How I Spent My Summer Vacation: Bathroom Renovation

I mentioned earlier that we had a big fat water damage mess to deal with in our upper bathroom and it prompted us to do the huge renovation it's needed since we bought our house 5 years ago. We've had problems again and again with the plumbing leaking in that bathroom and ruining the kitchen ceiling below. Plus it just wasn't well-suited for us, it only had a tub in it so Doug and I had to shower in the small downstairs bathroom every day. The deco was lacking, to say the least.

Before photos:



We had a large construction dumpster delivered to the house right before 4th of July weekend. We had one week to rip out the old flooring, fixtures, and remove the lath & plaster from the walls. Demo is one of the boys' favorite part about our home renovations.

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The pretty, classic, antique claw foot tub that came out of the bathroom only sat on our front porch for a week before I found a buyer via Craigslist that wanted it for his home in Joplin, MO.

We hired a plumber to come in and install lines to where we wanted our new shower/tub to go. Once he dug into that project he found major complications with all of the existing plumbing in there that would only cause us to keep having leaks. He also saw that the floor joists for the room had been cut away so deep in some areas that it was only an inch thick! Eeeks! So we had to have a building inspector come and advise how to get it up to code, then made the repairs needed and then the plumber installed entirely new plumbing to the whole room.

Finally we got to the point where Doug could build the new wall, sheetrock the room and install the subfloor.


We had professional tilers finish the floors and tile around the shower.


Walls were finished and painted, new baseboards cut and fitted. The plumber returned for a day of hooking up the sink, showerhead and toilet.After two long months of work, it was finally operational! We still need to cut & install the crown molding around the ceiling and a little bit of baseboard, then paint those. However, it is usable now and great to be in!

After photos:

Wow, what a busy month!

In my last post, I told of our fence project and the upcoming, unexpected need to reno our upper bath. Well, I am happy to share that the fence is done, perfect and beautiful!





Our landscape plan is to build raised beds for a vegetable garden along the garage wall.


The bathroom project is still in the early stages. We booked a plumber and selected new tile flooring. This Friday a dumpster is being delivered to our house so we can start gutting it. Oh joy!

One additional thing has happened... We had to get a new roof on our house! After weeks of heavy rains & high winds, the ceiling in the master bedroom turned into a waterfall during a storm. Apparently there was substantial hail damage and it needed to be completely replaced. The roofer we hired moved quickly and worked with our home owners insurance to get our claim processed fast. It took two very long days for their team to turn our roof from this (older photo, took it when we last did landscaping)



to this.



Our landscaping is a mess, we let it go since we knew we were going to be doing so much exterior work and didn't want to waste money on plants that would get injured. We plan on getting the exterior painted and the porch railing rebuilt next year, so we will hold off on landscaping until that is finished. Wish we could get on a Curb Appeal show and get it all done in one whack for free, lol!

Goodbye Ghetto Fence!

Things have been crazy already this summer. We decided this spring that we really needed to tackle replacing our fence in the backyard. It's sorry, "homemade", broken, unsecured condition just wasn't safe for the kids to play in. A previous owner slapped this thing together out of salvaged pieces and it sure looks it.

The driveway gate is a struggle to swing open & shut, has a latch set on the inside right at an easy height for Sean and Aidan to open (not good) and too low for me to reach to open from the outside (not good.)

The smaller front gate has no latch at all so it's usually tied shut with a piece of rope. Unless a repair man/meter reader comes by and leaves it open.


The back gate is two parts: a lovely cattle fence that Aidan has been teaching Sean how to climb over.

And this funny looking thing that secures with a loop of clothesline wire and is often smothered by fence foilage.

So what part of this rickety system is fencing? well, that would be these slapped together bits of barn siding patched with 1 x 2's and supported with steel posts intended for chain link fences. One side is smack dab next to the over-lording neighbor's deck.

The other side is being strangled by the other neighbors' overgrown, wasp-enticing ivy.

Initially, we thought Doug would build the new fence. He did a fabulous job on our deck 2 years ago, but we learned from the experience that it takes a whole lot longer to do when he has to do it alone while I try to keep the kids out of danger. So this project we decided to scrap enough money together to have it hired out. We're saving a bit by preparing the yard for the builders & hauling off the old fence. Last night, Doug got one side done and it so nice to see that ugly thing out of here! It really gets me excited about the finished result.

Unfortunately, in amidst all this planning, we've had a new project pressed upon us. We spent Memorial Day weekend at my parents' house so Doug could work on building railing on their deck. I hadn't made arrangements for a cat sitter, so I just filled up several bowls of food & water, plus turned the tub tap on a trickle so she'd have plenty to eat & drink. When we got home, we walked into our kitchen and the ceiling was dripping wet and a puddle was covering the kitchen floor. Doug ran upstairs to see if the bathroom toilet had over flowed or something, only to see that the tub had filled with water & was draining into the overflow drain.

The drain is suppose to connect to the tub drainage system, but apparently it isn't. I hadn't checked to see if the tub stopper was up and the tub had created a huge problem from just a little trickle of water! I had no idea such little water could fill up a tub so fast.

We filed a home owner's insurance claim and will probably spend July and August replacing the tub & plumbing, bathroom floor, and the kitchen ceiling. What a nightmare! Granted, that bathroom is on our reno list (it only has a tub, no shower) but it isn't very close to the top due to the expense. Dang thing just got bumped up, all for the sake of a thirsty cat.

So, yeah, I guess that's how we will be spending our summer vacation. Good thing I didn't pay for us to book a trip to Colorado like I wanted!

iPods as Communication Devices & other random ideas

So, I have a few misc things to blog. One is an idea I thought of awhile ago and have been thinking about since. Here's my thoughts, bullet style. :)

* Aidan got an iPod Nano for Christmas and one of the features it has is the ability to record short videos as well as voice messages. Loads of fun for the boy that has made over 75 videos on our cell phone, but also a possible tool for Sean. See, occasionally his school has used their digital camera to film Sean's feeding therapy. We've gotten a dvd copy once in the past 3 years to show us how they work with him. I got the idea that maybe we could get a Nano for Sean's teachers to use to record sessions/helpful tips on and just send it back and forth in his backpack.

A modern day version of a communication folder or notebook that would allow us to see actual video of things he is doing & how to do them at home.

One of the biggest challenges of having a speech delayed child is that we can't ask him, "How was your day, Sean? What did you do today at school?"

They send home a generic slip of paper with boxes checked off that really offer little information on Sean's actual day compared to the rest of his class. If I saved them, I'd have a pile of paper reaching the ceiling that says "snack time: tried it? y/n liked it? y/n". 99% are checked no and no, by the way.

We've discussed if this could possibly be something worked into his IEP for next year. His preschool teacher thought it sounded like a possibility, but we haven't bought one yet for Sean's exclusive use.

* Speaking of IEPs, Sean's has been scheduled for April 21. The school district Kindergarten pre-registration is on April 15, so I think I need to go to that, too.

* In news not related to Sean, his little sister is a wild woman! She looks totally toddler now with double scraped up knees and shin bruises from ankle to knee. This weekend she climbed on the porch swing and wedged her chubby thigh between the seat & back, resulting in me needing to pry it out & now has fine bruises in a linear formation.

* In related news, Sean and Ella have both learned how to unlock the front door handle. EEKS! I returned home one morning from taking Aidan to school to see the front door wide open and both of them swinging on the porch. Doug had been in the shower when I left. We now have to chain ourselves in to keep them from running out front all day.



* Aidan's school is having their Spring Concert tomorrow night and we are excited to go see him perform. He's happy that he has a line to say during the show and has memorized the words to their songs. I never knew there was a second verse to It's a Small World !

* All three kids have had massive growth spurts this winter. Aidan has gown up a clothing and shoe size since the beginning of the school year, so I took him shoe & uniform shopping last weekend. Ella is getting so tall and also moved into a new shoe size. But most surprisingly is that Sean has gained weight for the first time in YEARS! He's up to 38 pounds now, whereas he's been stuck at 34 for a couple years. He's also grown taller and I think I might fit in size 5 pants by Kindergarten.

* We found out about Sean's growth spurt due to a trip to the doctor for a nasty ear infection last week. It's cleared up now and I hope the tube is still securely in place. He had so much drainage the doctor couldn't see the tube last week. Yuck!

* We are debating on summer plans for the boys. Trying to decide on if Sean will do summer school. If Aidan will do coach-pitched baseball again. We want to get Sean in swimming lessons, he is such a fish and so in love with going to the pool.

* We also need to decide if we are going to go somewhere do something special for our 10th anniversary & Doug's 40th bday. Both events occurring this summer.

* We need to plan a start date for our summer building project- tearing out the ratty old fence and making a lovely new wood privacy fence.


Yeah, I guess that's enough for now.

Bathroom Renovation W.I.P.

So it's been almost a month since we started our "quick, little bathroom update" project. LOL! We made a lot of progress, but have more to do. I didn't get to take official before photos, but have posted pix of the kids in there before we started. Like this one, where you can see the old linoleum and the wallpaper:


We pulled the floor, baseboard, wallpaper and old sink & medicine cabinet/light out. Doug did extensive repairs to the drywall, moved a light switch and outlet, re-wired the ceiling light and hung a new mirror light. I painted the walls and inside the linen closet. Doug installed the new floor, plumbed in a new sink, installed beadboard and the sink cabinet.






This bathroom also has our only shower, but the only thing we did to it was paint above the stall and put up a new curtain.

We have left to do:
cut & install chair rail & baseboard
paint all the new wood work so that is is the same shade of white as the cabinet.
put one more shelf in the linen closet for the beach towels & old towels for cleaning
hang up towel bars and artwork

I predict it will be done before the end of next month. :)

Where Have I Been?

In case you've been wondering and haven't followed my Facebook updates...

I took a bloggy break because 1. the spacebar on my keyboard was shot and it has been really annoying to try to comment on the blogs I follow or blog here. and 2. Friday, Sean brought home a lovely stomach virus from his summer school classroom and we all had the benefit of experiencing it. Today was his first day back to class so I stopped by the computer store and bought a new keyboard. :) I am sorry I haven't been keeping up with comments on your blogs, but I have read them!

We are hopefully back on our feet now. The kids had some fun playing outside yesterday and Doug is back to work on the bathroom remodel project. Most of the floor is done (hopefully he can finish it tonight) and he will move on to the woodwork next (beadboard, chair rail and baseboard.)

My sister is bringing her sons out for a visit (and leaving them with me for 2 days) next week, so my goal is to have the bathroom functioning by then. Aidan is beside himself with excitement about their visit. He says, "Adam is my most favorite person in the whole wide world!" I will have 5 kids in the house- better stock up the kitchen! I am sure we will make quite the sight when we go out- 4 boys and then baby girl. Bet people will think we kept trying to get a girl. :)

Aidan has his first wiggly tooth! Lower right front tooth.

Sean shows me that he is feeling "strong."

Ella gets a bath while she plays.

Week Recap: Potty, Feeding, Sewing, Playing, Crawling, Remodeling

So, I haven't had a whole lotta typing time lately. Three kids in the house, little napping going on,and too many projects. So here's a run down of the week while the two littles are sleeping. First duo nap all week.

1. Potty Learning: Sean has done fairly well with this at home, but only if a) he wears just a shirt and undies and b) poop does not need to go in the potty.

If I put shorts on over the undies, he forgets that he is diaper free and has an accident. If I put him in a pull-up, he forgets that he can pull it down to potty and just goes on the go. So we use pull-ups while out of the house and sometimes have luck taking potty breaks out in public. We also slip a pull-up on for nap/bedtime, but I don't think he needs it then because he is usually dry.

He does not get that he needs to sit to poop. He runs to the potty, stands there, tooting away thinking the poop is going to jump from his rear to the potty. If I run in and sit him down, he lasts a few seconds before getting up to stand in front of the potty again. So, yes, we've been scooping poop off the floor. Or he does it in the pull up. We need to keep working on this, obviously.

Also, with MUCH excitement, Aidan taught Sean how to pee on the fence in the backyard today. Sean is officially ready for keg parties now.

2. Feeding: Sean had a follow up appt with his ENT this week, regarding his tube surgery. Tubes look great and Dr said he wants us to come in every 6 months to keep an eye on them. He feels confident that they won't fall out. I brought up Sean's feeding issues and reflux and asked if we should see a GI/get a swallow study done. Dr E was all over this, he said Sean absolutely needs to get checked out. He gave us a script for Prevacid and booked a feeding study in Wichita. From there, they will refer us for a swallow study and anything else.

At LAST!

We are too bring him there hungry, with foods he eats and foods he has trouble with (um, that would be everything!) They will watch how he eats and make determinations. I AM SO FREAKING GLAD! I want answers! I need to know if the current approach his school is using is the right approach for him. I need second opinions. I NEED ANSWERS.

3.Sewing/Knitting: I have been loving learning to knit and am totally ready to jump into a project. My friend/knit mentor is going to help me get started on my first diaper soaker soon. Hopefully next week. In the meantime, I've been knitting little swatches to practice knit/purl.

My friend Ellie came over yesterday and talked me thru a sewing project I've had sitting in a drawer. I converted a shirt and fabric into a playdress for Ella. It wasn't too complicated and I think I can make one again on my own fairly easily (providing, of course, that said child allows.)

4. Playing: Wednesday was the start of our summer playgroup. We love getting together with my momma friends and their kiddos. I really look forward to Wednesdays in the summer. Week 2 of baseball was a bit of a bummer. Aidan's got rained out and Sean was less than co-operative for his due to a lack of nap. Gotta work on that. Tonight we get to meet up with local families that have kiddos with Ds for a family playdate. Sean starts summer school on Monday, so I hope he enjoys seeing his school friends again.

5. Crawling: Eleanor is just so into crawling! Her current obsession is crawling up the stairs. She doesn't know how to go down them, so this is not so fun for me. The boys find it hysterical and love to crawl up with her. Must make a video.

6. Remodeling: Doug has spent what little free time he's had this week on the electrical work in the bathroom and drywall repair. He had to move the connection wires for the sink light fixture to accommodate the new mirror and also moved the switch plate and a wall outlet up higher so that it wouldn't be in the area where he is going to put up beadboard. Our plan was that I would be able to paint this weekend and then he can use evenings next week to install the beadboard/chair rail. Then we'd do the floor the weekend after this and get the sink installed so he could finish up with the baseboard. Not sure if our timeline is going to work out because he has some freelance work to do this weekend too. Oh well, eventually we will get it done!

So, I hope everyone is enjoying the warm days and having fun in the sun. :)

Well, that went by fast!

Why is it that a 3 day weekend sounds like a nice chunk of time to get things done in, but whips by so fast?

We enjoyed our time with Nana, she enjoyed time with this little one.

Aidan made this.

Doug and I started on this.


And Sean worked on gaining this.

Summer Vacation, Day 1

Yesterday was the first day of summer break for the boys. Wow, are they used to being kept busy! I had my hands full keeping them occupied nicely.

They started the day wanting to play school and got out the worksheets their teachers sent home. They played outside a few times, we got out the big bubble wands for awhile. We filled the bird feeder again. Got them showered and dressed and had lunch with daddy.

Sean had about a 50% success rate with the potty. They played Captain Underpants for a bit.

We danced to Youtube videos. We read books. They watched Scooby Doo and let Ella take a nap. More playing outside while I made dinner. Ella fell asleep in her highchair after eating Goldfish.

We watched the bird feeder bandit and a few birds got to eat also.

Finally daddy got home after working late and we got to have our dinner. I left Doug in charge of kitchen clean up while I went to clean out our van. OMG, that really needs to happen more than once every 9 months! It took forever to get all the playground rocks from the school year out.

Today we are eagerly awaiting Nana's arrival. She is spending the weekend with us to help with the kids while Doug and I get going on the bathroom remodel! Yay!!

Finished our Family Room!

Our new carpet was installed yesterday and we put the furniture back in last night, so our family room project is complete! I am really happy with the color- it's so warm and cozy. For the first time in the three years we've lived here, we finally have curtains on the sliding glass doors. The carpet is so nice and soft- perfect for playing on with the kids. I even came up with a use for the odd closed-in interior window- I had Doug cut some shelves so I can use it as a photo display nook. Aidan and Sean's favorite part is the carpet tube that the installers "forgot" to take with them. It makes a great shoot for golf balls and doubles as a didgerdoo or an alphorn. Unfortunately, the carpet was one day late, as Ella took a face plant on the wood sub floor the night before. She will have a much softer landing now for more of this:

Snot, Snot, Puke, Puke, Snot, Leaky Poops, Snot

Yeah, that about sums up my week. Sean's been sick since Monday. Ella is still sick inspite of 6 days of antibiotics. I'm tired and often cranky.

Hope to get us all well again soon.

Been working on a fun project for Sean's school carnival (this Saturday!) so I will share pics of it soon. It should be finished today. I got the walls painted and we plan on ripping out carpet this weekend. So excited to get it out of here!

Obama, Bowling, Puke and Carpet

So the Internet is all a buzz today regarding Obama's remark on the Late Show last night. Rightly so, he made a huge mistake in correlating his poor bowling abilities to the Special Olympics. Our blogger friend Sarah wrote a wonderful letter to the President that sums up how many of us feel today. I am sorely disappointed in our leader and it will take more than a apology via another person to make up for it.

I have my hands full with my own domestic matters today. Eleanor's runny nose and cough caused me enough concern that I took her to the Ped today. She has her very first ear infection. :( Poor thing has just been miserable. After we got home, I sat down to nurse her, she stopped for a sec to cough and coughed so hard she threw up all over herself and me. I have officially been puked on by all of my children. I took her into the bathroom to strip us down for a quick shower and, lucky me, she had the runs too! Ugh! Aidan found it very amusing.

By the way, he is home from school today because last night he had a fever of 101.5 and has started the coughing bit as well. Give Sean a couple days and I am sure he will catch it. Joy!

In the meantime, our carpet installation got delayed a week due to a shipping set back, so I guess it's a good thing I can't get any painting done for a few days while I fight the sickies. Umm, TGIF?

Painting Again & Carpet Arriving Soon!

Yay, another home reno! Last year we worked on our back room, which we use as our family room. When I posted about the project last year, I mentioned that we planned on changing out the carpet at some point. Well, now that the cat that caused most of the carpet damage is gone, we are moving forward with the new carpet. It is scheduled to installed next week, so in preparation I am painting again. I decided to go with the same golden brownish color we have in the living room. It is going to look great with the new carpet.

I started last night, so here's a work-in-progress look.


And I had to add a sleeping Ella photo. She grown so big, I'm sure we won't be using the infant car seat till one.