Building a home: Weeks 6-10

Are you ready for a house update?! I know the few of you who read this are because you have told me in person! I have been dreading updating this because the further I get behind the longer it will take and harder it is to remember! But I primarily write on this blog so that we can look back and remember these days of our life.

So to begin....
In the last post, we had finished Week 5 and there were interior walls framed.

 Week 6:
To the best of my memory, the only thing that happened week 6 was the roof being put on and the doors and windows were delivered. I was so excited to see the doors and windows in person inside the house. You know, every little detail is exciting as you are building! Finally seeing what's on paper in real life!

doors stacked up

 

 

So this was the end of week 6!



Week 7:
This was a busy week with electrical, plumbing, and heating and air guys there. They did a "rough in" of everything before sheetrock was placed. So we were able to see where light switches, vents, outlets, and such were going to be.

return for AC unit

Laundry room plumbing and wiring

Oulets and such

 

You can also tell from those pics that the doors and windows got put in...

 

Bay window/ eating area and the sliding glass door to deck

Outside view of same

I decided to start a little progression photo shot here in the bay window since I already had a couple of the kids in this spot. I know/knew our outside picture wouldn't show all that was transforming on the inside.

 

 

Couple of other fun things this week were the bathtubs and fireplace getting installed.

 

Thought it was fun to take a picture of it out in front yard. One day when we revamp (like 20 yrs from now, hahaha) we can look back at its pearly white beginning.

kid's bath

My larger garden tub.

Fireplace with a view of plumbing above. (and Ansley changing her baby)

 





                                              End of week 7, crocked view of it at least!

Week 8:
Siding!! I was anxious to see this since we made a color change on the fly. The original color we chose was discontinued and from memory alone we picked this new color over the phone. I had remembered liking it but still wondered exactly how green it would look.

I just love it and am glad the other got discontinued!

 

 

The above pic was actually taken towards the end of week 9, the first part of siding was started on a Friday of week 8 and the side you don't see in our picture was done. So we didn't take a picture out front for week 8 nor 9 & 10! We kept forgetting the real camera. But I will be getting one this week for sure!

Week 9:

The next week was inspections for the plumbing, electrical, HVAC and framing. This was the first week that went slow. Everything else had happened so quick that we felt the brakes had been put on or something. It's all still on schedule since other weeks went so quick but its hard to remember that when you see days of no work.

So all I can remember happening was installation.

 

 

 

I know now what my house would look like pink! Tyler also worked on a box above the mantle and behind the TV spot for our DVR/DVD boxes. You will be able to see it in a later picture.

 

 

I wanted to remember some other parts of the building process. Our kids think of the property as one big playground right now.

 

One of their favorite spots is the large dirt mound from the grading work that will eventually be gone. I know Garyn, especially, will be unhappy about that. They like to climb up and feel they can see everything and are on top of the world!

 

Another spot is right next to the dirt pile and its the sand pile. It never fails that they both have their shoes and socks off playing in it, even if I say not to. We are going to have to relocate this sand somewhere else cause it really keeps them busy and happy!

 

 

Another area is, of course, the swing set area, which has been there for awhile. We call it the knoll. Almost every time we are there, we go up to the knoll so the kids can swing and slide. I love that there is nothing else for me to do (normally) but to play with them. We are away from hectic life, i.e. laundry, cleaning, cooking, other distractions and such. And we have a beautiful view all around us. We have a picnic table there that Garyn has done homework at and we have had many picnics on.

 

 

 

Now onto week 10!

 

 

Week 10:

   This week was sheet rock week! The house looked so different after it was hung. We were able to see the rooms as they would actually be when we move in. The sheet rock instantly made everything look smaller! But I was told that would happen.

 

Looking into the family room from the playroom, fireplace is covered.

Box cut out in wall is the one Tyler did for our TV boxes.

kitchen wall I believe......

 

 

Whew! Finally got all that out! And now we are already on week 14 so I have got to update more! Guess I better go get started........stay tuned :)

Month by Month : Layne's 2 months

I have so many updates I want to do on here but just can't seem to ever find the time! And then I remind myself that I 1: have a new kindergartner whose school happens to be 20+ mins away 2: have a 2 yr old I am trying to potty train, 3: have a 2 month old, and 4: building a house and will be moving soon. If that's not enough to keep me busy than I don't want to see what busy really means!

On to talking about my precious 2 month old....

Layne is still pretty easy going. He sleeps well in his bed or on the bed propped up in the boppy pillow. The only time he has to be held to sleep is around dinner time, he is fussier then and won't let you put him down much. He definitely uses his paci but doesn't seem as attached to it as his siblings were. At night, from about 10 pm to 6 am, he rarely uses the pacifier.

 

Speaking of nighttime, Layne will do about a 5-6 hr stretch most nights. If I make sure he eats sometime between 10-11 pm, then he will sleep til 2-3 am for me. In between feedings he is out! He rarely opens his eyes or even cry really. Early mornings, he sometimes fusses and wiggles when I lay him down. I may just not remember, but I don't think Ansley or Garyn were sleeping this well at this age. In fact, I was telling someone that this is the longest I have kept a baby in the room with us because they usually fuss and stir keeping me awake. Just another answer to prayer since he doesn't have a room to move to!

Layne is smiling all the time now. He likes to be talked to and is starting to like little toys to look at. He moves constantly when awake unless you are walking with him and then he just studies everything. But he likes to kick and flap his arms; doing his exercises as I call it.

(first time in BeBe Pod)

He still eats about every 3 hours and has done well taking the bottle when I work or at church and things. At his 2 month appointment, he weighed 13 lbs 7 oz and was 24 inches. He didn't keep up with Garyn this time; Garyn was 14 lbs 4 oz at 2 months. (Which, if you remember at 1 mo. he was 9 lb 4 oz, making that a 5 lb gain!) And little Ansley was just 10 lbs at 2 months, of course she is a girl and will naturally be smaller.

 

I still think he looks a lot like Tyler and Garyn. His hair has started coming back on top and looks dark. His eyes also seem to be turning darker. We shall see if Tyler gets a dark-haired brown-eyed child finally! I see similarities for all of them but differences as well.

(all 3 in order by age and all right at 2 months old)

 

Having Layne here seems so natural and I am blessed to have three sweet babies to love and care for. They make everyday interesting that's for sure!

 

He already has changed, almost doesn't look like the same baby!

 



Layne at 1 month

Layne turned 1 month in a blink of an eye, of course. Seems it gets faster and faster with each child. In fact, he is already about to be 2 months next week. Geez.....

So before I forget about all his 1 month cuteness....

Layne just started smiling right around his 1 mo. "mirthday"

 

(This was at 2 weeks or so, not a real smile yet, but very good picture, I think!)

He likes to eat on his own time....there is no scheduling him other than you can guess he'll be hungry 3 hours from the last feed, but every so often he sleeps through 3 hours or fusses to eat before that mark. At 4 weeks old, he took his first bottle. He did pretty good with it!

(This was after a football game, I had made the bottle to give him during the game but he didn't get hungry until right when we were leaving.....of course!)

Sleep wise: Bedtime is usually 10 ish and he sleeps till 2 ish then is back up 3-3.5 hours later. He gets in a good dead sleep those first 6 hours and doesn't make a noise. After that, he tends to need more help getting back to sleep.

Speaking of, he likes the pacifier but isn't completely attached to it. He will fall asleep without it but gladly takes it when tired if you are there to offer it. Big sister likes to offer it to him a lot!

 

At one month, Layne has grown to 11 lbs 1 oz and 23 1/2 inches long! At birth, he was 8 lbs 4 oz. 20 3/4 inches. Then at his 5 day checkup he was 8 lbs 3 oz. So almost 3 pounds in 4 weeks! Big brother and big sis were 9 lbs 4 oz and 9 lbs 5 oz, respectively. So we are anxious to see how this growth curve goes. I know there is no need to compare, because they are obviously all different, but given that they are growing differently makes you want to imagine what's in store for the future.

Big brother and sister are enamored with Layne and literally fight over who gets to hold him next. We have to set aside turns and watch Ansley closely because she tends to grab at him when she is mad about it not being her turn. Both love to talk to him and help with his pacifier and such. Ansley wants to do everything from change his diaper to feed him her baby doll bottles.

At one month, Layne still seems to be laid back although he tends to get gas a lot and will want to be held up so he can burp some more. I asked the doctor about reflux because he seemed to be doing this a lot and having some spit up with the burps but it seems to be normal. He doesn't get very fussy just wants to be held up.

Onto holding, right around 4 weeks, he seems to prefer to be facing out the most. Ansley liked this most, too. We haven't reached a screaming cry when not in this position like Ansley did, but he wiggles and such until you move him.

He likes to wiggle a lot, actually. And at times, he practically jumps out of your arms trying to move and hold his head up. And for only 1 month, he seems to see and hear well. He looks right into your eyes and turns his head to noises. May be at the right time, but seems to be earlier than I remember the other two.

Although he still puts his hands to his mouth, he has stopped trying to suck his thumb. I probably plug the pacifier before he gets a chance, but he seems to be less interested in finding it.

We still say he looks the most like Tyler and a lot like Garyn did as a baby. It is scary to look down and have flash backs of holding Garyn. When he is asleep, he seems to be identical to Garyn. When his eyes are open he looks more like Tyler. He lost some hair on the top of his head and looks like a little old man now, too.

So I tried to recreate the same scene and if it weren't for already knowing which is which, I'd say they are twins.....

Layne 7 weeks

Garyn at about 6 weeks

Building a Home: weeks 4 & 5

When we first started talking about building, I was adamant that I didn't want to build. My brother and sister n' law had built a house when I was in high school. I remember them having to decide on details of the kitchen or the molding and so on. Many hours were spent in Home Depot staring and comparing faucets and sinks. I also thought about the stigma that it is very trying on a marriage. (You know, they always say if a marriage can withstand building then it can get through anything.) And then...I worried about the hidden costs and overages that can incur.

After searching houses and neighborhoods, I slowly started easing into the idea. I know God answered many prayers in which we asked for direction and peace about what we should do. Considering the time and work it takes to renovate a house, I really didn't want to get a fixer-upper again. I love seeing the results of the labor you put into fixing up a house, but with three kids, football, jobs and just life in general; I hated to get into that situation again. Tyler was thinking right along the same lines and had no fear of building.

Fast forward to now, we are building! Yes, I know that has already been stated and expanded on! However, I still have to say it to really believe it! Tyler and I frequently look at each other and say "Honey, we are really building a house." Its just surreal to us to have finally made a decision and be one step closer to our own home. As well, I can't believe how different from my preconceived ideas building has been. We made a lot of decisions earlier in the summer and don't have to think about the details. Decisions were smooth since our building company has options grouped together. So when you choose lights you are mainly choosing the color or finish only. If you have a special light fixture in mind, it can be substituted easily but not required. I loooooved that since I can be very indecisive. It was nice to have less options to consider. In other words, I am glad God changed my thoughts on building and I do think Tyler and I will still be married at the end of this process. :)

Now, less talking and more pictures!

We left off having the block foundation completed at the end of week 3. At the beginning of week 4, we had some rain that slowed work a little. But on Friday the framers came and worked thru the weekend. We were shocked to see how quick they move! By midday Saturday, you could "walk" into the first floor of our home!

We went back on Sunday and the outside board had been put up. And we toured the house; staring blankly trying to soak it all in!

End of week 4 picture:

The next week, work continued on the second floor and completing the details of the first. We found a couple changes that needed to be made. Its hard to see it all on paper, but in 3d you quickly notice the space here and post there.

The kids of course are ecstatic every time we pull up and it looks different to them. They love running around and have already discovered their racing path in the house!

(Garyn in front of our bay window in the eating area)

I think Layne is worn out from touring!

The porch is added!

Our family room view when standing in the playroom.

 

The foyer, stairs and office area


 
 

  The eating area and kitchen view from the family room

 

Ansley's room

Kids bath....window is too big and will be changed, I guess, so imagine it a foot smaller in width and height.

Garyns room (sorry its blurry)

Layne's room

Our bathtub will be there. Window is size the other bath window should be

Master bedroom

And I had to take a picture of our name on the roof framing. Thought that was cool :)

So at the end of week 5 our house looks like a home! Well, it needs a little more work,well maybe a lot but I just feel its getting close!

(oh & remember there are 4 windows and a door going across front bottom to mirror second level.)

 

We are feeling so blessed!