house pics

We've made more progress on the house and despite some bare walls, the downstairs is mostly complete.  We hosted a few events between Thanksgiving and Christmas and it was fun to get to use our new space and see how it functioned with hosting.  One of our goals when building was that the kitchen/living room area would work well for hosting people, and it seems to work great... the big island and open layout definitely help.

Here's a peak inside...

Some before pics:

right inside the front door (dining room on the left, kitchen/sunroom/living room through the hallway)

sunroom

living room

... and the much improved ones:

the powder bath, which we decided to try crackle paint on.  Turned out we probably should have experimented with it a little before we tackled the bathroom, and it turned into a little bit of a disaster - ran out of crackle stuff and paint and it didn't look good.  So we repainted a couple walls dark and left the sink and toilet walls crackle... it's interesting, but I like it :)

dining room

living room.  our brother-in-law built the entertainment center, which is our favorite piece of furniture.  the doors slide close over the TV, with shelves on both sides

more living room

the view from my kitchen sink.  I love being able to feel a part of the action while in the kitchen

I posted a pic of the kitchen before, but we added a subway tile backsplash, which I love

sunroom.  love all the natural light it lets in during the day

view from the entry hallway into the kitchen/sunroom

view from the living room into the sunroom/kitchen

view from the kitchen into the dining room.  I like how the dining room is connected to the kitchen, but separate

And now we're working upstairs!  We painted (well, I should give most of the painting credit to Chad :)) over Christmas break and the boys/guest bathroom is now navy, the upstairs loft area is very very light gray, which I plan to continue into the [now white] entry once we decide to paint it, and Beck's room (which the boys will eventually share) is orangey-red (his request).  Chad said to just pick a color for the boys room, so we didn't sample it.  Turned out a little more bold than I intended, so we did a white/navy stripe on two walls.  I think it will be fun and bright when it's done.

Our bedroom is still a need of some major attention... here's the proof:

It's been the gathering place for decorations that need placed and other random things, so nothing goes together and it's plain and boring.  We are pretty much Never in our room other than to sleep, and I'm getting ready for it to be a place we enjoy. :)

I'll do a post of the upstairs, once our bedroom and the guest bedroom are done... with tax season coming up, that may be by this summer?!

normal life

Some pictures as of late...

enjoying a beautiful fall day with Chad's parents at the park in downtown Zionsville

We didn't end up trick-or-treating this year since the boys were both recovering from croup and it was very gross outside, but a friend gave me a giraffe costume to use and Creighton thought it was fun to wear.  maybe it will still fit next year... he looks super cute in it

Beck has suddenly decided that he thinks it's fun to push his own cart at TJ's (before he was too nervous.. he's my kid that asks to be strapped in, while Creighton fights the strap and manages to wriggle out of it :)).  He does a good job of staying close to me... perhaps too close when he rams the back of my foot.  I've also found some surprises when unloading the groceries of things he thought we needed. :)

During a recent photo session with the talented Andrea, she told Beck to give me a kiss for the picture.  I started to offer him my cheek, when he turned my face to give me a kiss on the lips.  Such a sweetie!

Mr. Beck turned 4!  Dani made the cute cake, perfect for a little boy.  One of the things Beck agreed to (before he turned 4) was to stop sucking his fingers and get rid of his blankie when he turned 4.  I think he's back-tracking on that statement now.  :)  

 Playing outside, always a favorite pass time.  Beck loves digging and Creighton is usually found pulling something around.  I'm already dreading winter a little... we're going to be inside way too much!

toothless grin

This story takes place the week we moved into our new house... it was very good timing.  Or not.

It was Sunday night and Creighton was playing in the bathroom around the tub (Beck was still in the tub), when he fell and chipped his tooth on the side of the tub.  Not just a little chip, but a chip so that there was nearly no tooth remaining kind of chip.  We were still living with Jim and Kim - Kim used to be a hygienist and recommended that I just call the dentist in the morning.  Ok, will do.  He cried for a little bit and it bled a little, but he was eating popcorn soon after it happened and didn't seem too bugged by it.

Called the dentist in the AM and they recommended bringing him in just to get it checked out.  Made an appointment for that morning at 10.

side note:  the boys were supposed to go to Chad's parents for a few days while we moved, and I was supposed to meet Peggy that morning to drop off the boys.  The updated plan was for me to meet her after the dentist.

The dentist appointment went just great and the dentist gave me the undesirable news that he wanted to pull the rest of the tooth, in order to prevent toothache or infection.  Like, wanted to pull the tooth that day, was his recommendation.

other side note:  I really do not like these situations b/c I don't feel like I know enough to make a good decision, other than just do what the dentist says, which was clearly inconvenient.

I didn't want Peggy to have to deal with a potential toothache, so I scheduled a tooth pulling for 1:30 that afternoon... Peggy planned to make some stops on her way out to extend her trip since she was already on her way.  Got childcare lined up for Beck and prayed that Creighton would be very good during his appointment so he wouldn't have to be put under to get the tooth pulled.

Prayers were answered!  My feisty little Creighton laid so still on me while they numbed his gums and pulled out his tooth.  It was amazing.  The only part he didn't like and cried about was the x-ray.  No biggie.  And it turned out that the nerve was exposed in the back of the tooth, so it was a good thing we had it pulled.

So now Mr. C is down one front tooth and has a toothless grin until his permanent tooth comes in.  I know, your first thought was the same as mine... he's going to look funny - should he get a fake tooth?!  The dentist informed me that they don't put in fake baby teeth b/c they aren't strong enough and get knocked out easily.  Ok, toothless grin it is. :)  I think it will suit him just fine.

showing off his toothless grin:

why yes, I kept the tooth!  the little curved part on the left is what was left of the exposed tooth.  the root was much longer than I expected.

And in case anyone wanted a house update, I've included a picture of the kitchen, the most complete room!  Just needs a backsplash, which is waiting out in the garage. :)

I like before & after pics, so here's the before, from the day we moved in:

And here's the after, with some much needed updates:

The sunroom and living room and next on the to-be-completed list!

my opposite boys

Before Creighton was born, we had the discussion that I'm sure most parents have... "what will this baby be like and how can it be different than the kid we already have?"  ... or at least when you are going from one kid to two, and have only experienced one personality.

So, have we found Beckham and Creighton to be very similar or very different?

Overall... very different.

                                                     
Beckham is careful and safe, doesn't like to take risks .... while Creighton isn't afraid to try new things and takes risks.  He climbs like Beck never did and is already more brave on the slides at the playground than Beck is.

Beckham doesn't like to disappoint and is quick to say sorry or cry if he feels like he someone is upset with him .... while Creighton is feisty and doesn't mind being told no.  He puts up a fight and is going to be harder to discipline (I'm predicting).

Beckham is a "steady-eddy" and doesn't have emotional swings.  He has a very consistent personality and never throws tantrums .... while Creighton is more dramatic and will throw fits when he doesn't get his way.  He switches between being happy and mad much more than Beck.

Beckham is calculated .... while Creighton is spunky

Beckham has always played well by himself and enjoys alone time .... while Creighton loves being around people and rarely has alone time besides sleeping.  He usually wants me or Beckham by his side.

Beckham was an easy baby that always transitioned from one stage to the next pretty smoothly without much trouble .... while Creighton is a less predictable and was/is a more needy baby.

Beckham is focused and can play one thing for a while (like golf, or digging in the sandbox, or pretending with trucks) .... while Creighton has a shorter attention span and seems to get bored easily.


Overall, Beckham seems to have the typical, more responsible "oldest child" personality and Creighton seems to be the carefree little brother who will instigate trouble.  If I tried to summarize their personalities, I think Beckham will help Creighton be responsible and Creighton will help Beckham have fun and try new things.  But they're still very young and things could change.  :)

There are some things that have yet to manifest themselves... like how Beckham is listens closely, is super observant and pays attention to detail.  He never fails to amaze us with the things he notices, hears, and remembers .... but I predict that Creighton won't care as much and be more distracted.  Or will Creighton be up for playing/learning anything?  Beckham doesn't like to do things he isn't good at and wants to give up quickly if he can't do something, like hit a baseball.

I must say that while they clearly have their differences, they are both clearly boy and share two clear LOVES:  trucks, machines, anything that says "vrrrmmm" and digging in the dirt.  And they really do seem to like each other. :)

Creighton being a pest!

Just life

Other than enjoying basement life (not really sure what that is, but I know it involves much less stress & responsibility than managing your own home!), we've been enjoying lots of dinners and weekend plans with friends... and of course just soaking up summertime and the wonderful weather we've been blessed with this season.

The boys have been fun lately, but Creighton's a little handful.  He picks on his brother (and messes up his toys), climbs on things much more than Beck ever did (even though he isn't walking!), fusses ALOT for communication (although his jabbering is adorable), and Loves his mama... which is flattering but can make it very difficult to accomplish much while he's awake.  This stage goes fast right?  Beck was a little easier than C was at this age, but we do remember from around 12-18 mos. being one of the harder ages.  I'll try not to wish it away.  :)  I just think about how fun it will be when C an walk, talk, And play with his brother!  But.. lest I sound as if I'm just complaining about sweet Creighton, he is pretty good at cuddling and does give the best bear hugs around my neck.  Those make up for all of his stinkery-ness.

Some pics from the last month or so:

Chad and I tried a new (for us) very authentic & delicious Korean restaurant called Mama's Korean Restaurant.  Yes, we ate all this food plus some dumplings.  It was all amazing, but my favorite thing about the meal was all the little random veggie sides (like kimchi, pickled zucchini,  seaweed salad) that came with our main dishes.  If anyone wants to try it and needs someone to go with them, let us know. :)

zoo time!

at the Indy zoo on a friday night.  there's live music at the big white tent and the train is free. :)  

at the Peoria zoo with cousins

Lately Creighton just points at everything and jabbers away, like he knows what he's talking about or something. :)

some pool time of course!

our lovely friend and helper Grace, who we happen to be living with this summer :)

who doesn't love a good spaghetti faced kid?!

yes!  an elliptical can be a kids ride!

being silly with Grace 

A fun night out with friends at Bonge's Tavern.  It was Leann's b-day that wkend and the whole restaurant sang to her.  Twice.  Once when we started the singing during dessert, and the other time was when we got up to take this picture... everyone just started singing again!  the place is small, but they were all cheering and gave us high-fives on the way out.. I think Leann felt celebrated!

love this pic of C through the door

matching church outfits :)

house update

Well, we've been living in the Bucher's basement for a little over a month now and things are going good.  We've enjoyed being able to take walks to our house and see it be built (they live in the same neighborhood where we are building).  Beck likes showing off the house to other people and telling them where the rooms will be (sometimes he's right, sometimes he's not :)).  Chad met with our builder today and we're hoping to close on the house around the middle of September... hopefully it stays on track!

Here some of the progress, if interested...

the slab was poured the week of July 4th

the framing goes up in a few days since the sheets of wood come pre-cut.  pretty crazy!

the current state... next up is siding and drywall!

we bought a house

Wow.. where have I been?  That is one of the longer lulls I've had in blogging in a while.

So, what have we been up to?  Well, we did go on one fun trip to Hilton Head over Memorial Day weekend (sure, I'll pose the two pictures I took ;)), but mostly we've been consumed with the process of selling our house and building a new one.

Yes!  We sold our house!  Unlike this time when we listed our house for a few months and it didn't sell, (or get hardly any showings) this time it sold just a week after we listed it and we only had to have two showings!  Yeah for not having to clean up after two messy boys for showings very many times!

So our "good luck" and easy house selling process kind of stopped there... not that the process has been horrible, just a little complicated.  Let's just say we are still in the process of nailing down our inspection repairs, sorting through the drama of realizing that our back fence was not built on our property line but rather on common area and needs to be moved back to our property line... aka, bye-bye back yard. (oh, and who is overly responsible and orders a survey to be done before they buy a house and what kind of HOA board cares enough to pay to relocate a fence that has been up for 12 years in common area and no one cared or knew?!)
We were also glad to find out just today that our house is in a flood plane (due to the lake behind our house), but the good news is that we just need to get some paper that verifies our house is built high enough... but the mortgage company might need this special paper before they finance our buyers, so if the paper doesn't come soon, our closing might get pushed back (currently scheduled for the end of June).

... Which might sound like a bad situation to have your closing pushed back, but for us that is actually ok news.  Remember the beginning of my house story where I said we were building a new one?  Yea, that's the fun and exciting part of all this.  In our house shopping we had a very limited area we wanted to move and we couldn't agree on a house.. so we ended up building our own!  That house however, isn't scheduled to be done until the end of September, hence the being ok with staying in our house longer.

So.. what are we going to do after we've closed on our house and are waiting for our new house to be done?  Well, that's still in the works as well, but we're thinking we are going to be living with a family we go to church with.  They generously offered and it seemed like an easier, simpler, and more affordable option than trying to rent.  We're thankful for their offer.

I have packed two boxes (woo-hoo!), but we're hoping to hit it hard this weekend.  This week is also supposed to be the week where we hear that our appraisal came back with flying colors, our buyers are A-ok with the fence situation b/c they love our house so much, we learn that the flood plane paper stuff is no biggie at all, and we know if our closing date stays the same so we can schedule our storage pod for moving day!  (how's that for optimism).

We were really excited and ready to move out of our house, but it turns out that the house selling/buying process has been a little more stressful and complicated than imagined... plus it requires Lots of patience as you wait for reports and our realtor talks to their realtor, who talks to their manager, who talks back to the realtor, who communicates with the buyer, then talks back to our realtor... you get it.  Communication seems a little inefficient, but that's just the process and how it goes.  I'm sure it will all be worth it when we are settled in our new place and loving it.  As long as we get there. :)

... oh, I just published this and realized I didn't say where we are moving, small detail.  We are excited to stay in Indy!  We are moving to Zionsville, which is on the NW side of Indy.