Surprise! Let's Start a Kitchen Reno...

A few Fridays ago we finished up our deck renovation project thanks to the assistance of our AMAZING families, J was on cloud nine. The deck has been haunting him since last summer and we knew it needed to be fixed. But at nearly 1,000 sq ft, it's huge and we knew it would be a demanding task.

We went to bed Friday night feeling so great that the last BIG check off our renovation to-do list was completed and we'd be enjoying it all summer long. Fast forward to Saturday morning when we woke up early with time to go out to breakfast before our all day childbirth prep class.... 

Me: "J, what is that noise? Did you leave the pool filter on last night?" (Proceed to open the window and realize that no, it's not the pool filter.)

J: Runs downstairs thinking the heating pipe he patched in the downstairs half bath was leaking again. (Ya, never got around to sharing that story...but the ceiling was torn out of the half bath on our first floor after a few leaks from the upstairs guest bath)

J: "OH MY GOD. Efffff. #$%!!@#$!!"

Me: "Oh no." Run downstairs and see it literally raining in our kitchen. Every recessed light and pendant light pouring out water from the ceiling. Floor soaked, stools soaked, counters soaked, etc.

A view of the ceiling once we had the water shut off

Uh, yeah...didn't see this one coming!

Once we got the water shut off, we assessed the damage. **PS - know where your water shut off valve is. I cannot stress that enough. The pipe leak had nothing to do with our renovations, and everything to do with it just being an old pipe - This could happen to anyone.**

The water went through the kitchen floor and down into our basement too... 

Then we figured out where the leak was located - in a wall between our master bathroom and guest bathroom. And I just about died when I thought we'd need to rip out all of our hardwork in the master bathroom. Not a needed stress right now!

Yes, that tiny hole created a whole lot of damage!

But this is why we pay for home insurance. Our issue was a pipe that simply corroded. Yes, this little pinhole created a whole lot of damage during the overnight hours. Seriously, thank god we were home and caught this as quickly as we did.

So this is what our kitchen looks like today... and I'm 38 weeks pregnant...

 

What needs to be done?

• New wiring and lighting for all of the recessed lights in the kitchen
• New pendant lights
• New insulation and sheetrock for the kitchen ceiling
• New tile flooring in the kitchen - which spreads to the front door and over into the half bath
• We've decided to also have them update the hardwood floors in our dining room to the same tiles since its all one open space and the current threshold between the kitchen tile and dining room floor is very awkward
• A new stove installed - most of the water came down right over our stove which now makes the most annoying pilot clicking noise, and doesn't stop, until you're done cooking
• New insulation in the ceiling in the basement

Thankfully, insurance and our contractor have agreed on what needs to be done and everyone is well aware of our impending stork arrival. But we can only speed things up so much - we've been given an estimate of 2-3 weeks worth of work. Wah. Which won't get start until next week. Double wah!

Not exactly sure why it can take so long, the tile work I suppose. But seeing as I can't stand the current tiles in the kitchen and they're now getting replaced, I will make this work!

I'll do my best to post updates/design choices along the way. We've decided to go with faux wood tiles for the new floors and I cannot wait to see how they turn out (especially after reading posts like this).

We've accepted the fact that each design decision we make in this kitchen seems to make the cabinets look more and more orange...so a new backsplash and painted cabinets will be happening at some point....ambitiously hoping it will be later this year. ;)

Oh Baby! Shower Recap

You know what else was a month ago now? My baby shower! Slowly catching up over here...

When discussions of a baby shower first started, my only request was that I not be ginormously, uncomfortably pregnant if at all possible. After looking at the calendar, we decided it would work out perfectly to have my shower within a few weeks of the birth of my nephew so that my sister could get home to meet him and help host my shower within the same week. I owe you a whole post on this little bundle of joy! I'm working on it don't you worry.

So just a few days after getting home from our babymoon, at 32 weeks pregnant, my mom and sister hosted the perfect baby shower in my honor. I still can't get over how much work they did. Or how generous our family and friends were! I'm not lying when I saw there is nothing left on my registry at this point. Nothing!

Here's a bit of a recap through pictures (camera pictures finally too):

My sister made this super cute bunting for the cake and then the baker mimicked it! Cake was sooo good.

I am SO lucky to have these ladies in my life. Can't thank you enough for such a perfect baby shower.

Some of J's family - love these ladies!

 All of the women who helped raise me, my momma, my aunties, my nona. <3

Cute little gifts for Baby C!

Cousins

Yes, this is my SIL who had a baby 3 weeks prior! I know, she looks amazing right?

I count my lucky stars to have all these wonderful girlfriends still in my life - dating back to elementary school and before!

The college gfs. Who have certainly seen me at my finest! Don't judge... ;)

 Can you tell we're related? 

The grandmas-to-be! I know, they're way too young for that title right? But seriously, these two women are amazing. J & I can't thank you enough for all of your love, support, and guidance through the years. I hope my mama skills are up to par!

My Nona. I once wrote her letter requesting to move in since my mom was too mean. Ha. 

Soon to be 4 generations!

I could have sworn I took pictures of all of the decorations the ladies put together but sadly they are nowhere to be found now. A few items worth pointing out:

• Centerpieces were potted plants with burlap covering the flower pot. In each plant there were baby pictures of J & I. They were adorable!! And whoever's birthday was closest to my due date got to take the flowers home.
• Favors were baby jars of jelly beans or m&ms. I am always a fan of edible favors...and I somehow ended up with the bag of jelly beans that didn't fit in the jars...such a shame. ;)
• Jackie dyed newborn and 3 month onesies in pink, blue, green, yellow, and orange. And strung them along the entrance to the room. They were SO cute! And I'm excited to have them to dress the little love in once he/she arrives. I may even be bringing the newborn pink and blue ones to the hospital with me...

We are so fortunate to have such amazing family and friends who couldn't be happier for us. 

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!! Even Tucker seems a bit excited with all the new baby gear floating around the house. :)

And the due date countdown: less than 3 weeks!!