More than a name.

Greta and Maggie are both Margarets. They are both spunky, a little stubborn, and very wild. Ever since Greta became the middle child, Maggie has made it her priority to give her as much extra attention as she possibly can.  As her kids are getting older, she has noticed an increase in her available time, so signed up for Kindermusic with Greta. It is amazing. She comes to pick her up and after music class they pick Anna up from school, Greta is in 7th heaven.

The first few weeks Greta was timid. A side Maggie rarely sees as Greta is usually her silly self around her. As the weeks have gone on, Greta has become more comfortable and has even pushed her boundaries a bit with her, now that's the Greta I know. Her personality is big, and addicting. It feels good when she is giving you her all, unless she is trying to get your attention, she sometimes goes about it the wrong way (if you catch my drift ;), just ask Sully. She is salt and sugar rolled into one. It is fun to watch she and Maggie bond. When Maggie arrives, she comes in to make sure Greta is dressed appropriately and that her hair is done (apparently I have dropped the ball in that department :)), and then they head out, Greta looks back to say goodbye and I feel like she is 16 years old. Maggie gets her into her car and has her carseat loaded with all of her favorite snacks, she has no idea how good she has it. I'm so lucky she is mine, but love to share her with Maggie, too.

Ready to go, outfit is Maggie approved. 

Silly girl covered in 'band aids.'

Shakers in her sox. 

Story time. 

Maggie brought her this shirt, and then she dressed herself.
#missindependent

Maggie and Greta. 

Construction, part 5.

The basement!

Everything has had a pretty significant transformation around here, but I think its safe to say that the basement is the most obvious. When we moved in, there was a large laundry room, lots of craft storage areas and a small finished space with paneling and a dropped ceiling. We had initially planned to do the basement first before the rest of the house so it was demo'd first, then we changed gears and put it off. We were so excited when it all came together. We put in a guest bedroom/bathroom, toy room, exercise room, and large rec room which will eventually become a theatre space. For now, it is wide open and great for the kids to run, play, and occasionally write on the walls and carpet ;). Don't worry, crayon comes off pretty well.

Before- looking west from the finished room. 

After. Removed wall and put in a fireplace and wet bar. 

Before- looking east from the stairs.

After. Egress windows, raised ceilings and recessed lighting
(and a basketball hoop on the doorway leading to the toy room).

During- standing in the far corner looking northwest. 

After- looking at the wet bar (that outlet now has a black cover), looking
into the guest bedroom at the right. We reused the pocket doors from the
living room upstairs.

After- new bathroom just to the right of the bar. 

After- shower in the new lower level bathroom.

Before- looking into the coal bin.

After- the coal bin is the doorway on the right, it is now an exercise room. 

February fun.

Life is good and feels like it gets more manageable every week. I think back to the first days with Piper and being in the thick of the house project, and I already can't believe we did all of that. The weather has been great and the kids are so happy to be outside, in any way possible. We cannot wait for spring.

Piper is still as chill as can be and has been rolling from her back to her belly and then getting stuck. She doesn't hold still for long before she is on her tummy and grunting and fussing about getting help. Greta loves to love on her, read to her, and 'baby talk' to her. It is really funny and sweet. Fortunately both Sully and Greta have laid off the swats and unfriendly bumps toward her. I think they have officially accepted her presence in our lives.

The fog is clearing and life is back on track.

Car snooze, found her thumb and turned out the lights.

Pillow pile fun. 

It's amazing how much time opening a box can take. 

Here Piper, the phone is for you. 

Valentine's Day fun.
Sully 3.5, Piper 3.5 months, Greta 2

Piper and Greta, same outfit, two year later. 

My two year old, toothpaste everywhere, even in the hair. 

Me and the girls. 

Silly Greta. 

New coats from Aunt Maggie.

Stroller ride to the hospital aka walking circus. 

Dress up at daddy's work. 

Sweet girl put her hands on my face when I was talking
to her. It melted me. 

Morning snuggles. 

Watching the fire. 

All dressed up for the 'Happily Ever Afternoon' today.

Construction, part 4.

Our master 'punch list' is taking a hit, which means I get to take more 'after' photos. When Dave comes home from work and I get to tell him about all of the progress, we both sigh with relief. The end is near! We still have our painter here, he is plugging along with second and third coats. But, YAY!

Here are updates on the previous master bathroom, master bedroom and new master bathroom. The previous master bathroom turned into a second floor laundry/bathroom and we transformed the previous fourth bedroom into our master bath/closet and are thrilled with the space. I actually found out I was expecting Piper when the demo of that bedroom took place, so we put an extra bedroom in the attic (photos to follow in a future update), so we will have room for all if and when they want their own space.

Master bathroom- before. 

After- facelift and added laundry. 

Master bathroom- before. 

After- little touches like putting in a higher faucet for functionality and a
single sink for more countertop space were key. My designer is a genius. 

Before- master bedroom.

After- new windows, recessed lighting, and refinished floors. 

Master bedroom- before. 

After- we moved the doorway over four feet, which improved the
usable space. 

After- eliminating the radiators also freed up a lot of space,
although we do miss their character. 

After-  and one of my mama's paintings :). 

Before- master closet. It was a very tight space.
And I was 36 weeks pregnant with Greta here :).

After- walking into the bathroom,
the closet is on the right, no photos, too messy already ;).

Before- fourth bedroom.

After- master bathroom, the windows and natural light are incredible in here. 

After- the book matched marble turned out amazing. 

After- new shower. 

Before- looking south. 

After- looking south, and thats Greta! The one I was pregnant with
in an earlier 'before' pic. Wow.