ella's musings: March 2011

a new look

Working on a new look, so I'll apologize now if things are a little unorganized around here. I'm still pretty new to the technical side of blogging, but trying my best to learn enough to become relatively proficient. If I have too much trouble, I'll pry into DH's brain since computers are his specialty. If we can't get the changes fully implemented that I'm going for, we might have a return to the prior look until I can get all the bugs worked out. Thanks for your patience!

Taking Risks

ala The Nester. I'm linking up as I've been a risk taker of late.

http://www.thenester.com/2011/03/national-not-really-take-a-risk-day.html

I've been very inspired by many of the recent room redo's, furniture refreshing and crafts turned home decor all over. Some of which are a bit scary to me. Not because they turn out frightful in the least. No, it's because they turn out so well and yet many times the initial thought that turned the inspiration on was something risky. Risk of a failure, risk of time wasted, risk of a bad choice you might have to live with for a while because it's not a high priority item on our mommy to do list (especially the thought of having to redo something). The biggest risk I've taken to date when it comes to our house other than purchasing said house, is a very recent revamp (start of anyway) on our master bedroom.

The first risk was to move DH and myself to the smallest bedroom in the house while putting our eldest (14 yrs) and youngest (1 yr) DD's in a room together. So far this is working out really well and for more reasons than I can even start to explain in this small post.

http://ellasmindlessmusings.blogspot.com/2011/03/great-bedroom-swap-part-1.html

Second risk came in using what I had for paint... I mixed 5 quarts (some partials) and wound up with my "muddled thinkin" color. It's moody, cozy, dramatic, neutral... all the descriptives I was really desiring from the color on our walls.

Third and final risk (which truly isn't in it's fully finished "pretty" state yet) is the "reverse wainscot" effect I wanted to try on our bedroom walls. OK, yes I made up the term "reverse wainscot" (or at least I think I did). I haven't seen it anywhere yet. My sweet DH told me he thinks of it as an extra wide wallpaper border (really not the effect I'm going for, LOL). However I think once the trim is up and painted out, he'll see where I was going all along. The ceilings in our bedrooms (converted attic space prior to our home purchase) are a whole 7'4" high. Again I used what I had... some faux ceiling tin tile wallpaper. In time we'll trim it out with some crown moulding at the top and a smaller trim (think chair rail) detail the bottom edge to delineate the painted walls from the "reverse wainscot". While I wanted the walls to be moody, dramatic and cozy all at once, I also wanted to have some bright relief and airiness. I also was craving some texture. This is where the "reverse wainscot" came to the rescue. It's so exactly what I was desiring and draws the eyes up helping to lift the ceiling a bit.

So far the payoff has been huge! Bonds are deepening between our DD's and there's a softening and gentleness returning to C I haven't seen in quite some time. A room DH and I both delight in escaping to once the kids are down for the night. A space that feels grown up instead of dowdy or leftover from first apartment days. A space that is at once classic, clean, a little sexy (especially with nighttime lighting) and a romantic escape. It's become my own special nest/retreat for some downtime when I need it as well. All within the cozy confines of a 10.5'x 9-10' footprint. Pretty darn special and so very much worth the risks!

Half the kiddos...

are down and out with tummy troubles. So no pretty pics or updates today. Can't tell if I'm coming down with it too, or if I'm just a bit too sleep deprived and my body isn't taking it well. Last night was a long, long night filled with interruptions. Morning came way too soon. This mommy just wants some real shut eye. Every time I drift off, either the baby stirs restlessly in her sleep or I can hear one of her brothers getting sick again. Keeping fingers crossed and saying prayers that it's just a short 24 hr bug and quarantining helps prevent the spread. Hopefully I'll be back to our more recent regular programming soon!

The Great Bedroom Swap Part 1

Here's a peek:

Here's a look back at the overall plan for this new series of posts:

http://ellasmindlessmusings.blogspot.com/2011/02/metamorphosis.html

Here's C's (eldest DD's) old room nearly emptied (we're converting it into our new master). Bright aqua walls were her signature happy color. Course, now that she's a teen that has changed as well. Sorry about the next set of blurry pics from my phone. It's what I had handy when I remembered to finally take a few shots.

This is the door corner. The room is about 9' at this corner (left of door). Wall to the right of the door angles out.

This is wall to the right of door that angles out. The window wall to right of corner here is about 10' long.

Wall on left side of this corner is wall straight across from door as one enters room. Length of the room from window wall to wall to right of door as you enter is 10.5'.

This is the corner diagonally across from the door corner. Window is off center to the left a bit. There is also a heat vent on the floor along this wall. Not an ideal arrangement for a master bedroom since the window wall will be where the bed sets, but it'll do.

During (not quite an after yet... but a peek at what's coming):

a coat of pale buttery yellow on ceiling (not sure if it's staying, may repaint it to match reverse wainscot & trim)

a coat of primer on the walls (to help the wallpaper adhere properly and cover some of DD's artwork)

a coat of home mixed paint (took 5 quarts - some partials to make a full gallon) reminds me of mud (love paint names, I named it "muddled thinkin" LOL)

a reverse wainscot of "faux tin ceiling tile" wallpaper (@ Home Depot) to help draw the eye up and make the ceilings seem a little taller than they really are all 7 feet 4 inches of them.

modified headboard to bed a bit

moved in our bed & my nightstand and a temporary nightstand for DH

installed new curtain rod (@ Lowe's) & drapery rings (SSC @ Target)

fashioned some drop cloth curtains (need some further tweaking later)

added my old vanity table as a temporary tv console

console doubles as a spot for a lamp near the door

duvet cover, bedskirt & balloon valance (SSC @ Target)

Up and coming master bedroom projects:
-bedside lighting (going for different but complimentary fixtures)
-ceiling fan (we'll add a remote feature since our hold house has quirky wiring issues- not light switch in this room)
-install trim around door
-paint door & trim
-swap door handle
-revamp drop cloth curtains
-wall decor
-lamp revamp
-paint console (will eventually become DD's vanity/desk)
-refinish nightstands
-refinish bed frame
-seasonal switch out (linens/window coverings... maybe some decor/accessories)
-crown moulding
-wainscot trim
-new baseboards
-paint trimwork & reverse wainscot
-mount flatscreen TV
-diy new console table to better fit wall under TV
-pad/slip headboard
-diy nightstand for DH
-rugs (for comfy feet in the a.m. or middle of the night)
-hidden media PC set-up

Happy Birthday Lil J!

Here she was just one year ago:

Here she is today:

Wow! It truly is amazing how fast 1 year can go, it doesn't seem at all possible.

Same pitiful pout as on her ultrasound.

One month

Six weeks

With daddy @ three months

Four months @ N's championship baseball game

Six months and growing like a weed.

Seven months hanging in the saucer

Eight and 1/2 months shopping with mom.

Nine months

Ten months, hamming it up for the camera.

Eleven months

A year already! It just seems unfathomable to me how fast you've grown little one. All your accomplishments: rolling over, sleeping through the night, creeping, army crawling, skooching, pulling up, crawling, doing the wave at the table (both arms up), saying "mama, dada, baba, hi", standing all on your own, waving hi-bye and goodnight, taking two good naps daily, eating table food (and preferring it to baby purees) taking a couple steps, cruising along furniture, walking, 5 teeth as of yesterday and working on your 6th. I'll never forget how you kept us all guessing of your arrival time.

A Year ago we welcomed you into the world: (Here's your birth story.)

For over a week I had predromal(?) labor with you on and off. I finally experienced labor ceasing due to a need of energy. That was shortly after midnight Sunday night/Monday morning. Had heard of it before your siblings were born, but never experienced it. On a hunch, I ate a couple easy over eggs & a piece of toast, labor resumed. Almost like it hadn't skipped a beat. We arrived at the hospital just before 3 a.m. Midwife (Theresa) confirmed active labor and started filling the labor tub. Grandma T arrived just before I got into the tub. I was surprised how quickly the contractions strengthened, but had sufficient time in between them to relax. The room was quiet, dark and peaceful. Those around spoke in hushed tones. Quiet anticipation filled the room.

Then one of those not so uncommon hiccups in the labor process appeared. My lab work came back and indicated pre-eclampsia. That was the end of tub time for this momma (hospital policy) to my utter disappointment. I had been hoping for a water birth the entire time I carried you. Hadn't had the opportunity with your sister or either of your brothers. It just wasn't meant to be. My cervix was checked and we'd made significant progress during our tub time, 6 cm dilated and 80% effaced. The magnesium was started in my IV. I wanted to be fully conscious of your birth. I knew both you and I would be monitored closely one I left the tub and didn't want to be put under in the case of an emergency delivery. An epidural was my only guarantee, so I chose to have my first epidural with my 4th born. I had a wonderful Anesthesiologist, almost too good! Midwife kept us all in good spirits once mommy was comfortable with the epidural. When it came time to deliver you I couldn't feel the sensations I needed to help me push as effectively. After a scary moment with your shoulders stuck and all hands on deck (mom's tummy), you came right out 6:57a.m. Dad had to hurriedly cut your cord for them to get a good look at you. We waited what seemed a small eternity... you let out the sweetest little cry... fit right with the pitiful pout you had on ultrasound pics in later months before your birth. Daddy and I both breathed a big sigh of relief, we instinctively knew all was well.

Grandma T said her goodbyes and headed out as she had a busy day planned with her extended family. Daddy and I called Grandma G and your big sis and brothers to let them know you had arrived and that they could come to the hospital to meet you before heading to school that day. We were transferred to our room and nicely settled in before Grandma G and your older siblings arrived. They each held you in awe in turn. Big J first, then Noah, Chloe and finally Grandma. They couldn't believe how sweet and little you were and instantly fell in love with you. Mommy gave into her exhaustion and fell asleep while daddy, grandma and the kids all visited. You slept through much of it too, but let out little puppy sounding whimpers here and there. Daddy called/emailed/texted family to let them all know. But we still needed to name you.

You were originally going to be our Belle/Izzy (Isabel), but we hit a time when the popularity for that name was through the roof. All the names we had picked out for girls when we had your brothers, were also on the most popular lists for the last couple years and growing in popularity. We were back to square one and reviewed names that we had considered before landing on Isabel. We both loved Juliet as a first name even more than as a middle name as we had first considered it, so Jewel/Jules for short and Juliet as your proper first name it was. But we were still undecided with a middle name for you. Daddy left that evening to go home and take care of your siblings. Daddy and I chatted over the internet about names that night. I found a really neat site that had names based on different themes and the one that struck a chord with me and rang the best for daddy was London. I still loved Willow and we considered that one as well. But London won out as it flowed much better with your full first & last names. You nursed well in the hospital and lost little weight. We had more visitors: Grandma G came back while the kids were in school, Aunts Erica & Amy, then Uncles Reed & Jason and finally mommy's good friends Erin & Jess. You went home on St. Patrick's Day and so we made sure you were wearing some green (your older siblings insisted).

Life just wouldn't be the same without your sweet presence lil J! You've brought a completeness to our family that had seemed sorely lacking. You'll probably never realize until you have your own little one just how much you are loved!!! Happy first birthday sweetheart!

Ahhhhhhh...............

.... heavenly!!!

Photo credit: houseofturquoise.com

The juxtapositions, the rustic elegance, the floors, that beautiful blue! What's not to love?!

A little birthday planning inspiration.. Part 1

Key inspiration words/phrases:
our lil' sweetie, daddy's princess, sweet pea, pretty in pink (and/or maybe lilac), whimsy, unexpected, dash of enchantment, mini, sweets for our sweet

Little girl eye candy:

photo credit: cohasset-massachusetts.olx.com

photo credit: bellportchamber.com

Can you tell I have a sweet tooth of late?

Craving color!

Is anyone else out there craving a little jolt of color in their home?
The grey, winter, northeasterly skies always make me itch to see evidence of spring starting to bloom. Those shocks of new green shoots through the blankets of snow of impending blossoms.

The striking yellows of daffodils, blue & lilacs of hyacinths, ruby reds of tulips.... ahhh I can almost see them in my mind's eye.

A year of non-resolution

This year I decided my only resolution would be to not make any. I know that sounds defeatist. But last year I beat myself up emotionally when I couldn't keep up with my resolutions.

This year I made myself vague goals instead:

1- work on healthier lifestyle changes (hoping to lose some weight & tone up... already some progress on that front... 15-20 lbs so far)

2- make significant progress on household projects (obviously out of need... but I also SOOOOO wanna be done with the open ended projects that abound at our home... I'm also craving ORGANIZATION in a big way)

photo credit: charlesandhudson.com

3- get back to working with my hands in creative pursuits (some of this will naturally occur with the former goal... additionally I'd like to work at honing my photography skills more & get back to scrapbooking more regularly)

photo credit: digital-photography-school.com

This way even modest progress will feel like significant accomplishment, instead of the reverse model of last year.
So here's to a healthier and productive 2011!

photo credit: the frisky.com

Happy Birthday Uncle Reed!

Hope you have the happiest #35 little brother!

Reed with our boys, N & J in 2005

Hope you get to live it up some with your wife and son this birthday for those that you've missed in the past.

I know my note of gratitude is long overdue and I'm truly sorry. Fear of the unknown is an unkind beast and during those times I was engulfed by it. You've been loved from afar during your tours overseas. Prayed for more than you'll probably ever know or understand. Our lil's prayed for your safe keeping almost every night at the family dinner table here on their own. I found that truly amazing in the midst of our own personal family challenges. Every now and then I get a glimmer of new understanding break through, but I know a miracle occurred all 3 times you came home safe and sound. Thank you for your self-sacrifice and dedicated service for all of us. We appreciate you more than you know.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

love C, E, C, K, N, J and Lil J

Tidbits of reflection...

Our lil J isn't so little anymore.

She's nearing the 1 year mark. Wish we could freeze time and relish these babyhood moments a bit longer. We thought it went fast when our older ones were this age, but it is truly flying by at light speed these days.

I'm starting to understand "simplify" on a whole new level. Living simply, means living in the moment more consistently and having an awareness that allows the days to linger a bit more. Slowing time and savoring the remaining days we have with our kiddos home is always a good idea!

Lil J is walking; saying ma-ma, da-da, ba-ba; waving hi, bye & night-night. She now giggles with an impish smile and continues with whatever she's told "no" to (not such a great thing, but I still find it funny, lil imp). She's into everything these days, ever curiouser. She lunges for her sibs when they arrive home from school or anywhere else and squeals with delight. She loves to be chased & chase (crawling). Still loves her game of peek-a-boo and raises the blankets over her head herself so well. Still does her "arms up" wave at the dinner table as well as any other time the urge strikes her fancy. Lil J has just started talking and playing with her lil glo-bear in her crib when she wakes in the morning. Love listening to those sweet sounds of her discovery & playing.

We worked hard to get her on a good schedule before DH and I headed out for a much needed mommy & daddy vacation. (More about that later...) Thankfully it worked and she did wonderfully while we were gone! She's a dream to put down for naps & bedtime these days. Such a wonderful blessing! This mommy really appreciates her beauty sleep and her Lil J.

N's Room Inspiration

N is all about video gaming and sports. He's all boy and always has been, but now he's on the cusp of those tween years at 10 1/2. He desires a more grown up space of sorts to fuel his passions and as a more private hang out for the occasional friend to join him in his gaming pursuits.

inspiration pics:

hanging bed via oohdeedoh

cubby bench as a media center via BHG.com

bean bags perfect for gaming via walmart.com

inspiration words/phrases:

boy, boy and more boy; cool, simple, sleek, modern, video game-a-holic, low, bridging tween thru teen years, color splashed, posters

ella's musings