Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Nursery and Baby Updates

Since school starts back this week for my mom and me, we had to get all this bedding stuff done. I owe a HUGE thanks to my mom for all the sewing that she did for me. She worked a lot on this bedding for about a week solid. She even stayed up past midnight several nights sewing. I did help but I could not have done this without her! Thanks mom!!!
These are the bumper pads that my mom wrapped. We bought the NuFoam for bumpers but I wanted them to have a little more fluff to them than just flat across so my mom wrapped batting around them. This is a picture of all 12 pieces for both cribs. After she did this, she then enclosed each of them in a pillowcase so they can be pulled out when the bedding needs to be washed.
I was in charge of stuffing the pillow forms into the finished bedding. As you can see, the front side is a polka dot fabric with greens and blues and the inside is a soft ribbed blue chenille fabric. Here are the finished bumper pads...all 8 of them. I love the finished product!Here is the bed skirt. It is a brown and blue polka dot box-pleat skirt with a blue border that matches the inside of the bumper pad. After helping mom with all of this, we both see why some people spend over $500 on bedding! That could have something to do with the fact that we were making two at the same time! I also owe a HUGE thanks to my dad. He has been remodeling our downstairs for about a month now. (That will be a post later on!) I decided that he needed a break from hanging drywall so I recruited him to do some painting! Dad used to paint for a side job when we were little and he is who taught me how to trim without taping! Dad painted all of the trim and doors in the nursery. Ryan and I put the base coat on one night and the next night, Ryan was going to paint the ceiling and the walls. My dad and I decided to surprise him and do it while he was at work. The ceiling was not so bad but the walls were a nightmare!! I had bought paint and when we put it on one wall, I thought it was way too light. So dad and I picked out another color, bought it, tried it and I hated it! I ended up mixing a gallon of paint with some colors that I had at home and I love the finished color. It is just a light blue that matches with the inside of the bumper pads. Thanks dad!!!
Now to the more important stuff...Reed and Braden. We had our 26 week appointment last week and things look great. Reed's heart is still the same but everything else looks great for both boys. We are still praying that God will heal his heart before he is born!! Reed is weighing in at 1 lb. 15 oz. and Braden is 1 lb. 12 oz. I have gained 13 pounds so far but I know that these next few months, I will be packing on the pounds:-)
Here is the 4D ultrasound of Reed. Braden was being difficult and would not look up so he did not get his picture taken in 4D. We are so thankful that both boys are growing and developing like they should. We are praying that they will not make their appearance into the world until 38 weeks or maybe longer! The bigger that they both are, the better especially for Reed's surgery.

Monday, August 18, 2008

Cribs Times Two..the cheap way

Well, as most of you know I LOVE craigslist! I was wanting to buy antique white (cream) distressed Jenny Lind cribs for the nursery. When I started researching these on the internet, the cheapest that I could find was $350 which would not be bad if I was only buying one crib! When you start thinking about everything in 2's then it quickly adds up. I refused to pay over $700 for beds that they will not use forever.
I found 2 oak stained cribs on craigslist from this really nice couple and they were selling them for $70 each. They were quickly SOLD when I saw the ad! The first thing that I had to do was to sand each of the cribs. I got kind of lazy on this step but had to do it so that the paint would adhere.
If any of you have ever painted spindles with a paint brush before then you know what a terrible job that is. I decided to buy a spray gun for $40 at Home Depot and this made all the difference.
The first thing that I did was to paint a base coat of white on them then I paint the final cream coat. (Yes, I am allowed to paint with latex paint according to my doctor)
Here I am with my mask on my head and covered in paint. The bad thing about spray guns is the major overspray so I suggest doing this type project outside.The last step was to lightly distress these cribs. If you are like my dad then you will probably question the sanity behind 'roughing up' a newly painted piece of furniture. I guess some people don't get the shabby chic look! Here is an up-close look of the finished product. I will post again once the cribs are completely assembled with the bedding. It is hard to tell what they will look like by these pictures but hopefully everyhting will turn out great!

Friday, August 08, 2008

Daytona Beach

This past week, I went to Florida with my two grannies, sister-in-law, and my mom. We had a great, relaxing week. It did not rain a drop while we were there which is not very typical of Daytona. It was actually cooler there, just by a little, than in Nashville.
One afternoon, we went to see "Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2." It was a cute, chick-flick!
FYI: I think this shirt makes my belly look huge! I guess those boys are growing. I can definitely feel them moving all of the time but the funniest part is being able to see my belly move like there are little aliens in there.

This is my nanny and granny! They have been coming with us to Florida for about 25 years now!
Me and mom! I think we were on our way to do some shopping. All that we did each day just about was walk on the beach, lie out, eat a late lunch, get ready, go shopping, eat dinner then play games!
Tina and I spent most of our time in the pool because it was too hot to not be in the water. We are not big ocean people either. Just a oouple of miles down the road is New Smyrna Beach and they have had about 12 shark bites this summer...no thanks!
I look forward to going back again next year but with two new additions to the family! I think my days of just chillin' in the pool are about over. Good thing the grannies will be around to watch them:-)

Monday, July 21, 2008

Belly Shot

Several of you have asked for a "belly shot" so here you go! I think that my stomach has really grown these past 2 weeks. There is no telling how big this belly of mine is going to get by November.

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Update and Names!

Their Names:
(1) Reed Hutchison White - The Hutchison is after my dad since I didn't want to use his middle name, Wayne! I didn't think that a monogram of rWw would look good, just kidding!
(2) Braden Paul White - His middle name is after Ryan's dad.

Our little Reed is the one with a heart problem. Many people have asked us why that is the name we chose for the one with the condition. We found out 4 weeks earlier that one of the twins was a boy. His name was going to be Reed no matter what the other twin was. Little Reed happens to be the one that has an underdeveloped left side of his heart.

Reed has a congenital heart defect called "Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome" or HLHS. It is a pretty complicated condition that will require 3 stages of surgery (age of child) which are:
1)Norwood Operation (less than a week old)
2) Bi-directional Glenn (from 4-6 months old)
3) Fontan (from 18 months - 3 years old)
We are so very thankful that there is a treatment option because just 25 years ago there was no surgery that could help this condition. The long term effects are not known since it has only been around for a limited amount of time. However, there are people living and doing well in their twenties that have had these three surgeries. After the 3 surgeries, Reed will be on heart medicine and see a cardiologist regularly. If you would like to read more about this then here is a link that explains HLHS: http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=1353

Thank you all so very much for the encouraging comments and phone calls during these past couple of weeks. We do not know how people get through things without God, family, friends, and a church family. Ryan and I have such a peace about all of this and it can only be explained by all of the prayers going up on our behalf. This past year has really taught our family that we are not in control and all that we can do is have faith and trust in God that He will use this situation to show how great He truly is!

I promise I will post soon with some pictures and even a 'belly' pic since so many have requested that! Please continue to keep us in your prayers. Some specific prayer requests are that God will perform a miracle and fix Reed's heart and if this is not His will, that the surgeries will be very successful, that I will be able to carry these babies full term, that Reed and Braden will continue to be healthy, and that we will continue to place our trust in God! Ryan and I are so excited about being parents to two precious little boys, and Ryan cannot wait till they can play ball with him!!

Tuesday, July 01, 2008

Good News and Prayers

Ryan & I had our 20 week ultrasound yesterday. WE are having TWO BOYS! We are very excited about that news.
However, we were informed that "Twin B" has a heart problem. The left side of his heart is not growing & operating like it should. He does have a good heart beat & is growing as expected, like his brother. But due to the type of heart problem, we are having to meet with Pediatric Cardiologists to discuss the problem & options going forward. At this time it looks like if all goes well with the rest of my pregnancy that he will need several heart surgeries after he is born. I think that he will need 3 surgeries done from infant to toddler. The Dr. said we have every reason to hope that this will be his only issue and with surgery he will be ok.
We ask that you pray for both babies & me during the next several months. I also ask that you join us in praying that our sons heart can be healed or that his heart does not get any worse and continues to be the size that it is. The power of prayer is amazing and we believe that God will guide us throug this.
We thank you in advance for your love & prayers. God is good.
Feel free to spread the news to people who will join us in prayer.
Faith in Him-
Keeley & Ryan

Monday, June 02, 2008

Cancun Trip

This past week we went to Cancun on a trip that Ryan won through his work. We stayed at the Cancun Palace which an all inclusive resort which meant we didn't have to pay for anything! There were a lot of AllState agents there for the week. We met a great couple from Kentucky who we became good friends with by the end of the trip. I think that Ryan and I will stay in touch with Josh and Jamie now. They definitely made the trip much more fun considering most of the agents that were there were all a bit older. The above picture and the one below were taken at the banquet they had one night for work. After dinner there was a Dj who played new and old songs. Jamie was taking our picture and the song "Low" (Applebottom Jeans song) came on and this was the part where it said "She turned around and gave that big booty a smack" and this is what she caught on camera!
One of our favorite restaurants to eat at was Miyako which was similar to Shoguns. We ate there 2 nights since it was so good.
Each night the resort had some form of entertainment. This was one of the best nights. You cannot tell in the picture below but it was Michael Jackson night. This guy was a pretty good impersonator of Michael's dance moves. He along with others performed for an hour the classics by Michael Jackson...it was a great show!
This was our last night in Cancun. It had rained all day and of course it turned out to be a great night. Ryan won't be able to do this for much longer!
A couple of people asked me if Jamie and I were related when they saw us together. I guess that I can see that in the pictures. We are about the same height even though Jamie looks much taller...she had on some really cute shoes while I sported Old Navy flipflops!
It was a great time away but it is always nice to be back home. We had a terrible day of travel on Sunday. It wasn't bad until we flew into Dallas. We got stuck in customs b/c we got in two of the slowest lines possible. When we finally got through customs, I realized that I had lost our boarding passes. I went to get our boarding passes and Ryan checked our luggage back in through customs. By the time this was all through, we had about 10 minutes to catch our flight. We had to get on the tram and go through 4 stops before we reached our stop. Once we got off, we had to run to hopefully catch our flight. I felt like we were on the Amazing Race. We made it! Well it doesn't stop there. Once we arrived in Nashville, we waited for our luggage and Ryan's came but of course mine didn't! I left the airport with no luggage but it did get to me at 3:00 in the morning today! At least the trip was Free!!!

EXCITING 15 Week Ultrasound!!

We had our 15 week "growth" ultrasound today. This ultrasound they do for multiples to make sure that one is not eating more than another and that they are both growing at the same rate. We were glad to find out that they are in separate sacs, have 2 umbilical cords and placentas. This is good since they will not be sharing the same food source since this is what can cause problems with twins.
They also took both of their measurements for their head size, arm/leg length, etc.. and everything looked great. They weigh a huge 4 ounces each. As you can see below Twin B is sitting right on top of Twin A.
Here is poor little Twin A being sat on by its BROTHER!!! Twin A was loving crossing its legs so there was no hope of finding out early what he/she is! We will find out in 4 more weeks what Twin A is.
This is Twin B which is the baby that hads always been on the top. Here is Twin B not being very modest at all. It figures that a little boy would not be shy. I will really think this is funny if we find out that Twin A is a girl since it loves to cross its legs and be very modest!
We are so thankful that God has blessed us with these two babies and I pray that they continue to grow to be healthy little babies!

Sunday, May 18, 2008

Relaxing Weekend

This weekend we went to Center Hill Lake with Martha Lynn and Zach. It was sunny and 75 degress on Saturday. Needless to say, I got a little more sun than I should have. Ryan was afraid that I gave the babies sun poisoning:-) Martha is expecting also and her due date is just 3 days after mine!
Thanks Shoresy for the maternity clothes and this bathing suit! I don't think that this bathing suit is maternity though. If it is then I'm in trouble!
Martha and I just layed around and read magazines while Zach and Ryan fished or should I say tried to fish! I guess the fish just weren't hungry!

Tuesday, May 06, 2008

Twin A and B

I am about 10 1/2 weeks pregnant. We went today for our ultrasound and the babies look great. Well, Twin A looks like a baby but Twin B looks more like a blob! Twin B is further away from the ultrasound waves so that is why he/she looks like it does.
Both of the babies have heartbeats around 160 b.p.m and they were moving like crazy.
Twin A
Twin B - My doctor said that this was probably a boy since he didn't want his picture taken and Twin A was a girl since she posed so beautifully!! I know that it is hard to see what is below so here is a simple explanation: his/her head is on the left and its feet on the right. This baby is more at the top of my uterus but next ultrasound we will be able to see him/her! We will have our next ultrasound on June 1st to make sure the babies are growing like they should be. She said that we could possibly see what sex they are then but it would not be completely accurate. We will definitely find out the sexes on June 30th!!!! I can't wait. I really and truly do not care what we are having but just pray that these babies will be healthy! However, a boy and a girl would be great:-)

Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Double Blessing!

That's right....Ryan and I are having TWINS!!!! I will update next week with pictures from our ultrasound. We had an ultrasound last week and their hearts were beating great(179 b.p.m.). One of the twins is actually a day older than the other one :-) Go figure!

Friday, April 18, 2008

Camera

I first lost my camera charger and got a new battry charger last week. Well, Ryan went on a golf trip this past weekend and took the camera and charger with him. Tuesday he calls me from work and says "Did you take the camera out of my luggage?" Needless to say, our camera is gone!!! There will not be new posts until I get a new camera which will hopefully be next week!

Saturday, April 05, 2008

Monday, March 17, 2008

Family Birthdays!

I have lost my camera charger so I had to get creative with this post.
My dad celebrated his birthday last week on March 14th and my mom's birthday is this week, March 20th. There are not words to express how thankful I am for my mom and dad. Sorry mom for posting this first picture of you on here! Wow, how the times have changed....look at those side burns. My mom is an excellent cook and still cooks for us every Sunday afternoon. This is just a very small part of who my mom is. It is kind of scary how much that I have turned into my mom. It really isn't scary because there is no one that I would rather be more like! Ryan tells my mom all the time "thanks for making Keeley so particular about cleaning, cooking, laundry, picking up clothes, etc." She is awesome! (You gotta love the huge glasses)
This picture describes my dad perfectly. He was always letting us try things on our own even if they were not the safest things. I have him to thank for me being so independent! My dad is the most patient, hard-working person I know and who knows how to fix anything!
This was a day that my mom and I got stranded on the interstate. This picture describes my mom's personality perfectly!
I have always been daddy's little girl. That is one thing that will never change!!
This is one of my favorite pictures of my family at my brother Craig's wedding.

Happy Birthday mom and dad!

Wednesday, March 05, 2008

Favorite Songs

I need your help! I have had an ipod for a while now but my song selection is terrible!!! I am trying to download songs on itunes but do not know what some great songs would be. If you read this blog, then please leave a comment of a few of your favorite songs. They can be new songs or just classics.
Currently, all that is on my ipod is a bunch of country songs consisting of mainly Tim McGraw, Alabama, and Rascal Flatts. I love to listen to all types of music so please entertain me with your favs!!!!

Thursday, February 28, 2008

Too Much Time

Well, I guess I have way too much time on my hands since I have painted twice this week. I really don't but this gives me an excuse to put off house work!
I cannot take full credit for this idea. I saw something similar to this on-line. However, I tried to 'make it my own.'
I am posting these pictures to maybe give you some ideas to try yourself. Since I don't have kids to post about, I have to get creative!!

I started with a blank cabinet door and painted WHITE for the background part of it.

The next thing I did was paint a lot of scroll work designs in 'coffee bean brown' around the border.
I then dry-brushed white over the entire cabinet door. (You can notice the white 'lines' going through the scroll work) This makes it look a little older and not so loud.
Next, I wrote "This home is filled with love and laughter" over our last name.

This is the final product, but I haven't found a place to hang it yet:-)

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

My Hobby

One day while I was at the Habitat for Humanity Home Store, I saw cabinet doors. I racked my brain trying to think of what to do with these doors. For some reason, I decided they would make a great canvas to paint on! I really enjoy doing these for my friends and family.

Here is a picture of baby Will Adams' nursery bedding. These are the colors that I decided to go from to paint his wall hanging.
This is what the cabinet doors look like before I paint. I love these particular doors because they are some what antiqued (sp?). This cabinet is solid wood and about 4 feet x 2 feet. I began painting a harlequin print for the background in a cream color. Notice that I do not take the time to make them a perfect diamond shape!
Next, I painted the outside border a green that will hopefully match with his nursery.
This is the first coat for his name. I tried to make the font look more boyish because most of the signs that I have done are for little girls!
After the first coat dried, I painted over his name again. I still thought something was missing so I painted some blue dots on the corners of the diamonds.
For the last step, I wrote the following verse around the outside border:
"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made." -Psalm 139: 13-14
Amanda, I hope this verse is okay. I cannot wait to hang this in his room!