Hello 3rd Trimester!

     *I am doing multiple posts tonight since I am so terribly behind! It's been a busy summer! The next three posts are new!*

  Just 7 months ago, Carson and I found our we were going to be parents! It's hard to believe we're already knocking on the third trimester's door. We've had an eventful summer that has been stressful at times, but will be worth every ounce once our little girl arrives.
       I debated on announcing her name until her arrival, but in all honesty, I simply slipped on Facebook one day. Carson and I have been debating numerous names since May and finally decided on a simple, traditional name. Elizabeth Blake. Elizabeth is a family name, (my great-great-grandmother-Elizabeth Lee Eddlemon) and Blake is my middle name. We were calling her "Izzy Girl," for fun, but really liked the sound of it. Ultimately, it will be her choice and she will learn her name as Elizabeth, but I call her by her nickname. We'll see if it sticks!
       This month, I have had to really take a break and learn how to "rest." Normally, in the summer, I do this resting thing quite well, but being restricted to only light walking and no lifting (not even 5lbs.) it's been tough. The doctor actually said the words, "No house cleaning!" Wahoo...wait...My house needs some TLC. If I stick with doctor's orders, stay hydrated and keep my feet up, our Izzy girl and I will be just fine in our final 11 weeks.
         We did finally begin to register for our sweet angel and let me tell ya...that was an interesting/exhausting process. Babies need more than I ever imagined and then of course, there are so many precious outfits. Thank the Lord for my sister Kacey...she helped me maneuver the various aisles of bottles, burp rags and diapers. Our only roadblock is the change in seasons...Izzy will be here in the Fall and most of the stores are still stocked with summer clothes. As cute as they are, she won't be able to wear the current outfits until next spring. Regardless, I have a feeling between her two grandmothers, three aunts and Mommy, she will have a full wardrobe! :-)
*My friend Marianne McDonald took my first pre-belly pic. I was excited and bought maternity jeans a little too early!
                                                                  Here is my pre-baby profile.

Me now...I'm actually starting Week 29.

Life is just Beachy!

While Renovation Runge was well underway, we traveled to Sanibel Island in Florida for a few days of sunshine, relaxation and sand. What met us was tropical storm, Debby....which we all found humorous since my Mom's name is Debbie! Ha!
Carson and I joined my parents, my sister and brother-in-law and our two nephews, Beau & Will in the usual, beautiful Sanibel Island. Although there were gray skies and a wet forecast, we had a great time. Sanibel is known for white, sandy beaches, beautiful blue water and a low tide offering up some amazing shells. Plus, our sweet Elizabeth, who call call "Izzy" had her first unoffical beach trip. I can't wait until next year for her first vacation...hopefully Tropical Storm Debby or her other stormy friends won't meet us with 60 mph winds and endless rain. Here are some pics of our trip...I already want to go back!

Kacey, Me and Mom.

Believe it or not, we had to buy hoodies! It was sooooooo chilly in our condo since humidity was 100% and our sunset walks on the beach were extra breezy! Not sure why we did the number thing...

Before the storm rolled in...can we go back!?!

We were in our 26th week!

My Hunny! He was the best "sheller" of the group!

Our traditional "toes in the sand" pic!

Renovation almost complete!

We can finally see the light at the end of our Renovation tunnel! We're not finished, but we're very close and are able to actually live in our house once again. We became aquainted with a local hotel and Belle had to hang out at "Doggie Camp," AKA-She was boarded at the Vet! After the dust settled, here are a few photos of the costruction process and some after shots. We still need light fixtures, light switch panels and hardward accessories. I will post official after pics once everything is pretty and decorated...Which means my Mom will need to come work her magic :-)

This is the new sheetrock on the ceiling of the family room. The old beams will be painted white!

Family room: Bye Bye Wood paneling...I started to panic when I saw this one.

After....well almost! No more wood paneling and new drywall and fresh paint! I think we are painting the fireplace too. If you have ever been to our house, this is a HUGE improvment! They had seagrass wallpaper on the ceiling...again...still more work ahead.

Guest bath before: They call it mellow yellow...I called it...yuck! Those big black dots are mirror glue. This entire guest restroom was mirrored...HELLO 70's! The "lovely" banana boat yellow is now bye bye as well.

Guest bath today and still under construction. The green walls are the sheetrock. It still needs dry wall, texture and paint. BUT, the new white subway tiles are for the shower/tub! We're going for a clean, Pottery Barn look. Very soon, this bathtub will be full of toys :-)


*I will add more later. In total,  we had 4 rooms and 1 restroom done. There is LOTS more to see! :-)