Reno A Go-Go Chapters 2-57

When last we met, dear readers, the weather was hot, the days were long, and the mudroom was still a shell.  We were well on our way to having the room done in October, but then a little thing happened that I like to call the muther-lovin Brewers.  Their success in advancing to the NLCS was awesome and had the city all atwitter.  Unfortunately for many a wife and many a reno throughout the land, it also meant losing our husbands for dozens of hours to tailgating, game-watching, and traffic congestion.  It was bittersweet when they lost to the Cardinals.  We had come SO close to the World Series...::sigh:::

But if you're looking for the silver lining, it's that I finally had my handy husband back to get crackin' on the room.  Yahoo!

The first task was to get the contractors back to button up the exterior and install the window.  This happened weeks ago and then just this week our BFF Mike came out to finish installation of the exterior lights (all new, from post to mudroom to garage to backyard).  Hey, the outside looks done!  Neighbors, you may now get off our case.  Then came the tile installation.  We chose a slate tile for its durability and variety of color to hide all manner of sand, dirt, salt, snow and general muck.  I am really not a big fan of slate but it made the most sense for the space.  After two coats of sealer though I have to admit it looks pretty sharp.  In order to save a few bucks our contractors agreed to lay the floor with Matt's assistance - a ringing endorsement of their confidence in "the homeowner" if I've ever seen one. 

We got to see the floor for about two days before it was covered up with cardboard so as not to ruin it during the installation of drywall (and subsequent taping, mudding, two rounds of sanding and priming), installation of the bead board ceiling (ever seen a 9 month pregnant woman assist at a table saw?  It can be done.  Plus only 500 nail holes to fill!), installation of the arch (looks ridiculously good, but required more mud and sanding than the whole rest of the room combined), installation of the bead board backing where the yet-to-be-identified bench will one day live, and installation of the crown moulding to make the closets look more like furniture and less like lame closets.  We had a big moment the other day when the plastic which divided the reno from the kitchen was removed for good.  Sure the house remains covered in dust despite all of our vacuuming and swiffering, but this is major progress as far as we're concerned. 

Tomorrow we'll go choose closet doors and our actual wall color can go up shortly after that.  I am starting to lose my mind (insert joke here) seeking out the right furniture, lighting, and closet systems to make sure this room looks like it belongs in this house while holding 10x its actual capacity.  And with all of five days to go until Mr. Maio arrives, the timeline on this one room has probably just been pushed back to, oh I don't know, Christmas? 

My thoughts exactly. 

It's Officially Fall

While Matt has been keeping incredibly busy this fall with Brewers playoff games and continued mudroom reno work (tape, mud, sand, repeat.  Dust. Everywhere.), G and I have been keeping busy ourselves. 

NLDS Game...something

We spent an unseasonably warm afternoon playing in the leaves last week.  The night before we got 'Boo'd' by our neighbors, and their 2 and 6 year old daughters, dropping off a bag-o-goodies and running off.  The bag was chock full of candy (gone in about 20 minutes) but also super cute Halloween stuff that could only have been picked out by another girl - socks, pencils, and the bright bow headband you see below.  G freaked out when she saw it and wore that headband all day.   We also created a few little ghosts to put throughout the house to spruce the joint up.  Two garbage bags + one Sharpie + a few handfulls of leaves = free fun.  Excellent.

crunching in

Bubs joins the fun, until he gets a mouth full of leaves and spends the next 30 minutes flapping his tongue in and out

"hiding"

Fortunately we also got to drag Matt away from his two life-focuses for a trip to the pumpkin patch.  This is the first year we've taken Genevieve.  I KNOW.  Unheard of for the preschool set.  But this time last year we were deep cleaning the Tosa house and putting it on the market so there was little time for weekend jaunts.  It was worth the wait though and she had an awesome time.  Again we had ridiculous weather and although it was slightly cool when we left the house, it was a full on summer day by the time we got there.  Hottest hayride I'll probably ever take. 

spooky!

she got on all the animals you could ride but settled on one her own size

just over 3 pumpkins tall

mommy's already doing her fair share of heavy lifting

bend with your knees!

her hand-picked winners.  notice the bright red "mom why the heck did you put me in corduroy pants" cheeks

This weekend was spent on more mudroom work (we are installing an arch and one day it will be awesome) and also getting the baby's room ready.  Since we're not getting Mr. Maio a huge dresser like his sister (which still has the title of most expensive piece of furniture in the house.  how wrong is that??) we did get him a super cute rug that finally arrived.  So that went down, the crib went up (Matt is getting pretty good at putting that thing together) and we realized that we have too much furniture.  So after *much* debate we ended up moving the queen-sized bed into G's room.  Yeah, we were 26 before either of us had a queen bed.  Our kid is 3.  But we had to keep it out somewhere for guests to use so it was either that or dump it in the middle of the living room, which might create a nice ambiance with the fireplace going in winter but then what we do with the few still-packed boxes?  Put them away?  Ridiculous.

Right now the twin is in the baby's room but even that is feeling claustrophobic so I think the twin will live in the basement until he's ready for a big boy bed.  I'm feeling incredibly defeated that I now have to buy all new little girl bedding for the queen (not readily available, btw) and all new boy bedding in a couple of years for the twin, but poo happens and that's what we get for buying an ancient 3-bedroom house.  More pics to update on the reno and the baby's room to come, along with belly shots at 37 weeks (Tuesday!). 

Wat'cha Smuggling?

Dear complete strangers, curious bystanders, and colleagues with whom my normal conversational exchange is limited to "hi": Yes, I am fully aware that I do in fact appear to be hiding a basketball under my shirt.  Believe me, no one is MORE aware of that than I.  I think you're trying to be complimentary when you follow up with "but you don't even look pregnant from behind!" but most of the time that just makes me more uncomfortable to know that you were looking (this is especially true for you, coworkers).

Although I'm carrying very much the same as G - which is to say low and straight out - it's obvious that this second-child business is in full effect and I'm bigger now than I was at this point with the first.  Awe.Some.  Here are a couple 33 week shots which are now two weeks old.  The basketball groweth. 

Rubbin' bellies.

33 weeks with GG.  Much foxier!

They Say It's Your Birthday

The princess turned three last week which was both fun and terrifying.  Fun because she really gets the point of things like cake and what presents are and who they're for.  Terrifying on a topical level because our baby is already THREE and the next baby will be here in mere weeks.  Terrifying on a financial level because college is just 15 years away (not to mention a wedding - call me crazy but I'm thinking it won't be a 'city hall' kind of affair).  Terrifying on an emotional level because everything I've read about childhood development indicates that the foundation for an emotionally balanced life is laid in the first three years.  In other words, if we've f'ed it up she's screwed for life.  Oh mom guilt, you're such a gem.

Regardless of my own hyper-hormonal brand of crazy, G seemed to have a terrific time celebrating her birthday and we did too.  Grandma Heidi and Pop Pop came in for a long weekend which beat the heck out of the 48-hour-nice-to-see-ya-gotta-go weekends which are sometimes our only option.  They came loaded with presents for G, a baby Bjorn for us and an awesome changing table for the baby's room.  We will need to keep the guest bed in the nursery until we find the cojones to tackle the 4th bedroom addition, so the smaller furniture will work perfectly.  We hung out on Saturday and hit up the park for some quality time on the playground.  We lounged and napped Saturday afternoon while Matt took to the field for the Oriole's playoff game.  Alas for the second year in a row they got beat at the last second.  We were proud of daddy-o anyway; the opposing pitcher is a former minor league hurler and Matt was the only person on his team to get two hits off the guy.  A little personal satisfaction can go a long way.  Saturday night we went out to dinner then to my new favorite dessert spot in Tosa, Yo Mama.  It's a retro-styled yogurt place where you build your own concoction, which to a three year old is basically the way the world should be.  They have these crazy cat-eyed glasses everywhere and G was thrilled when Grandma Heidi got a pair to bring home.  Tres chic.   

Courtesy o Yo Grand-Mama

Sunday was the big party but first we did a little shopping with Grandma and came home with a giant pile of loot, mostly for the forthcoming Mr. Maio, but with ample goodies for G too.  Because remember, clothes aren't presents.  My (100% irrational) fears that my kid will have nothing to wear when he's born are starting to fade.  During her nap I frosted the cake which was requested to have purple and pink icing.  It came out like a dentist's nightmare but she was THRILLED.

Sugar overload, anyone?

Spotted: one birthday cake

Pink and purple balloons to match the theme of "I'm three and I'm 100% girly girl"

On the menu: cous cous (a fave of the birthday girl's) and salmon cakes (a favorite of mom & dad's)

Start handing it out, mom

Figuring this is the last year we'll be able to get away with not having to organize and pay for some preschool circus extravaganza, party-goers were limited to the grandparents and Uncle Stevie & Auntie Erin.  The birthday girl made out like nobody's business, and favorite presents included a pen with a plume (a la Fancy Nancy, natch), an easel, a cake to play with during tea parties, and from mom and dad, a new big girl bike.  Ok, so the bike was "new to us" and she knew it was in the garage, but we told her she couldn't go on it or have training wheels until she was three.  Seemed that she was prepared because when we brought it in to give to her, she hopped right on and started doing laps around the entire house.  Didn't give it a second thought.  I suspect it's buh-bye tricycle.   

Slowed down long enough for one fast family photo

On Monday we waved goodbye to Grandma Heidi & Pop Pop and worked on our cupcakes to take to school the next day.  This girl is a baker, let me tell you.  Loves to help in the kitchen.  Then on Wednesday, her actual birthday, we had a visit to the pediatrician followed by a girl's only lunch.  She came in at about the 65th percentile for both height and weight, and all signs point to super healthy (knock wood).  We did have to suffer through a flu shot but all was right with the world when she got both a sticker and a lollipop for her efforts.  After lunch we took a quick trip to the park for some "I'm 3" pictures.  A great photographer I'm not but between these and her little school pictures, it's a convenient way to capture her each year.  Too bad the wind didn't do me any favors, most of the shots she looked like she was in a wind tunnel.  C'est la vie.  Later that night we had more cake and spent lots of time snuggling our big girl.

Ready for her first hard-hitting interview

She may be a big girl now but thankfully those cheeks are still nice and chubby

Happy birthday, baby girl!

Quotable

Recent declarations from the wee lass:

"Mommy, I'm the doctor and you're the nurse."
-brief pause-
"Nurse! I need to go poop!"

Upon discovering that Matt ate 90% of the cookies:
"DADDY. Did you eat all those cookies? We eat ONE cookie. Just one!"

While watching something which referenced NYC:
"Mommy, what's New York?"
"It's a big, fun city on the east coast. One day Grandma Heidi will take you there. Won't that be fun?"
"Yes. Mommy, do they have POTTIES there?!?!"

While talking to Grandma Heidi about her upcoming birthday:
Grandma: "GG, I think you're going to get some clothes for your birthday"
GG, in a disgusted voice, "Grandma, clothes are not for presents." (Clearly, they are a staple)

Waiting for Ralphie to be done at the groomer, I asked her which of the dogs on the poster was her favorite.
"GG, that's called a Papillon which means 'butterfly' in French.  Can you say that?"
"Yes, it's a pepperoni."

Reno a Go-Go - Chapter 1

When we first saw casa del Maio we knew that the small and mostly useless screened-in porch (see above) was destined to become a proper mudroom.  The house was built in 1938 and while we l.o.v.e. the charm that comes with it, we were not fans of the gaping lack of storage for, you know, stuff.  With just the three of us there were already a dozen pairs of shoes, G's tote bag, Ralphie's leash and towel, and my purse dumped in the same area that you cross through to get to the garage, the basement, and the 1/2 bath.  There were separate doors leading out to the garage and the porch, with a giant vertical support in between, leaving no opportunity for even a shelf.  And with Version 2.0 on the way the idea of dealing with that kind of cramped living plus adding a car seat, diaper bag, winter boots, etc, had me reaching for the Xanax.

Enter 730's first big reno project.  We signed with a contractor the second week in July to be rid of the porch and steal a little room from our garage to build a for real mudroom.  It's a bigger project than it appears as the porch was just a shell, lacking minor details like a raised floor, electricity, HVAC, insulation, or security.  To try to save some a little green Matt is doing as much of the work as he can.  Starting with demo, phase I:
 

Sawzall does indeed saw all.

Followed by some technical demo finesse.  Nice overalls, btw.

The walls came down with barely a huff or a puff, but the ceiling gave Tex here more of a fight.

The first of many a Menard's delivery

 Because this reno is actually adding square footage to the living space we had to get the plans approved by the Elm Grove Village Board.  It took two weeks to get on the schedule and once the meeting was finally held, they just *had* to put their mark on the project and made us change the size of the window by a whopping 4 inches.  Matt returned home from the meeting declaring that he's going to run for the building board.  The Village bylaws read that they have 10 days to issue the actual work permit.  Hey, 10, 15, it's all the same right?  Suddenly we were 3 weeks behind schedule.  The permit was finally issued and the guys got to work the next day.

That post is the first thing that's held up that side of the house in...ever.

Never has a wall made me so happy!

"Locking up"

First real glimpse of the structure

Hello, garage wall (demo, phase II)

Buh-bye garage wall.  Look at that form and intensity!

One of about 23 "union breaks".  So much for saving money.

This is what is between our kitchen and our reno.  Think it holds out all the dust, dirt, debris, and general crap?  It doesn't.

One giant opening where two tiny doors once stood.  YAHOO!

We are really pleased with the contractors we hired.  They've been here every time they say they will and they're at it from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.  I realize this is what is expected of most people in the developed world, but somehow it seems like something special in construction-land.  Matt told me the other day he thinks Bob (the GC) is scared of me.  I suggested that maybe he should be.  If only I could wield such influence over the inspector.  After the rough structure, electric, and HVAC were in, it was time for the HVAC and electrical inspection.  Oh hi, Village Inspector D-Bag, can you please hold up my project another 2 weeks?  You can?  Terrific.  

Vaulted ceiling

What has two thumbs and loves seeing a new door?  This gal.

Step aside, Bob the Builder

We just got the rough HVAC and electric approved last week which was good since we had the insulation coming in on Saturday.  Matt plays baseball with a guy who does foam insulation and took our little project as a side gig.  Matt and I have agreed that we're not doing any project half-way in this house so we were willing to shell out for the fancy foam.

Eric gets a-sprayin'.  It is unbelievable how messy that stuff is.  Call us if you plan to do this to your own home - we have some suggestions

The timeline for the original project was 6 weeks.  That would have had us wrapped up four weeks ago.  HA HA.  Neither of us thought that it would be fast or timely but I am starting to lose my cool, especially as the weeks tick by and we are down to about seven until Version 2.0 arrives.  We realize that, compared to actual problems that people have, this is a pretty luxurious thing to be freaking out about.  But my poor husband is up for Man of the Year as he slaves away every night and weekend to get this room done, PLUS getting the baby's room painted and furniture re-assembled, handling all of the yard work (and we've got some here) and trying to squeeze in a few minutes with his princess.    Meanwhile I am really hopeful that this turd of an inspector shows up while I'm home on Wednesday to to our insulation inspection.  If being pregnant is labeled as a "disability" in most HR handbooks, I hope to use the disability to set a fire under this yahoo. 

Yet to be done is drywall - plus taping, mudding, sanding, and at least one coat of primer - and installing an arch in the big new entryway, followed by tile installation (we are doing a slate floor, the tiles for which have to be individually sealed before installation. Awesome), installing all new lighting both inside and out, installing the window & storm door, reassembling the exterior siding, priming and painting the closet doors.....and a few other minor details.  Thankfully we know that changing this small room will change the way we use the house and that is our light at the end of the tunnel.  All bets are off for this weekend though, as the Orioles are headed to the Milwaukee Men's 28+ League semi-finals and we all gather to celebrate a little lady turning 3.  More to come (if we don't kill the inspector first)!