Ella is 2 months!

October 28, 2010

OH BABY! This little girl has become such an enjoyable part of our lives. This past month was amazing. The smiles, the learning to coo, the kicking- everything is just wonderful! She is still not on a schedule, although she does at least know night and day. She sleeps anywhere from 4 to 9 hour stretches at night, and I NEVER know what to expect! Many people have commented on what a little noise maker she is, and I agree! She squeeks, gasps, sighs, squeeks, and did I mention, squeeks???! It's so cute.

Ella, we are beginning to understand this special love parents talk about- I don't know how it could get any stronger... but I'm sure it will!

Happy 2 months Miss Ella Dawn!

Ella's baby blue eyes

Sometimes Ella doesn't really enjoy my "dress the doll" sessions. One day when we were meeting a friend for lunch, I think I had the poor thing in 6 outfits before I made up my mind! But I SWEAR, I don't dress you if you're crying, you really did have fun... up until the picture!Sorry chicka!

We took Ella to her first big football game to see her Uncle Nathan play in the marching band, it was chilly outside, but she did so good and lasted until 3rd quarter! And the next day she went to another football game to see her cousin Trent play and lasted the entire game!

This is what she has learned to do so well in her 2nd month- SMILE! Except I still haven't snapped a photo of her big grins... that's really cute and to die for! She is such a happy baby!

Ella has been our little construction baby. The house is almost complete and the poor thing has been there almost every day. This day she was on our chests while we swept the entire house- like I have said before... what a trooper! Only a few more days before we move in, then she can actually lay down on the carpet and kick her legs, or sit by the fireplace after a bath to warm up... oh we can't wait!

And of course, we can't forget to mention that Tellie has finally accepted that Ella is also part of our family. She has licked Ella and will actually walk within a 5 foot radius of the baby. If we're lucky she sometimes even sits next to Ella while she's eating... man that will change once Ella starts solids! :o)

Happy 2 months Ella- We all LOVE you!

Plumbing and Gas

The plumbers came back for three days to finish their final hook ups.

They even hook up the gas to the range
They put on all the fixtures

Installed our sink- we are so excited about this sink! I hope we love it in ten years as much as we do now... I'm sure Ella will love to take baths in it :o)

Bathroom sinks

Tub and toilets- they make sure they are in working order

I chose a different vanity for the powder bathroom and I am so excited for how pretty it turned out. I think it looks very nice with the paint colors. A little bit fancier for when our guests need to "take a load off!" Ha ha.

Thanks to Whitewater Plumbing- especially Armando who was a real gentleman and did a great job!

Countertops

Countertops were an easy choice for Ryan and I- laminate. Laminate has come a long way from what people remember it being in the 70's. It's not a counter that will last forever, but the price was right!

The utility room sink

Our main kitchen island- there is a hole in the countertop for where the trash can be dropped. I hope it works out well... seemed like a good idea we stole from some family friends.

The desk/work area in the utility room

The counter sections before they were installed

The guys from Colorado Countertops making the sink and stovetop cuts

TILE- hit the breaks!!!

It seemed like everything came to a hault when tile started, but really it was just the amount of time it took to get the job done right.



One of the big delays was because the city had to inspect the shower pan to make sure it was level- so they put the plastic down, then fill with water to prove it will drain properly.

Then they started on the floor tiles

Then wall tiles

The backsplash tile in the kitchen and around the fireplace took a long time, but it ended up looking great- I'm glad they took their time and did the job perfect!

The backsplash and wall in the master bathroom turned out pretty cool too!

The fireplace surround turned out pretty cool too-

I had this idea and it turned out just like I pictured!

Patio!

When we first set out on this adventure of building our house we really wanted a patio- that was high on our priority list. We double, triple checked with the pros to make sure it was feasable. Everyone said "YES!"

When it came down to building the patio though, the slope was too much and it ended up turning into a huge, gigantic, expensive project... and we were stuck. It was too late to change our mind.

So here's our patio project- two 3' retaining walls, curved steps, one large pavestone patio and a courtyard wall yet to come. It's made out of industrial type Allan block and Ryan calculated the blocks alone weigh 46,000 pounds and that doesn't even include the structural fill, rocks, and sand.

This was just part of the delivery...

There were 5 crew members working for 6 days, all day. I'm so greatful for the professional work they did. What a hard job- heavy lifting, huge saws, precise measurements... no wonder the job was so costly.

Day two of the project they had one wall done...

The steps beginning...

The second wall started

The patio area where we will have table and chairs- eventually a courtyard

wall will go around this

The final completed patio with stairs... so cool! Plants/trees will go on all three levels and when grown in we won't even notice the bottom two levels- weird.

Stain and Paint!

I am really happy with how the stain on the woodwork and the paint turned out. It really made the place seem cozy.

1 Month... Where did September go!?

Well, Ella is one month old and counting. I really have no idea where September has gone!

I guess a new baby and finishing the house keeps us busy???

You're so small swaddled in your bassinet, and you are

even bigger here than the first day we brought you home!

This is what I get to look at every time I put you in the baby bjorn carrier- too cute!

You dreaming about how you LOVE your duck outfit :o)

Still figuring out how to work two eyes at the same time...

Sound asleep on your tummy- shhh, don't tell the

baby police... you LOVE sleeping on your tummy!

Goofy girl!

We went for a stroller ride on a cool fall day, and I put your hat on you...

this is how you ended up with the hat, I guess it still blocks the sun!?

A trip up to daddy's work to show you off... laying on his desk- too cute.

Can you believe we changed your diaper on his desk too!?

Ella Dawn Green- your first month was a huge learning experience for us all- you, mom, dad, and the dog! But now, as you enter your second month, things are wonderful and fun! You seem like you were here all along. We love ya girlie.

Trim Work

I think the trim carpenters have the neatest job- making the house look completed. They install trim, doors, window sills, closet shelves, baseboards, cabinets, vanities, stair ballesters, railings, and more.

Closet shelving- however we want it

Iron spindles for the stairs

Bathroom vanities installed

Stair posts, railing- ready for spindles

Window sills cut and ready to install

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We used Quality Trim, a father/son operation.

Pat and Matt Dinkel were great. They do really nice, clean, straight work.