5 Years

Ivonne and I celebrated our 5th year together this past Saturday. We went to one of the best restaurants in town and enjoyed an evening together. Our first milestone, and we are very happy.

Issabella is getting baptized this Saturday (Aug 2nd). Our friends Pedro and Andrea and us are doing it together. They are baptizing their son Dante at the same time. They will be Issabella's godparents and we will be Dante's.

On Sunday, I am off to San Diego (once again) for a conference. I've been to San Diego many times, and this particular conference many times too. It's a lot of fun and I will probably see a lot of familiar faces and old friends.

Later in August, we will FINALLY have a party at our house. The first of many, since we are entertainers. This will be a big one, all our friends and the neighbors, should be a blast. Then, I start teaching at CU Denver again starting August 16th. It sounds busy, but it's really all very good and we are having a ton of fun.

Summer Starts

As always, it's been busy around the Steigerwald/Roche house. Over the last few weeks, we've had our yard worked on including installation of a new concrete patio, front yard landscaping and backyard landscaping. We also bought a large patio set for the backyard patio.

This weekend, we celebrated Bryan's 4th birthday. It was low key, just family, but he got a very big gift this year...he received one of those cars that kids can ride in. Normally, we wouldn't have gotten such a big gift, we don't want to spoil our kids. But, he deserved this. Bryan is FINALLY fully potty trained. We had some difficulty with him, he started peeing in the pottie regularly a few months ago, but poop was a big problem. But, about a week and a half ago he pooped in the pottie for the first time. It seems that after that first time, it clicked and he's been doing it every day since. Part of the deal if he started pooping in the pottie was he would get a big gift, thus the car. We are very happy, and so is he!

Asa is off from school and is starting to enjoy his summer off. In our new neighborhood, he gets to go to the pool, go to the park, explore trails and lake, etc. Baby Issabella is doing well, she's sleeping a little longer and is growing bigger every day. She's smiling more and more every day. Ivonne is still on maternity leave and has about three weeks left. And Scott? Not much new with that guy. Just working, working out, and enjoying the kids.

Issabella Aixa Steigerwald

If you've been to the steigerwald-roche.com website recently, you already know that our beautiful baby girl, Issabella Aixa Steigerwald, was born on Wednesday, April 30th at 2:43 PM. She weighed 7 lbs, 5 ounces and 20 inches long. Ivonne and I have been pretty relaxed, believe it or not. Other than not much sleep at night, we've been able to relax and take it easy.

Issabella is doing well, she's already eating a ton. The rest of the family is doing well too and love the baby very much. I'm working half the week this week and go back to full time next week. Ivonne is off through early mid June.

Nesting

Lot's of house cleaning and setup occurring in anticipation of the baby coming. Things are coming along smoothly otherwise; house is getting done, furniture is almost complete, yard work is starting, etc. We'll keep you posted on the baby. Meanwhile, check out the latest batch of pictures from March and early April.

Progress

we are moving along quite well with the house. So far, Asa, Bryan and our room is 100% complete minus maybe art work. The basement is done (not much to do there really), we just need to buy a few small items for the gym. The home office is complete and the kitchen is complete. The dining nook is done and the main dining room is done minus maybe some artwork. Finally, the living room and family rooms are the last rooms. We are waiting on furniture for the family room and are using the living room furniture in the family room right now. Once we get the furniture, we'll move the furniture from the family room back to the living room. Then, it's the details left like artwork, a little paint, maybe some end tables, etc.

The only room not complete at all is the baby's room. It's still filled with boxes, unassembled furniture, etc. We will start working on it shortly and have it ready for the baby's arrival. Of course, we still need to do landscaping. That will probably consume most of our spring and summer.

The house, house, house...

The last few weeks, we've been completely consumed by the house. We are out buying things, installing things, setting things up, etc., etc. It's a lot of work, but it's been great to have the new house, it's absolutely perfect.

I'm hoping to put up pictures of the completed rooms soon. We are starting to wind down and are at the point of decorating (paint, pictures, drapes, etc.). We are only waiting for our living room set, which has been taking way too long (they are custom made from overseas). Last week, I completed my new gym which consists of a smith machine, a couple benches, numerous weights and a treadmill. I no longer go to the gym and work out at home now. Also last week, we had glass backsplash installed in the kitchen, it looks awesome. This week, we are hoping to paint the dining room to finish that, paint the bedroom and put up the plantation shutters to finish that, and paint other areas around the house.

It's snowing

I couldn't think of a good title, so I looked out the window and it's snowing. Seems to fit fine.

Moving takes a long time when you have 1) a lot of stuff 2) kids 3) not much time on your hands. We basically only have weekends to get stuff done. It's alright though, we are getting there. We completed a lot yesterday, including basically finishing Bryan's room, cleaning out most of the garage, getting rid of a ton of toys we don't need anymore, and a few other things. We still have plenty to do. And, we are still waiting on some furniture and the blinds. It's not fun trying to function properly without blinds. We'll get there.

Sorry there haven't been any pictures lately, but quite honestly we've been too busy to take or post any pictures. Plus, the house is still a mess and not complete. Hopefully, we will have pictures in the next few weeks.

Home

We are now officially moved in, although still unpacking. It will be a while before we are fully unpacked, but we are getting there. There are a few more deliveries still, then we will be done spending money. looking forward to relaxing soon...

Closing

We closed on the house today. It was a breeze and went off without a hitch. The builder still has a few last minute items to do, they will be doing that while we move in tomorrow. Nothing too major really.

Tomorrow is move in day. It will be a busy, busy day. The whole weekend will be. We have delivery after delivery scheduled, installation of services, we need to apply sealer to all tile and granite, setup furniture, and buy supplies (food, etc.). And, it probably won't stop there...we have weeks before we can truly settle down. It's all good though, this is great and a lot of fun.

Inspection house pics

I just put up pictures of the house we took during the inspection. There aren't too many, but you should get an idea of the completeness. We should have more pictures up after closing day. We are both taking off from work on Thursday and Friday. Thursday is closing and Friday is move in. Did I already mention this like 10 times?

We are starting to slow down in buying things for the house. The house will be almost fully furnished (minus the furniture we ordered and is coming later). We've been looking at a 52" LCD TV...the 37" we have now is just to small for this bigger house. We also bought some recycled glass plates, they look great and we are being green once again (our appliances are all energy efficient).

Just 4 more days!

Inspection and walk through

The house inspection was Thursday and the walk through with the builder was on Friday. The inspector really didn't find anything major, a few minor things only. The builder seemed to have no problem getting these things done by this coming Thursday...closing. The only major thing, that the builder pointed out himself, was that the wood floors are the wrong color. They will sand it down, re-stain it and re-do the poly in the next week.

We were hoping all the furniture we ordered would come in on time...no such luck. We ordered some custom pieces that are made in Europe, and it's going to take a while it appears. Bummer, but we will get by for now.

I'm hoping to post pictures very soon, but as you can imagine, it's a very busy time.

One week to closing

Just one week left until we close on the new house. These last few weeks a dragging...but it's coming soon. This Thursday, we inspect the house and then on Friday we have the walk through with the builder. Next Thursday is closing, Friday is move in and Saturday is a bunch of deliveries. Look for pictures of the new house soon.

Happy New Year

We are looking forward to a very exciting year.

First, the house will be done. We close in just three weeks, and we couldn't be more excited. We are preparing by purchasing the necessities (washer/dryer, blinds, etc.). Everything is lined up, now it's just the waiting (the hardest part).

Then, the baby is due April 7th. Finally, Ivonne and I will celebrate 5 years married this year, not an incredible feat, but pretty good considering how long marriages last nowadays.

I'm sure there will be other exciting things this year, but these will do for now.