Basement Furnishings

I went shopping for a bed and refrigerator for the new basement remodel.

 Nebraska Furniture delivered the bed today. The top of the headboard is about 4 feet from the ground in a honey oak color. It matches the woodwork.

Of course Violet had to try it out. Melissa tried taking a picture of her sitting by herself. But trying to get her to smile before she falls over isn't happening right now.

She is also trying to roll over from her back to her stomach. Melissa calls this video "Violet practicing".

Practice Eating

Melissa is getting Violet used to sitting in her high chair.

She gave her a spoon to play with. It looks as though Violet is wondering why there isn't any food on the spoon. Melissa says Violet is getting very interested in food - watching others eat, grabbing for things on the table. I think Violet is just getting hungry.

Thursday Night Dinner

We had a real treat at dinner tonight. Not only were we joined by baby Violet, but I finally got to meet Michael's girlfriend, Ashley.

Not only is Ashley extremely pretty, but she's so nice. Michael always has to have the best and I think he found that in Ashley. We went to Logan's Roadhouse which is famous for serving roasted peanuts with every meal.

Dad's New Car

After weeks and weeks of telling us he was going to buy a new Kia Soul, Dad finally bought a new car...a Ford Escape.

This isn't the first time he has shopped for a specific car and bought something else. Although to be fair, the Escape has always been a possibility. We now say good-bye to the screaming yellow mustang.

Khloe????

Melissa has blamed Lola for tearing up several of Violet's things. She's even found toys in the yard that she's sure Lola has taken out there. Khloe even came to Melissa whining until Melissa looked outside and found Violet's toy in the yard. I keep telling her it's probably Khloe taking the things outside and blaming Lola. Well yesterday Melissa caught Khloe red-handed with Violet's Willie worm in her mouth chewing away.

Lola isn't innocent - she's had her fair share of stealing Violet's toys. But Khloe doesn't seem to be the innocent puppy Melissa thinks she is. Melissa is going to have to start buying 3 of each toy she buys for Violet. I'm sure when Violet gets older and mobile, she'll start stealing toys from Lola and Khloe - yuk!

Finished Basement

The basement remodel project is finally completed - only 4 days later than the promised date. John Caswell is a great builder. But Jamie did his fair share - plumbing, finishing touches, etc. In total the finished area is a little over 1,100 sq ft. The walls are a light grey with grey carpeting.

This is the east and south walls showing the steps coming down to the basement. The closed door is a small storage area.

This is the also the east wall showing the kitchen area and opening to the bedroom.

This is the bathroom. There is a large linen closet beside the shower on the left.

This is the bedroom. To the left side of the bedroom is an alcove for Violet...or after Melissa and Jamie move out into their new home, this will be a sitting room.

This shows the kitchen and west wall. The kitchen has under counter lights and bar type sink. The door to the left is the large storage area and the door on the right leads to the bedroom.

But my favorite part is the walk in closet.  On the right is another stack of shelves.

Melissa said they have to be out of their house by 5:00 p.m. August 26. I told her not to move in a minute sooner! So I have a little over 30 days to enjoy my new basement.

Now all I have left is buying a bed and refrigerator and cleaning out the storage room.

Soooooo Big!

I need to post the picture of Violet with her 4 month Etsy sticker.

Melissa thinks she looks thinner when she stands so that has become the favorite pose.

I just had to stitch these pictures together to show how much Violet has changed in the past 4 months. I think she's getting slimmer as she gets older. Melissa says it's the angle of the camera. Maybe it's because she has more control of her head. Whatever it is she's still our cute baby Violet.

Violet - 4 Months Old

Today Violet is 4 months old.

She's getting so big and now has 2 teeth.

We celebrated by going to Ruby Tuesday with Dad for our Thursday night dinner. The music was playing in the restaurant and Violet started singing. Towards the end of dinner Violet started to fuss and Melissa did the Itsy Bitsy Spider with her. It was so cute to watch her follow Melissa's fingers with her eyes. Melissa says that's her favorite right now and she spends most of her time during the day entertaining her with the nursery rhyme.

 Even after 4 months, Violet is still fascinated with the ceiling fan.

Baby Violet Rolls Over

While Jamie was downstairs working on the plumbing for the basement Melissa and I were upstairs entertaining Violet. Melissa put her on her stomach for that dreaded tummy time. But this time as soon as Melissa set her down she looked up at me sitting on the couch and rolled over. This was a first. Melissa was so excited she quickly got her phone to record the next roll over but Violet would have nothing to do it. At least we know she can do it.

Violet has also discovered her toes and has a fun time grabbing at them. Time goes so fast.

Basement Remodel Update

Work is progressing on the basement. The second coat of paint for the walls will be applied today and tomorrow. The electrician is coming Monday to complete his work and hang all the fixtures and the carpet is being laid Wednesday. That will give me about 30 days before Melissa, Jamie and Violet move in.

The top picture is the kitchen area, then the bath, bedroom and east wall. I was out of town when construction began and the noisy part of nailing studs and drywall was complete before I got home. But the noise couldn't have been worse than the smell of the lacquer for the trim. The first night I got a room at Harrah's. The second night I got up in the middle of the night and opened a window. Luckily it was a cool night. There's still a faint odor lingering but nothing like those first few days.

Morning Vocal Test

Seems as though Violet has gotten in the habit of testing her vocal cords in the morning. Melissa says it's sometimes much louder than this.

I like to call it singing!

Melissa told me they sold their house today and will be moving in the end of August. Now Violet will sing to me every morning.

My Little Firecracker

When I go a few days without a post, Melissa sends me a new picture of Violet.

Today she's celebrating the 4th of July although her bed time is way before the fireworks begin. Happy 4th of July!

Melissa & Jamie - 7 Year Anniversary

Melissa and Jamie celebrated their 7 year wedding anniversary today. The traditional gift for 7 years is copper or wool. Jamie took a penny and put it in a Helzberg box for Melissa. After a quick dinner at Olive Garden, we all went to Home Depot to pick up things for the basement remodel - ceiling fans, lights, shower door and more. Just what I would want to do for my wedding anniversary.

I was able to get a quick picture of the tired Mom and Dad and baby Violet before they headed home.