This Old House: Our Bedroom is Done!

What's this? A room in our house that does not look like it came out of a Brady Bunch episode? tis true, new paint, base and crown molding, doors, outlets, switches, knobies and doo-dads. We no longer have the ugly long radiators or giant plumbing access panel. The final addition was soft carpet to warm the floors. (Don't worry, the hardwoods are safely tucked away under the carpet, we did not rip them out.) Below is a before and after set that you can click on to enlarge it.

...On to the Baby's room!

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Happy Ho...lycrap It's Over!

Wow! It's Over! We made it!
Doesn't it seem like we were carving pumpkins and handing out treats to the neighborhood rug-rats in "little devil" and Elmo outfits just a few weeks ago? Man the Holidays came and went quick this year for me! Well the Fat Man was good to everyone on all sides of the family and Jesus' birthday once again went off without a hitch or cake and candles. My nieces and nephews were bouncing off the walls like Courtney Love hosting a Toys for Tots drive. On Christmas Eve we had dinner at our house with 11 from my side of the family. My sister Stephanie and her family traveled from Casper Wyoming this year. It was great having them home! On Sunday we went to Mom and Dad's on the Foster side for more holiday festivities . Overall, I really loved all loot and thoughtfulness from the entire family. But if I somehow ended up in a game of Truth or Dare and was forced to pick, my favorite gift of this year was from my wife. I'll give you a hint. It has blue eyes, stands 2 1/2ft tall, roams the house autonomously, and can pick up and throw things, all while laughing, burping, dancing, tracking random objects, making insults and asking for money. Any guesses???

Anywho, I hope everyone had an awesome Holiday! I know this big kid did. You were all in our thoughts. Okay...Now on to the New Year!

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Baby News: Lesson Number One

Lesson Number One: Everything is on the baby's terms and only the baby's terms.

Either stubborn like a Foster or strong-willed like a Hughes, you be the judge. As it turns out we were not able to find out the sex of the baby during our ultrasound this evening. During the first try the baby's legs were too close together and during the second try the umbilical cord was in the way.

On a brighter note, the baby was very active and we could see the heart beating on the screen. Quite the site to see...or sort of see. I couldn't quite tell what the technician was pointing out most of the time. Matt was an expert within 5 minutes and was even pointing things out before the technician!

I'll post the pictures soon, so come back and take a look. Don't worry, I'll let Matt provide the captions so there is no mistaking a head for the rump :)

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Baby News: Interview with a Pregnant Women

The following is a rare interview with a real live pregnant woman. Parents be advised, some material may be inappropriate for children… okay not really, but it sounded cool to say it anyway.

And now, in all her glory, Stephanie Hughes, as interviewed by Matt Hughes.

M: The ultrasound is only 4 days away….how are you feeling?
S: Very excited and anxious.

M: Do you know who the father is yet?
S: I have a good hunch, but I won't know for certain until the paternity test comes back...keep your fingers crossed.

M: Any thoughts or aspirations on if it is a boy?
S: I'm hoping he grows up to be the next JFK, or man on the moon, or Babe Ruth. I'm trying not to set my expectations too high though.

M: Any thoughts or aspirations if it is a girl?
S: Here's to being locked up until your 18 kiddo :)

M: Rumor has it; you and possibly the father, are having nervous break downs? Is this true?
S: For me it comes in spurts...I can't really speak for the father, see the question above.

M: You seem to be a bit of a workaholic; will you miss work while on leave?
S: Not at first but I'm sure after I've been home a few weeks I'll be itching to log in and see what's going on. Then again...probably not at all.

M: Have you been buying baby items yet?
S: We bought some wipes the other day, but that's about it. Still need to find out if it's a boy or girl. I'm kind of a pink and blue person.

M: Have you been picking out Baby names?
S: We've tossed a few around, but nothing solid. I'm guessing we won't know until the baby is actually here. I'm told it could all change once you actually meet the little one.
M: Might I recommend if its a boy,"Speed"? ...Speed Hughes... now that is a good name.

M: How is the baby room coming? I’m assuming you’re almost done with it by now.
S: Oh yeah, we're almost done moving out of it so we can start. I'm sure we'll be done in the next six months or so.

M: How is your sex life? (JUST KIDDING!!!! Man, you should have seen the look on your face! Common, we keep it PG-13 on this site the best we can. :-P )

M: What is the best part about being pregnant?
S: Daydreaming about all the amazing things we will get to go through with our baby.

M: What part could your live without?
S: The sore kidney's, the "not quite showing but starting to" look, having to be cautious about how much I'm lifting and how much I'm running around...

M: What is the square root of 41?
S: My calculator is broken... I have no idea
M: Are you sure you are ready to have children?

M: Any outrageous food cravings?
S: Not yet...although I seem to enjoy cheese and mustard sandwiches a lot...and grilled cheese sandwiches...and cheese and relish sandwiches...and cheese cubes...

M: I’m sure are readers are just in awe...how could they not be. :) Thanks for your time and good luck with the whole baby thing. You will have to let me know how it goes.

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