Tuesday, June 26, 2007

Team Bartz rally cry.... OR objects in the rearview mirror may appear exactly as close as they are



As promised pics of the little lady (note: letters in bold and italics denote sarcasm) 12 days to the due date!






We are beginning to prepare emotionally and physically for childbirth. At least that is what the first lines of some of the books we just opened say. Kidding, Court and I have read at least a book and a half collectively about childbirth. A t least a 1/4 of my readings include the pamphlets that are on the wall wilst I wait for Court to get measured, weighed, and tagged at the doctor's office. Ok, I'm still kidding a little. The readings have pretty much solidified we have no idea what to expect; when they state labor can last from 2 hours to several days and the pain can be bearable to indescribable, it really doesn't give me the clay to sculpt our perfect labor scenario. The books are good because they are getting us talking about it and what we don't want to have happen. I guess that is a loose form of plan.


Also, Courtney and myself, as many of you know are not the best of planners. We have been known to take vacations with no particular destination...... in foreign countries. We have started epic trips with very little planning (and what planning we did was completely useless). We have orchestrated several of our friends and family members to plan a gala of music, food and celebration that was executed seamlessly (except for the cake in the lap, sorry dad) and will be remembered as one of our best days ever (with another soon to come). My point is we do well with little structure leading into big events. We are learning as much as we can but know when the time comes we will have to rely on one another, assess, adapt, and act. That sounds like I just pulled it out of an army recruitment pamphlet but I just made it up. They can buy it from me though and call it the r.o.o.a.a.a.a. strategy.


We have done well with this philosophy thus far. These unplanned escapades have us meeting lifelong friends, seeing a private jaguar sanctuary, eating pineapple from a pineapple farm, releasing baby turtles into the ocean, both getting Montezumas revenge, walking almost the length of the US (the short way thank god), seeing deep into other very different cultures and still being in the US, walking a lot, getting living down to the most basic efficient means..... and still getting along, more walking, getting all of the loved ones we could muster into one place at one time, partying and dancing with them, getting Nashville pros to play (thanks Casey), telling each other in front of everyone what we already knew, and getting the place cleaned out by 1AM! And these are just a few positives of 3 experiences we've done together. I got 8 years of these stories people.


sure I'm nervous about the babe coming, who wouldn't be, but I'm also confident it will be one of the best things we've done together..... and we have some doosies. But we are a good team and we'll figure it out just like we always do.


Hell Mom helped Patti deliver Phoebe in tent how hard could it be......... right?

Thursday, June 21, 2007

just an add on

Hello everyone, Kelly here, Tia asked about what we used in the kitchen so I just thought I'd share.
The floor is marmoleum http://www.forboflooringna.com/framework/DesktopDefault.aspx?menu_id=223&old_menu_id=223&ssm=1
the counters are richlite http://www.richlite.com/countertop/
the cabinets are from a little known company http://www.menards.com/
the bar, future backsplashes and trim will be bamboo from http://www.calibamboo.com/bambooplywood.html
...and of course Mylo, though grey in hue, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_panther
Court is ever growing and doing well.
Her nights are partly sleepless with a chance of snoring. There is a growing pressure system in the area so the calm conditions are in a holding pattern temporarily with an eminent front moving in and growing in intensity. That's the forecast. We'll get some belly shots up soon.
adios

Wednesday, June 20, 2007

Beginnings and Endings...

This morning my partner in crime, Kara, delivered her new baby girl three weeks early. How could this be? She and I had the EXACT due date but her little tiger decided she was ready to face the world. Will baby bartz ever feel this way? I have to be honest and admit I was a wee bit envious Kara has met her beautiful new baby and is done being pregnant while I am still growing and growing and growing....
Everything went great for the Salmela family! Kara, Cory, and Lussi----CONGRATS! Baby Salmela, welcome to the world!
Currently, the big news in our life is the reality of having RUNNING water in our kitchen and a liveable kitchen at that. One learns to appreciate a sink, faucet, and dishwasher after spending three months without a kitchen. I actually enjoy washing dishes and loading the brand new dishwasher. Our kitchen is gorgeous. It's hard for me to remember the ugly old ivy wallpaper with dark oak cupboards or maybe I just don't want to. Our floors are lovely, the new color in the dining room with white trim, countertops, stove, fridge...it's all here. Of course there is finish work to complete, but removing the plastic from the dining room/living room was a huge triumph. Eliminating the plastic = NO MORE DUST!

Finally, thanks to everyone who helped in this crazy adventure! Mom, Di, Linda, Jerry, Cord, Katy, Deb, Carrie, Dustin, Tony, Ryan, Nate, Alina, (who continued to feed us in a comfy home)Rebecca (who donated weeks of her home to us!), Laura, Verge, Sarah, and Timm! If I forgot anyone, sorry!






Finally, our deepest apologies to our dear cat, Mylo. The remodeling projects have really left him quite tense and unable to relax...as you can tell!

Monday, June 11, 2007

36 weeks and counting...

Today our friends, Alina and Nate, had their second child. Rilo Raine Heydt...very very exciting. Their link is connected to our blog under "Tenzy". Congrats to you two! Alina has been somewhat of our 'indicator' of when we really needed to finish up major projects and start preparing for our own bundle of joy. Apparently life doesn't really go that way since we are still elbow deep into our remodeling. However, our cupboards are in (YEAH!) and countertops are cut and in. Kel still is working on figuring out the plumbing. After he runs the 1/2 marathon (Grandma's is this weekend) he and his pops will work on the floor. Painting and tiling are the next and final projects! We soon will have our house back and sure can't wait.

Here are some recent photos of the projects and our lovely ladies, Kate and Deb. This past weekend they, along with Ellen, Chad, and Carrie threw us a wonderful baby shower. Thank you!