Since Kiki is Otherwise Engaged.....

Kiki has her hands full these days.  I guess I'll give her a break this time.....I posted this on my blog today and thought I'd ask her readers for help.

This little muchkin melts my heart.  This is Parker, "Master P", my newbie nephew.  He is 2 weeks old today and is absolutely Preshy Presherson.  I cannot wait to get my hands on him again and nuzzle his sweet little face.

Now that I'm an auntie to Kiki's bebe, I need a name.  I need an auntie name for Master P to know me by.  My question for y'all, my darling chickadees is this....by what name to you call your aunts?  I don't want to be Aunt Sarah....I want something else, something better. I've got one name in mind, but I'm not wholeheartedly committed to it and need your help.  Pretty please?  Many Thanks, Monogram Chick

Parker & Kiki Update via Monogram Chick

Parker is here and SO STINKIN' CUTE!   Both baby and mama are doing well.  Looks like Kiki will be heading home sometime today.  Parker gets an extended stay at Brookwood Hospital with luxury accommodations in the NICU.  He has had a little trouble regulating his blood sugar so to keep an eye on the little guy they admitted him and are keeping a close eye on his levels before and after feedings.  As of late this morning he was doing well and his blood sugar levels were good.  We'll continue to pray for stabilization!  They have "P-man" (every aunt needs a nick name for her nephew right?) hooked to an IV of fluids {Kiki said last night that the fluids had really "brightened" his coloring} and since his levels have been good they will slowly wean him off the fluids starting today.

As I said, he is so amazingly cute....here are a few pictures of infant eye candy!

He is here!

Hey y'all! Monogram Chick blogging for Kiki again. Parker Riching Marshall was born late this afternoon weighing in at 6 pounds 12 ounces and measured 20.5 inches long. Kiki is doing well and enjoying a little quiet time while the fam grabs some much needed sustenance.

Today's The Day!

Hey y'all this is (soon-to-be) Auntie Monogram Chick, and I have a Parker update!

Kiki went to the hospital last night and settled into her home away from home (LBD 3).  As Kiki snuggled into her super fancy hospital bed Coco settled in next to her on what looked to me (via g-chat) like a rack of terror.  According to the updates, I don't think either of them slept too well.

As of this morning, the pitocin was flowing and she was progressing well.  Well enough that Kiki talked them into an epidural.  She is now resting well.

The Dr. checked in around lunch time and the best estimates are that pushing will commence around 4:00 this afternoon.

As I know more, I will post and as soon as pictures are available I'll post them too.  Right now Kiki is anti-camera and not allowing photography of her laboring self.  Can't say I blame her.  But this post would be way better with pics....I'mjustsayin.

****UPDATE****

Coco snapped a pic of soon-to-be Grandparentals with Kiki.  She approved the photo for blog consumption.  Speaking of consumption, Coco informed me he was snacking on cinnamon teddy grahams and Kiki was drooling over them as she smacked her gum.  Poor Kiki.

 

****UPDATE2****
Just talked with Kiki.  She is super composed for a chick that'll be birthin' a baby and minute now.  The surgical team is setting up.  Crowning is close and he is ready to make his debut!

Kiki with Coco's mama...another soon-to-be Grandparental as they await Parker's debut.

Here comes Parker!

Well folks, Parker's time has come!  My blood pressure is still elevated so my doctor has decided that the best thing for both me and Parker is to induce on Monday.  We will go into the hospital Sunday night and induction will begin early Monday morning.  I had a stress test and an ultrasound at the doctor on Thursday and Parker is a healthy little boy.  They estimate him to be about 7.5 lbs (at 3 weeks early!) and definitely strong enough to endure the labor process.  We would appreciate your thoughts and prayers as we journey through the next few days!  I promise an announcement and a picture when our little man makes his debut!

The Big Reveal

This post is embarrassingly overdue.  I apologize.  No excuse.  Let's get on with it.


Back in February, we shared with you that we were embarking on a little home addition.  Well, this home addition was officially finished May 6th and it is June 9th and I am finally posting all of the before and afters!  We have kept you posted along the way with some updates and pictures in progress but I will do my best to "recap" our story here. {Some of the pictures aren't the best, I do apologize!}


Once upon a time, Kiki and Coco bought a small, ugly little house in a great area (location, location, location)...

We worked hard to spiff 'er up on our own...

But all the elbow grease in the world couldn't make this house BIGGER.  So the construction began!

This last picture is the view from our existing "master" bedroom looking into the addition.  Below is the same view pre-construction (I am so over that green color).

And the same view "after".  We added about 50 square feet to our "master" bedroom, some much need light through two windows and gutted the existing closet into our new office nook (see picture below).  The ceilings were scraped and crown molding and taller base boards were added.

Since we were a one bathroom house, a second bathroom was a necessity.  We were able to add a significant amount of space onto the back of our house that includes a double vanity, very large two-head shower (it is to die for!), separate toilet room, his/hers closets and a laundry room.

The view from our master bedroom into the new bathroom

Laundry on the left, toilet room on the right

A good shot to give you an idea of the layout.  Look in the mirror and you will see the shower and the doors to his/hers closets.

Have I mentioned I LOVE this shower?

Our previous laundry area was in our kitchen so when we relocated it to our master bathroom, it opened up all sorts of possibilities in our kitchen.  Unfortunately I never took a before picture of our laundry area in the kitchen but please take my word for it, the after is fabulous in comparison.  We moved a wall, added double doors to conceal our utilities, added two floor to ceiling cabinets for pantry space, a bench with storage, built-in shelves to maximize space and hide our microwave!

We are on the hunt for a round table, a fabulous mirror or artwork for above the bench and new chairs but all in due time.

Can't see the microwave, can you?  Just a hint, it is below the red vase.  Coco found a "little" black sharp microwave that suits our needs perfectly!

Last but not least we added a screened porch equipped with two fans, electrical plugs in the ceiling for outdoor heaters (coming this fall!), and most importantly a TV.

And the current view of the front of our house...we increased the roof line, painted the entire exterior, new front post and new shutters.

We absolutely love our new (and old) space, it has totally changed the way we live in our house.  I am sure with the arrival of our little one that will change too, but for now we are so thrilled to have some more square footage!  Hope you enjoyed the recap!

Country?

I would never have described myself as "country"...but since I have some newly acquired time on my hands (and I am DESPERATE for some sittin' on my fanny entertainment), I picked up the latest copy of Country Living magazine at my neighborhood B&N.  I was PLEASANTLY surprised by what I found.  There is a wide array of styles and price points in this little magazine and their idea of "country" isn't the country this city girl envisioned!  If you are uber contemporary in your style this may not be the mag for you, but you never know you just might want to check it out.

Now I do have a bit of a bone to pick with CL (yep, they call themselves CL so I think I will too).  On page 18 they showcase a fabulous set of three mirrors for a mere $18 as their "Bargain of the Month" (very poor picture included below).  Since I can't wait to get my little spray paint happy hands on them, I went to the source to place an order.  I got nothing.  The mag references Urban Outfitters but I cannot for the life of me find these babies on their website.  So much of a bargain, they don't exist!  Anyone else have any luck?  Maybe I should write my new friends at CL...  {Oh and for a totally random note on UO, they sell orange duct tape on their website - does anyone else find that really strange??}

All Things Green and Blue

In early May some fabulous women generously threw a baby shower for me and Parker.  I promised weeks ago to share the pictures and am finally making good on that promise.  My sweet friends and sister are so fun, creative and fabulous - the shower was wonderful with sweet treats and so many creative decorations.  My Mom, Aunt, Grandmother and Coco's mom all came to town for the festivities!  We had a great time and received so many wonderful baby gifts!

The last pregnant pics of Kiki - so sorry but I am way to large to grace the blog these days!


Ashley made the diaper cake for Parker, isn't it adorable?

It even had fabulous MC items and a silver spoon engraved with "Parker"

All of the lovely ladies that hosted the special day

My sweet sister and Mom

My family that came a long way to celebrate

Parker's Grandmothers!

I had some fabulous pictures of some adorable gifts and the yummy goodies but I can't get Blogger to cooperate!  A huge thank you to my dear friends for such a lovely party for me and my little man.  I love you girls!

A little Parker update - so...my blood pressure is still up and my doctor put me on bed rest last Thursday.  Oh what fun!  Our sweet little boy is doing well, the bed rest is to force his very stubborn mama to park it on her fanny so her BP doesn't continue to rise.  I thankfully am able to work from my couch.  What a job Coco has keeping me planted! :)  We covet your thoughts and prayers as we navigate these next days and weeks.  I will be 37 weeks on Thursday and my doctor hinted that she might schedule an induction at any time if the BP stays up. I have full confidence in my doctor, but am a little anxious at the possibility of Parker arriving early!  I head back to the doctor this morning and will keep everyone updated!

Macbeth Collection

I think I need this.  Scratch that...want it.  Wouldn't it be precious in Parker's room in a much more muted design with his initials (because you can't have too many of those)?  I could corral diapers, wipes and all sorts of handy little things in here.  This adorable little tub is from The Macbeth Collection.

It is $52 with the monogram.  Ouch.  For a bucket.  Maybe not.