"Bring it on"

Consider this: We are gonna tear up the basement over the holidays. By that I mean, empty it of everything, including the laundry machine, and have guys in there jackhammering and installing a bath, new laundry, family room, and spare bedroom.

And in the middle, exactly in the middle of this project, I will pop out to give birth. Good idea or no?

I'm still consulting with my Shoulder Angels on this. True to form, they are mostly confusing me.

I haven't signed anything yet, so I might sober up, but I'm doing my leg work. Such as, will my nearest neighbor let us use their laundry for two months? (They said yes!) And where on the planet will we PUT ALL THAT CRAP?! Suddenly, I feel heavy with worldly possessions. And can I realistically pull this off with a  newborn.

Oh, right, I did it last time so why not again? Very good question. Which Shoulder Angel asked?

I laugh when I say "The Plan" but here's The Plan:

• 2 weeks to finalize contract and materials (over Xmas). That same 2 weeks to store all of our crap... and I'm seriously thinking about just pack-ratting the house up to our ears to avoid having to rent a place/truck/helpers to move it all out.
• Start date just after Christmas, which of course will mean demolition. I love Demo! They will have to jackhammer for new plumbing and also to cut an egress window for the bedroom.
• Work frantically until I deliver, on or before Jan 25th.
• Juggle a birth, a toddler, Bill working full-time, and family/friend helpers... probably send the guys home for a while.
• Bring home newborn and host visitors with a house stacked in all corners with boxes and storage tubs, and spare chairs and kids toys and bicycles.
• Then, just like with WeeE, we start construction again when #2 is teeny. I'm trying to think about fumes... What are the worst fumes we would encounter?
• Of course, we would have no laundry through any of this.

Oddly I find myself thinking this is a freaking FANTASTIC idea and getting really excited. I love getting stuff done and what a huge way to start the year, but with a new baby and a new basement.

And as soon as everyone stops visiting the new baby, we can clean up and will have a spare bedroom. Just (not) in the nick of time.

Bring it on.