Bathroom Redo

Since I just posted pictures of Ada in our bathroom, I thought now would be the time to share this old post I had saved 🙂 The first picture is how it looked when we bought it, then we painted before moving in which is the second picture. The renovation started in 2009.

We are in the middle of a 2 year master bathroom project. It all started after we felt a soft spot in the floor around the toilet. Todd ripped up part of the vinyl and found water & mold damage. From there we decided that a new toilet and flooring were needed, but the floor went under the cabinets so we decided to replace those too.

It has taken us quite awhile and we still have a few more things to do, such as replacing the tub, shower tile, baseboards and exhaust fan. I’ll have more pictures when it is all complete, but here is a sneak peak.

Baby Bear

I love this first picture of Ada and my Mom. I also love hats or anything with bear ears attached 🙂

2 Weeks

Since people want more pictures, here are a few cute portraits of our sweet baby girl.

1 Week

These pictures are from Ada’s first week at home. Todd took a few since he could easily get on the floor with her. My parents flew up to stay a week after Ada’s birth and Todd’s Mom drove up for a couple nights. It was nice to have the extra help.

Todd was kind enough to hook my computer up to the TV (so I don’t have to go upstairs), now I can edit and post pictures. If some photos are a little blurry bear with me, I sit 10ft from the screen now 🙂

Ada’s Birth

Contractions began Wednesday, January 12th, around 7pm and continued to get stronger until we decided to call the doctor around midnight. The hospital admitted us at 1:30am at around 3cm dilated. I got an epidural around 4:30 am and we finally were able to get some sleep.

We had a few scares with Ada which led to our decision for a c-section. Ada’s heart rate dropped on three separate occasions (each time progressively longer) which caused about eight women to rush into our room to stimulate the baby again. Her heart rate returned to normal after each time but the doctor was concerned it would happen again when it came time for pushing. Instead of risking the baby’s safety, we opted for the operation.

I don’t remember much after the anesthesia, particularly the laughing gas, but I do remember the doctor saying it was a girl and Ada’s first cries…a very emotional moment for me.

Ada Sydney White was born January 13th at 5:05pm, weighing 8lbs and measuring 20 3/4” in length.

Although labor and delivery did not go exactly as we thought it would, we praise God for a healthy baby and the caring doctors and nurses who looked after us.

37 Weeks

I’ve been told baby could come any day now even though my due date is still 3 weeks away. I really hope it’s sooner rather than later because I can barely move anymore. I am swelling pretty bad all over and was instructed to keep my feet elevated. Everything is still looking normal and good, no complications so far.

Our childbirth class is over and things are moving along. I just ordered diapers since I am doing cloth which will be nice with my new handy dandy diaper sprayer. I am really excited to try this. My enthusiasm will probably fade once I change 10-12 diapers a day and do lots of laundry, but I will try to stay optimistic 🙂 I think we are ready as much as we can be for Roo’s arrival, materialistic speaking that is. We have most of the important baby gear and a short list for both boy and girl names. The hard part is picking the “perfect” name off that list.

Please pray for a safe delivery and a healthy baby in the coming few weeks. Todd will most likely be the one keeping you posted by email or Facebook when the time comes.

So Long Cheesecake

My little Cheesecake had to be put to sleep this afternoon. She became ill very suddenly this week and I knew it was time to say goodbye. My good friend Jessica offered to take her to the vet for me for which I was grateful. I still have Mosey who is going to be quite lonely without her buddy. I am going to have to try a little harder to give her more attention.

This is my favorite picture of Cheesecake from 2009 when her & Mosey came to live with us.

Mouse Trap

Not to confuse you with the game, this is the real thing. We had a mouse living in our house for who knows how long. We heard chewing under the cabinets in our kitchen last week and finally saw the mouse one evening (under the dishwasher). Further inspection revealed the mouse had visited other parts of the house.

Todd, after getting a few ideas online, created an ingenious live trap to catch the little critter. It involved peanut butter, a cardboard box, a wooden ramp, a coat hanger and some water bottles.

Well, it worked and I found the little guy sitting in peanut butter staring up at me at 4am (I was up for a snack too). I transferred him to another container complete with fabric scraps, cheese, oatmeal and water. I have a soft spot for rodents you know.

Later that morning I found the perfect place to set him free, the field behind Ed & Julie’s house! I know they enjoy having a mouse or two in their house so it worked out. Ha, actually I took him to the park (across the river from the Balls) and let him go. He leapt out of the box like no tomorrow and hid under some leaves.

Good riddance (peanut butter covered) Mickey!

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The mouse runs up the ramp into the water bottle tube to get the peanut butter. Once at the end, the off balance tips the tube up so the mouse cannot get out.

Happy Thanksgiving!

We woke up to a couple inches of snow this morning! It is beautiful and still going strong. Hopefully we will be able to make it to our friend’s home this afternoon for a yummy feast.

Thank you Lord for a warm house and a husband who works hard to pay those bills!

32 Weeks

I’m getting closer. Baby is doing well. My doctor believes Roo’s head has moved down which is why I can breathe a little easier these days. Only two more sessions to go in our childbirth class then we are done. Hopefully we’ll remember some of the things we were taught.

Each week that passes I am getting more and more ready to meet our little baby. I am excited to hold Roo…boy or girl…can’t wait to find out.

I couldn’t decide between my two outfits, so you get two similar pictures that show my growing belly 🙂