Black Beauty

You know how you always feel prettier in a little black dress? Or pants... Or stretchy maternity pants and a tent-like top, as in my case. :) Something beautiful happens with such a striking color. 

Case in point:

Here's the before:

We got this very well-made dresser from craigslist two years ago for $20. It had a white-washed finish with dull brass knobs on the top four drawers and the same color handles on the bottom. I spent hours sanding this thing to get that wash off! I wasn't a blogger and didn't care about 'before' pictures, and I hadn't been introduced to spray paint and its amazing ability to change ugly hardware into something pretty! I used a light stain and poly'd the dresser and new wooden knobs, then moved it into my second son's room. It worked perfectly as a changing table for almost two years.

Then I met this pair...

So... the other more practical and better made dresser had to go! But not without a makeover.

Love the new black dress(er)!

Pregnancy Update-27 Weeks

How Far Along: 27 Weeks

Size of baby: 2 pounds (like a head of cauliflower) and just over 14 inches with legs extended. 

http://www.babycenter.com

Maternity Clothes: I bought some new clothes! I'm loving my new jeans, dress pants and a couple t-shirts, all from Target. It's nice to feel pretty!

Gender: This test said "girl". 

I'd be thrilled with that, but I'm not buying any pink and I'm keeping focused on what we love about boys. We did settle on a girl's name though! The boy's name is down to two options: I like one, G likes the other. 

Movement: All the time! It feels more like a baby and less like an alien this time around. I wish I could define the baby's position better, like my midwife can.

What I miss: Things are starting to get uncomfortable. I know it'll get a lot worse though, so I'm trying not to complain.

Sleep: Some nights are better than others.

Symptoms: On my midwife's suggestion, I stopped taking the generic prenatal from Walmart and now take a plant-based vegan prenatal. Since it's plant-based, it doesn't interfere with the other medication I take, so I can take it in the morning... Which means less heartburn! It really has made a big difference in the last few weeks. Yay!

Best Moment This Week: Deciding to keep this furniture (and imagining it with pink!):

What I am looking forward to: MAY!!!

True Love

To my Valentine:

Thank you for being my true love today and every day!

Dresser & Vanity

You're not going to believe the 'before' pictures. Here are the afters.

Ok, brace yourself. What you're about to see is NOT PRETTY!

Last April my husband saw and ad for a free dresser and vanity. We snatched them up, tied them to our trailer and parked them in the barn. Seriously.

The barn is not at all weather proof or bird proof (did you see the proof of the birds on the dresser picture? Gross!), so we moved the set into the garage. The idea was for me to paint them and sell them. 

Before the garden took off last summer, I did some work on the vanity. But then I got tired of sanding and felt overwhelmed by the gluing and filling. And Mr. Ashes got a project car and my project furniture was moved into a back corner.

So it sat there. 

Finally in October the garden was done, the car was done and I felt up to the task. Out came the sander and wood-filler while the boys played in the sandbox and we enjoyed the sunshine. 

And then first trimester nausea and exhaustion set in and I quit again. Then it was too cold and then there were the holidays and traveling and guests...

Finally, a few weeks ago Mr. Ashes got a new project car. I didn't want the dresser to be blocked in a back corner in a freezing garage, so we moved the set inside. 

And I got to work!!!

There was lots of this:

and this:

and this:

Right in the middle of my kitchen. 

I sanded everything by hand to somewhat control the dust (ha!).

After three weeks (speedy, I am not!), two coats each of primer, off-the-shelf white paint and polycrylic, as well as some walnut stain, the set is done!

Here are some detail shots:

I love the contrast of the white paint and walnut stain!

I reused the original hardware, just spray-painted it oil rubbed bronze.

I just love how they turned out!

Don't they look right at home with Classic Pooh?

Good, cuz somewhere along the line, I fell in love with these pieces.

They're enjoying their new home in the nursery!

     
          

Boy or Girl?

I took this test:

It said GIRL!

Can anyone vouch for the reliability? I'm not buying anything pink.

Winter Blues

 Today at noon the temperature was 0. The weather guy described it as "North Pole" conditions. With windchill tonight the temperature is supposed to be around -30. Last week when warned of colder temps headed our way, an announcer used the words "dangerous" and "bitter". 

Here's my little guy on Sunday when it was 30 or so. (Sounds tropical!) Yes, he's trying to eat a snowball.

This is J1 smiling for the camera. I think it looks like my attempt at being happy about the weather! Fake!!!

He likes to lay on his tummy and bite the snow. I think he's watched Arctic Tale one time too many!

The boys are thrilled with their snowman! Daddy built it and they get all the fame. Kids! This is actually the first one this season for them--the snow has either been really fine powder that won't stick or icy and hard. Thanks, Daddy, for taking the time to build us a snowman!

Is it Spring yet?!