Phillips Home Remodel ~ Project #1

Here we go!

Project #1: Garage is a must!

For a couple reasons, changing the carport into a garage was a big to do for us.  First, we have had some of Zach's lawn equipment stolen from his trailer...not happy about that at all.  Second, we have an amazing yard!  We love to let the kiddos play and play, but we have a very busy street in the front of our house!  We wanted to close in the back yard 100% so we wouldn't need to worry about the kids playing while I make dinner or have to clean something in the house.  By closing in the garage, we closed off the back deck which makes the back yard fully closed off!  Success!

The main reason though for closing in the carport tied into the inside.  Our washer a dryer were originally located in the kitchen...in the same closet as the pantry.  It never really was an issue, but in order for us to make the kitchen as storage friendly and functional as possible, the washer/dryer had to be relocated.  Our thoughts were to move it to the garage that did not exist yet.

We had Evan's birthday party scheduled at our home for August 2nd....so August 3rd was the beginning of the home remodel!  We were very lucky to have Rickey and Zelda in town to help with the framing of the new space!

After the framing...comes the drywall!  Since this space would now store a very flammable object (cars) and the attic space and one wall connected to the main house, we needed to put up specific drywall for the ceiling and one wall in order to pass code.  Zach got lucky again....his brother Shawn visited just in time to help put up the very heavy drywall on the ceiling!  Very grateful for this help since I can pretty much do nothing.

On August 22, we had our garage door installed!  This was a very exciting day for both of us, sadly!

In order to pass inspection with the city, we had to have the siding finished.  Our home is sided with cedar which is quite pricey!  We were able to find a local builder's surplus store that carried cypress, which is very similar but half the price, and use the existing cedar that we pulled from the one wall of the carport.  Huge savings in this area which was awesome!  And once again....without the help of friends, we would have been lost!  The guys completed the siding one Saturday afternoon...even with a mid-afternoon rainstorm!

I figured I could do something to help and one afternoon painted the front of the new garage so it would at least look decent from the front.  We still have yet to paint the back and side.  We have primed...one day we will paint!

On September 4, we had our final inspection with the city and PASSED!  The garage was officially complete and our interior remodel could begin!

It's Been Long Enough...

Helloooo there!  Wow...it has been a while since my last update!  But it isn't because we have just been sitting around and there is nothing fun to update.  Quite the opposite!  I have so much to update, that it overwhelms me and I just have put it off....until now!

Not only have I been loaning my body to the growth of our newest bundle of joy (due in 4 weeks), Zach has taken on a total remodel of our home!  Busy...well that is an understatement!  We are exhausted....but so grateful!

Back in July, Zach and I had a talk about our home and our cars and the big things that need to change adding a 3rd to the bunch.  My Camry ain't no minivan and our home has done great so far, but adding one more body and all that that body entails was another story.  We lacked storage big time and our home was quite closed off, being built in 1985 that is no surprise.  We also had some safety issues that we needed to address with Zach's business equipment and the kids playing outside with a very busy street.  We decided instead of buying a new car that we would make our home more livable for our growing family!  And that is exactly what we have been doing since the beginning of August.

We started by interviewing some general contractors.  We had a vision, but were not 100% sure how to execute.  Our biggest struggle was knocking out a wall between the kitchen and living room to create an open concept living space.  All the contractors were not totally sure the wall wasn't load bearing...but we knew better ;)  We ended up watching a ton of DIY videos on all things home and kitchen remodel and slowly but surely convinced ourselves...WE CAN DO IT!!!

Bye, bye contractors....let the remodel begin!

We were not naive to the size of what we just put on our plates, but we were energetic and ready to work!

And working is what we have been doing since.  I have decided to do a series of posts to show every step of the way.  If you follow me on social media, then you have seen lots of #phillipshomeremodel photos as we go project to project!  On the blog, I hope to recap!

So let's get started!  We hope you have fun watching our home transform as much as we have!

Practice Makes Perfect!

Experiencing pregnancy with a child who understand (to a point) has been so much fun!  Zoe and I have daily conversations about Baby Henry and how things will change and what she can help with when he arrives.  She can't wait!

Zoe loves to lay on my tummy and tell Henry to stop kicking her.  She sings to him and talks to him all the time.  It seriously warms my heart!

This past week, she has been very interested in learning to change diapers.  Every diaper we have to change of Evan's, she wants to be a part of....until she sees poop that is.  So, we got out one of my old cabbage patch dolls and I gave her a newborn diaper.

She changed baby's diaper at least 15 times that night!  Practice makes perfect!

Evan's Eight : My 2 Year Old

I have a 2 year old!  I can't believe how time flies and how precious this little boy is.  With Zoe, I was in a state of exhaustion during the end of her 1st year and into her 2nd year...so a lot of Evan's actions and milestones feel new to me.  I just don't remember some things all that well and I am being reminded....oh ya...that happens about now!

 OnE

Evan is a talker!  I mean...this kid has a lot to say!  He speaks in full sentences, expressing every little thing that pops into his head!  He asks questions, makes commands and he even has developed a little stutter trying to get everything out of his mouth before his brain can process.  Evan can count to 10 easily and knows numbers after just not in order.  Evan knows the whole alphabet and is starting to recognize letters.  I love how vocal he is...it makes life a lot easier now that he can tell me exactly what he wants.

 tWo

Evan has a crazy love for music!  If he isn't talking, he is singing!  He knows many songs and tunes...sometimes he keeps the tune of a song but puts new words in.  He has a song for almost every landmark we pass while driving.  He sings "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" when we pass CoolRay Stadium.  When we pass the carwash, "I've Been Working at the Carwash".  He loves to sing "Hit the Road Jack" and "Trouble, Trouble!"  He sings the lullaby his Grandma taught us and he loves to sing the blessing over our meals.  Any song you sing to him a couple times, he will repeat to you. He even sings my favorite songs, Matt Maher's "I need you" and David Crowder's "How he loves us".  He loves his instruments and the triangle is his favorite right now.  I can't wait to fuel this little love more as he gets older!

ThReE

Evan fits the role of Little Brother very, very well.  He is quite the little pest and loves, loves, loves to pick on Zoe!  He is constantly into something whether it be toilets, the trash, messing with the computer or our phones and always in Zoe's hair or sitting on her...making her whale that lovely scream that just pierces.  And he does it all with a grin and a little giggle....pest to a tee!

fOuR

Evan is measuring perfectly for his age!  He is about 30lbs, in size 2T or 24 months clothes, size 5 - 5.5 shoe, and size 4 diaper.  He was in the high percentages on the charts which has never happened with my kids.  At our check up, Dr. Evans was so happy with his progress and couldn't believe how much he had grown since his 15 month check (we missed his 18mth...opps).  We are now all caught up on his vaccines and will head back for a well visit at 30 months.

FiVe

Evan almost always has a car, truck or train with him wherever we go.  He loves to roll them around and pretend with them.  He finds any flat surface and loves to crash his toys off the edge.  He makes the car sounds or choo choos.  Some other toys he is into right now...He is loving his water table when it isn't raining out.  He is starting to like to color more.  He really likes the Doodle Pads!  He is great at independent play and often times just shuts the door to his room and plays by himself...which no one minds ; )  He loves to be outside and do all things boy.  He is starting to really like kicking and throwing balls.  But if we are outside, most of the time he is finding a mudhole or digging in the dirt or collecting rocks.  He takes baths nightly.

SiX

Evan is an up and down sleeper right now.  Some days he takes a 3 hour nap, some just an hour.  Some nights he goes to bed at 7:30, others at 9.  Some mornings he wakes at 6:30 and others 8.  He is very flexible and goes with the flow.  He has become very attached to his stuffed tiger from his Aunt Laura and he calls him Tiggie and his train blankie that was a gift when he was born from relatives in Wisconsin.  He is also still very, very attached to his pacie...I don't look forward to the day we say goodbye to it.  Just this week, we have moved Evan to a toddler bed.  Each naptime or bedtime he gets better and better.

sEvEn

Evan is learning all about time out and discipline.  He has the most pathetic little face when he gets in trouble, but it is all an act and never lasts very long.  He does great apologizing and loves to give make up hugs and kisses.  Still working on him staying in time out though and not putting himself there for "fun".

EiGhT

Evan is an amazing eater.  He eats anything and everything.  His favorites are grapes and chicken "nuggies", but really will eat almost anything you put in front of him.  When there is something he doesn't want to eat, he says "Mommy, I don't like it"....but he always tries things.  Eating is always a war zone and a complete mess.  The cleaning that takes place in Evan's area alone after meal times is just ridiculous!  We have also come to love OxiClean for all washing needs.

Watching Evan grow has been such a joy!  Even with all the tough moments in the day, the great ones are far greater!  He is funny and loving and really is such a sweet boy.  I am feel so blessed that God gave me this little guy!

Evan's 2nd Birthday Party!

My sweet Baby Boy is 2 years old!  It is so hard to believe how time flies...and yes...every parent will say this and it is 100% true.  Once you have kids, days can seem so slow but the years just fly by!

To celebrate Mr. Evan, we had a Backyard BBQ!  Very casual but full of yummy food, cute summery decorations and an adorable cake!

Zelda always takes my thoughts and makes them into the perfect cake!  She totally hit the nail on the head for what I wanted for Evan's cake!  And, like always, it was DELICIOUS!  For dinner, we served hamburgers, hot dogs, fruit, chips, asian salad, corn on the cob and homemade mac n cheese...in true summer grillin' fashion!

 Zach was the grill master and is loving his new grill!  Our deck is official now with our Weber!

I just love birthdays because they are such an amazing reminder of how blessed we are by our friends and family!  We truly are surrounded by so much love and I can't help but be so grateful for each and every person in our lives and for them taking the time to share these precious moments with us!

 Grandma and Grandaddy got Evan a water table that was a total hit!

 The little boys wanted to help grill, too!

 Happy Birthday to you!

 Like I said...the cake was enjoyed by all!

 Man does this kid love anything with wheels!

So many thanks to everyone who celebrated Evan's birthday with us!  It was such a fun evening!

Not My Kind of Milestone

Well, my sweet boy has reached a new milestone....not one that I really looked forward to!

Evan broke his first bone....well....his first two bones!  And he got his first cast.

Evan fell from his brand new booster seat the first week of July and cleanly broke his radius and ulna in his left arm. My poor baby!  But I must say...the kid is a champ!  He did not cry through one X-Ray or while getting his cast put on.  

We had his first cast for a week and went back for a check and the doctor felt he needed another cast because it had significantly loosened.  Evan got his second cast put on, tear free, and had that cast for 2 weeks.  At the next check, the doctor still wanted something on his arm as the last little bits healed perfectly, so we were able to get a half cast and it is waterproof!  Huge difference!  So, we are finally in the home stretch and get his half cast off on the 8th...just in time for Evan to turn 2!  

Let's just hope this is our only milestone of this sort!

Isn't Evan so cute in his cast though....total rockstar!