DIY – The Fit Wife – A Lovable Lifestyle

Nesting Away… What We Did Today

October 27, 2014 JenLeave a comment

Well I’m still pregnant. 39 weeks 5 days pregnant. Contractions on and off, some painful some not so much. I’m feeling pretty good today so we started the day off with coffee in bed and shopping for deck supplies because we need to weather proof our deck. We thought it would be a no big deal, slap some clear coat on and call it a day… Well after a lecture from a deck dude at Lowes, it ended up becoming quiet the project:

Having Evan around is very fun, he wants to help with everything and is quiet fond of the rollers… I decided to keep him busy by running around with him while daddy did some sanding and I took a few fun pictures of pretty things in my yard:

I had to use this blurry picture because it is perfect – this is my Evan <3.

Eventually he crashed:

My peaceful sweetie. I then joined Hector once again for our massive project:

Dusty-Husband down:

We are actually still at it hahaha – But with a lack of tools (next time electric sander?) I was pretty uselss part of the time so I raked:

I enjoyed it because the leaves are dry and easily picked up and REALLY PRETTY!

Then back to some rolling for me:

So our day has been busy! But beautifully busy because TODAY WAS GORGEOUS OUT!! It was nice hanging outside getting some fresh air. The night is winding down, and Hector is literally rolling on the last square foot. This has definitely been an all day project…

I’m so tired, but going to cook dinner, do a load of laundry and take Oso and fam for a nice walk.

Hope you had a fantastic start to your week.

Jen

All Ready!

October 25, 2014 JenLeave a comment

Well, I’ve been in crazy nesting mode. I’m sorta driving Hector nuts, ah well. Something is finally [almost] complete!! The NURSERY! Evan spent a lot of time in our room, but I feel like setting up his nursery was super important. A way to feel “ready” for baby, I’m lucky I was able to put together another nursery for our new addition. I’m still holding out hope I’ll find a great new glider, but my budget has been tightened so it may not happen. Never the less, here it goes! We saved a lot of money by reusing Evan’s gently used crib that just has some teeth marks where the blankets are draped. The frames above baby #MAV’s crib were a STEAL at target for 13.48 each (originally 45ish bucks!!). Not sure if we will keep his initials in them just yet, it was a quick easy CHEAP! idea 😉

Something else, we re-used?

Evan’s mobile. He now has some paper airplanes hanging in his room and we plan on getting him some old school “hair planes” to hang where this once was – Evan is into all things moving (trucks, TRAINS, air planes, and helicopters) – so we are just going to get some vintage looking things to help complete his “bigger” boy room. I love the simplicity and uniqueness of this mobile so I’m glad it is making another very important appearance.

Next up, nursing station:

a nice lamp (lying around the house), nursing table (nipple cream, breast pads and likely a granola bar or two in the not too far future are hidden in the drawers of the table) and a earthy candle I can already see lil guy cuddled in my arms, Evan at my feet and my kindle neglected beside me 😉

Some other small details:

This hanging basket from target. Filled with a couple books, wubbanubs, burpy bibs and my beloved Nosfrida. The one thing we did splurge on early on was a new dresser for the bebe, good thing we got it to before our household “halt” if you will:

It’s a super great piece that will last forever that has a lovely gouge in it from getting it home – made us realize we def need an SUV. Int eh basket are some newborn diapers and wipes and the only thing missing is the changing pad and a diaper warmer (Evan is currently using as a piggie bank, lol). On his shelf is a cute tin I grabbed from Michaels filled with extra pacficers and baby mittens 🙂 the drawers are full of clothes. We are all ready for you!

Now if my little love would just get here quickly! I’m getting anxious!

How cute is big bro to be E?

Alright – lots to do. Hope you enjoyed my mostly picture update.

Halloween-y Stuff

October 19, 2014 JenLeave a comment

Today has been busy, and in the best way possible. We’ve been blissfully busy this week which was filled with some vacation time, nesting time and more nesting time. Hector has had some wonderful feedback on some life changing things so thank you GOD. Some of our life will be back to normal sooner rather than later. I can finally breathe (well sorta, I’m a bit crowded in the lungs area). It is amazing what faith does to you, how family and friends comfort and encourage and send positive vibes your way. They make such a difference.

We love Halloween in this house. I love to decorate, I love to carve pumpkins, toast pumpkin seeds and spend time with friends and family in fun costumes. Although this year will be low key, or CRAZY because of a new baby. I’ve done a bit o’decorating and some thrifty Michaels shopping for our annual pumpkin carving/painting weekend… 60% off fallish sprigs gave me this fantastic inspiration:

Before:

After:

It now looks lovely on our front door:

All for a whopping SIX dollars! Those pretty colorful leaves are leftovers from a beautiful bouquet my best friend sent me, I’m so happy they get to happy greet people at my front door for the season. Like I said, I’ve been nesting like crazy, I want just everything to be perfect everywhere and today – it was! We had our nephew and fam over for some pumpkin decorating:

I’d say they were happily entertained for a whole 10 minutes, then chased each other around the house for several hours. Evan crashed in his high chair about 30 minutes after Jay and fam left and I’m pretty sure he is out for the night ❤ – He had such a great time, it is awesome watching them together, Evan is 2, Jay is 6 and they play really well together makes me super happy that my little dudes will soon be able to entertain eachother and never be lonely ❤

Here’s our damage for the day:

and:

I’m off to clean out another closet, I’m purging and detoxifying – I’m also getting braxton hicks like crazy (and heartburn!!! omg. never ever ever have I had anything like this before)! Maybe baby will be here before 10/29 ❤

Traditions and Revisions (Late last night post)

March 31, 2013 JenLeave a comment

Ever since I could remember we had perogies, sausage, and horseradish and beet sauce for Easter. My family always would go to Gene’s Deli for these Polish treats, so today I hopped along with the hubs, gma & gpa and my sweet baby, Evan:

My mom (gma) swore it would be packed and that we should brace ourselves, but we had missed the crowd and had a great time just looking at all ethnic eats:

We left with our fair share of goodies and ate like pigs when we got home 😉 –

There was a bit of playing & cuddling (of course):

And a super crazy tradition of coloring eggs. I cannot remember a year when I didn’t color Easter eggs, it is like carving a pumpkin for Halloween you just HAVE to do it or it doesn’t feel like a holiday. Some years we get more creative than others, this year was a take it easy year and we did it with gg (great grandma Betty):

As far as revisions… I would have loved a night with wine and movies and cuddle time. Instead all I see is nyquil and bed.

Good night and Happy Easter Eve.

Saturday Starts

March 30, 2013 JenLeave a comment

Continuing with my “S” theme (well, it is just a coincidence, actually) – Saturday hast started off productive:

A quick Easter project:

😀 – Evan’s first Easter basket ❤ A little bit of Ribbon goes a long way!

We also are doing the normal Saturday clean up, Hector’s working on the fish tank (a monthly project):

A project he doesn’t like to do but we gotta take care of those little guys! 🙂

I’m enjoying my new playlist, blogging, thinking of new recipes for Evan (Spinach, peas and pear tonight), and picking out today’s outfit for running around. It is going to be such a beautiful day here in Chicago so I’m definitely pulling out and dusting off the Bob and wearing some bright new lulu gear. I’m still coughing quiet a bit so I’m praying fresh air will help.

We will also be doing a family tradition, Easter egg coloring and I will be taking a bagillion pictures of Evan in various “Easter” outfits. He is going to be so happy about it 😀

We went to Tj’s last night and I finally picked up some fresh flowers, nothing more homey then lighting a sweet smelling candle and looking at freshly cut flowers (that lived through the night without water! lol):

Keeping things happy and healthy over here and wishing you a productive Saturday! ❤

Weekend in Pictures

March 25, 2013 JenLeave a comment

I don’t have time to write a full post BUT I am going to update with pictures! ❤

DIY – Burlap Tree

November 19, 2012November 19, 2012 JenLeave a comment

Tis the season – We start decorating for the holidays right around Thanksgiving and my mom couldn’t resist putting up her tree so Evan could see it:

He is a huge fan of lights so he loved the colors. This is the first year my mom has had a colored tree since I was little. My sister is less than thrilled by Evan adores it. I’m sure it reminds him of Baby Einstein a major favorite these days.

Evan got to wear his Patagonia hoodie today, as with all hoodies he was not the biggest fan but he sure did look cute:

You can always tell when Hector takes photographs because we always are bleached out 😉 I think we look like vamps (Did anyone see Breaking Dawn? We haven’t yet – Maybe on Turkey Day).

We hung out with some wonderful friends, did a bit of shopping and used some creative juices to create a festive burlap tree!

Here’s what you’ll need:

A tomato plant cadge
Christmas Lights
Burlap
Sewing pins or a hot glue gun
A bow or some ribbon
Optional: An awesome interested golden retriever named Gandalf

Total cost for us? $0.00 Burlap was re-used from my Baby Shower – we always have extra Christmas lights and my dad is a tomato farmer 😉

All you need to do is string the lights in and around the cone:

Cover in burlap – we pinned with sewing pins:

And add a bow on top – I created my own from some leftover ribbon from last year and just like that:

We will just cut off the excess burlap for a more polished look. Evan loves it:

he is so excited he is moving to fast for the camera.

Happy Holiday Decorating!

xoxo