Second Floor and Roof 03-30-10

-Carmen

Garage Walls 03-25-10

The garage walls were started, today.

-Carmen

Interior Walls 03-24-10

I can't believe I forgot my camera, today!  This is from my phone.....  our house has guts!

-Carmen

Walls 3-23-10

The first floor SIPs installation was completed today, plus a portion of the second floor.

-Carmen

And we have WALLS!

The wall install began, today!!!!!

We chose SIPs panels from a local company for the shell of the house, which are known for superior insulation properties.  This will vastly improve the energy efficiency of the house.

These walls are the center of this whole project.

A foam core is sandwiched between dense plywood and cut like puzzle pieces per plan specs.  Here are our walls at the factory.....

The walls were delivered to the site and then anchored to the foundation.

Almost a quarter of the SIPS walls were installed today.  I think that is pretty amazing!

Install continues this week, and with any luck and decent weather, the shell will be completed by the weekend.  (There is rain in the forecast ... again.)

-Carmen

Plumbing and Foundation

Remember when I said we stocked up on Vitamin C?  Holden was sick by Thursday of his first week of school.  By Friday, mommy started feeling the effects as well.

We are all feeling better, but tired....

So, I'll keep the text to a minimum and post a bunch of pictures....

The plumbing and foundation were completed on the house this week.  This is a HUGE milestone.  No more waiting on saturated ground to cooperate.  No more pacing!  There is always something we can work on now.  (And today there is snow on the ground!)

Jordan and his dad worked so hard on the plumbing installation.  I am amazed by what they were able to accomplish.

The ground was smoothed and prepped with cables stretched between the forms before the concrete was poured.

Finally, early Friday morning the foundation was poured.  The guy in the green hoodie is standing where the concrete pour started.

Like buttuhhhh......

Holden wanted to help with the plumbing tape and threw it onto the damp concrete.  When scolded, he turned away, crossed his arms, stomped his foot and said, "I'm so mad" .... something he learned at school this week.

Holden wants to help so bad.  He arrived on the job site with his tape measure.

Holden loves playing in the dirt and climbing our little hill.

the reason for all of this......

-Carmen

A Darker Shade of Really Pale

Cooper's skin color fascinates me.  I'm a freckled lass with pale "blue" skin.  Jordan is equally as pale, but freckle-less and "pink."

Coop is sporting a nice little tan.

-Carmen

Holden's First Day of School

Today was H's first day of school.  A bittersweet day, indeed.

It was incredibly difficult for me to move him from Mrs. B to preschool.  Mrs. B has been his other mommy for so long.

Jordan and I struggled with this decision for a long time, but ultimately decided it is time.

Holden is so incredibly social and adjusts easily.  A gift I, as adult still struggle with at times.

He had a very good first day.  His teachers reported that he *loves* to sing and dance, to eat and talk.  He played with the other kids like he has always been in preschool.  Holden is very polite and says "please and thank you," without prompt.  

Holden has three hurdles he will be working on in preschool.... using a potty consistently (they have a potty training expert on staff ... God bless her) and without giggles, drinking out of a cup without spilling and without giggles, and napping only one time a day without giggles.

There were some tears this morning when we first arrived.  H was easily plied with a cereal bar and changed his tune.  Mommy saved her tears for the car ride home, and then the ride to work, and a few more secret times throughout the day.  I felt nauseated every time I thought about him.  The really really really sad part ... the school is only two blocks from my office.  I'm so pathetic.

I've never dropped off a kid at a preschool before.  This was a first for me, too.  It's a weird, weird feeling.

I stocked up on kid vitamins packed with vitamin C this evening.  I have a feeling we will all be sick before long while adjusting to H's new daytime environment.

When we left the school today, my sweet little man went up to each of the other kids in class and said, "bye-bye, see you tomorrow."

He is now passed out from exhaustion in his big boy bed.

-Carmen

Theezzz Please

Holden talks and talks .... and talks ... and talks .... ALL the time.

He has a comment for everything.

"I don't want it."  "This is delisus!"  "Peas are ucky."  "Beans are ucky."  "Poop is ucky."  "My tummy hurts."  "I'm sorry."  "I'll shut the door."  "I'll get it."  "I can do it."  "I keep trying."  "Come on momma."

And on, and on.

This is H telling me his version of "cheese."

THEEEZZZZZZ!

-Carmen

The Nose has it

I have been trying for a while to figure out whose nose Holden may have.  It doesn't look like mine or Jordan's.

Holden's cheeks, hair, jaw and chin are clearly his daddy's, but something about the middle part - his eyes, nose and mouth look more and more like my family features.

Flipping through some pictures of my grandparents, today I found one of PawPaw that seemed familiar.  The more I looked at it, the more I could see Holden.

This isn't the greatest picture of Holden, but it is at a similar angle.  If you saw Holden in person you could see what I'm talking about.

Regardless, for now I see PawPaw's big light blue eyes, broad nose and pout. And that gives me some peace.

-Carmen

 

Happy 4 Months Cooper!

Our tiny little monkey has started to chub up, finally.....

He wasn't getting the nutrition he needed so we switched to soy, which is not only easier on his tummy, but also gives off a very distinct odor.  I liken it to the smell of my car an hour after I have removed a bag that recently held french fries from Mickey D's.  In other words - Cooper stinks.

But I don't care because he is now happier and healthier.  And according to an online poop chart (oh yes, such a thing does exist complete with descriptions and visuals - click on it, you know you want to) he is now right on target for a heaping helping of health and prosperity.

Cooper opens his mouth as though he will burst in guffaw, only to let out an occasional tiny yelp.

And perhaps the biggest news this month .... his left hand MET his right hand and they have been inseparable ever since.

-Carmen

In a Rut

Suuuhhhhhlllllllllloooooooooooowwwwwwwwww as molasses.

The piers for the house were drilled and filled this week.  We stopped by today to see how it looks.

I have to say, it was a little disturbing to see our previously smooth terra madre so disheveled.

H searched for his pal paci ...

... just kidding.

It's actually one of the piers ....

Whoever keeps praying for all the rain - stop it.

-Carmen

We have had a breakthrough with the brothers.  Tis a fantastic day, indeed.

There are days that Holden runs the tips of his fingers across the top of Cooper's fauxhawk and says, "it tickles."

There are days (usually the same day) that Holden attempts to steamroll over Cooper laying on his playmat in the floor.

And then there are very special days like this......



-Carmen

And the Texas Children Rejoice

Record breaking snow in these here parts.

We also saw a record number of snowpeople.  When you live where we do, you are lucky to have a four hour window each year to hone your snow packing abilities.

-Carmen

Holden Thanks Ya

Here is the Thank You card I made for H's birthday "thanks."  Candle photo was taken by Auntie L at the party.

-Carmen

Happy 2.083 Holden!

Holden is turning into an old man before my eyes.  He insists on wearing his robe after his bath, brushing his teeth on his own, washing his hands before meals, shutting the door behind him so the warm air doesn't get out, getting himself in and out of the car, using a spoon (even though he misses or dumps every bite,) uses "please," "thank you," "I'm sorry," and "I don't want it" (signing most words!) appropriately.

Holden also recites the sweetest little prayer before meals and bedtime....

Dear Jebus.  Thank you.  For the food.  Aaaaaamen.

Dear Jebus.  Thank you.  For mommy.  For daddy.  Aaaaaamen.

Physically he is turning into a football player.  Poor baby isn't made for track or rock climbing.  He will be mommy's little jar opener before long.

-Carmen

Don't Mind if I do...

-Carmen

Andy's Blue Hour

When I wasn't even looking, I found the most incredible photographer.

Mr. Heatwole captures Texas landscape in a way that ... as I told him ... makes me miss my momma.

So I got a little something special to hang over the fireplace in our new house.

His work is a must-see for anyone that has a soft spot for the versatility, color and texture of Texas.  Trust me you will want to dive right in to Andy's photos.

Also, the artiste has been very thorough and patient with my million and one questions and ramblings.

-Carmen

Happy 3 Months Cooper!

Our little nugget is smiling and "talking" a lot this month.  Cooper sleeps through the night most nights, and is overall a very easy-going kid.

He loves to sit in his swing, and he loves him some MOMMA.  We stare at each other and make silly faces until one of starts to cry.

Cooper is holding his head up very well and starting to hold his bottle for a couple of minutes at a time.

Coop is still super snugly and balls up on your chest anytime you let him.

-Carmen