Closing time

So. Today is closing day! The day Luke and I officially become homeowners for the first time in our lives. Final walk-through is at 2:30 p.m., closing is at 3:00, and of course we're still waiting to get final numbers from the bank for our cashier's check because why should we expect things to run smoothly?

I came into work this morning with a huge rock in my stomach (aside from Baby Brother), and as excited as we are to begin this new chapter of adulthood, Luke and I couldn't be more nervous. And because everything's happening so late in the afternoon, I'm not sure how we're going to celebrate. Maybe remove the "For Sale" sign in the front yard. Possibly go out to dinner because there's dried Rice-A-Roni on the stove from last night and Kara will need to eat shortly after we close and our apartment is a good forty minutes from our new pad. Continue to hash out paint colors and a schedule of what we can reasonably expect to accomplish before our October 28th move-in day. Originally the plan was to spend three weekends painting the entire house and the last weekend moving in, but my nephew Danny's baptism is now set for on October 26 and by the way, Ryan is moving to Germany to reunite with her army husband the weekend before that, and there's no way I'm missing out on my last chance to see her before spring. This leaves us only two working weekends left, so the NEW objective is to simply finish the second floor before the new carpet and bathroom tiles are installed later in the month.

Not that any of this makes me the slightest bit uneasy. Or crabby. Or hungry for a big bowl of spinach dip and a day in my pajamas.

It's overwhelming, how much there is to do before vacating our apartment; so overwhelming, in fact, that all I can do is think about October in small, manageable chunks. Call the flooring company. Price-check options for Internet, phone, and cable. (Yes, after more than three years of doing without, the Frema-Useless Clutter household just might hop on the cable bandwagon again.) (Also, I'm thinking not so much with the Comcast.) Buy primer and paint. Figure out when to paint. Figure out what to do with Kara. I would totally put her to work if she could walk more than five steps at a time. Also, if she could be trusted to keep her gums off the paintbrush.

(Actually, we do have some plans for Kara. A friend of mine from work who I knew from my Saint Joe days is going to come to the house and keep her company next Saturday so Luke and I can tackle the upstairs at the same time. Marissa heard about our baby-sitterless plight and actually volunteered to baby-sit. Hopefully this will be the beginning of a beautiful, paid friendship.)

In more uplifting news, did I tell you how much fun Kara is these days? Oh, wait, I guess I did. But I want to document it here, too, that my baby toddles and eats yogurt and "reads" her board books the right way and still has to play with my hair when I rock her to sleep. Luke and I are constantly looking at pictures from her newborn days and marveling over how much personality she's developed since then, how active she is, and how she loves us through each fumble. I would never categorize myself as patient, and I'm embarrassed to admit how damn frustrating parenthood is sometimes, but despite my shortcomings, Kara still scrambles to my arms when I come home each day. The biggest fear I had about being a working mom--that she wouldn't want me as much--has now reversed into my biggest obstacle, at least when trying to tackle my daily to-dos. She can't get enough of me. But I wouldn't want it any other way.

It's amazing to think that soon, there will be TWO little wonderfuls vying for my attention.

This was taken last Wednesday morning to document me at 20 weeks. Tomorrow I will be 21 weeks. Where is the time going?

Kara doesn't know, either.

It's mind-boggling, how much I love her.

Comments

[SSU]

So - what to do with Kara...
We have been at this home-improvement things since 4 weeks before AJU5 was born (which is about 5 weeks before Kara was born).

We have done two things with her when she couldn't "help." (1) gated her into a room where she can look out and see us work (2) put her in her exersacuer in the room where we were working.

Since you don't have an exersaucer, the gate might work well. Make sure to bring her books and other favorite toys so she can play!

[Christina]

I would offer to watch her but a. im a freak from the internet, b. I dont live near you. She is so beautiful- you are looking incredibe yourself!
What an amazing and exciting day for you guys. I hope that you find a way to celebrate tonight. Even if its to say cheers with a glass of milk during dinner.
I wasnt nervous for our closing, I had booked my first (and Dearlawd only) brazilian wax the same day, it was all I could think about. We celebrated that night while I sat on a bag of frozen peas- HAH!

[HollowSquirre]

Congrats on your new home, your beautiful Kara and your BABY IN BELLY!!! So much to be thankful for!

[elizabeth]

Happy closing day!
I like the baby gate idea. Hopefully she'll play by herself for more than 5 minutes so you CAN get some work done! Good luck with the house fixing. I know how important it is to do those things before you move in. We didn't and it was such a pain to paint and whatnot afterwards.
Both your babies are so cute! You think this second one will have hair like Kara's? Such a riot.

[Fraulein N]

So excited for you!

[Ingrid]

Congratulations to you and your family! This is exciting I know for you and for me also for vicarious reasons. I hope there are no last minute surprises during the closing. Details! I must know (non-personal/identifying/financial-related) details about what happened at the closing. Please.

[Jen L.]

Yay, happy closing! I hear ya--I was eating Tums for hours before we closed. That's so exciting! It is chaotic to move, especially pregnant. But you will be SO happy once you get in there! I seriously almost wept for joy last night while I was going from room to room vacuuming. It's so nice to have more than one room! Congrats on your new home.

I love Kara pajama pictures. You look great! I can't believe you're already halfway there. If we didn't live in Alabama (and, you know, knew each other in person and stuff), Kara could totally come and play with Dean.

[ann]

Congrats on the new home!!!! So happy to hear everything is working out.

A pregnant friend of mine is also moving to a new home in the next month. Her doctor told her "no painting." Certainly, she should listen to her doctor, but I painted while I was pregnant with two out of three of my kids (of course latex paint, no oil based). Is this something new?

[Trilby]

Congratulations on CLOSING! YAY for you and your family!

[Frema]

SSU: The gate is a good idea in theory, but Kara wouldn't last very long completely on her own. Also, the carpet looks and smells terrible, so until it's replaced, I don't like the idea of letting her play around upstairs. It will all come together, though!

ann: I asked my doctor about painting at my last ob/gyn appointment, and he said it was fine so long as the room was well ventilated and I wasn't affected by the smell.

[Jen]

oh my goodness what an exciting day! Good luck in the next few weeks getting preparations done- having a baby and being pregnant can't make it a simple thing :) I can't wait to see pictures!!

[daddyd]

Good deal. (Closing the house deal.) Now the home making can begin. Super times are ahead. Joy.

[Jenny]

She is so frickin adorable
(as are you at 20 weeks.where.did.the.time.go?)

Congrats on the closing...I hope you got celebrate!

[Jenny]

TO celebrate, I meant...

[eva]

Congratulations Homeowner!! And WOW when did you start looking all pregnant?!? Where does the time go indeed.

ps - Cute kid. Who could totally vacation in Vancouver and play with Megan while you paint. Just a suggestion:) If not, the exersaucer/babysitter will have to do.

[Katie]

Congratulations on the closing! You and Luke have so many wonderful things happening in your life :)

[Liana]

Congratulations on closing on your New House!

Also, I think you look fabulous- healthy and pretty :)

Kara's pretty cute, too.

Good luck with all the busy-ness!

[Rachel]

Congrats on the closing! I can't wait to see the house after you and Luke have gotten some of your painting and carpeting and tiling finished.

I can't get over how big Kara has gotten!! She's such a happy baby! And, you look great!!

[The Bug]

I hope closing went well. Can't wait to see the work you've done on the new house!