grail. The skies parted, rainbows appeared, and a chorus of butterflies and angels echoed harmoniously. Okay, maybe not quite that dramatic.

And here she is:

originally from Stanton Home Furnishings

This room has a very similar layout as our living space, which is what proved so hard to find. The back door to the back porch creates a weird walkway that needs to be kept clear. The fireplace is centered on the opposite wall, but the room isn't all that wide, which makes furniture placement tricky. The room is about 15' wide (fireplace to opposite wall) and 21' deep from the windows to the built-ins/foyer entry.

For reference, here's what we're working with (apologies for the phone pics):

looking from foyer

looking from dining. foyer to the right

I know I want ample seating in this room. It's where we'll spend the majority of our time, and our previous den just felt cramped when we had anyone over to visit.

Using the furnishing we have, or that I've had my eye on for a while, here's my design "plan." Of course, once we get the furniture in place, there may be some shuffling. But at least there's a starting point.

A sofa and a side chair just isn't enough seating for our family. I like the idea of a swivel on the far end of the room so we can play with B or swivel right around & be part of whatever's happening in the den. Jason says I tend to overpack a room with furniture. Is it too much? What do you think?

Renovation: Kitchen Countertops

2013-10-06T10:41:00.000-04:00

When we decided on a white kitchen, it was due, in part, to the beautiful images of carrara marble counter tops that gloss page after page of every home decor magazine. Though we had zero intention of ever putting high-maintenance, easy-to-stain, etch-prone marble in our workhorse kitchen.

I was thrilled to learn of the various quartz products that were new on the market that had similar aesthetic as marble, but without the porosity. Sounded too good to be true, and it was. That stuff does NOT look like marble. It's pretty, but it doesn't look like marble. Some of the recent attempts are closer. Caesarstone's London Grey was my favorite. But it was quoted to us at $70sf installed.

Caesarstone London Grey

My biggest fear was that I'd get a new countertop installed only for it to look like it was trying to be something it wasn't. I didn't want the fake or imitation look, and I wasn't convinced the quartz options would satisfy.

In search of white granite we went. We scoured slab yard after slab yard in search of something that would appeal to our style.

I found a few promising options, but either the lot had too much red or gold or tan veining or there wasn't enough for our project or it was sold by the time I got J's approval.

Thunder White granite

Aisle upon aisle of beautiful stone, and we'd find our way gravitating to the marble section. Jason would find something he liked and ask "is it marble?" Unfortunately, the answer was always "yes." It was deflating.

We tried to track down Super White quartzite, to no avail. Well, where we found it we couldn't afford it.

Super White quartzite

So, after talking with a few fabricators and other experts (not so much the sales people), we learned that honed marble can be beautiful & practical--perfections and all. Every single countertop in Italy is century-old carrara, and with age comes beauty. Yes, it will etch, but we're ok with that. The honed finish won't show the etching as badly as polished. There are also tons of sealers available. One even offers a replacement guarantee for 15 years--full countertop replacement if you spill red wine and it can't be removed. We were sold. Accept no imitations.

Now, tracking down honed carrara is difficult. The local supply of even polished was mediocre--more splotchy instead of the famed veining that carrara is known to have.

But, one fabricator came through for us. We drove up to see it, feel it, hug it, smell it, kiss it. SOLD.

You don't know how giddy I got when he was writing my name on the sold slip. I cannot wait to see it installed in our kitchen. (these phone pics don't do it justice)

Renovation: Kitchen Inspiration

2013-10-04T22:16:00.000-04:00

I've always dreamed of renovating a kitchen. Making it my very own. No quirks unless I handpicked them. And now, well, it's kinda overwhelming.

We want the finished product to not only reflect our personality & style, but also be true to the time of the home and neighborhood.

A little vintage, a little modern, a little farmhouse, a little utilitarian, a little classic traditional, a little whimsy, with a lot of easy-going comfort.

images via my pinterest board

Expect lots of white subway tile, open shelving, casual comfort. White shaker cabinetry. Antique brass. Reclaimed wood. Carrara marble. Aged steel. Forged iron. A corner built-in eating nook. Wide plank hardwood flooring.

Let's do this.

Renovation: The Before

2013-10-02T19:01:00.000-04:00

We bought a house! Woo hoo!!! There's light at the end of this way-too-small-apartment tunnel! Even if the light looks like a terribly dated 40's ranch with tweed curtains and brown shag carpet.

We are super thrilled to get into the new house. The large, wooded lot is just around the corner from one of the best elementary schools in town which is actually being demolished and rebuilt, set to open brand new in about 2 years. It's close to everything we love, and is much, much safer than the old digs. The first time we walked through the house, I got "that feeling." Random little things reminded me of the house where I grew up--the attic fan, the rusty glider on the porch, the antique bed that was included with the sale, the garage apartment, and much more. It just needs some TLC. A lot of TLC.

Here's our initial project list and the required "before" photos (sorry for the phone pics):

Kitchen:

Install hardwoods
Remove the peninsula
Demolish bulkhead
new cabinetry & countertops
new appliances
new lighting
update wiring
install tiled wall with open shelving
construct banquette eating area

Secondary Bath:

Replace floors
Install new tub/toilet/vanity
Update all fixtures
Remove built-in cabinet
Swap position of toilet & sink to accommodate larger vanity

Living & Dining:

Update built-in cabinet doors (in living & hall)
Remove brown shag carpet
Install chandelier in dining
Install can lights in living
Install ceiling fan in living
Update fireplace surround & mantle
Bump-out fireplace to accomodate TV mount & cables in-wall
Install hardwoods (also in foyer, kitchen, & halls)

Electrical/Mechanical:

Replace existing radiant heat & boiler with efficient Central Heat (at least Central A/C is already in place!)
Convert to tankless hot water to make room for master closet expansion
Bring electrical up to code
Install can lighting in main living areas, per code

Master Suite:

Expand & renovate master bath
Close doorway from master to guest bedroom
Convert former mechanical room to walk-in closet
Remove brown shag carpeting. Install carpet.

B's Room:

Remove shag carpeting
Install carpet
Install closet system in large closet
Convert small closet to reading/play nook

Guest Room:

Paint wood paneling
Close & patch secondary opening
Install closet system

Miscellaneous:

Update laundry space
Repair windows as needed
Updated moldings throughout
Sheetrock repair throughout
Update paint & finishes throughout
Replace interior doors

You may notice a lot of furniture in the house. We inherited it with the house and are still figuring out what we'll keep, sell, and donate. There is definitely a garage sale in our future!

Stay tuned for updates!!!

Still Waters

2013-10-01T22:25:00.000-04:00

When you're ejected from a raft in the middle of whitewater, they tell you to assume the whitewater swim position: floating on your back, looking at your toes pointed downstream & lifted out of the water so they don't get caught on any trees or rocks below the surface. Occasionally, you'll be tossed out of the raft during a rapid and be consumed by a hydraulic hole. A hydraulic hole is where the water endlessly circulates over itself, creating the rapid, kind of like a washing machine. Really, the only way to survive this is to ball yourself up into a tight little ball, protect your head, and pray to God that the hole spits you out in calmer water downstream. This is what I did for about 10 weeks, praying to God that we come out better on the other end.

via luvocracy.com

I've been MIA from blogland for several months. Partly because I haven't had much time in front of the computer, and partly because I had so many thoughts running through my head I wasn't sure where to start. And I didn't think anyone would appreciate that stream of consciousness--I could hardly handle it as it was happening, much less re-living it via the keyboard, and -gag- sharing it with the world and -heaven forbid- someone ask me about it. But, I'm in a much better place now and can share.

Under Water
So, if you missed it, we made a human. And he's the cutest, sweetest little guy in the world.

photo by Anne Manning

He was quite the cranky mess for the first 3 months of his life, which we now realize was probably just because we were starving the little guy. I get cranky when I don't eat, and he's his mother's son. So, maternity leave was hardly restful. I don't mean the part about barely finding time to shower or eat. Those 12 weeks were the hardest I'd ever experienced. Mornings were usually OK, but I dreaded the afternoons. The evenings were miserable. We couldn't get him to sleep without bouncing on a yoga ball, and that wasn't feasible for me after delivering such a big baby. So, all I could do was constantly nurse him to soothe him. I guess I had grand visions of frolicking with my new babe, giggling away, starting a dynamite baby book, and getting some long-overdue chores done. Oh! And antiquing. Yes, me and my new baby were going to go antiquing.

Hah. Who was I kidding? What was I thinking?

It was highly, highly, highly stressful. Combine a 24/7 screaming baby who wouldn't sleep with the "baby blues" or potential bits of post-partum depression, and you have me sitting on the stairs in tears calling J in the middle of the day to come home. It was awful. I was drowning & didn't know what to do or who could help.

photo by Anne Manning

As much as I didn't want to leave the little guy's side & return to work, I was looking forward to the adult interaction and the opportunity to focus on something beyond feeding times.

Ejected
For about 6 months before I had the baby, I'd been talking to my leadership team about a new challenge. My current role's scope was diminishing, and I was excited about a new opportunity that would give me a chance to learn something new, have a direct impact on the business, and potentially open a lot of doors for my career. When I returned, nothing had been finalized, just the rumor of a "re-org" going to happen. In the meantime, I was just to "sit tight" until the new roles were finalized. Alrighty...gave me a nice way to ease back into things after being out of it for 12 weeks.

So, back to work I went, only to realize that there was no way I could make it home in time to pick up the baby from his caregiver. Since we still hadn't been accepted into any of the daycares we'd applied to (in August of 2012!!!), we'd arranged a nanny-share situation with our neighbor. It was going great, except that I simply couldn't make it home in one hour. One hour. Hardly 17 miles, but over one hour. And my mood wasn't great at the end of that drive. I left the office at 5:00 and if I wasn't close by 5:45, Jason would leave his office early and pick up the babe. This obviously wasn't sustainable. We'd been talking about selling the house pre-baby, and now it seemed like the perfect time. Our neighborhood home sales were on the rise, so why not try? We listed the house and were under contract in about 5 days. Wait. What??

Two days after going under contract to sell the house, I learned that my position was actually being eliminated and that there were other internal opportunities I should apply for. Hmmm?? That was quite a shock. I knew I'd be changing roles, but having to apply for them opened a whole new world of unknown. On top of the already unstable post-partum emotions, it was not a pretty sight. Self pity, self doubt, anger, resentment, jealousy, uncertainty, all of those ugly emotions reared their ugly heads. We wondered if selling our house was the right thing to do.

We knew we could afford our home on a single income, so we tried to cancel the contract. Unfortunately, the buyer wasn't interested in cancelling the contract even though he's a "good guy" and "wanted to do the right thing." We weren't interested in paying him a profit to cancel the contract, and we saw sign after sign that our street was going downhill...so we moved forward with the sale of the house. Trust me...there were many iterations of this.

Swimming in a Hydraulic Hole
The next 10 weeks were spent searching for jobs, searching for short-term leases, looking for houses, talking to recruiters, following up with daycares, coordinating with our nanny-share folks, packing boxes, and moving. After rounds & rounds of interviews for a position I assumed was mine, I found out they hired someone else.

So, there I was without a house, without a job, and with a 4-month old baby. Oh, and some craaaaaaaaaaaa-zy emotions, y'all. Poor Jason. There were days that our housing situation, job prospects, and caregiver situation changed hourly. Where we lived could throw off our nanny share. Was it a sign that I should stay home with the little guy for a while? Without a job, what could we afford to pay in short-term rent or a new mortgage? The housing inventory was sooooo limited & things were going quickly. To say it was tumultuous hardly covers it.

Gasping for Air & Sending Up Prayers
Luckily, there were encouraging signs along the way that we were making the right decisions. Kind of like a chance to fill my lungs with air before being pulled back under, each of these signs came at a moment I needed the gentle reminder that I was gonna make it outta this:

The day after we sold our home, a woman was shot in the leg at the end of the street for her cell phone. Yep. A good sign it's time to move!
The new home had random familiar details similar to my childhood home (which my mom sold during this same timeframe...out with the old!) and gave me that "feeling" of where we wanted to raise our babe. It is also in a location where I don't feel the need to even follow the police reports.
Burke got a spot in our #1 choice daycare, which made it easier to make location-based decisions on housing now that we knew where he'd be going each day. And it's just down the street from said new home.
A "dream job" job description found its way into my inbox. It was absolutely perfect for me, I couldn't have written it better myself if I'd tried. And, as luck would have it, my former mentor was the one looking to fill the position. Go figure.
My previous employer did absolutely right by me, as much as I may have felt betrayed by the process at one point or another. They made the right decision and everyone is definitely in the right place. No hard feelings--personal or professional. No harm, no foul.
At the moments I thought I was losing it, co-workers or friends would pop up and tell me how gracefully they thought I was handling everything. Say what? Either they were lying or I had them fooled. At least I wasn't falling apart on the outside despite what was going on inside.

When I wasn't packing a box, hugging my baby, searching for jobs, or looking for apartments, I was pretty much praying. In the car, on the sofa, in the shower, while cooking dinner--wherever I was, and often teary-eyed. Asking Him for the faith and grace and peace to come out OK on the other side.

Still Waters. Beautifully Still Waters.
And you know what? He listened. I prayed over and over for peace throughout this whole process, and it came. I repeated the 23rd Psalm as my mantra: "He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul....Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death..." I reminded myself that God won't break me, that he won't lead me to anything He can't handle. I told myself that everything was falling apart so that He could put it back together better than it was before. I was inspired daily by the Instagram feeds of amazing, God-fearing women like Lara Casey and Emily Ley. I felt the lowest of my lows and, armed with mantras, verses, and inspiration, have a newfound appreciation for the blessings of my life.

We found a new home that needs lots of love, yet reminds me of my childhood home. We were able to work out our nanny share, & B has been accepted into our first-pick daycare (at least for a few days a week until a full-time spot opens up!). I started a new job that will afford me a better quality of life, a challenging career, and the opportunity to lead. My marriage is stronger than ever, and we celebrated 4 years in August. My faith in God has been tested and strengthened in a way I needed it most. We have a happy healthy baby boy who loves to cuddle and giggle and coo. What matters most in my life has never been more clear.

Here I am, floating leisurely in the cool pool of calm water, sippin' on a perfectly chilled umbrella cocktail, looking upstream at the crazy, boiling, intensely tumultuous rapids of the past few months. I can't see around the bend at what lies downstream, but I know, without a doubt, that Team Velmer can paddle through it.

House for Sale

2013-05-17T16:11:00.000-04:00

Well, folks, we've officially put our humble abode on the market. We've been talking about it for quite some time, and had hoped to have it listed earlier this spring. But, oh yeah, we had a baby. Over the last few weeks, a lot of houses in our neighborhood have been sold, so we figured the time was right. We're hoping to capitalize on any shoppers while the market is in our favor! Of course, being the DIYers we are, we're attempting to sell it by owner.

If you know anyone looking, send 'em our way. You can see the house at www.82Clifton.com

If you've read our blog, some of the pics may look somewhat familiar. Afterall, you've seen the befores & afters along the way. One of the reasons we're selling the house is that we've decided this house is actually "too" finished for us. We find ourselves inventing projects just to kill time, and we know our skills would be better put to use in a house that needs a little extra love. Hopefully, the next stop is our "forever" home or at least a place we'll hear lots of laughter and tiny feet running through the halls for years to come.

The Road to Meet Burke: part 3, bribery works

2013-02-24T12:58:00.001-05:00

Yeah, yeah. We bribed the nursing staff.

At the suggestion of our doula, we prepared a few treats for the nursing staff that we'd hoped would at least ensure they all read our birth plan. Since we were delivering at the "baby factory" and were hoping for a more natural birth with as little medical intervention as possible, we figured we might need all the leverage we could get.

I made these 3-4 weeks before the due date and froze them. Once we knew we were heading to the hospital, we pulled them out to defrost & plopped them in a basket with tissue paper, a few copies of our birth plan, and an ingredient list.

I think J made lots of friends when he dropped off the basket at the nurse's station that night!

Cranberry Orange Bread via Joy of Baking

Pumpkin Muffins via Smitten Kitchen

Granola Bars via Smitten Kitchen

It worked. Not only did we receive great service during delivery (everyone who came into our room commented on the yummy treats), but we also scored the corner suite in recovery.

The Road to Meet Burke: part 2, the birth story

2013-02-24T12:58:00.000-05:00

Don't worry, I'll keep this PG and do my best to avoid TMI.

As you know, I was trying little things to encourage Burke's overdue arrival in a subtle way before the pressure to medically induce was upon us. Saturday - water aerobics. Sunday - pregnancy/acupressure massage. Monday - the smoothie & yoga ball.

I guess I finished the smoothie around 11am. I think I mentioned to someone early that afternoon via instant messenger that I thought I might've felt a contraction. Nothing significant, but feeling like we were at least making progress.

5:00pm-ish - I started preparing dinner. I'd read somewhere that you don't want to eat heavy foods prior to childbirth, so I improvised a broth-based kale & bean soup since it was a dreary rainy night. I made plenty, as I figured it'd be good for dinner the next few nights if labor was in the near future. J got home at 6, and we relaxed on the sofa to eat our cozy soup. It was pretty good, if I do say so myself. I had two servings.

6:12pm - The following text message exchange with my mother-in-law, who was checking in on me.

7:45pm - My tummy started to rumble. After a trip or two to the restroom thanks to the leafy green kale, I was sitting on the couch & hubs brought over some Oreos and milk. Around that time, I started feeling more cramps. I didn't have the appetite to even finish my three Oreos. We decided it would be a good idea to take our hospital bags with us to the next morning's scheduled Dr's appointment, just in case.

8:15pm - I decided to take a warm bath to see if these contractions would calm down any. They weren't intense at all, just felt like mild cramps. But they were consistently coming now. J called our doula and she didn't seem to think it was anything to warrant urgency. We had a Dr's appointment at 9am the next morning, so we figured we'd make it through the night and get the Doc's instructions at the appointment. J called my mom & she decided to hit the road early the next morning so she would be wide awake for the 8 hour drive. There wasn't any rush since we thought it could still be a few days till his birthday.

8:45pm - Out of the tub, relaxing, & catching up on Downton Abbey. I used the "Full Term" app to track the contractions.

9:30pm - Contractions still coming. Only lasting 10-30 seconds, about 8-10 minutes apart.

10:00pm - Realized I might be timing these suckers wrong. Maybe these contractions are closer together than I thought?

10:11pm - Called the doctor. She didn't seem convinced that I was in early labor. Considering I was still able to have a normal conversation, I don't blame her. She told me I could come on in & they would check me out but might send me home if I wasn't dilated enough to warrant sticking around.

10:30pm - We decided better safe than sorry and headed to the hospital. J packed the car & I called the doula. She wasn't convinced a baby was coming either because I was so laidback & conversational. I can't blame her--I wasn't convinced either.

10:45pm-ish - We arrive at the hospital. Some of the speed bumps made me a little nauseous, but I was fine when we parked. The maternity entrance was closed for construction, so we had to find a new way inside. While they were getting me checked in, J parked the car. I don't think the admitting nurses were convinced I was there to have a baby either. We chatted about purses, boutique shops, the weather, etc while my room was being prepared.

You knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 139:13b & 14.

11:45pm - We were settled in the room. I was rocking the sexy hospital gown & making frequent trips to the restroom. Maybe I lost the mucous plug during one of those trips. Contractions were still mild, but steady.

11:48pm - The nurse is about to perform the cervical exam to check dilation. As she puts on her 2nd glove, my water breaks on the bed. I'm dilated to 5cm. Guess we should settle in for the night & see how this goes. Contractions are still mild & steady.

Midnight - WHOA! The contractions are serious now. YEEEOUCH. We've called the doula and she's headed our way. I'm dealing with the contractions as best I can - standing up & leaning into J, gripping the side of the bed, whatever I could do. J is super supportive. Even offers to let me bite him if it'll help. I remember leaning into him and noticing his shoes. He was wearing suede bucs, and I asked him if he brought other shoes. I was afraid they'd get ruined. The contractions were intensifying. Quickly. And I'm only halfway to being fully dilated? Epidural PLEASE. Now. Forget this natural BS.

12:30ish - After what seems like an eternity, the anesthesiologist arrives. It'll take 10 minutes to administer the epidural, and 10 for it to take effect. While he's inserting the needle, the team arrives to get the baby warmer set up. I'm confused. I asked if this was really about to happen--I mean, we haven't been here that long. The OB looks at me and says, "Well, you went from 5cm to 8cm in under an hour. So yeah, this is definitely happening soon." So THAT's why the contractions were so much more painful. He was on his way!! [J's version of the events differs a bit here, and is probably more accurate. According to him, they checked my cervix at this time, and upon realizing that I was dilated at 8cm, rushed the anesthesiologist to the room before we missed the epidural window. I totally missed that part.]

1:00am-ish - Our doula arrives, surprised we're as far along as we are. I think we all are.

The epidural slowed things down a good bit. So much so, I got a good 2-hour nap. J gave the family updates, and his folks headed to the hospital to be there for the arrival of their grandson.

2:30am - I wake up. Amazed at how much more manageable the contractions are with the drugs. I watch them on the monitor, but the pain is very bearable. I still have movement in my legs & feet, but they are a bit numb.

2:40am-ish - The OB confirms I'm fully dilated and it's time to begin pushing. Our doula sneaks me a honey stick before we start pushing for a little natural energy rush. I push for about 30 minutes, but I'm not making the progress they want to see.

3:15am - We decide to dial back the epidural so I have more feeling in my legs & can be more active. We wait for it to settle in and take a breather. Family gets updates.

**I should mention that we totally bribed the labor & delivery staff. Baked goods including pumpkin muffins, cranberry orange bread, and all-natural granola bars were prepped weeks in advance & frozen in anticipation of the birth date. J delivered them to the nurse's station along with our birth plan & a list of ingredients in case of any food allergies. No doubt this played in our favor. The OB was incredibly impressed with the granola bars. We talked about how easy they are to make several times between contractions.**

4:45am - Time to begin pushing again. This time, game on. The pushes are spot-on, and I can feel progress as each contraction comes and goes. J's feeding me ice chips, squeezing my hand, coaching me to victory. Cynthya (our doula) suggests positions to the OB, who is open to letting me try whatever is comfortable. (I must add that my OB is part of a practice of 7 doctors, so we weren't sure who would actually be on call at the time Burke decided to join us. I definitely liked some of the doctors in the practice more than others, and there were 3 I was really hoping for. We scored one of them, and you better believe I was excited when it was Dr. Smith who returned my call to the answering service earlier that night. We won the lottery in that regard.)

5:15am - Where is this guy? Maybe he's "sunny-side-up" and is going to be more difficult to get out than we thought. About this time, a nurse strolls in with her arms casually folded and says "I'm just being nosy." Excuse me? This is not the time or place for nosing around--I'm pushing out a baby, lady. She leaves after a few minutes, and the OB explains that she was in there to see if she needed to prep the C-section team, just in case. But, once she saw the little guy's head crowning, she knew she could call off the C-section troops. Whew. That's good news.

5:30am - At Cynthya's urging, I reach down and touch his head. Whoa! There it is. That's not normally there. The most wonderful head in the world. I decline the mirror. And J maintains his position at my head at all times. There are just some things you can't un-see.

Even the hairs on your hair are numbered; do not be afraid. Luke 12:7

5:40am - The OB tells us that the delivery team will be coming in soon to get everything set up. Since I'd been pushing for a long time, they may need to run more tests to make sure everything's OK and that he didn't swallow to much fluid or whatever. She also tells me that I need to get angry & get this fella outta here. The activity in the room picks up. Let's do this! Afterall, my family motto is "Odoms finish strong!" as my sister reminded me via text that morning.

5:47am - The doctor puts on her smock and begins to glove up. A contraction comes, and I can't help but push. The doctor says "Wait, I'm not ready. I don't have my gloves on." Too bad, so sad. I wanna meet my baby!!! She catches him in the bed sheets.

5:48am - I see the most precious head of hair. And the sweetest ears. Then fingers and elbows. I see him bring his arms up over his little slimy head. And he just keeps on coming. Where are his legs? His feet? Wow, he's a big baby. I bet that hurt. I'm glad I can't feel it. And he's perfect. And I'm in love. Oh my God, how in love I am. Oh my.

I'm overcome by tears, looking at my wonderful husband next to me, staring in amazement at the best-smelling bundle of flesh lying on my chest. So out-of-touch with whatever is going on in the room around us. He is perfect. The moment is perfect. We are perfect. This is where I'm meant to be. My cup runneth over. This is joy by its very definition.

The rest is a blur. The OB assesses the damage & stitches me up (stage 3, ouch. Thank heavens for the drugs.). The nurses whisk him away to cuddle, prod, and coo. Apparently he's flirting with them. We may be in real trouble here...

Despite the pain, the scary unknown, the vomiting, the middle-of-the-night labor, the deviation from our natural birth plan, the tearing, the unpredictable bodily functions, and everything else, I wouldn't have it any other way. A supportive partner, a healthy baby boy. A beautiful family--I am undoubtedly blessed.

The Road to Meet Burke: part 1, inducing labor

2013-02-20T16:55:00.003-05:00

Though Burke was due to meet the world on February 9th, he opted to make a fashionably late entrance. Knowing that the pressure to medically induce was inevitable, it was important to me to both encourage him to make his grand appearance and to let him do it on his own terms.

So, I set out to try a natural encouragement tactic each day he was overdue. There's lots of stuff on the web about natural induction, some of it probably works and some is probably coincidence. Did any of mine work? I can't say for sure, but I think it got him moving & motivated.

So, here's what I did in case you want to try...of course, this is only for full-term babes of at least 40 weeks. And check with your doctor.

Saturday, 2/9: Water aerobics.
I think the instructor & the other participants were a little shocked when we went around & introduced ourselves with our due dates, considering this WAS his due date. All the other mamas-to-be kept checking on me, making sure they knew how to reach J in case I spontaneously gave birth. The class was amazing. I mean, it was so incredible to be weightless in the water and all of the jumping around felt so good. I'd been meaning to try it out throughout my pregnancy, and I kick myself for not doing so earlier. It was a class through Oh Baby! Fitness, and I've really enjoyed all of their classes throughout my pregnancy: Fitness Combo, Prenatal Yoga (taught by pal Kristen Mercado, to boot!), and now Water Aerobics. Burke and I will definitely be attending the Mom & Baby water class once he's old enough!

Sunday, 2/10: Acupressure Prenatal Massage
Recommended by our doula, I made an appointment for a relaxing prenatal massage at the Pregnancy Massage Center. I asked the masseuse to apply gentle pressure on any points that might jumpstart labor without opening the floodgates. The massage was great. Plenty of support pillows for the belly, arm, back, etc.

Monday, 2/11: Pineapple Date Smoothie & Yoga Ball
As already mentioned, I concocted this recipe after reading about certain foods & how they benefit labor. It was quite delicious.

I also spent most of Monday at my desk, sitting on my yoga ball instead of regular chair. It really helped my back.

By the afternoon, I could feel more pressure in my pelvis and thought things were moving along in the right direction.

Little did I know that we'd have a son by sunrise...

Meet our Munchkin

2013-02-16T11:51:00.001-05:00

He's here! He's here!! He's finally here!!!

After 6 hours of labor at the hospital, Burke greeted the world & promptly began flirting with the nurses. I'll save the birth details for another time (let's just say that smoothie I concocted did its job.) Instead, how about some eye candy?

Lucky for us, our dear friend Anne was in town for work the days following his arrival and we were blessed with an opportunity to exploit her shutterbug talents while holed up in our hospital room. Seeing this images makes it even harder to accept the fact that Manning family moved to Texas & won't be down the street for future play dates & photo shoots.

Without further adieu, I give you her handiwork (the photos) of our masterpiece (the babe):

Burke's stats:
DOB: Tuesday, February 12, 2013 at 5:48AM
WGT: 9 pounds, 7 ounces
LTH: 21.75"

Labor Inducing Smoothie

2013-02-11T13:37:00.003-05:00

I sit here swaying on my yoga ball to a little Alabama Shakes (despite their Grammy shut-out) as I *joyfully* enter the 40th week of my first pregnancy. He's a few days late, but I'm not trying to rush the guy. But I've been doing a LOT of reading on the world wide web about foods that could potentially, possibly, maybe, sorta naturally induce labor or at least create an optimal environment for the fella's arrival.

There were a lot of recipes out there that included dates & pineapple, but often with a lot of other ingredients that either hindered or had no impact on labor. I wanted to get right to the point, and this was really tasty. Add an umbrella straw & I could be on the beach! Instead, I'll hula on my yoga ball at my desk on this rainy February day.

***Remember, if the babe isn't ready to come, your diet/exercise regimen isn't going to change that. And don't try to induce labor pre-term. And check with your doctor/midwife.***

So, here's a smoothie recipe I concocted this morning in hopes of progressing labor:

Pineapple Date Smoothie

8-12 pitted dates
2-3 thick slices FRESH pineapple (with the core if you can get it). More if you want it.
1-2 tablespoons unsweetened coconut - the finer it's shredded the better - if you don't love coconut, you can omit it. I just needed something to bridge the date/pineapple flavor.
vanilla almond milk to desired consistency
dash of cinnamon
1/3 cup greek yogurt - you don't need it, it just helps with a smoothie consistency vs. juice. I used plain, but any flavor you like would work.

Add to blender and pulse. The dates can get stuck in the blade, so you may want to blend those vigorously first before adding the other ingredients. I've also read that if you soak the dates in water for a while before blending, it helps avoid the chunks. I may try that next time.

Does it work? Well, I'm still typing this as I drink it, so I can't guarantee an immediate kickstart. But, here's the actual research that gives me some hope:

Dates. There's actually "real" research out there to support this one (published by the National Institute for Health, not some hippie in the basement lab...though I do love hippies.). In a 2007 study, women who consumed 6 dates a day for the 4 weeks prior to their delivery were admitted with higher dilation, & a significantly higher % had membranes intact. Also, 96% of those who ate dates went into labor spontaneously and averaged 6.5 hour shorter first stage of labor than those who didn't eat dates. 6.5 hours less of labor? Sign me up.
Fresh pineapple contains bromelain, which acts like a prostaglandin and is thought to soften or "ripen" the cervix. Prostaglandin is the same hormone in human semen that supports the idea that sex can induce labor. I prefer the pineapple in a smoothie! The process of canning pineapple removes this hormone, so be sure to only use fresh. How much you need is a good question - I've read that you can't get enough of it, and I've read that you need at least 7 pineapples for any impact. I've been trying to eat some daily for the past few weeks. Whether it brings on labor or not, it's known to tone the uterus & cervix to make labor more pleasant. Yes please.
Cinnamon tea has been hailed to induce labor, but I really added it more for flavor. And I only used a dash, so I'm not expecting much from it. Maybe combined with the other things?
Almond milk...well, almond oil has been shown to bring on pre-term labor in mothers who rubbed it on their stomachs to prevent stretch marks prior to 37 weeks gestation. When used as a laxative, it can also bring on contractions resulting in premature labor. I doubt there's enough pure oil in the almond milk to do the damage of castor oil, so I substituted it for regular dairy milk.
Coconut. Well, coconut oil is like magic & good for anything. And some people claim coconut water induces labor. You could use it in the recipe instead of the flakes. I used it for the flavor. Any action is a bonus.

So the "research" is a bit shaky, as with everything else on the interweb, right? But, I feel good about the mix of ingredients not doing any harm, which is more than I can say for some of the things I've read about & heard about. The ingredients are all good for me, natural, and are hopefully going to get things going down there and help to avoid a medical induction as we get further and further past the due date.

UPDATE: Approximately 18 hours after eating this smoothie, our little boy was born!!! I'll share the labor story soon, but it happened very quickly. I can't say for sure if it was the smoothie or some of the other tricks I tried that encouraged his arrival--or maybe he was just ready. But we sure are glad he's here!

Nursery Reveal

2013-02-06T18:12:00.000-05:00

Well, the little fella is due any day now. Fortunately for him, his room is finally ready to welcome him home!

I detailed the progress along the way, so this post is primarily eye candy. Enjoy!!

the reading + rocking + feeding corner

his first Lego toy...assembled proudly by dad

because we could all use a reminder now + then...though we expect it come naturally

dream ring from blabla (such a cool store if you haven't visited)

the sleeping spot with his jungle friends to keep him company. spoiler alert: his name starts with a B!

sleeping + changing corner

bag storage, 3 little bears style: mama's, dad's, and babe's

books + lovies from friends + fam

necessary storage bins. love the engagement photo of us hanging on the wall here. note his hamper is already full, and he's not even here yet! glimpse of things to come, i suppose.

love this verse; my mom used to remind us of it often. and love it paired with my sis trying to feel him kick!

last, but certainly not least, his own Lula watchdog for when she's busy napping.

we haven't hung anything above the crib & there's a big blank space...any ideas? our walls aren't that straight so we're hesitant to hang anything that might fall easily. i'm thinking of adding a strip of dry-erase contact paper so we can write fun messages to him. but, he obviously can't read...so is that ridiculous?

Source List:
Chair: Craigslist
Chevron Pillows: DIY
Initial Pillow: Three Peas via Etsy
Curtains: DIY
Dresser: antique & refinished by a family friend
Rug: Rugs USA
Book ledges: Ikea Ribba Ledge 45 1/4"
Prints: DIY
Animal wall sculptures: West Elm & DIY
Crib: Baby Mod Modena
Bedding: DIY
Stool: Homegoods
Bookcase: Ikea Besta 3-shelf unit
Storage bins: Target & Zulilly
Lamp: Target
Closet: DIY, storage bins from Homegoods

Nursery Progress 7: the bedding

2013-02-06T00:31:00.000-05:00

Call it nesting, call it a DIY drive. I felt like I needed to make something for this nursery. And decided it should be the bedding.

I followed these simple tutorials for crib sheets and changing pad covers using fabric ordered from fabric.com.

In hindsight, these were easy except for the threading of the elastic. Hello carpal tunnel! Could I have purchased these ready-made? Certainly. But I guess it wouldn't have that "mom made it for me" feel, right? I'm sure he'll be thinking about that right before he poops or pukes all over it.

If you're not the DIYer, lucky for you Target now carries crib sheets in just about every pattern I made:
Mini elephants
Gray chevron
Navy polkadot (I've seen in-store)

And, they're currently on sale for $9 a piece. Knowing this, would I still have given myself carpal tunnel to craft my own? I'd like to think so, but probably not. However, I wouldn't have coordinating changing pad covers, so there. And I won't remind myself that I could've easily fashioned the changing pad covers from the sheets...

The skirt is super simple. I feel guilty calling it a skirt at all. Since I only need it on one side of the crib (the ends being solid & the back up against the wall), I only hemmed a large rectangle of fabric. Then, I attached to the spring frame with binder clips. This makes it easy to adjust as the crib mattress height changes as bambino grows. I like a longer skirt, but Cricket likes to see the floor (aren't those storage bins sexy?), so it's short...for now. I could've used hem tape instead of the machine and this would've taken 10 minutes instead of the 15 it actually took.

I have grand plans to sew a coordinating teething rail once he gets here. But we'll see. I have the fabric, the polyfill, and everything else...it just takes initiative.