This Momma's Alright!

I had my check-up yesterday, and I am healthy! Yippee! It was great to see my OB-GYN again after more than a year. She was excited to see Kyrie & Degen at my appointment. I am grateful for how understanding she was about the necessity of having both kids there with me, even telling me not to apologize for the situation . She gave me referrals for plastic surgeons whom I will need to help repair my diastasis in a few years (I will also need to have my umbilical hernia repaired).
I feel like the muscle separation has improved in the past year, but she was still able to fit three fingers in the space between the vertical abdominal muscles. If you're not sure what muscles I'm talking about: lay on your back and pull your shoulders up off the floor and feel for the muscles in the middle of your stomach (those 6-pack muscles). Normally, those muscles are together but because of the hernia I sustained while pregnant with Degen mine are separated. Many women have some sort of diastasis post-pregnancy, but most aren't very wide. The larger separation means that my entire core strength is weakened.
I feel very lucky to have such a kind & caring OB-GYN! Seeing her again almost makes me want to have another baby..... are YOU crazy?!?! Of course, I am kidding!

Degen at 15 Months!

Degen is a happy & healthy toddler! He now has 3 molars and is working on getting a fourth, plus his canines. Wow!




We are delighted to watch Degen using his small motor skills to push buttons, use a computer mouse & keyboard, practice with eating utensils and manipulate bottles/lids/cups & more.



 He is a brave boy who (mostly) loves to roughhouse with Kyrie and play outside. He is full of giggles during tickle fights and loves to hang upside down. He really enjoys climbing & sliding at the park!

Degen is growing!
20 lbs. (3%-ile)
30 inches (25%-ile)

Remodel, Phase 1 Almost Complete

It's been about 3 weeks since we moved, and this past weekend it felt like we really, really settled into the place. I was in a pretty bad place the week after we returned from California because there was so much stuff that had to be done. I was overwhelmed and stressed out dealing with construction, kids, mess & unpacking, but then I just let go of any idea of "have to." Amazingly enough, when I gave up any idea of accomplishing anything I started to accomplish a whole lot. We still have lots of boxes and a basement sorely in need of organization, but most things are in their place and we've gotten rid of enough boxes that we can stash what we still have out.
So, here's a rundown of what we have done so far:

-New windows
-3 bay windows
-Refinished wood floors
-Painted EVERYTHING
-New appliances
-New tile in kitchen & kitchenette
-New hardwood floor in dining room
-Carpet & paint in rec room (photos coming soon)
-Complete bathroom remodel (photos coming soon)

There are still some "small" jobs and on-going projects that need to take place, but Remodel 2010 is pretty much done (just waiting for the granite to be cut for the bathroom countertop,and then I'll post bathroom photos). Remodeling and moving has been a lot of work, but I am very happy with the progress we have made on our new home!
Here are the before & after photos:

Living Room

 

Living Room Bay Window

Dining Room

Degen's Room 

(All our new windows are amazing. These guys were artists and made every window like a beautiful picture on the wall.)

California

I love the sunshine in these pictures! There are far too many good ones for me to post them all, so I'm picking out a few of my favorites!

Yippee! The Beach! 

A view of the Golden Gate Bridge from the Bay Discovery Museum! (The kids are obviously not amused that we took them away from their play to pose in front of a big bridge.)

Degen at the beach. This was our second trip to the beach, and he seemed to enjoy it a lot more.

Darren on the beach. The days were gorgeous!

Finding treasure in the sand with my little adventurers!

Muir Woods National Monument, perhaps one of the most peaceful places on the planet. It is truly magical to be amongst these giant trees! 

Degen enjoying his view from atop Momma's shoulders.

I wish that I had the time to post all 125 pictures from our trip, we had an amazing time. Of course, now we are back to all our boxes and our endless to-do lists. Sigh! I'm grateful to have these photos to look back on whenever I need a dose of some sun!