DS Bathroom Renos COMPLETE?!?!?

Yes, Complete with new ceramic tile, patched drywall, new paint, new trim and everything (toilet and sink) put back in place without any major incident!!!
Hubby did a wonderful job!!!
Now all we need is a few things to dress up the bathroom a bit (hang the mirror, find a nice shelf unit for the corner)...OHhhh the possibilities are endless!!!!
Here are a few photos...

Make sure to Vote!!!

I finally UPDATED the blog poll which can be found on the right hand side of the page!!!
Make sure to vote!!!

Down Stairs Bathroom Renos are...

STILL IN PROGRESS!!!

The toilet and sink have since been put back and the trim has been put on...We are currently in the middle of painting the trim. A few touch-ups to the walls and the trim around the shower and we should be COMPLETE!!!

My husband did a wonderful job at laying down the tile...this was his first attempt with tiling!!!!

Will post pictures of the final completed renos once we are officially done!!!

Here is a pic of the bathroom renos IN PROGRESS...


Here is a pic of the bathroom before we started...

Our FIRST look at BABY O'Neil

Brad and I finally got to see real live pics of our little one today!!! It was SO exciting...maybe a wee bit emotional ...LOL

We asked the tech NOT to tell us the sex so the pics are mostly of the body/face :)
During the ultrasound we were able to see the cutest little head, face body, arms, legs, hands, feet fingers and toes!!!! LOL...from what I can tell all the appropriate parts are there!!! AND...YES..there is only 1 babe in there :)

We get the official dr. results at my next apt March 14th :)

Baby was a bit sleepy (had to poke my tummy a bit, which startled him/her)!!! But we saw him/her stretch, move, open the mouth and even roll over and put his/her back to us when I asked for one more view of the face...(daddy's baby for sure - only gonna do things if they want too)!!!

Baby's heart rate was 150 bpm (normal) today and he/she weighs 9 oz???...maybe it was grams...now I can't remember!!!

I forgot to get the ultrasound tech to confirm, but I'm pretty sure we are 18 weeks + 2 days along :)
YAY!!!!

LAST TREATMENT

I haven't mentioned this on the blog up until now. Not because it isn't something extremely important and not because it doesn't affect us as a family...quite the opposite actually...BUT, I wanted to stay focused on the here and now rather than trying to update every detail on the blog when I didn't necessarily know all the facts at the exact time...

So now, I'll back track a little bit.

Just after the Christmas holidays, my mom (better known as Mama Light) was diagnosed with "High Grade Ductal Carcinoma", which is a form (and I believe the most common type) of breast cancer. I'd like to say I can't even imagine how my mom felt when she was faced unsuspectingly with that news...

...Unfortunately, I have a pretty good idea how it felt for her (on some levels) as the term or diagnosis of Cancer is nothing new for our family ( I was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Disease in 1995 and again in 1998...Note: I've been in remission for almost 10 years - so Don't panic). Anyway, I'm glad I could relate to her and how incredibly scary this must have been for her to hear this diagnosis.

Nobody ever walks into their doctors office thinking they'll come out finding out they have Cancer. Everyone know someone who has been affected by this crazy disease, but nobody ever thinks it could happen to them. Fair enough, because really...how sucky would life be if you walked around always wondering if today would be the day you'd be the one being diagnosed with that big scary "C" word.

Yes it is scary...some diagnosis more than others. But what makes it scary is when you only hear the word cancer and you haven't yet learned what your type of cancer entails since the range is SO broad. My point here is, I know HOW scary this diagnosis had to be for mama Light and how in a matter of seconds she likely had a billion (at least) things going through her head. ...And how scary it was for everyone around her...at least in the beginning.

Because in the beginning you only know it's cancer. You don't know how bad or good (if cancer can be good) it is until further investigation (which take several test, reports, doctors etc...)...you have know idea what the treatment is (so you imagine THE WORST), you wonder if there even is a treatment (it seems we often only hear the worse case stories), you think about the possible side effects (everyone has seen a movie or seen that person who because of the sometimes horrid side effects "looks like a cancer patient")...you wonder if you can or even want to go through what could possibly be hell. But before you (as the person receive the diagnosis) even think about all that, you know what crosses your mind first...?!?! What about my family, will THEY be ok through all this?!?!?

For me I worried constantly about how this was affecting my mom and dad,,,for Mama Light, I imagine she wondered how her husband, her daughter and now her grandchild who is on his/her way would be affected by all of this. And so because of that NO MATTER WHAT, you put on the bravest face you know how (even if you aren't feeling all that brave)...

Mama Light is truly one of the BRAVEST women I know. Not just for this, but for everything. I am so proud of her. She indeed put on her bravest face for my dad and I in particular, but of course all of our family and even though I know this whole experience has had to be very scary for her she never let us believe she was nervous or sad or mad or whatever...She was just BRAVE...and all the time...and took everything involved head on (which in my experience, is the BEST way to handle a cancer diagnosis....HEAD ON).

The key to making it through something like this is having an excellent medical team, educating yourself on every detail of the diagnoses and keeping the most positive attitude throughout.

Since this original diagnosis, which luckily was caught fairly early, Mama Light (and our family) has probably learned way more than we ever wanted to about Ductal Carcinoma. She has been though a number of tests (some not so bad and other quite painful)...She had surgery in which the were able to completely remove the cancerous area completely through a lumpectomy...and as of today she will have completed her prescribed radiation treatment which consisted of two radiation treatments a day for the last 7 days. And like I said, through it all she has been totally brave.

I'm not sure what happens now. I assume she is cured?!?!? I suspect her doctors will keep a close eye on her year to year which is great. There was talk of prescribing a preventive drug (Tomoxofine..sp?!?) for the next few years in the early diagnosis, but I'm unsure what the deal is on that currently.

Mama Light had two VERY evident things to focus on here...one was to get herself back into tip top shape and the other to get through this all so she could focus more on the arrival of her grandbaby O'Neil due to arrive in July!!!

My mom has always said that if you want something in life (whatever that "something" may be) that you have to make a plan and then make it happen and that a person can do anything with a good attitude. Once again she has lead by example and once again the lady I call mama Light has truly inspired me with life.

SUPERBOWL SUNDAY!!!!

We thank the "Mc-Paps" residence for the kind hospitality and great super bowl party!!! Of course I still say we ate way too much food!!! I'm still suffering!!!
uhhh, I'm not really into football...But I LOVE watching the super bowl commercials. I think the guys would have enjoyed the game a bit more if we didn't ask so many questions...ahahahah

The Downstairs Bathroom...

...Is currently undergoing a few minor renovation...
I say "minor" although thing aren't currently looking too "MINOR" as the toilet and the sink are both currently sitting out in the hallway...
I should dig out some before pictures!!! I'll definitely take a few during and after shots as well to post VERY SOON - I hope :)

Brad worked very diligently on Saturday sanding down walls, and laying down plywood in preparations for the renos!!! While he was doing this I was giving the main level of the house a good clean, however, 3 days later and you would never know it :(

Hopefully before the weekend we can at least get the walls primed and ready to paint...and if we're feeling super ambitious maybe even get the flooring started...

TO BE CONTINUED:

WINTERLUDE in Ottawa!!!

This past weekend marked the start of WINTERLUDE 2007 for the City of Ottawa!!! With our wacky weather of the last few months we weren't sure that winterlude would be quite the same if there wasn't going to be snow, ice or the usual chilly February temperatures...

HOWEVER, mother nature once again pulled through for us!!! We got our cold temperature, which made snow cover the ground and ice cover the canal...AWESOME!!!

On Friday night Brad and I, along with about 10,000 other folk, went to the Rideau Canal Skateway (American Express snow bowl) to watch the opening Ceremonies for the Winterlude festivities...Randy Bachman was the main feature for the concert on Friday night.

After the concert we took a short stroll through Confederation park to take a look at the ice sculpture artists (I guess that is what they are called?!?!?) hard at work on their projects for the competitions coming up.

The night was perfect as it was only about -5 degrees, and it was snowing (the big fluffy snowflakes that I totally love)!!!

THE CANAL...

...IS OPEN...or at least a large portion of it!!! YAY!!! Brad and I went for a LONG walk on the Canal on Sunday since at -2 degrees...it was a REALLY nice day out!!!

It was someone's BIRTHDAY on Saturday Night!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CORINNE!!! We had a great time and visit with you guys on Saturday night!!!
Ummmmmmm CAKE!!!!

HOCKEY Game on Friday Night!!!

On Friday night we headed out to Kemptville to watch a Charity hockey game which was put on by the Kemptville youth Center.
The teams were Montreal Canadian Alumini (including Guy Lafleur) vs. Kemptville OPP.
It was a good time and a great Turnout!!!

Finally an update!!!

Well here it is...FINALLY...an update on the O'Neil blog!!! I have no excuses really for not having updated earlier, other than besides our day to day lives nothing earth shattering has happened...Well nothing in our immediate household..but I'll post more about that at a later date...

We have spent the majority of January, relaxing enjoying the nice weather we had earlier in the month, visiting with friends and family (usually our weekend activity), getting used to the idea that before we know it we're going to be parents and most recently we finally managed to purchase some new furniture pieces (VERY EXCITING)!!!

The furniture wasn't in stock when we bought it but we should have it in the next month!!! A new dining room table that seats eight I think is our favorite purchase...No more making our guests eat off their laps or tv trays...and we can actually have more than 2 people over at a time!!!

Also we bought a new sofa, loveseat and chair for our upstairs living room!!! Even better we managed to get it on sale and we love it!!! Now we will actually have furniture in the rec room too as the old furniture will retire there :)

I'll be sure to post pics once the furniture arrives!!!

We have a busy weekend planned already so hopefully I will remember to take pictures and I will update again next week!!!

Also, for those who haven't noticed yet, we have another O'Neil blog being updated time to time. You can find the link located on the right hand side under "our pregnancy blog". Please sign our guest book if you get a chance :)

Everyone have a great week!

Love Stacy and Brad
xoxoxo

CONGRATULATION to Nadia and Al....

...Who were married on December 29, 2006!!!
It was an AWESOME day, a beautiful ceremony and a totally awesome reception which included close friends and family!!!

You guys look SO awesome!!!!

HUGS
xoxo

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Thank you Chris and Jim, for having us all out over the Christmas holidays!!! As always we had alot of fun...of course ALOT of food...good company and now that logans a bit bigger some great entertainment!!!
We hope that everyone had a wonderful Christmas !!!

PS. Mama and Papa Light...WE MISSED YOU ALOT!!!! :(

Christmas 2006!!!

Santa came and even left a present for BABY O'Neil!!!

A New Teddy Bear and Bradley's old rocking Chair

he sat in when he was very little...

...just getting up...

Uncle Brad with Logan!!!
Uncle Liam with Logan!!!
...Opening Presents...
...Miss May and Stacy relaxing...
Logan Playing with his toys...
CHRISTMAS SUPPER!!!

Christmas Eve

This year Melinda, Marty, Madison and Mya hosted the family Christmas eve and Chinese Auction Party. We had a wonderful time...Lot's of good food, drink and company...Thank You :)

Santa's Helper like to help pick and open presents!
...choose carefully...
...Kitchen Party?!?!?
...telling stories?!?!?!?
"THE GAME MASTER"

...MORE PRESENTS!!!

CHRISTMAS EVE

...More Of Christmas Eve and Chineese auction...

Santa's Helper opening presents!!!
Madison and Stacy!
Bradley with his OTTAWA SENS HAT, Timmy's and

COOL Ductape stocking!!!
Madison and Nanny!

A green Christmas...?!?!?!

Indeed, it WAS a GREEN Christmas...
This photo was taken on the day of Christmas eve...Not a cloud in sight and the temperature was seasonable warm...
Christmas day we woke up to similar weather...

MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Dear Family and Friends,

Welcome to the first official "O'Neil Family Christmas letter"!!!

It has been a VERY exciting Year for the O'Neil's...A whirl-wind some might say, but a tonne of fun at the same time...

The REAL excitement began when Brad accepted a new Job which allowed him to move back to the Ottawa area from Toronto and finally this allowed him and Stacy to be in the same city once again...He packed up his belongings and headed home on Thursday night… His first day at the new job and first day back in Ottawa officially would be Monday December 5th...!!!

A lot happened that first weekend home. Brad and Stacy moved in together...Brad proposed to Stacy the following afternoon. That afternoon and evening they spent sharing their BIG NEWS...with EVERYONE!!! The following day Brad celebrated his 30th birthday!!! Talk about packing a lot in....?!?!?!?

Christmas last year seemed to sneak up on us with all the excitement, but I guess it does every year!!! Brad and Stacy stayed in Ottawa last year for Christmas and celebrated with the O'Neil/McCready clan (Brad's Family)! Brads sister Kim and her husband Jason also shared exciting news with the family over the holidays...They were expecting their first Child come July 2006...What and Exciting year it was gearing up to be...

Early in the new year came talks of the wedding...planning etc. Thank goodness mama light was able to make a trip up early in the new year, to help put the planning in perspective...It was a very successful weekend...I believe we actually chose a wedding date, picked a venue and bought THE DRESS all in that weekend!!! Oh we also went to a wedding show...now that was a hoot!!! Stacy and brad set a date to marry on July 15, 2006 and much of the winter and spring involved planning for la part-y!!!

By spring and four months after Brad, Stacy would also celebrate a milestone birthday...the big 3-0!!! Something she had been dreading for the last 5 years (since she nearly fell apart on her 25th...)...BUT, It was a fantastic birthday, and turning 30 didn't turn out to be all that bad after all...

In May Brad started another new job, with a new security company. It was a great move for him as he is since been spending less time out of town for work. Things seem to be working out great with the new company so far...Stacy still works at a law firm in the intellectual property department in downtown Ottawa and loves her job...

The spring and summer consisted of road trips (days and weekends), baby showers (Kim) and wedding showers (Stacy)...which in turn meant that Brad got to do quite a bit of golfing early on in the summer...Stacy never even swung a club this summer...a little disappointing, BUT, she had more important things on her mind...

July arrived before Brad and Stacy ever imagined...They welcomed the arrival of their new nephew (Logan)...who actually arrived the day of their Wedding rehearsal party on July 14th...!!!

On July 15th, Brad and Stacy married and it was the just the beginning of their happily ever after...The weather was perfect (ok, it was a little HOT)…They were surrounded by many close family and friends who came from near and far. It was so amazing to see so many people there to share in our special day. Especially for Stacy it was a little extra special because she was able to see a lot of her family and friends that she rarely sees because of the distance. The O'Neil's thank you all again for an amazingly special time!

Following the wedding, Stacy and Brad hopped in their car and headed out for their ROAD TRIP HONEYMOON...They had an absolute blast...visiting such places as...upper state New York, Vermont, Rhode Island and Cape Cod. They saw a lot in the 5 days they were gone...and plan to see more of the east coast soon...

The rest of the summer and early fall was spent by the new happy couple (now offiacially THE O'NEIL'S), enjoying each other as well as attending several more weddings for good friends of ours...It was like an extended party of our own !!!!

The O'Neil's spent a good part of the fall relaxing in Ottawa/Gatinea and now gearing up for winter I suppose...

Just recently we've shared some more exciting news with our friends and family...so, if you haven't heard yet, the O'Neil's are expecting their first child in late July, 2007!!! Like they say, Never a dull moment... and it’s obvious they couldn't be more thrilled and will look forward to the next few months preparing for the little one and facing all the fun times and challenges that might come with the new baby!!!

Brad and Stacy will be spending the holidays again this year in the Ottawa and with the McCready's. Mama Light will arrive for a short visit just after the holidays which we are very excited for. Unfortunately papa light will be working and in south America , unable to join us this visit.

So,...It has been a very exciting year for the O’Neil’s and they are looking forward to the upcoming year even more now...

Hope this letter finds you and your family doing well!!!

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and of course all the Best for the upcoming 2007!!!

Love,
Stacy and Brad

Happy Birthday Mama LIGHT!!!

Happy Birthday Mama!!! We wish we could be there to hang out with you today and maybe even have some cake and ice cream?!?!? Hope you have a wonderful day!!!
Also, Aunt Kathy shares a birthday with mama Light!!! We hope you have an awesome day today as well!!!

Love Stacy and Brad xoxoxox

Mama & Papa Lights new CRITTER...

MORE OF MAMA's Critters...

^Deer in the Backyard^
^American Bald Eagle, Looking from the deck^

Here is a photo of one of mama and papa Light's new Critters. They have affectionately named him Hootie. Hootie has decide that this is quite the resort he has stumbled across in his ventures and that perhaps he'd like to stay!!! I mean he does afterall have free access to the all you can eat seafood buffet (aka mama Lights gold fish pond)!!!

^Hootie perched up on the upper deck railing...likely eying the gold fish down below^

I have been waiting to update the blog regarding this past weekend as Liam was SUPPOSED to email me some pics to accompany the events detailed from Sunday...
I have no pics yet Liam so I guess I'll go ahead and update for now and add the pics later...

Not too much exciting but a good weekend nonetheless for the O'Neils...

Friday night we braved the shopping malls to try and get more Christmas shopping done. To our surprise it wasn't really all that busy out which was odd given the time of year it is. We figure either the majority of the population in the Ottawa area is either totally on the ball this year...OR...the people of Ottawa are totally procrastinating ... Either way, lucky us...

On Saturday we ventured out as well for a bit more shopping...We accomplished a bit, but nothing too exciting...In the afternoon we rearranged our living room furniture...We had been talking about it for ages and finally did it. We both really like the new set up...
In the evening we had Jarred, Amanda, Josh, Pat and Michelle over for a few drinks...we also went for supper at Sam Sneads (one of our local watering holes). It was nice to get together with them since we haven't really seen them since our wedding in July...

Sunday, Brad and I made up our usual big breakfast and then spent the rest of the afternoon resting/napping. On Sunday evening we headed out to CP to Join Chris and Jim and "the kids" in decorating the tree! It was alot of fun (I'd show you pics if Liam would email them to me...HINT HINT)...After we sat down and had Jim's HOMEADE stew...Delicious!!!! Thanks Chris and Jim for the lovely time!!!

That about sums up what's new ... Or at least what's new that can be discussed on the blog for now...;)

Tonight is supposed to be my work holiday party, but I've decide not to go...
Instead one of the lawyers at work offered up tickets to see "The Importance of being Earnest". I'm really looking forward to seeing it as I read the play in OAC English and totally loved it!!!

Well that's all I have for now...Will update (hopefully with some new pics) next weekend!!!

Cheers,
:)

No Happy Birthday announcement for my hubby...?!?!?!

...AND...My sincere apologies!!!

MY POOR HUSBAND got to spend his birthday watching his wife suffer from the flu...I won't get into the details, but the night before was complete torture...the day of Brad's birthday he had to spend alone as the MOST energy I had was to force down 1 or 2 soda crackers and a few sips of gingerale...Loads a fun , i tell ya!!!

On top of it, the poor guy had to look at his cards and present sitting in the kitchen ... ALL DAY...untill i could crawl my way into the living room and onto the couch. At that time I was able ... for about 4 minutes to try and look excited and enthusiastic...I think i actually did remember to wish him a happy birthday?!?!?

Anyway although I am starting to feel better (a bit) I feel like a horrible failure of a wife....

So, my dear husband...here is my official HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you post!!! I hope it wasn't too terrible for you ... hopefully this weekend will be a little more exciting.... :)

Love, The Wife. xoxox

Santa Clause Parade in CP!!!

This is our Nephew Logan with his Grandpa and Nanny!!!
Uncle Brad is showing Logan how to walk!!! Yes, he is ONLY 4 month old...but he is VERY smart!!!
Logan with Mom and Dad and Grandpa and Nanny!!!
Brad and Stacy watching the Santa Clause Parade in CP!!! We could not have asked for a nicer evening ... the weather was GREAT!!!
Here comes the big guy himself!!! I've been REALLY GOOD ALL YEAR...Hope he noticed!!!
Watching the parade...
Abbie and Stacy...
Jason, Logan, Kim and Nanny:

After the Parade Uncle Bill and Aunt Patti-Ann invited us all over to their house for a VERY LOVELY meal and a few drinks....UMMMMMMM...
Thank you so much, everything was delicious!!! :)

HAPPY THANKSGIVING...

...to our AMERICAN family!!!
Hope everyones belly's are filling today with TURKEY, GRAVY AND ALL THE FIXINS!!!! Yay!!!

Cheers,

Hanging up the CHRISTMAS lights!!!

This past weekend it was warm enough and dry enough for Brad to hang our Christmas lights!!! Yay!!! This will be our third Christmas together and the third time we have hung the lights...Seems we finally have it down and this event occured without incedent!!!

I'm so excited...and now, with the pretty white lights up...I am ready for a bit of snow...!!!

Above are the lights the evening we hung them...
Above is my wonderful husband doing all the important hard work!!!

**My apologise for not keeping up with the blog the last week...but I had a terrible cold and zero energy. I'm now feeling MUCH better, so hopefully I will keep up a bit bettter...

Everyone have a great week!!!

Visit from an old friend!!!

Michael, Christine and Stacy:

This past Saturday I had a visit from an old friend of mine...This is Christine and her son Michael. They were visiting family in the area which gave us a chance to see each other for a few hours in the afternoon.

Chris and I met in grade nine...A VERY long time ago...16 years - ish...We were side by side through everything for four years. We always reminisce about the good ol days...we certainly had some fun times... Through the years we have stayed very good friends and although we don't get to see each other all that often or talk that often we are always able to pick up right where we left off...

What American Accent do you Have?!?!?!? QUIZ

Here's my results for this cool quize I took today!!! Thanks to Wanda and Dave who I 'copied' it from!!!
Apparently I have a North Central accent! I would aggree with that!!!

What American accent do you have? Your Result: North Central "North Central" is what professional linguists call the Minnesota accent. If you saw "Fargo" you probably didn't think the characters sounded very out of the ordinary. Outsiders probably mistake you for a Canadian a lot.
The West
The Midland
Boston
The Inland North
The South
Philadelphia
The Northeast
What American accent do you have? Take More Quizzes

Happy Birthday SHEILA!!!

Wow, where did the last week go??? I noticed that it has been OVER a week since I last updated the blog. Although we have both been "busy" we don't really have a whole lot new to report!!!
Last weekend we did have a great visit with Marc and Amanda who were intown overnight for the Dixie Chicks concert. After the concert that night they came to stay with us for the night. We stayed up the latest we've been up in a long time...LOL...I'm sure it was pat 3 am by the time we all hit the sack...but we had a great visit!
The next morning before our guests hit the road we (or should I say brad) put on one of his infamous breakfasts that generally are accompanied with a stay at Chez O'Neil...
We didn't do too much the rest of that weekend, but it was nice to relax a bit, that's for sure.
Can't really update too much for the last week either...nothing out of the ordinary...Just busy at work and relaxing in the evenings. God are we getting boring? NAhhhhh.....
Well I should mention one thing that is new these days...I started playing Volleyball again with the City of Ottawa "women in Sports" league. I forgot how muched I missed it since I haven't played the last 2 seasons. Anyway...It is glad to be back. Once my team starts actually winning some games ...maybe i'll post a few action pictures!!!!
Well that brings us up to date pretty much. It's Saturday morning...we just finished our big Saturday breakfast and trying to decide what to do this weekend!!!
Tune in Monday, hopefully I will have something exciting or perhaps a picture or to to share!
Everyone have a great weekend!!
Love,
Stacy & Brad xo