rest. and a kitchen makeover.

I've currently got my feet propped up and am nursing a nice big glass of water. because the specialist yesterday said that yes, indeed, my amniotic fluid level is low and if I don't rest, drink my 64oz of water a day, and mellow out so that the number comes up she will, indeed, put me on bed rest. BED REST???!!! what tha-! I read a little about low amniotic fluid stuff in my pregnancy books last night and got all kinds of freaked out - which isn't good, kids, because as I wrote to write softly earlier today getting all emotional diverts precious blood away from the uterus, and we're all about sending good ju-ju there right now! the specialist said the baby looks just fine - 3lb 9oz so far and a little below average in size but not a worry given my stature, and her bladder looks totally normal (that can sometimes be one of the culprits of low amniotic fluid). that would mean that the issue is most likely on the supply side so, while I'm not on house arrest or anything, my charge is to practice as much 'leg rest' as I can, drink my H20, and find serenity.

which involves saying no to stuff, like energetic work.

and also encompasses asking for help.

I hit my commercial shoot this morning (easy shoot), cancelled all other work for the day, ran a few errands and met the tub delivery guy at the house, and came home to rest. after an hour or two of 'resting', I got all weepy. I think 'rest' is helping the momentum of things to catch up. and any worries I have. SERENITY NOW!

it's probably best this way. I didn't realize how stubborn I am, but I think I really did need the stern European specialist to give it to me straight. I'm generally very healthy - I'm used to pushing myself and not paying much attention to details, and now I have to be a good mother to myself and this baby, slow down, and put us first. I'm glad I get the chance to possibly turn the numbers around, and I'm SO GLAD we had that ultrasound off the cuff last week! we wouldn't have known anything was amiss!

it's also a very comforting feeling to know I'm getting such good care. these doctors are really wonderful, and we're blessed to have them.

and now, sit back and enjoy a pictorial of our kitchen makeover. it's still not totally finished, as the final cabinet doors are drying, the baseboards haven't made it in yet, and we still have to get lighting fixtures, but the major transformation has definitely occurred.

Before. and this is a cleaned up 'before'.

M scraping up the 2 layers of linoleum:

the floor's been primed:

dishwasher's been installed and countertops are going in:

countertops! and an onion from our yard... more on this later...

the sink is in, too. we got it off of Craig's List... we'll be swapping out the fixtures:

cabinet painting underway:

more cabinet painting underway:

adding wall color:

and painting the floor:

currently, the floor's been finished and all but those cabinets under the sink are in place (we're leaving some off to hold/display bowls and stuff):

our refrigerator looks sort of big, but I promise it fits there. it's so nice - it even makes ice! there's ice in it right now! luxuries.

kitchen looking into the skylight room:

and looking into the dining room... there's the pantry!

we simply couldn't have accomplished all of this without help. here's linda... just look at her, she's a blur of resourcefulness:

and acie, sanding doors!

thank you both. and a pre-emptive thank you for all the help we're going to ask for in the next couple of months.

remember that onion on the countertop way up there? we have them growing wild in the backyard. we discovered this after Antonio came to mow the pasture around our house before we left for Seattle - the poor man's eyes were watering something awful and the entire back yard smelled like onion because he'd just freshly mowed these:



I made potato soup with some. they're great.


in closing, here's a pic of me last Saturday. I was obsessing over the paint in the kitchen and cutting in next to the wet ceiling:



behold. that's a girl who's resting now.

and p.s. I love mikebell the most.

-m.y.