The Kitchen Reveal

This post has been a LONG time coming! This kitchen took many steps. Here is the wallpaper that was driving me crazy!

The first hurdle was getting rid of this chandelier lamp hanging in the breakfast nook.
I had an eye on this particular one from Pier 1 but couldn't get it. Then I found it last year in California on clearance for $27! I really like how it turned out.

We still had the busy wallpaper problem AND border!

Just a few weeks after Levi was born, Jan and Alan came to visit. Jan asked me what she could do to help. I said, "Feel like pulling off wall paper?" (I think it was a late nesting instinct :)
So I put Levi in a sling and away I went. Andrew had a huge paper to write, but he took some time to help with this step.
This was a huge endeavor (and people always say this is the easy way to fix up a house!). The layers of paint underneath the wallpaper were bubbling. We ended up scraping and using a heat gun to take some of the old paint off. A month or 2 ago we finally painted the walls. Then this weekend I decided it was time to install the new kitchen faucet. As you can see, the old one was both rusting and growing things...

Thank you, Andrew, for working hard on this! I love the new one!

Last, hang a few pictures and tada:

Taking down Christmas

We were planning on taking stuff down after California vacation but ended up getting sick. I finally had the energy to attack the tree today. Here is my process: 1) take branches off while leaving lights on so Levi could enjoy. 2) As a strand was detached from tree I checked for broken lights and put a strand at a time away. 3) Then Andrew will box it up. I kinda like the look of little tree on tall base :)
And... after pooping through 3 diapers/outfits, this shirt rings true.

4 Months!

Levi had his 4 month Dr. visit today. He is 15 lbs. 4 oz. 27 inches long. And she wants him to start on a little food now as she says he shouldn't still be nursing 3x a night. Tonight is the first night to test the rice cereal. Wish me luck :)

California 4 - other cute shots

Here is my attempt to take a family picture om the fly with a tri-pod.

I like how this one turned out.

Levi's hat to match Grandpa's.

Levi's first train engine. :) A Christmas present from Grandma & Grandpa.

Toe to toe on a "Yard O' Popcorn."

California 3 - The Beach

Going to the beach is always a highlight for me. This time it was especially special as it was Levi's first beach experience.

This is the baby view from the sling. :)

"Nice wave," you might say. Actually, I was trying to take a picture of the sailing ship in the background. I was so excited when we spotted this because I was just sure they were filming a "Pirates" movie and that Johnny Depp was on board! That and that it really is a pirate ship. :) I have a thing for pirates.

I zoomed in and cropped so you could see what I saw.

Here is a nice tide pool shot from Andrew.

Notice you can see three of me in this shot? I thought it was neat.

Levi's first experience with sand between his toes. :)

California 2

We got to drive Stephen's car to a nice picnic spot one afternoon. We had a blast.

I could not stop taking photos of Andrew & Levi because they were so adorable!

My Great Aunt Bea was able to join us.

Here are a few cute "opening presents" photos.