the addition.

"Project Addition" is in full force! As of yesterday, it is completely framed and wrapped (is that what you call it?). The HVAC men came out today to take measurements and will be back on Monday or Tuesday to install the ducts and new unit. I believe the electricians and plumbers will be here on Monday, as well, to start "roughing in" (again, I think that's what you call it. All this contractor lingo...meh). 

Here are some pictures of the progress:

The master bedroom.

Looking into the master closet. 

Looking into the master bathroom.

The upstairs bedroom.

We also picked out our plumbing fixtures yesterday. We're moving right along! 

memorialized.

Memorial Day weekend came and went, but we sure enjoyed every second of our time at the lake with my family!

We arrived in town around 3:30 on Friday, which left us the afternoon to settle in, take Brooks exploring, feed the little guy, bathe him, and put him down. After that? We handed the monitor to Nanie and Pop Pop and headed to the Ritz for a date at our reception venue. 

We had so much fun reminiscing about our wedding day. The weather was perfect, the food was delicious, and the view (my view) was out of this world.  It was good for my soul and good for our marriage. We need nights like that more often.

My parents signed the grandkids up for a fishing tournament on Saturday morning at Carolyn's Pond. Brooks didn't do much fishing, but he sure enjoyed watching everyone else reel them in!

After lunch we went on a boat ride and then John took Brooks for his first spin on the WaveRunner. As daring and fearless as he is, he was a bit unsure and held on to daddy's neck the entire ride. 

We also spent many hours of our days at the Lake Club pool. Brooks LOVES to swim and splash around. We thought the puddle jumper would give him a little bit of freedom, but he is still too small for it. He sure loved his independence in the baby pool, but preferred the "big boy" pool with the water slide. He thought that running and jumping off the side of the pool into our arms was super fun and funny. 

 

He really warmed up to the boat on Sunday and cousin William stuck by close to his side to make sure he was okay.

And speaking of cousins, we loved seeing them, Brooks loved playing with them, and we all miss them already.

It was another memorable Memorial and hopefully this baby will stay put so we can go back for round two in a month!

Thank you to all of the servicemen and women for making weekends like this possible!

to the max.

I am SOOOO excited about this coming weekend (Memorial Day!!!), but I don't want to get ahead of myself and forget about the happenings of this past weekend, because it was a memorable one.

On Saturday, John competed in an Iron Tribe competition called Tribal Wars at the Birmingham Crossplex. It was intense. Brooks and I were only able to stay and cheer on daddy for the first of his three workouts, so that was a bummer. But, John and his team did AWESOME, placing 2nd in the Black Division (the highest division).

He pushed his body to the max and gave it his all. Brooks and I are so proud of him! 

Saturday late afternoon before John got home Brooks and I had a couple visitors—Ann Wade and her new puppy love, Birdie. Oh my stars, what a precious pup! 

Brooks was obsessed. He giggled and ran around for a good hour with little Bird lady. We are so happy they stopped by for a visit!

I love weekends and I am especially looking forward to our getaway to Lake Oconee this weekend. Hooray for fun in the sun!

laundry room makeover.

Nesting is in full force these days, especially on the weekends when I have an extra set of hands to watch Brooks, and there are certain rooms or clutter in the house that need a little TLC. I have been a purging, cleaning, organizing fool and on Sunday the laundry room fell victim to my pregnancy crazies.

We are going to be removing the existing window in the laundry room and adding a door. It is going to be the new side/rear entry into the house so I wanted to make it functional and not so much of an eyesore. The room has great potential and I can't wait to see what we come up with as far as the new design. I'm thinking a built-in desk, cabinets, and lockers on the unfinished side of the room. The other side, however, is complete. We have a sink, washer and dryer, and some shelving, but it was really lacking a wow factor (I know, I'm losing it) and looked like a hot mess. My OCD gouges at my eyeballs every time I step foot in there to do laundry, which is often every day. 

So, on Sunday I excused myself for a baby-free trip to HomeGoods to gather some baskets, canisters, and a few other items to spruce up the space a bit. 

For $150.00 this room got a complete makeover and I am so happy with how it turned out. Here are some measly iPhone pictures of the before and after. 

Before (I am so embarrassed!):

 After:

I am now in search of a piece of furniture for a nook in the bathroom that was originally supposed to have built-ins, but that came and went. So, Brooks and I will be doing a little bit of antiquing this week. Let's hope he miraculously turns into a good shopping buddy and cooperates! Wishful thinking...

heavy machinery.

The addition is underway! It all happened so fast...it was like one day John and I were talking about it, teetering on the line of pulling the trigger and the next I had a trackhoe in my backyard digging a moat around my deck.

We are making great strides. Greater than I expected! On Friday they poured the footings, the electricians and Alabama Power set up our temporary service (thankfully it rained on Friday and wasn't too hot because we were without power for a few hours) and today they are laying block. We are aiming to start framing on Friday! It has my head spinning, but it is all very exciting!

And you know Brooks is absolutely loving seeing all this heavy machinery in his front and backyard. Trackhoes and Bobcats and cement trucks, oh my.

On Saturday Brooks and I peeled John away from moving dirt and tearing up the deck to head to Montgomery for Russ and Jack's first birthday party. We had the BEST time celebrating the twins and were so honored to be a part of this special day for the Davis family.

Brooks partied so hard he passed OUT on the drive home. Bless his tired bones.

Overall, it was such a wonderful weekend celebrating and being celebrated. Before I sign off for the day, I'll leave you with this gem because I just.can't.handle.the.cuteness. Brooks, you melt me.