Renovations 101 (Part 2): Finally done!

The title of this post could also be, "He's a Hard-Workin' Man!" Brett has been, as my mom often calls him, an example of Saint Joseph lately with his assortment of handyman skills. He has definitely been able to put his talents to great use on our fixer-upper of a house! I blogged several months ago about our first renovations to our kitchen, entryway, dining room, and guest bathroom (see blog post: http://thewintersworld.blogspot.com/2008/11/renovations-101-part-1.html). Lately he has been preoccupied with our master bathroom and the nursery. He is so good at tiling, so he thought he'd try his hand again on our second shower. Here is a refresher of what he did for the guest shower:

Before shot: White tile everywhere!

After shot: travertine and the oil-rubbed bronze hardware

Taking on the master shower...a big task! You can see the reflection of the old shower in the mirror (along with the hideous wallpaper, light fixtures, and linoleum floors). This 90's-inspired bathroom was in dire need of a facelift!

Let the demolition begin!!

Now there's a big hole in our wall (and floor)!

Brett worked on this shower while I was on a vacation with my girlfriends. When I got back, it was almost completed. What a great hubby I have!!

Tile is up, now all we need is the glass.

Aw, much better. Our newly-tiled, frameless shower :)

My hubby is one dedicated renovator, that's for sure! Even though he works 50+ hour work weeks (sometimes 70-hour weeks :( depending on the time of year) he has spent what seems like every available weekend and night he gets away early from work to improve our house. Here are some more before/after pics of the rest of the updates:

Above: before shot of the linoleum tile, wallpaper, brass sink fixtures, and closet mirrors/doors (can you say, "Ew, ew, ew.")

Below: Now we have stained concrete floors (a dark brown with some black) and new cabinet hardware. Now, we need to do something about those cabinets...

Our new light fixtures, painted (a caramel color) and textured walls, and the uber cheap home-made frames (Brett sanded and stained some boards for this rustic look...I love 'em! And the fact that we saved money on the frames is a definite bonus:) You can see both vanities in the reflection.

Above is the centerpiece off which we based the designs around. Brett received this 1845 Texas map for being a groomsman in a wedding last summer. Thanks David and Sara for the inspiration!

Our brushed nickel faucets (watering holes) and sinks. We also had leftover granite from our kitchen remodel. Below is my favorite new feature in our bathroom (okay, maybe second favorite behind the shower): our water spout faucet for the tub. It is so cool!

While we were tackling the master bathroom, we thought we'd just continue the renovations to the closet. As you can see, it needed it!

Before shot/Above: carpet in a closet...not fun when you have two big dogs who like to hang around you in the morning while you get ready for work.

Below: off-white/cream-colored mounts and shelves (eye sore) that we repainted to white.

Distressed wood floors from Floor and Decor

New hardwood floors, stained rods, and painted shoe rack. Not too much on the list, but it made a BIG difference! It feels so upscale now and I love it! Now, all we need are the saloon doors for the closet entrance :)

Honestly, I could not be more ready to submit this post because we have had renovations going on in our house since last June! Ahhhh...but HOORAY, we are finished!! And now (as I have said before) we can kick up our feet and enjoy a newly renovated (and much cleaner) house before our little boy gets here.

And, for those who have been asking, here's a sneak-peek of the nursery. Can't reveal too much (we are still waiting on a couple of items) because I will designate an entire post for it when it is finished. Can't wait!

Baby Shower Fun

This past weekend, baby Jameston and I were showered with gifts and good times at a get-together hosted by some friends from church. It was a lovely morning shower filled with great food, beautiful decor, good conversations (plus tips for this mother-to-be), and wonderful gifts of course!

Hostesses: Sharon, Allison, Lauren, me, Haylee, Cari, and Amy

Thank y'all!Look at those options! What a beautiful (and scrumptious) arrangement!

Plate full o' sugar cookies made by Allison...so cute!

I could eat way too many (pregnant or not :)

My younger sisters made the trek so they could be there. They have been great supporters throughout several milestones in my life (uh-hum...maid of honors three years ago :) just to name one example). And I know the birth of their first nephew will be no exception!

Me and Maggie take a pic...she's gotta update her facebook page!

The Stewart gals: Lynnlee, Maggie, Me, and my mom

My middle sister, Lynnlee, is expecting a little one of her own with hubby Thomas in January! We CANNOT wait to find out what they are having and to meet him or her. Counsin Jameston is moving around with excitement as I type this! Is it going to be a little girl or boy cousin for him to play with? We'll find out next month! Also, my mom, step-mom, and Brett's mom all joined in on the fun. What a great family I have!

L to R: Brett's mom Cynthia (Granny), my step-mom Glenda (GG), and my mom, Donna (Mimi)

The crew at our house, before we headed to the shower

We received lots of sweet, sweet goodies!

We are so blessed to have such a wonderful church family, too!

West Texas Wedding

Two weekends ago we headed to San Angelo for Brett's cousin, Josh's, wedding. It was a beautiful ceremony and a fun reception. We learned about Josh and Jessica's courtship, our niece Riley is a dancing machine (especially with her second cousin, Gage), and that Brett's sister, Kayla, is the favorite aunt of the bunch!

Jared and Brett, what are you up to?

Being silly

The Winters gals posing for a group shot...we missed you Bryn!

I wish we had taken more pictures from the actual wedding. I did take some family shots the next morning that I thought I would post.

Aww...the siblings

Aunt Kayla with Ruby and Riley

Brett getting some practice in with our niece, Ruby...so sweet!

Got belly?

I sure do! After having been told time and time again over the last several months (if I had a penny for every time someone said it...) by family and friends and patients at work (it's the lab coat I tell ya!) that I don't look very pregnant, I now have to say "I told you so!" I know, I know...I'm tall, and he's got lots of room to stretch out, but this girl is feeling mucho preggo, and now it's time I received a little recognition :) Let me explain...

The latest side shot :)

I went in for my 30-week appointment last week, and my doc said that I am measuring big for where I should be right now. At first I was worried, but she reassured me that it's nothing to fret about. She said it could be due to one of several causes: our due date is off (it's been changed two times now), little Jameston is sitting high up (and they want to make sure he repositions, so that he's not breech), an amniotic fluid issue, or that our baby boy is a BIG boy. I am hoping it's either the first or the last possible causes. We go in for a sonogram in early August (selfishly, I was hoping for another sonogram to capture the development and growth of our little guy over the last three months, but not by doctor's orders!). Until then, here is a humorous picture of my recent state...

Story behind this picture: I have been painting door frames and doors throughout the house (with a latex/acrylic paint in a well-ventilated area, no worries), and Brett thinks my outfit and changing physique are picture-worthy. Luckily, the picture was taken from the side, because I can barely fit into my "painting pants," much more zip them up!

So, as you can see, my belly popped WAAY out there...I am lovin' it; it just makes some everyday chores and tasks a little more awkward. Here's to 8 more weeks of belly growth!

30...and some fun pictures!

So, here we are at the 30-week mark. These last few months seemed to have gone by quickly, I guess because we've been so busy preparing for our little guy and with life in general. But I have heard from numerous friends and family members that the last couple months, especially the last four weeks, drag on. Here's to that "light at the end of the tunnel!" Speaking of baby preparation activities, we had our childbirth class this past weekend...it was interesting (and I thought informative), but if you want a humorous account of the material, please ask Brett for the details :)

I am still feeling great, just getting bigger by the day and a little more tired here and there. I have gained about almost 25 pounds, so that means I'll probably gain about 30-35 pounds overall (another reason for the title of this post :)

Pop goes the belly! The stripes are not deceiving :)

Our little Jameston is definitely a mover! He's been an active fella over the last few weeks. I'll feel him move on one side of my belly, and then, low and behold, on the other side I'll get a kick or a punch. It's amazing! I think he's gonna be a big boy (maybe long in the legs, too, or so we've been told). We watch in amazement as our little guy moves around, causing my belly to contort in the funniest directions!

It's awesome to think that our baby boy will be here in a little over two months!

Here are some fun, random pictures that I thought I'd include in this post:

Rangers game and fireworks with my dad, stepmom, and Brett...we had a blast (even though it was a scorcher of a day)!

Can you see our dogs? Who knew they had chameleon characteristics. Haha! As soon as they come in from outside, they like to lay on the cool tile or wood floor.

I helped watch our nieces, Riley and Ruby, last week. Aren't they precious?!Here is a picture of Marlie in awe of Ruby. I was worried how our dog would handle being around babies...but not anymore! They entertained each other, that's for sure!

3 years: 2 dogs, 1 house, and a baby on the way!

Three years ago today I married the man of my dreams!

It was the perfect wedding and celebration that we still talk about often.

It brings a smile to my face when I reminisce on our lives together since we started dating back in 2001.

Look how young we look! Times flies when you're having fun :)

Here's a little run-down of what's been going on in "The Winters' World" over the last three years. We bought our first home in December of 2006 after living in an apartment near the Galleria (where Brett works) for six months.The house, although only fifteen years old, has definitely kept us busy with repairs and renovations (as seen as a common topic throughout our blog :) We love our home and plan on being here for a little while longer, because we need to enjoy those updates and get our money's worth out of them!

Before we got married, I had a dog named Boomer I adopted in the summer of 2005. Brett took to him as quickly as I did, not only because Boomer stayed at Brett's house in Lubbock and not at my apartment, but also because Boomer is simply the best dog in the world! Around Easter of last year we adopted Marlie, a yellow lab puppy rescued by a local shelter. She has definitely tested our patience, but we love her nonetheless. They love each other, and they constantly provide us with laughs!Since 2006 and 2007 were spent mostly saving up for our house and all the demolition we have taken out on it, we were able to do a little traveling last year.

Chicago in June

Central America in July:

Guatemala

Belize

California in October

As we gear up for our first child, I can say we have been truly blessed in these last three years.

28 weeks...12 and counting!!

Brett, you are the most wonderful husband/best friend/partner in life that one could ask for, and I love you so much. I thank God every day for you, and I can't wait to see what our future years have in store for us! 

"Grow old along with me, the best is yet to be."