Sawyer's Sandbox

Sawyer LOVES the sandbox at school, so we decided it was time he had one to play in at home.  I thought it would be a lot easier to go to Walmart and pick up a generic little sandbox, but Steven saw an opportunity to use his woodworking skills.

He put down a cover to keep weeds from growing through the sand. 

Everything is there but the sand!

Although you can't tell by this picture (for some reason he looks terrified), Sawyer loves it! 

Sawyer sure does LOVE having such a handy Daddy!

New Cabinet Hardware

I think one of the easiest changes a homeowner can make that packs a big punch is cabinet hardware.

For example, our new (to us) home in Thomasville has been through a few additions and cosmetic changes throughout the years, but it seems that no one ever took the time to update the kitchen from its original 1970's glory.  For the most part, I like my humble and homey country kitchen.  It suits me and my family well because we like things to feel warm, cozy, and "lived-in".  However, there were some changes to be made.  For example, we would like to retile the floor, update a few of the appliances, get rid of the massive built-in wine rack, and change out the cabinet hardware.

Before we began tackling the black "feux-marble" tile (which we hope to get to by summer), we decided to first do a mini-update on the cabinets.  We started by getting rid of the wine rack that took up a lot of valuable space above our double oven.  After Steven cut out the wine racks, I repainted the cabinets white to match the others. 

Next, we changed out the cabinet hardware.  Before the change, the cabinets were white with white knobs and black hinges.  I was not a fan.  In order to better match some of the newer hardware throughout the house, we chose to add more modern brushed silver drawer pulls and brushed silver knobs for the cabinet doors.  Also, we switched out the black hinges for silver to match the updated look.

BEFORE

Steven working on the first few cabinets.  (Please disregard the chaos in the kitchen.)

AFTER

I really think these small changes make a big impact for not a lot of money. Next up, new tile and backsplash!

Our Little Garden

Every year since we've been married, we have discussed how much we both want to plant a garden and see how things turn out.  However, our life has been crazy for the past few years.  During our first summer, we moved moved to North Carolina and lived with Bryan and Bridget (so no gardening there, although Bryan did have an awesome one and I picked up a few helpful hints).  The next summer, I was 5 months pregnant and was no longer excited about being outside in the hot southern climate unless it included a raft and a pool.  Last summer, we moved back to Alabama and lived in a rental house, which again meant we would be purchasing our veggies at the grocery store. 

This year, we are finally feeling settled.  Although our backyard isn't as big as the one we had in North Carolina, it has enough room for us to plant a small garden.  Neither of us wanted to pull weeds all summer, so we opted to plant in raised garden beds, which should make this whole process easier.  You can find the plans we used here if you are interested.   I am and obsessed with Anna White (the plan creator) and would love to be as handy as her someday! 

Sawyer was the "supervisor" of the project.

Again he is "helping" Daddy put some dirt in the beds.



the finished product!

We are very happy with the way the raised beds turned out, and I cannot wait to cook some vegetables that we actually grew.  I will keep you updated on the process!

How we spent Easter morning...

The week following Sawyer's tubes were rough to say the least...

After his tubes were implanted and his adenoids were removed, the doctor told us that nausea and vomiting would be a normal side effect.  However, after a few days, I called the ENT's office to let him know that Sawyer was still throwing up after every meal.  The nurse said that she didn't think it had anything to do with the surgery and advised us to take him to our family doctor.  This all happened Thursday afternoon.  I took him to the doctor in Thomasville who said that she believed he must have caught the stomach bug from someone at the hospital.  She said that there was really nothing they could do for a baby his age other than make sure they stay hydrated.  I took him home with the thought that this "bug" would be gone in the next 24 hours.  The next day, we left to go to Moulton for Easter weekend.  Sawyer did not feel well on the trip.  Finally after throwing up everything he ate all weekend, we left early Sunday morning and took him to St. Vincent's ER in Birmingham.

Isn't his face just pitiful...

 The doctor told us that Sawyer didn't have the stomach flu, after all, but instead was having nausea due to infected adenoids.  He prescribed him to Zofran.  I was so relieved to have an actual diagnosis for what was causing the problem, but I hate that we waited so late to take him to the hospital. 

He has been perfectly fine since we got back home....AND no more ear infections!!! 

 

Tubes

This poor little boy had no idea what was about to happen to him...

On the Monday of my spring break, we scheduled Sawyer to get tubes in his ears, his adenoids removed, and an allergy test run.  He has been having a really hard time over the past few months because he was plagued with chronic ear infections.  After the seventh infection, we were recommended to an ENT. 

The surgery only took about ten minutes, but let me tell you NOTHING and I mean NOTHING could have prepared me for Sawyer after the surgery.  They told me when he woke up from the anesthesia he would likely cry and be disoriented, but I felt like I was literally wrestling an alligator.  He was screaming, writhing around, and wiggling like a worm, which wasn't good because he was still hooked up to his IV.  This lasted for about 20-30 minutes, but felt like an hour.  After he finally woke up, he was fine and slept the whole way home from Mobile. 

We are praying that he has no more complications from the surgery, and that our little man will feel a lot better!