House talk: walls inside and out

Let's see, where were we ... oh yes, siding.

Last time I posted about the house, they were about to start siding. Well here we are today ... outside they are completely done with siding and inside there is a good start on sheetrock.

May 18: siding started going up

the port-a-potty has a terrific view

June 2: fireplace framed and installed

June 2: spray-foam insulation started

June 4: sheetrock delivered

June 7: siding completed and sheetrocking started

where the front porch will be (the supports are installed)

My oh my, what a messy great room! The mud room is through the right arch, the dining room and kitchen are in the left corner. Stairs to the basement are in the middle, against the wall.

Siding complete in the back too!

When we were out today, a train came for a visit!

In all the times we've been out to the land/house, we'd never seen a train on the tracks (the tracks are the east border of our property. They blew the whistle at the road crossing and chugged on through.

Corey counted 112 cars! That's a loooooooong coal train. And it even has a caboose.

I never thought I'd say this about a train, but it was really cool, and quite pretty.

Kya's first summer

Kya has never know any other time of the year, but I already know that her favorite season is summer.

She's been out "to the river" a few times, and absolutely loves laying in the grass, watching the trees, and listening to the birds. (by the way, check out her outfit ... recognize it?)

The one part of summer she seems to dislike is the bright sun. It's no surprise that my sunglasses were a bit too big.

So I found some baby sunglasses. She is much more comfortable now - and can actually open her eyes outside. She also likes her stroller - and walks in the neighborhood. (pictured here mid-walk)


A few weeks ago is was HOT at the river, so we stripped Kya down to a diaper, and she and Corey watched the river flow (in the shade, of course). She was happy as a clam. So was Corey.

We've had visitors too! My college friend Kristan, her husband Josh, and their son Cole (what a cutie) stopped over for a visit Friday. It was so good to see them!

Kya and Cole met and although they didn't exactly "play well together" they were darn cute together. Cole is about six months older than Kya, and so much fun – he does the funniest baby seal crawl.

two months

Our sweet little Kya is already two months old (well to be exact, she'll be two months old in two days – on June 3).

In honor of her two month birthday, Kya and I had a little photo party this morning.

She's an easy smile – just talk to her, and she'll happily smile back.

She's such a sweet baby. And a very good sleeper (thank goodness). In fact, last night she only woke up once between 9 pm and 6 am. She ate, got a diaper change, and went right back to sleep.

She's a good eater too, as you can see by her little rolls.


The blanket was mine, but Kya has adopted it as her own. Thanks to Grandma Katy for making it for me/us many years ago ... I think I was still in high school.

Kya has more hair "sprouting" on top. The new growth is very blonde. Her eyes are still blue and are continuing to lighten every day.

Some of Kya's favorites are: being outside, daddy's keys, eating (yup she takes after me), baths, laying on her back, listening to music, and car rides.

She's growing so fast. She easily fits into most three-month clothes and a couple of her six-month outfits.

(here she is in color - same photo as above)

As you can see here, she's constantly moving, especially kicking.

too fast

Our sweet baby Kya is already 6 1/2 weeks old. Seems like just yesterday we were mall walking in an effort to get labor going. Today Caitlyn and I took Kya to the Well Baby Clinic so we could see how much she weighs.

drum roll ...

Kya is 10 lbs, 12 oz, and is 22 1/4 inches long.

The photos were taken while she was chilling in her swing – which she loves. I'm thinking Corey and I need to invest in a serious supply of "D" batteries.

House talk: Closing it up

Oh my this is embarrassing. This is only my second blog post this month. Wow.

At least I can honestly say that I have been busy. New baby. Moving. Building a house.

Kya is wonderful and growing faster than I ever thought possible. She even rolled over from her tummy to back - twice! I know, it's crazy. She's only 6 week old.

I'll post all about Kya in another post ... after I sort through the 1,000s of photos of her on my computer.

Now for some house talk.

The last time I posted about the house, we were breaking ground on March 23.

Here is a photo timeline:

March 21: surveying

March 23: ground breaking

March 26: basement footings


March 30: basement forms

March 31: basement walls

April 12: basement back-filled


April 15: garage floor and basement poured

April 22: floor trusses in, and exterior walls going up


April 25: all exterior walls up

April 27: some interior walls framed

May 11: we have a roof!

May 11: ready for shingles, windows, and siding

May 15: shingles are on

... shingles

more shingles (view from hwy 1806)

May 17: windows are all installed

windows are in and we're ready for siding

the back

the front.

Well that catches us up to today. Tomorrow will be another busy day at the house.

Here are a few more snapshots of our house building journey:

This represents the many hours of color matching and lighting selections ... I can't wait to see them come to life.

We'll also have a geothermal heat pump. It's far from new technology, but it somehow makes me feel cutting edge. Go figure.

Here are Corey and Kya checking out the master bathrrom shower.


Our siding is here and the house will soon be red.

Oops. How did this sneak in? Here's our happy baby Kya.

Kicking Kya

Kya was practicing her bicycle pedaling skills this evening and Corey captured it on video.

Her favorite toy at the moment - the glow worm - is helping to cheer her on.

enjoy :)