Birthday

This weekend we were lazy around the house with pup, our first born. I love snuggle time with her because it's so rare. She's almost 2 and still all puppy.

We also started framing Hubs' sports stuff for the basement. I'm so excited to put together a gallery wall I can hardly stand it!

Saturday we also got around to ordering flooring for the basement. I thought this picture was pretty hilarious... I'm sure this is after the price rung up. :)

Yesterday, I turned 30. Wow. Hubs spoiled me good with these earrings. I have been in love with these for 5 years, I can't believe he even remembered them. We looked at them for fun back before we were even engaged, and I never thought I'd get to wear them for real and call them my own. He gave them to me yesterday and said I could pass them down to our daughter to wear on her wedding day. Oh yea, I cried! 

I worked a half day yesterday, and then did some window shopping. What birthday is complete without a trip to Pottery  Barn?

I also went hunting a media cabinet for the basement. I saw this number at HomeGoods, but it seemed too fun and not manly enough. Hubs said it is too trendy for him, so moving on...

My main requirements are that it have drawers and shelves, holes in the back specifically for media wires, and that it must be at least 59" long. After lots of browsing online and in tons of stores around town, I think we are sold on this one from World Market. Doesn't hurt that furniture is 25% off right now either. 

Last night, Hubs grilled burgers and steak fries at my request. He even got me my favorite- cookie cake. I'm sure the cake ladies got a kick out of the message.... only my husband. 

It was a great and relaxing birthday. Just what I wanted being 36 weeks pregnant and all. Nothing sounded better than my pjs and the couch! And I'm almost over the depression of turning 30. Almost.

Morning Scenes

Since insomnia is in full affect these days (can't get comfortable, can't breathe through my nose, bathroom every hour), I get up so early. Like 4:30 or 5:00 early. Yea, that used to not be in my vocabulary, but I guess I should get used to it! 

We seem to have skipped over fall the past few days in Atlanta. Yesterday the high was 52, and overnight it dropped to 30. I think it's hovering around 32 right now, so a fire this morning was definitely called for. 

The only other person willing to say hello this early is sweet Blakers Beansie. Although, she usually goes right back to bed. 

She has been so curious about my bump lately. She's always nosing around it and putting her head in my lap. I don't know if she's just starting to realize something is up, but it's too funny to see her so inquisitive. 

.... Mom, lay off the chocolate.... 

I think today I'll relax with this pup and watch football. Hope it's a great day for everyone! 

Blakely Boo

I was going through my phone trying to make more available space, and I noticed I had hundreds of pictures of Blakely saved. And I couldn't bring myself to delete any one of them. She is, afterall, our first "child" (we call her our dogter). She is our original Bean, the Beansie pup as she is known around our house. I can't believe she was ever this little... will I be saying that about our Baby Evans this time next year? Probably. 

Her puppy graduation... she knows "sit", "stay", and "down", and does them on her own time...

Around 6 months old here, and her first time in the baby pool. She spent most of the time trying to eat the little fish on the pool, pawing and clawing away at them all. She's a nut. 

Around 7 or 8 months, just before we took her to get "fixed". Poor girl didn't know what was coming, but look how happy she is :)

After a walk this spring. Sticking her tongue out. The usual. 

More posing... but have you ever seen such a sweet face? For as cute as she is, she's every bit as crazy, too. I wouldn't trade her for anything.

Watching an ultrasound video of Baby Evans, she was totally intrigued. Then she started barking at the TV... not sure what the road ahead looks like. Ha. 

I can't believe in just a few weeks Blakely will no longer be our only "child". It makes me so excited, but also a little bit sad. She is the center of our universe right now. It's all about the Blakers and she likes it that way. I don't want anything to change, but I know it will have to. I just hope she loves her baby sister, and I hope she always knows that we love her so! Craziness and all. She's our Beansie. 

Friday Eve!

Today really feels like a Friday because my Gamecocks are playing tonight; college football is finally back! This is my most favorite time of year. I love having my weekends planned for me. Now, beat those Heels!

My parents are coming in town tomorrow! I cannot freaking wait! They are also bringing home the Blakely goose. As you can see below, she's been having a pretty good time at Camp Granddaddy over the past month. She gets to swim in Lake Murray and enjoy my parents' land and big yard. Poor girl doesn't realize she's about to be a city dog again. 

This happened. Apparently "nesting" for me means getting to every home project before the baby comes. I've wanted white dining chairs for about a year now, but didn't want to buy new ones since we have 4 perfectly good wooden ones... so I had my first encounter with Annie Sloan chalk paint. So far, so good.

I'm trying to channel this look.... source?? Found on Pinterest. We have a large black china cabinet, a big distressed farmhouse table, and linen slipcovered end chairs. I need some contrast going on.

And I'm 26 weeks pregnant today... almost to the third trimester. 98 days til the "due" date (although I read only like 4% of people actually deliver on their due date). This is my view these days. Although I'm experiencing some maaaaaaayja maaaaaaayja back pains, I wouldn't trade it for the world. 

Oh, and our house siding is FINALLY getting painted today (or at least it had better be or else they will be getting a call from yours truly! ha) I'm ready to get home and see the progress. 

Thank God it's gameday! GO GAMECOCKS!

Blakely's Weight (& Mine)

Around a month ago, Blakely had her vet check-up and big girl was told she needed to drop some lbs. Like 11 of them. HA. She went back in after that, and weighed 108 (even more than previously), so we had to dramatically cut back her food and switch her to a different brand altogether. We also had to exercise her more than the two walks and random camp days she was getting already. Who knew big dogs needed SO MUCH running around time? Ha. Like my dad said, these dogs are made for hunting hours on end every day. They really do need to burn a ton of calories to stay in good health... and ward off all those evil hip problems labs can get later in life. Well, we love our girl and so cut back her diet and exercise her more we did.

She went back to the vet yesterday and had lost 2 lbs. Y'all, that's insanity. She looks SO lanky to me for Blakely Boo! I can't imagine her losing any more weight! Ridiculous. I think she's perfect. However, knowing she is "supposed" to lose more has been good motivation for me to get her exercise in. Which is in turn great for me, too in my current I'm-gaining-weight-every-week condition.

Hubs usually waits on me to get home from the office and we all go on a family walk together all around the neighborhood. We have a big 'hood with lots of streets and culdesacs, so it works out great. After her vet report yesterday, we decided we'd go on a nice long walk. I've been told by so many people I need to stay as active as possible during pregnancy. Apparently it keeps you feeling good, it might help labor, and it helps you get the weight off post baby. We'll see if any of that is true, but I'm happy to try! I haven't had problems staying active so far in my second trimester. I'm sure that'll change when I'm big as a house.

For now, at 19 weeks into this human-growing experiment, I'm feeling pretty good!

 

As for Blakely, she is POOPED after our nightly walks. :) Sweetest pup on earth. I'm not partial or anything.

Blakely Got Shots

Blakely turned the big ONE back in January, and yesterday she had her one-year-shots. She was a trooper and everything checked out with her just fine at the doc... except for one thing... 

Tugboat has to lose weight! HA! She's a whopping 103 pounds. Blakely Goose! Chuggy Beans, more like Chubby Beans now. Her doc said she needs to lose about ten pounds. She gets a lot of exercise between daycare, doggy camp, and hubs running and walking her. But, girl loves to eat. She would eat the whole bag of dog food if you put it in front of her. Goofball.

Here she is after a day at camp. I can hardly back out of the parking lot before she flops her head down in the backseat. Sweet girl.

Hey, what's with this baby gate? I'm no baby...

Hard to believe a year ago this was her... chewing on my Coach sandal. Good thing she's cute. She has good taste.

That little stinker is now on a diet. But, I'll admit she did get Puppy Paw ice cream after shots yesterday. I'm only human.

Typical Sunday

Any given Sunday at the Houston House is one of my favorite times.  Our day starts with an early morning walk with Blakely. So early that even the early-church people aren't out and about yet.  Blakely doesn't know how to sleep in, ever. But, then again we do get to see the pretty sunrise. 

Sundays also mean big breakfasts. I grew up in a house that believe Sundays were for eating, especially a good plate of eggs and steak. We've tried to stay true to that in the Houston House. Hubs will usually grill something while I cook up some eggs and some sort of grits/potatoes/biscuits in the kitchen.  Of course, Blakely is always right there helping.

But, she's also right there begging sometimes, too... This is her please-drop-bacon face.

Breakfast is followed by North Point Community Church, our home away from home. 

And then lots of napping... 

And we usually round out the day gathering with our small group.  Today, I actually got in a DIY project instead of the napping... more on the dresser I saved from the Craigslist ugly files this week in my From Nay to Gray series.... but here's a quick peek.

Hope everyone's having a wonderful Sunday! 

A Blakely Valentine

A little Valentine greeting I got today from my dog-ter (what we affectionately call our furry "daughter").  AKA Blakely pup. 

Isn't she sweet? =) Love you too, Blakely boo. 

Inspiration House Weekend!

It's FRIDAY. Thank you, thank you, thank youuuuu it's FRIDAY! Anyone have big plans this weekend? I'm sure most people's involve the Super Bowl. I won't lie, ever since the Falcons blew it big time, I haven't cared anything about the big game. I probably won't even watch it. I know, sore loser, but I could not care less about those teams. Really, really. I like the Falcons (or I should say I like Abraham and Robinson), but I'm a college football girl through and through and come by it honest. Growing up, my mom was a big time Redskins fan (she lived in DC and worked for the FBI for several years), and I guess my dad just wasn't into NFL at all, and I couldn't get down with the 'Skins. But everyone should eat a bunch of chicken this weekend as you all tune in. Support my hubby's industry and order those wings!

nam nam nam nam chicken wings!!!!

My weekend does involve some big plans, more super than the Super Bowl in my opinion. Several weeks ago, I asked (or was it begged? ha) my friend Flower to go to the Atlanta Inspiration House with me. She said yes after I bribed her with lunch and wedding planning afterwards (she's getting married in April in New Orleans, I cannot wait for that trip!) Anyway, we are both excited as crap to see the house. Every room is designed by a different designer here in Atlanta. You can read about it and get a peek at pictures here, here, here, and here.  I'm not sure if photography will be allowed, but if it is you can be sure I'll post about it all on Monday.

me with the bride-to-be Flower

I get to pick up Blakers Beaner from camp today.  She looks like she's had fun this week! I love being able to check in on her anytime I want to.

Hope everyone has a great weekend! 

Day Off with Blakely Belle

Today was a holiday for me! Woohoo.  Days off are completely unheard of but most appreciated, especially when I get to stay home with pup.  However, the hubs had to work.  Blakers decided to entertain him for a bit in his office, and I got some pictures of the crazy goose (Blakely that is, not my husband).

so stoic 

attack!

please, get outta my face now 

pouting 

Just another day in the life of a spoiled doggy.  Love her! 

Scott's Antiques & A Birthday

What a weekend!  How is it Monday already?  I think I say that every week.  Last Friday my brown dog Blakers turned 1.  For most dogs, that means they are out- or really close to out- of the puppy stage.  Ha. Not for this chocolate lab.  She is still all puppy, and I don't see that changing in the near future.  I love her so, crazy and all.

birthdays are tiring....

sun bathing....

are we going on a walk or aren't we?

This weekend was also Scott's in Atlanta.   Scott's is a HUGE antique market that is once every month down at the expo center.  What seems like a bazillion different vendors come and set up their goods in hopes of selling all the loot.  I snapped some pictures along the way.

painted furniture is obviously in right now, and it was everywhere at Scott's

this dresser almost came home with me, but I decided against it last minute 

need an antique LV coffee table?  Just $1100...

mirrored furniture was everywhere, too

need a hide? how about 50?

how about a botanical print?

or baskets 

 or lamps 

how about a headboard? these are by Burlap Street.  They will custom make a headboard from any fabric and any color scheme, and they were very affordable for headboards.  Most of the kings were under $500! 

need a chair? 

cool tables and benches outside- mix of iron, wood, and upholstery 

rugs galore 

And with all these goods, can you believe I came home with nothing? HA! My friend Ann found a cool picture frame made of scrap metal from old buildings around town, and she also got a custom made mantel.  As for me, I'll see you next month, Scott's!