Road Trip
We have reached the joyful stage of the kitchen renovation, when the work we are doing is more constructive than destructive. With the plastering all complete we moved onto the more arty task of choosing colours, tiles and cracking on with the painting. Dave has given himself a target of end of July to complete the works, in time for a birthday bbq, and so each evening is working hard to move things on.
The painting is now complete and the damp proof membrane applied to the floor - the very sticky thick black paint like stuff you can see in the picture above. Dave is drilling holes in the wall to support our water pipes. We then applied some self leveling gloop and are ready for the underfloor heating to be installed this weekend (v. posh I know!) and fancy slate tiles to be fitted. I have been spending my time at home during the day usefully waiting in for our many electrical appliances to be delivered, within usual helpful alloted time slots of 12hrs. So far our new double oven, hob and dishwasher have all arrived - I can't wait to get them installed as we are currently functioning without an oven or dishwasher. Soon lasagne, pizza and sunday roasts can go back on the menu, and the dishwasher can do the hard work afterwards!
We took some time off the works last weekend, to take Freya on her first holiday. It was time for Dave's annual pilgrimage to the Nurburgring to test out the Scoob, so Freya and I tagged along for the ride and took the chance for Freya to meet Uncle Johhny, Auntie Claire and cousin Ben in Brussels on the way. Attached is a picture of Ben checking out his new cousin getting her supper.
While in Germany, Freya also got to meet her new pal April - our friends' daughter who is only 2 weeks older. While the dads ragged it round the ring, the ladies lunched and drank tea and cake - it turns out my favourite pastime translates well to the continent!
Full Steam Ahead
After the initial shock and delight of Freya's arrival, we've managed to get our new family organised enough to dust off the overalls and get stuck back into our renovation project. We've turned our attention to the new kitchen and to keep focused we have even stuck to the wall a 26 point checklist of tasks leading to completion. Each task has a checkbox to tick as reward for completion - strangely satisfying to fill in as we edge closer to our fabulous new kitchen.
With the external building work complete the next step was to insulate the roof. In order to secure this space age foil in place, Dave had to measure, cut and screw approx 50 supporting batons to the roof getting through about 400 screws I am informed - all overhead and while balancing on top of a ladder (occasionally I am able to assist in holding the ladder and passing a few screws if Freya decides to sleep in the evening..).
Incidently we have discovered one plus point to combining parenthood with DIY is that Freya is mesmerised by the shiny silver roof insulation and unless she is seriously grumpy or hungry, taking her for a trip to the kitchen keeps her amused and quiet for about 3 min. Unfortunetly the shiny goodness is now covered up, as the plasterboarding is now complete, which proved to be somewhat of a jigsaw puzzle in cutting and assembling the boards to fit our uniquely shaped room. The end result looks great though and we can really see the room start to take shape.
The plastering is now underway, and after a fraught morning of concocting the perfect plaster 'mix' to cope with the swealtering hot temperature last Saturday, is going really well. Jean was on had as 'plasterer's mate' mixing and passing things as required. Meanwhile Roger continued the slog on the front drive and managed to clear all the rubble from the front of the house and break it up onto our driveway. Tomorrow the repointing work starts on the front of the house, which will really smarten the front of the building up. Our house is finally looking less and less like a building site!
For those reading just for baby updates.. we can happily report that Freya is doing great. She will be 5 weeks old tomorrow and last weighed in at 10lb 5.5oz. We are attempting to follow the controversial 'Gina Ford' routine, which is working out pretty well (even though it means I have to get up at 7am even on Sundays, and even if she's been awake at 3am and 5am). I am enjoying maternity leave very much and all the new challenges it brings (esp the continued trips for cream tea and lunch..). To avoid having to cope with car seats and folding prams, and to make the most of the sunshine, I have taken to walking everwhere and as a reward today I managed to do the zip up on my old jeans - which must mean it's time to go shopping!!
Freya has started smiling alot which makes all our hearts melt and can coo and is much more alert and interested in the world around her - this is a good thing except when Gina says she should be sleeping.. The picture above shows Freya in her favourite sleeping bag assuming what we have come to call the 'Yay - sleeping!' position. When she adopts this pose, you know she's out for the count!
