Our Crazy Life

Things are so nuts around here - if we don't laugh... we'll cry. The sheetrock is up, and we are on coat 2 of joint compound. This is progress. BUT, as I arrived home from work each day last week to the MESS, it didn't always feel like progress. The days went like this - Todd tried to keep Nicholas from stepping in or putting his hand into the wet joint compound all day, then Nicholas would go to my parents' or his parents' house while Todd went to work. I would come home, vacuum and mop the floors and try to find the kitchen from underneath the 1/2 inch layer of sheetrock dust. Every night, as I was cleaning, I would sing that Daughtry song to myself... "Be careful what you wish for... 'cause you just might get it all - and then some you don't want." (I'm thinking Chris Daughtry must have put an addition onto his house at some point.) Anyway, then I'd go get the boy, eat dinner, give him a bath, put him to bed and crash. Then... we'd do it all over again the next day! This project needs to end- soon. Oh, and Todd and I need to give MAJOR props to our parents. I don't know how we would be getting through this without their help. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!!

But let's not dwell on the negative here - lots of things are getting done. We got garage doors, which look great. (Of couse, we can't use them, though, because there's no elecricity in the addition yet.) The central vacuuming system is in and usable - and AWESOME! I am loving that. And, the subfloors are in and ready for tile. This week should be a productive one - walls should be done, we should get heat (yipee!), and walls should get primed. Then, we should be close to done. Say a little prayer that everything goes as planned. I know these pictures aren't the best, but they're all I had - I will take some more this week.

Nicholas is doing great - making us laugh and keeping us VERY busy! We have become the "No!" house, unfortunately. There is so much that he can't touch around here right now. It's been tough. He is busy busy busy. He is saying daddy, kitty, Tigua, cookie, binky, and some version of thank you. And, I am sorry to report - I think he's starting to say no. Ugh. And yes... you read the list right - Mommy is not on it. Grrr.....

Anyway, like I said last time, it's really hard to get a picture of him lately, so here is a funny video from a couple weeks ago. This is Nicholas running around the living room in his jammies with a bucket on his head, screaming at the top of his lungs. We are so proud...

Christmas With The Cutlers

Well... I cannot believe that the holidays are over. I have been terrible about posting pictures lately, but I do have an excuse. Nicholas will not stand still long enough for me to get a decent picture! I had nothing on my camera, so I borrowed my dad's today. He apparently has much better luck.

Considering all of the moving around and change in routine over the holidays, I'd say he handled it very well. He even sat on Santa's lap - only for a second or two, but at least he didn't cry! He couldn't take his eyes off of him. He wasn't sure what to think. It was hilarious!

The holidays were crazy, but really great. We certainly made the rounds, and saw pretty much everyone we know and love, which was so nice. Nicholas was absolutely showered with gifts. He is loving all of his new toys, and I'm pretty sure I can put him in a new outfit every day until June! What a lucky kid.

It's been so nice having time with him this week - it makes me not want to go back next week! He is so busy, and into everything! He's also starting to talk a lot lately. He has lots of words now, and understands almost everything we say. He's growing up way too fast.

The house has been a bit of a frustration lately. Things are moving pretty slowly right now, and we are getting really anxious. We are DONE with the mess and the plastic hanging all over the house. Hopefully we are looking at only a few more weeks. We're keeping our fingers crossed. We did get sheetrock this week, but they're not coming back to tape it until next week. And what a MESS!!! I can only imagine what it will be like in here after they sand it. Ugh... I'm just trying to keep my eyes on the finish line here, but it's not easy.

Thank you to everyone for all of your well wishes and holiday gifts. We are so lucky to have such wonderful friends and family. Happy 2010!

Winter Fun

What a busy week! I had my first snow day with my guys this week, and it was so great. We stayed in our jammies until noon! Nicholas loved looking out the window and seeing Todd running the snow blower. They are so darned cute together.

We also had a firehouse Christmas party on Saturday. He had the greatest time running around with the other kids in his little Santa hat. He made a gingerbread man with Grandpa, and ate pizza, ice cream, and cake. (No wonder why he was running around with the other kids!) Unfortunately, though, we didn't make it 'till Santa. He was just too pooped out, which was a bummer, because we were anxious to see how he'd react to Santa. Oh well!

We also got our tree this weekend. It's definitely a Nicholas-sized tree! But, with the construction, we really don't have much room. We, of course, haven't put it up yet, but hopefully this week sometime we'll get it up and decorated. I think it's going to be a cute little tree!

And speaking of the construction... we are feeling a little frustrated right now because we were supposed to get sheetrock on Friday, but guess what?! No sheetrock! We're keeping out fingers crossed for this week! Patience, patience, patience...

Home Sweet Home

Well... the siding is finally done! You know that page in Highlights Magazine that says "What's Wrong With This Picture?" I must admit, I can't help but think of this when I look at this picture. It's not exactly what we were planning, but we love it anyway. We are still waiting on shutters, which are on order, but the front of the house, where the door and new window are, was supposed to be all stone. Apparently, it can't be applied in cold weather, so we would have had to wait until spring. Yeah... there was no way that was happening. If I had to look at that Tyvek wrap for one more day, I was going to lose my mind as it was! So... hopefully someday down the road, we will conquer that project. I think it would look great, but for now... we're very happy with our new house! Insulation is in, and sheet rock is planned for the end of the week. I was really hoping to be in for Christmas, but unfortunately that's probably not going to happen. Oh well... what's another couple of weeks?! This is certainly a lesson in patience!

All is well in Nicholasland, although today was a tougher day than most. He was SO cranky and difficult to please today. Todd and I are exhausted. We actually had the discussion of "when can we start time out?" tonight. Seriously, how do you stop a 1-year-old from having a temper tantrum? Right now - it's all about the power of distraction.

We are having fun getting ready for the holidays, although it would be nice to find some time to decorate the house a little more! Hopefully we'll get our tree sometime this week. Man, that puppy will have to be nailed down, tied up, and wired to the walls! He's into everything these days! He is loving my dad's Santa collection, too. We're not so sure the real thing will go over very well, though. We'll just have to wait and see I guess.

Nicholas had his first real cookie this week - Arrowroot. He LOVES them! (Duh... thery're cookies for goodness sake!) I swear he gets cuter every day!