House Update - More Framing & Finishing the Basement

The framing is moving along and the weather is cooperating nicely.  Not a lot of snow in the forecast which looks good for the roof by the end of this week. The framing inside has already begun too which makes it way easier to picture how things will look.  I'm very pleased with most of the house so far but the kitchen and living room seem to be a little smaller than I thought.  I've been told that until the drywall is up you can't really tell anyway so I should just set my worries aside and wait 'till then.  The pantry on the other hand is huge and exactly what I wanted.  I can't wait to go crazy in there organizing everything.  Maybe I can even get it to look like this! Color organized cookbooks anyone?  I love it!

 

BUILDING TIMELINE:
Oct 8 (Day 1) - We signed our contract and everything is official!
Oct 9 (Day 2) - Expected ground breaking - delay with permit.
Oct 14 (Day 7) - Pick out front door (similar to this), interior doors, house molding, door knobs, and decking and siding.
Oct 15 (Day 8) - Fireplace
Oct 21 (Day 14) - Faucets, sinks, shower heads, toilets.  Also garage door.
Oct 23 (Day 16) - Cabinetry for the whole house - knobs and handles
Nov 5 (Day 29) - Ground breaking - hole digging and laying some foundation.
Nov 13 (Day 37) - Outside brick
Nov 18 (Day 42) - Cabinet place again - Changed our minds of the kitchen cabinets!
Nov 19 (Day 43) - Chose lighting, sort of because that was pretty hard. Still have to finalize some choices.
Week of Nov 24 (Day 53) - Pour concrete base - framing basement - finalize light choices and custom island color, custom hood vent and misc faucets.
Week of Dec 8 (Day 68) - Finishing up the framing and starting the roof. Plywood mostly put up all around the house. It's starting to look like a house.

We usually stop by the house once a week.  Construction, especially during this phase, really isn't meant for kids but Noah is really stepping up for the most part.   Soon enough he'll be able to run around without supervision. Until then, I suppose a piece of wood is a good place to hang out.

Eighteen Months

My little baby has grown up.  He's a year and a half and these last six months have flown by compared to the first six months of his life.  The older he gets the more fun he is. I love that although he is lacking in words he's learning to communicate more and more each day.  His kisses and hugs are the best, and on the days with only one nap the prebedtime cuddles are my favorite.

• Stats: Size 5 Diapers | 2T clothing
• Size: 31.5lbs
• New Abilities: He's running all over the place and fast! He can really use a spoon well and eats his yogurt all by himself.  He can climb on anything and has figured out that if it's too tall he can use something else to help him get up. When you ask him how old he can show you he's one with his finger.  He's finally saying yes by nodding his head.  He will try and move and push you when you're doing something to move you where he wants.  Like when I wash the dishes and there's music he'll push me to the middle of the kitchen so I'll dance with him.  We're working on just grabbing a hand to be pulled somewhere. He can stick his tongue out and knows how to pick his nose.  He can point to most body parts on him and other people.
• New Words: Nothing new this month.
• Sleep: Sleep has been crazy this month.  I'm pretty sure he still needs two naps but between traveling and major teething he's taking much shorter ones and even his night sleep is a little uneasy.  He still sleeps all night and will take one to two naps but not as easy as before.  We're hoping once his molars pop thru he will feel better and be back to normal.
• Mom Check-In: I'm excited for the holidays as Noah will finally be able to better enjoy them.  Most of my Christmas shopping is done and our Christmas cards have been ordered and sent out.  I'm feeling accomplished.  

This next month will fly by as well I'm sure with all the holidays.  Jeff and I both have three weeks of work which will finally give us some time to slow down and spend time as a family. We still need to finished putting up the rest of the tree since we've had barely any time together to do it. The lights are literally all we have up right now. Better late then never, right?
I'm hoping to get lots of dinners made and even a few desserts here and there. Maybe I'll even be able to sleep in a couple days so I don't have to be in bed at nine. Winter break is looking good!

House Update - Framing & Lights

It looks like while we were gone for the Holidays the house was getting busy and the cement must have been poured.  Thank goodness the weather got a little warmer for us! They also started the basement framing and it's starting to look like a house. It may only have changed a little since we last saw it but this is good progress to build on that shouldn't' be affected by the weather too much.  With another warmer week ahead and little snow we're hoping for even more work to get done.

We also finalized a couple of things for the house.  The major one for me was lighting since I was having so many issues picking the lights.  Unfortunately I just couldn't find a good matching choice for my favorite pendants so away we went with those and went with something a little easier for the island.  We also chose our dining table light and the pendant over the sink.  Our final pick still standing was the entryway chandelier which might be my new favorite.  We're making some progress guys and it's getting more exciting!

Oct 8 (Day 1) - We signed our contract and everything is official!
Oct 9 (Day 2) - Expected ground breaking - delay with permit.
Oct 14 (Day 7) - Pick out front door (similar to this), interior doors, house molding, door knobs, and decking and siding.
Oct 15 (Day 8) - Fireplace
Oct 21 (Day 14) - Faucets, sinks, shower heads, toilets.  Also garage door.
Oct 23 (Day 16) - Cabinetry for the whole house - knobs and handles
Nov 5 (Day 29) - Ground breaking - hole digging and laying some foundation.
Nov 13 (Day 37) - Outside brick
Nov 18 (Day 42) - Cabinet place again - Changed our minds of the kitchen cabinets!
Nov 19 (Day 43) - Chose lighting, sort of because that was pretty hard. Still have to finalize some choices.
Week of Nov 24 (Day 53) - Pour concrete base - framing basement - finalize light choices and custom island color, custom hood vent and misc faucets.

...and we're back!

...to real life that is.  You know, where you work all day and get back to the grind.  And although I must say this last week was a nice change, I'm always ready to get back to it. I'm gearing up this morning for some major cyber monday shopping and catching up on business here at work, but before that a quick weekend update.

The french silk pie I mentioned on Wednesday was a hit just as planned.  I will for sure be making that again.  The pumpkin pie also a hit, especially for being the first time I made it.  Little did I know that although I made it for my mother, she does not like the crust and literally picked the inside out of the pie.  Who does that? and who doesn't like pie crust?!  Next time, pie filling only!  We had a great traditional turkey meal as many of you may have had and spent lots of family time hanging out and chasing after Noah as he tried going up and down the stairs a million times.

For the weekend we went up north and celebrated with our other side of the family.  Jeff and his sister Molly also took part in an alumni basketball game which was super fun to watch. The basketball was a little rusty but can you blame them? =) Noah was a spunky cheerleader from the stands as he cheered on.  Lots of yelling and screaming but still way cute.

Of course no trip with a toddler is without surprises and ours this weekend was Noah learning to take his shirt of while buckled tightly into his car seat.  Which may I add was finally turned front facing even if just for the four hour trip.  Noah thought the whole thing was very entertaining and possibly even a game and I can't say I tried too hard to make him keep it on since it was so hilarious.  I might be paying for this in the future though.

We hope everyone one else also had a great Thanksgiving as we did.  And here's to some Monday shopping!