Monday, April 22, 2013

3D Ultrasound for Bebe #2

Happy Monday!  Hope you guys had a great weekend.  My parents flew in Saturday morning and we have been working non-stop in gardening and guys are putting up the fence. What a difference.  Ill have some photos to share soon.  

Last week Ernesto and I made an appointment at StorkVision in Buckhead for a 3D ultrasound for the little mexi-can #2.  When we had one done for Mateo he was sleeping and in the wrong position for good shots so I thought let's forget it this time.  Ernesto insisted that we go though so BOTH babies have this momento.  Well, lo and behold, bebe #2 is camera shy as well and slept the entire time...with hands curled up in face.  I drank a sweet juice, went outside and ran a lap, and did a handstand.  The baby didn't stir.  I hope this is indication of a good sleeper.  It is what happened with Mateo and hes a great sleeper.  Fingers crossed. We managed to get one decent [half] face shot, an ear, and a foot.  No video worth sharing.  Oh well.  Even with just this little glimpse, I'm pretty convinced that we are going to have another gorgeous baby.   


Just for kicks, let's take a look at both babies.  Hmmm.  Boy or girl?  What do you predict??

Monday, April 15, 2013

Backyard & Garden Progress

Where have I been?  Where are my belly shots?  I just need more time. Period.  Is that going to happen in June when I have this baby?  Ha! The last two weeks have been spent on gardening and the back yard re-do.  My front garden seemed to grow in overnight.  It is looking beautiful I must say.  The bright chartreuse color of the Creeping Jenny in front makes the whole garden at this point.  We added a few nice big rocks and I got the mulch down last night.  Now we wait. 

There is already a lot blooming and so much more to come.  I really love gardening. My mom has taught me so much, sometimes I surprise myself when I am talking about it to others. I have come a long way.

The vegetable garden has yet to be planted, or even built for that matter.  The whole south side of the house will be dedicated to veges and Ernesto promised me that this year he will put soaker hoses on a timer. Yeah! 

I have a little gardening helper this year too.  Mateo loves loves loves shoveling dirt from one pot to the next.  


Side note: Must. Get. Sandbox.
These 3 blue beautiful pots (above) are my latest acquisition from....wait for it....TjMaxx/Homegoods. (Surprise!) They have the best pottery every Spring.  Not the cheap ceramic ones either.  These are heavy clay pots made in Vietnam.  Just like you would see in an expensive garden store.  I can't resist.  I know I have a problem, but they look so good lining my front stairs. 


OK...now on to the back yard.  Let me first remind you of what the yard looked like before.  I took this picture last summer and although Ernesto (and my dad) had built these awesome raised planter beds, the whole yard was a mess.  No grass, ugly trees, kudzu outta control, etc.  


Now here is the area after a couple weeks of hard labor (done by Ernesto of course!)
This pic also taken through a screen from upstairs. 
We had thought we were going to have to hire someone to clear/level out the yard, but once Ernesto got started working he said he could just finish it himself.  Her borrowed a friends chain saw and cut down several trees.  We did have to pay to get one tree down that was hanging over the neighbors house.  The worst part was getting the stumps out.  This took him days.  
He rented a tiller and prepped the yard for grass.  This little guy was obsessed with watching.  Every time it was turned off he signaled for "mas mas."
My mom flew down for two days last week to help me.  I just had to cry to her on the phone at 930am and she was on a 11:45 flight.  God, my mom is the best! I just can't say that enough.  I have a jewelry show coming up and really need to make some inventory, yet I wanted Ernesto to work on the yard. 

My mom played with Mateo for two days and after she put him down for his naps, she went outside and helped Ernesto with the yard!!  I can only hope that I have her energy when Im her age.  Heck- I wish I had it now! 
The next sep was laying sod.  We didn't want to wait for seed to grow, it's almost May, we need a yard pronto!  Besides the sod wasn't too expensive and worth the [almost] instant gratification.  We do have to wait for the roots to take hold and for it to turn green of course.   We planted Bermuda grass, which unfortunately turns brown in the winter, but with full sun in the south, we were told it was the best option.  This is day one. 
Here on day four, it is already looking more green!  Also notice how much better the planter boxes look against the grass. 
It's not a huge area, but our yard feels a lot bigger.  We don't need a huge yard, we just need it to be functional.  Mateo will be loving it this Summer.
We aren't even close to being done yet.  The fence is next on the list.  Ernesto is ordering the wood tomorrow and hopefully in a week we will be enclosed!!
We are going for a horizontal fence.  Something like this one with an inch or so in between the boards.
via pinterest
The wood comes treated, but we are undecided if we will use paint or stain. 

This little drawing from last summer still depicts the "plan" except the garden will be moved to the front side of the house where there is more sun. 

I am just dying for my pergola covered in wisteria.
Also,  I am trying to tell Ernesto that we can build our little shed out of pallets [that we get for free on Craigslist] but he is not convinced.  Have you guys seen this?

There are some really cute sheds out there. (just search pallet shed)  Even if he doesn't like the look, my plan is to have is covered in vines anyway, so why would we side it to match the house??
Either this creeping fig
or a bushy ivy would be so beautiful, don't you think?
I think I'll let Ernesto finish the fence before I bombard him with more projects and ideas.  One thing at a time.  Little by little, our "estate" is taking shape, and I am loving it!

Friday, April 05, 2013

{Before and After} The Entry Table!

Remember this piece of furniture I bought on Craigslist [over a year ago]?  I found it on Craiglist in Ohio and begged my sister to pick it up for me.  Paul's Shuttle (ie: my dad) delivered it free of charge shortly thereafter.  I ended up buying it for $100.   In the ad, I was initially attracted to the design on the drawers, and that is still my favorite part, but it is also a quality piece.  Dovetail drawers and everything. 
Disclaimer: I never said I would be quick completing my projects, but I do get things done eventually.  
It was in pretty good shape, but I knew I wanted it to be painted...keeping the beautiful brass handles.  I waffled between a boring white or gray, but never pulled the trigger.  I kept feeling like it should be painted a color!  

(Part of the reason I take a while to finish a project is because I sometimes have a hard time deciding exactly what I want to do with a piece, so I wait.  And wait.  And wait.  Until, finally it hits me.  Or Pinterest hits me.  An idea sparks, and I can move forward.)

Well, I am happy to say, she is finally finished!
So without further ado.......
Please forgive the un-styled photo and rolled up-to be sold on Craiglist-rug under the dresser.  One thing at a time.
My mom and I painted this at the same time we did the mint ombré etageres/shelves that sit in the dining room.

I used the palest mint green called Window Pane by Behr and for the shelves went with the next 3 shades on the color chip.

Because the piece will be getting a lot of use, I wanted to make sure the finish is durable.   I used an oil-based paint and primer.  (Zinsser) Two coats of each and I waited 24 hours in between coats.

The hardware cleaned up beautifully with Bar Keepers Friend and looks brighter than this picture shows.

This dresser is 72" long and sits along my entry wall.  You can see a glimpse of the gold mirror above.
I am working on getting my art together to make a collage around the mirror.  I am so ready for this room to finally come together.  It has been 18 months since we moved in and I am just now starting to see some cohesion with the bottom floor decor (all open space). whew! 
I know, I know...pictures coming!

Tuesday, April 02, 2013

Easter 2013 (In Pictures)

After three days of hanging out with my family for Easter,  I am feeling stuffed! 
I mean... just LOOK at this gut!
Seriously, what a wonderful weekend of food, family and fun!  We flew up to Ohio on Friday morning and flew back Monday.  My little mexi-can was a true champion traveler.    
On the flight home he laid his head on my chest and was sleeping by the time we reached 10,000 ft!

Even though ohio had snow earlier in the week, it had melted and the sun came out for us. My mom had five trees covered in Easter eggs for the kids.

Mateo's cousins were waiting for him at my parents house.  They had so much fun running around.  Luckily we were able to snap one pic while they were still.  And, omg, isn't it the cutest?
{Eleanor, Mateo & Luke}


{serious static in the car}
We laughed a lot, played dominos, colored eggs, and laughed some more.
{coloring eggs}
Mateo found his Easter basket in the cabinet with all of my mom's tupperware.  His favorite place to play.  I guess the Easter bunny didn't want it to be too hard for him to find.


Also took some family pictures, which turned out so cute I had to share.

{my brother Bill, Barbie, Eleanor & Luke}
{Brother Brrrian and Fiance Kyja & Bruno of course}
{sister Jenny with hubby Scott (goatee),  daughter Kelli and her beau Alex}
{my mom and dad with 4 (of their 6) grandkids}
I hope you guys had a great Easter too!

It was in the high 60's when we arrived in Atlanta yesterday.  I think we are officially in Spring now. Yeah!  Time for gardening!  This week Ernesto is working on clearing out our back yard so we can build the fence and lay grass.  Im so looking forward to hanging out in the back yard.  Do you guys have any Spring projects you are working on?  Have you started working in your garden yet?

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