Project: C's Wall

From the time we moved into this  house 3 years ago, I had this brilliant idea to build a wall to convert our media room at the top of the stairs into a 4th bedroom.  It would allow each of the girls to have their own bedroom (well, before Chase came along).  We wouldn't even have to mess with wiring or anything - just build the wall.  We went to Lowe's, grabbed some 2x4's, a door, drywall, & voila!!!  How hard can it be?

My dad & step-mom decided to come down for a visit to see their new grand-baby - and my dad decided to build the wall while he was here.  I figured he'd have it up in 2 hrs flat - which he did.  But we decided it wasn't really a bedroom without a closet, so we added that as well.  Then the project grew and we wound up taking down the popcorn ceiling, painting it from top to bottom, installing wood floors, swapping out the light figure & completely redecorating.  In 2 1/2 days flat.  So much for my dad's "vacation"!

Everything was pretty much complete by the time my dad left except for some final mudding & painting the closet.  I was positive I could handle it.  After all, I grew up helping my dad knock down walls & watching him!  This would be a piece of cake!

So this morning I decided I'd get it mudded so that C could help me paint this evening.  You might ask why I didn't just wait around for my hubby to do it?  Well, let's just say I wanted it done on my own timeline not his!  Besides, all women should be willing to try something new!  You never know when you might need it in life...  So still in my PJ's, I got all of the tools out & put some mud in the trowel.  I started on the corner, but these tools just weren't right!

The long narrow one didn't smooth it out enough - and the other one sure didn't work on the corners like I'm sure it was designed for.  I scrapped the tools & wound up finger painting the mud on, which sort of worked.    I found a smaller blade that worked fairly well on smoothing it out.

Then came the seams where the drywall pieces met.  I remembered that my dad taped that, so I grabbed the tape & couldn't figure out if I was supposed to mud then tape or tape before the mud???  So I did both!  I'm not exactly sure what the purpose of taping is... but it seems like it should close any gaps between the drywall, so that's what I used it for.

For the corner piece, I knew that the trim will hide one side of it.  Easy enough - but what about the other side?  Do I mud it?  Tape it???  I have no idea!!!  So I mudded it with the intent of putting tape over it, but it seems to be fairly well covered up with just the mud, so I left it at that.  I guess we'll see how it turns out once it's painted over!

All in all, I know where my dad left off and I began.  I'm sure he's cringing and laughing as he reads this, but hey - it's done!  I mostly figured it out - but I guess the next time he's mudding maybe I should pay more attention and spend less time holding a fussy baby!  At least I know the wall support & drywall is up correctly because he did that part!  I plan to hide any flaws with chocolate colored paint.  

I can't thank my dad & step-mom enough for working so hard on their vacation to give C a beautiful bedroom!!!  I'll post the final pics showing the rest of the room once we get the closet painted.

Father / Daughter Bonding

My husband and I had our 4th (and last) daughter 3 weeks ago.   This newest little princess has captured all of our hearts and attention without effort.  Watching him fall in love with her makes me fall in love with him all over again.  To me, there is nothing more beautiful than seeing the love unfold between my husband and daughters.

He is a very hands-on father...  I love seeing the awe on his face as he memorizes every perfect detail of her face, hands, and toes.  I watch as he finds his likeness in her tiny little being, and as he plays "super-baby" or "earthquake" even though she's too little to understand the games.  I love watching her grab his finger in her sleep or seeing her give him a grin as he settles her in the swing.  I love it when he wakes up to grab her at the break of dawn to cuddle her and feed her while I'm still sleeping.  I even get a kick out of it when he helps me bathe her and tells me if I'm not doing it quite right. 

Watching him dance with her at 3 weeks old was a very sweet & special gift - it's a memory that I will cherish forever.  I wish I had a video, but since I didn't capture it in time - I can at least share the song  ("Oooo Baby Baby")  Every father should take the time to dance with his baby girl. 

At the least little whimper he is at her beck and call to make sure she is happy & safe.  He has his own way of doing things, and I will always let him find his own rhythm and method even if it's different from mine.

The simple everyday acts of cuddling, feeding, changing, bathing, & playing are all acts of love that create a bond - not only with mothers, but also with fathers.  It's where parenting begins and it kicks off a huge partnership in the marriage.

Welcome

I am the busy mother of 4 girls - ages 18, 16, 14, & 1 month.  I went from being one of the younger moms with my older girls to one of the older moms with my youngest.  Time and experience has definitely changed my perspective!

I have a greater awe of the miracle of life, and a much better appreciation for my husband and the dynamics of our relationship.  It is wonderful to see the solid friendships between my girls and the love that they have for each other.  The older girls easily embraced their youngest sister and what could have been a very difficult transition became a sweet normality in our world.