potty training

Serious potty training is underway at the Alcott abode! We've long suspected Teddy capable of shedding the nappy. He'd not gone number 2 in it for months, but his little brain wasn't making the connection for number 1. So last Tuesday we tried a new tactic and dove in head first! Rather than continuing to wait for him to initiate, we bought him big boy undies, and said now you have to use the potty for pees...and wouldn't you know it, he's doing just that (with a little M&M incentive)!

That's not to say we've been without stumbles. If our little man is upset or playing outside he's prone to an accident. Plus he gets annoyed having to freeze fun all the time to use the loo. What's a bit of a chore now, will be habit in no time. He's just so darn adorable walking around in unders, I can't help but giggle each time I see him. The photo below is potty training day 2, as you can see he's already had enough with the photos. :-)

Sappy side note: Our dear Mr. Alcott is in Tulsa for the week. No matter how often he travels, days just aren't complete without our love. And believe you me, one big heart and two little hearts overfloweth with love for that man.

sleep

John Paul Alcott: 3 months old

I took these photos yesterday and let me just say I could watch him do this all day. Everyday. There is nothing so peaceful in the world.

Watch his little mouth move in the video. I'm so in love.

tub time

Our farmhouse is missing one important thing, a tub for the boys. We've mostly bathed Teddy at the grandparents, avoiding (for now) a costly bathroom remodel.

Turns out though, it wasn't so expensive after all. :-)

Happy Monday, bubble bathers.

what a little paint can do

We moved into our house just over four months ago and in between Ryan's work travel, the holidays, and a new baby, we painted. Wanna see?

This is Theodore's bedroom. Upon arrival the walls were a pinkish lavender. Now, Resolute Blue by Sherwin-Williams. Once carpeted, we riped it out and painted the wood floors underneath (not restorable) a deep brown. The windows have been finished with red ticking panels.

The upstairs hall, originally painted in a green faux finish, was changed to Window Pane by SW. The carpet was also removed, but the floors remain unfinished.

Our bedroom was wallpapered in a cream color and also carpeted. We removed the peeling wallpaper, a careful job with the plaster walls underneath, and painted the room Abalone Shell by SW. After taking out the carpet we also painted the wood floors. I finally have a place to put the cedar chest passed down from my Grandma Krutzig. We also have a dresser passed down to Ryan from his mother. My brother painted this room for us. That's him in the photo with Teddy the Helper Boy.

At move in our stairwell was carpeted and had a terrible railing hastily put up by the sellers in order to pass inspection. We removed the railing and repaired the ceiling damaged by it (the rail had actually been nailed into the ceiling!) Under the carpet we found many layers of paint on top of beautiful hardwood. Unlike the cheap flooring uncovered in the bedrooms, we decided to try and restore the stairs. Unfortunately the grey paint (seen in the photo to the left) was lead-based, therefore making the job tricky. We weren't comfortable sanding lead-based paint with Jack and Teddy in the house, so it was a long job of careful stripping. I'm excited with the finished product though!

I'm not sure a before shot was ever taken of the guest bedroom downstairs, but it was wallpapered, then painted a country blue. The wallpaper seams showed throughout the room. After consulting a few people, we decided it too damaging to try and remove the well adhered paper. Plus again with the wee ones in the house, we didn't want exposure to old, dangerous materials under the paper. A professional was hired to paint over the paper again, and hide all the seams. He did a beautiful job. The room also has a built-in dresser that was refinished white. The closet had no doors at move-in, but we found these (photo on the right) out in the barn and painted them white also.

I apologize for the poorly captured before shot of the dining room, but you can see it was red. We repainted in Halcyon Green by SW. My favorite color in the house thus far!

Last, I'll leave you with a few photos from Jack's bedroom. It's in the works. The carpet was recently removed and wall repair started. We haven't decided on definite colors yet, but I'll be sure to share when we do!

I've been inspired by so many fun things lately and this magazine gives me a bucket full of ideas! If you haven't ran out to get this month's release, GO NOW! It's so great! Big thanks to my sister-in-law for introducing it. We are making our little home improvements on a tight budget so other than painting, decorating is more about dreaming than actual doing. But goodness, it's fun to dream!