Renovation Update Part 1

People. 

I have an update.

That's amazing in itself!

We have framework and closets! 

This my friends is Jolies non existent nursery! Although it's semi existent! 

We have a closet framed and the room! Woot! 

This will be our bedroom

And this will be the space for the bathroom

The current entrance they use is right there so it will be a later project to be completed.. Opposite the bathroom will be a hallway, closet and a small little room where we intended for a couch/tv area, but it may end up more like a homework nook. We shall see. 

That's all the updates so far folks!

Hopefully ill have more soon! Friday is our dr appointment and I plan to ask lots of questions! :)

#joliesnonexistentnursery

I am Type A. 

I'll be the first to admit it.

So, naturally, I'm a planner. 

This baby currently doesn't have a room. 

& part of me is dying inside!

I've had ideas of her nursery for a while and things are starting to come together. I've ordered some things from good ol China that I think will tie the room together. Gold circles for the walls, butterflies, a few vases and jars, etc. 

I picked up the jars at Goodwill, I initially thought I would use them in my kitchen, but after contemplating,I thought they would look cute filled with hair bows and headbands.

I wanted to in corporate all the nursery colors in one. Done.

Now, I've been working on the crib. Of course, I forgot to take a before picture. 

But there's just started 

& one coat of paint for all. 

It's Annie Sloan chalk paint, so I'm hoping it pans out like all the blogs I've been researching. I've worked the past 3 out of 4 days, and then our garage is filled with junk until we make a dump

Run so I'm hoping to do a 2nd coat come Friday night. Fingers crossed. I want to say tomorrow, but I plan on taking some Christmas pictures for my sister and want to get a little crafty for that.. Then Thursday I should really edit them. 

Speaking of pictures, we got ours done at a tree farm! Im super pumped about seeing them because as always Stacey was wonderful even though it was cold!! A crisp 45 and wind chill factor made it seem colder. The girls eventually warmed up. & I think they got some awesome shots! I'm dying to see! 

Before: 

After: 

 & also life update:

We are officially an Elf family! 

I asked the girls what to name him. Bria mumbled something which I thought  was Cuddles. I said "Cuddles?" And she said no. Andrew said "Carlos?" And she said yes. So, Ella chimed in- No, it's Baby Carlos. 

Ok.

The next day she called him Tacos. So I'm questioning if it was Tacos all along. We may never know. They eagerly look for him every morning and it's hysterical! They always say "Whatcha doing up there?" So far, we've only hid him in high places so the girls definitely don't touch him. Would hate to lose the magic already! 😂

32 Week update

I took these pictures trying to decide on what to wear for our maternity pictures. I'm still clueless.

But that's a giant 32 week belly folks! 

Im exhausted. That's been the theme this pregnancy and it hasn't changed either. I'm even moreso exhausted than before. My back aches, and at the end of the day I have zero energy. I usually end up vegging out on my bed watching tv. My house and laundry have suffered but I really just can't muster up the energy, like, at all. 

Im 99.9% sure I have a hernia. I was coughing a ton! And I could feel it, I can pretty much push either the hernia or muscle back in around my belly button.. And the scar above my belly button from my gall bladder surgery doesn't help either.  

Besides all that, everything is going well. It's been a weird transition to basketball season. I think it's taken a toll on the girls. They were hard to put to bed yelling for daddy, etc and just fighting any type of sleep- nap or bedtime. It's slowly gotten better into week 3, but it's been an adjustment. Last week was kind of nice, I got to put them to bed by myself and I think that helped and we've managed a routine that we can continue later. 

In the meantime, my big girls are SO big! 

They talk and converse in full sentences and carry on conversations. Just yesterday, I called on my way home from work and Bria answered the phone 

"Hi mommy"

Hey Bri Bri!! 

"Are you coming home?" 

I almost couldn't speak, like- she knew what to say. I started to tear up right there. Andrew got on the phone after she mumbled  something else about the iPad and I said- did you tell her to say any of that? And she said nope. 

SO big! 

Hello Baby JoJo

QI suppose I should talk about this pregnancy a little more huh? Jolie will sure feel left out if I don't! 

We found out on Mothers Day! (Andrew said, what is it with you and all the holidays.. Twins- found out on Christmas!) Anyway, I had a feeling. I was TIRED. I didn't think I should be feeling that tired either. I was losing weight (lost 16 pounds) exercising, eating better and was even taking some vitamins which seemed to help my energy! So I immediately texted Andrew that I felt pregnant. He's like nope. I had taken a pregnancy test and it was negative. So I went on my way. I took another probably 4 days later, still negative. 

I actually went ahead and scheduled myself to get an IUD, we were going back and forth on the baby talk. We were talking about putting AC in our house. Yes,'it was built in 2007 and yes it doesn't have AC. So we were working on a financial plan for that. Estimates, etc. 

Monday was my IUD. I said they are going to make me take a test tomorrow anyways so I'll take one today, Mothers Day. Positive. Guess God answered that question for me! 

Immediately we started talking about our renovations. We had an addition above our stage we were going to eventually finish. Well, it just came sooner than expected. 

I wasn't really very sick, so I had a feeling it was just one. We went for our first appointment and again, we were right. One baby, due Jan 15th! 

I then realized how fun having an old ultrasound machine at my work really is. I love this picture of her! 

Around 14-15 weeks I came down with diarrhea. Like bad. I lost 11 pounds in a week. I couldn't eat. I felt like I could only stomach Diet Coke. The fizz. Yum! But I was in the bathroom a ton! I went to an urgent care, ER for fluids and Was referred To a  GI dr. And after multiple tests, I think they guessed colitis. Maybe pregnancy colitis, maybe not. Either way, I thought I might die. It was awful. 

After getting that under control, besides exhaustion (at 7pm I'm done for.. Even with a nap usually). I still have the symptoms if I drink before I eat- it's coming up. I've been plagued with a sinus issue for about 2 months now and sometimes I just throw up mucous. 

& the heartburn. Oh the heartburn. I'm really torn about this. Heartburn usually means hair, which if Im being honest. Bria's hair right now is divine! 

It's already layered and ombre'd, and gorgeous! It pretty much dries completely straight and in place and she has the cutest top knot ever. BUT Ella's little bald head was my absolute favorite!!

 So, it's hard. I am so curious though as to who this little babe is going to look like. So far, we think Bria. 

I'll be 30 weeks tomorrow! & after switching Drs at 20 weeks, I'm actually excited about going to my appointment! The girls LOVE going! It's adorable! Plus, they are really so good. 

Miraculously, I passed my glucose test by ONE point. I'm still shocked. So that means full term baby over here hopefully!! (Let's hope I didn't just jinx myself, gah!) 

Twin Style Trick or Treat

I just have to say one thing. I am even MORE pumped for Christmas now that Halloween is over. The girls totally "got it" and it was just magical watching them! I am beyond excited. 

We did one trunk or treat last weekend and it went okay. They were excited they got candy but seemed scared. 

They didn't even walk up to anyone until the last person. 

And I think it's just because she had crayons. 

We talked about trick or treat, candy, the song (ya know, trick or treat- smell my feet.. Which they have memorized and I looooove it) all week. They were pumped. 

We did Trunk or treat in our downtown first and they did great, still a little shy. I didn't get any pictures of that one! 

Then we went to my Mamaws. It's seriously a tradition, since before I was even born, my parents used to go just to watch their nieces in their costumes before they adopted me, so whose to mess with tradition. & as usual my Papaw dressed up. Last year he dressed as my Mamaw, his wife. This year, he was box man. Ella was terrified. I have a hilarious picture on my regular camera that I need to upload. It's epic. 

I have much better pictures on my dslr.. But Ella was terrified of box man. So this was pretty dysfunctional. 

We then went actual trick or treating and it was such a freaking blast. Once again all those pictures are with my DSLR and I will upload them soon. Kayleigh and Lylah went and it was a hilarious game of follow the leader basically. Kay first, then Ella, Bria and Lylah excitedly following behind. I didn't even have to go to the door of the houses, y'all. They just went! Ella must particularly love one of our neighbors houses, this is the 2nd year in a row she just waltzes inside without even thinking. It was so great! 

They happily came back home, and dumped all their candy out on the table to admire! We *tried* to combat daylight savings time by staying up later. Which didn't work, FYI. Up bright and early at 6am. (So 5am.) gah. 

If made for one long long morning. 

Which were filled with Pinterest activities. That took up a whole 12.5 minutes. Let me tell ya. 

Christmas planning is now underway now that Halloween is over. Yes, I love Thanksgiving and tradition and food but I want to look at my Christmas decorations lover too dang it!! 

So, it's been a while..

I had a ton of posts saved on blogger because the app wouldn't let me load them and they somehow disappeared. Gah. However, LOTS has been a happening! 

#1) Mothers Day this year. I got the bracelet I wanted! &&&&& a little more! 

Baby #3!! 

With that confirmation, we realized holy crap! It won't have a room! Since May w have been back and forth with our contractor and bank and as I type, I'm wasting time in the BK play place so my spotless house doesn't get messy before our appraiser today. After that is a title exam and then we should close and start work! We are adding 2 bedrooms, a bath, hall closet and our washer and dryer will be moved upstairs! Woot! Mom and dads room will be upstairs with Baby and the girls will be moved into our old room and the old room our upstairs playroom! Lots of changes coming! 

& on the girls 2nd birthday 

We found out Baby M is a.....

GIRL!!! Shocker!! Right?!!  I had just sorted through all the girls clothes and it confirmed my want for another little baby girl! It was time to decide on a name. We pretty much knew the middle name would be Annalynn.. A combination of both our moms middle names! The girls have been calling this bebe- JoJo all along. So we were stuck between Marli and Jolie. 

So we were like what the heck! We want this Bebe to feel as special as the twins so Jolie (meaning beautiful in French) is what we went with! I love it,& it was my #1! 

Next up is the non existent nursery..  Last time I found bedding and planned the nursery around it. Well the bedding quilt sits under the bed and literally does nothing. This time I was determined to have it my way! I found these on a yard sale site and said oh yes!!! 

Which inspired this!! We are getting on old crib from my moms, which Im going to repaint white. They just bought toddler beds for the girls for their house and I brought their Minnie Mouse bedding for there so I think that will help with the transition at home, whenever we decide to do it! 

In prep for the appraiser, my hubby made this! 

& I couldn't be more proud!!! We have been super duper cleaning and I hope our hard work pays off! This house may never be this clean again! 

Well, I promise to never go that long again without blogging! Now their books will be even harder! 😩 but, I'll manage! 

Little bump update! Little Jolie is super active, like all the time! & the girls love her to death!!! 

Closer to 2 than 1!

19 months!

It's so crazy! The warmer days are upon us and going out with you two and just mommy is so easy now! I love it! 

My Ella Girl, 

Your smile is seriously so contagious. You have a fierce attitude but you will be he first to give a hug or kiss if I ask! 

You love running up to me and giving me a great big hug after a long day and I just want to melt! 

This month, your vocabulary is getting better although you've been sick with yet another ear infection. We are getting a glimpse of awesome weather and with that your mood takes a turn for the better. You love taking weekly trips to Nenes and Mamaws and are such a joy!

You do have your bad days and temper tantrums but I feel like you are getting better. Still no interest in the potty but I'm hoping to get there soon! 

You love eggs. So much. I think you could eat them everyday. You also love veggie straws still and cereal! Those at your favorite snacks. You are excellent and feeding yourself and if I could guaranteed you would sit down through the whole dinner, I wouldn't have to keep an eye on you! 

I'm so proud of the little lady you have become. You are helpful. You are loving and you are the sweetest! Momma and daddy love you to the moon and back baby girl! 

Bri Bri, 

You are our little talker! You chat to yourself in the car, to your babies, to sissy... Everywhere! Your vocabulary is getting so good and I don't see it stoping anytime soon! 

You love to be outside and I know why! You love to run free. You love being with your momma and daddy but you love just rubbing. Back and forth! Everywhere! 

You love snacks! Love them! I think you would forgo eating a real meal at all just to eat snacks all day. That's frustrating but sometimes Ella will help you out and feed you. 

You love your babies, dancing and our weekly trips to Nenes and Mamaws. I know Mamaw enjoys your company as well! Kay loves when her babies come over and it's so cute! 

You love helping momma do laundry, dishes and anything you can get your hands on. Lately, it's baking! And sprinkles, but you hate ice cream! Im shocked. I'm hoping you learn to love it. Momma loves her sprinkles but I love ice cream too. 

Your personality is the sweetest, but we can read what your thinking on your face. The faces you make are beyond hilarious. You wear your heart on your sleeve baby girl! Momma and daddy loves you to the moon and back baby doll!