Apartment Update: Countertops Completed

We're almost done!  The granite countertops were installed today:




The floors are set to be refinished next week and then this baby is going on the market!

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day!  Cal and Tim got to spend some quality time together yesterday.  Here they are reading Cal's present to Tim, Daddy and I.

The best present though, was that Cal rolled over (from his back to tummy) for the first time!  Although he has been very close for awhile now, it turns out he just needed proper motivation.  His stuffed puppy dog and showing off for his daddy seemed to do it.

Cal really enjoys spending time in his Exersaucer.  He is particularly obsessed with the orange fish and has even pried some of the toys off!

He is also really learning to use his arms and hands - in particular reaching for objects and bringing them to him.



Gimme the toy!  I want it.  I want it!



Yes!  Thank you.

Cal and Reyna

Recently Cal has been fascinated with Reyna.  He stares at her whenever she's in the room, as if he's trying to figure out what she is.

Seriously, what ARE you?

Reyna has also warmed up a bit to Cal.  She is still an attention hog, and won't hesitate to work the room to get petted, but she also will now lie down near Cal and sniff him.  With the 6 month mark (and solid food) quickly approaching, I have a feeling they will soon be fast friends.



Let's negotiate here.  You get me some Cheerios, I'll let you ride on my back.



House Update: Sheetrock in Process

Exterior

The sides of the house have now been shingled, as has about half of the back.  The mudroom porch and roof are now up:

The trim around the family room window bay, eaves and sunroom are almost done:

We've decided to use a clear seal on the shingles, so the house will ultimately remain pretty much the same color.

Interior

Now that the electrical, rough plumbing, insulation, etc. are done (and passed inspection), sheetrock is going up.  The rooms are really starting to take shape now.

View of kitchen looking into family room

Family room

Mudroom

Sunroom

Sunroom entrance to backyard



Master bedroom

 We're looking at mid-August to move in.  Let's keep our fingers crossed we stay on schedule!

Apartment Update: Cabinets (Almost) Complete

Given the enormity of the house renovation, we decided to try going a lower cost route for the apartment renovation.  We hired the building handyman to strip and redo all the walls and molding, and bought the cabinets from IKEA.    After lots of headaches and several trips back and forth, our cabinets are finally installed.  We're still missing countertops (so no sink yet), but here it is so far:

The peninsula island has been raised with a lip to make a breakfast bar.  The sliding doors will be replaced with regular cabinet doors.

There was supposed to be a wooden board on the back of the island facing the living room.  It didn't fit, so we have to get a new one. 

In the meantime, we had to return the board we bought.  Instead of trying to drive through the Lincoln Tunnel with a giant wooden board strapped to the roof, it was safer to put it inside the car.  Unfortunately, that made for a pretty uncomfortable ride in the passenger seat:



J.P. - Thanks for the help.  We'll pay for the visit to the chiropractor.


Next up, a new granite countertop should be going in this week, and then the floors will be redone.  We're almost there!

P.S.  We've decided to sell the apartment, so if you know anyone who is interested in buying instead of renting, send them our way!

Random Pics: 6/9/11

So what has Cal been up to lately?

First off, we recently discovered that we could swap out the toys on the Exersaucer, so Cal got a few new ones.  He took to it right away:



We explore the outdoors (when it's not 90+ degrees out):

Hey Reyna, wanna go for a walk with me?

Sometimes he hangs out in his playpen:

Will someone please get me out of this thing?

Or waits while Mommy does the laundry:



I thought I said I wanted fabric softener

 He's even graduated to big boy (2-piece) pajamas:



Just because I can't dress myself doesn't mean I like to wear crazy pants.

 But overall Cal is just a happy baby and loves being with people and discovering the world around him.