7 Quick Takes Friday

1.  Following up from the "This Old House" post, the appraiser came early this week and overall I think it "mostly" went well, compared to what it could have been without all the work we've done.  There are still 3 things that may stand in the way of the house being deemed "livable" on the appraisal, though (and thus us getting or losing the loan... and thus getting the much needed roof, windows and siding done before winter sets in)

Those three things are:

2. The Gas Meter

We need to have a "Gas Meter" in order to list the heating system as "livable".  In order to get the Gas meter on we had to FIRST, Call the plumber to do a test on the Gas line which included him getting a permit for the test (this cost just under $100) THEN have the city inspector come and inspect the line (next Monday) and THEN we can call the Gas company & make an appt for them to put a meter on.

3. The Hot Water Tank

When the pipes were stolen before the auction, that included pipes to the old hot water tank.  It's so old they wouldn't hook it back up when the new plumbing went in, so we had to make a decision to purchase a new hot water tank (smallest and cheapest being $380 not including installation) and eventually replace it when we change over the heating system OR rent one.

We chose to rent one for $15 mo (and sign a 2 year contract which means we have to keep this one for 2 years and can't take out the chimney or update our heating system until then... If we do, we have to pay a $150 penalty PLUS all the remaining months left on the contract.)

BUT when the guy came to install the water heater, he couldn't do it until 2 holes in the chimney (which the water heater vents into) were capped or sealed.  SO... this weekend Shaun will go and brick up the holes in order to get the chimney ready and on Monday the man will come back to hook up the hot water tank... and the inspector will come to inspect it from the city.

4. The Back entrance.

A house needs two forms of egress to be considered "livable" so although it was in the plan to tear down the old back porch and replace it with a new deck and stairs when we recieved the loan... we can't do that.  We have to build it first in order for the house to be considered "livable" and thus enable us to get the loan.  SO... this weekend, Shaun will also be building new stairs to the back entrance.

All this so that when the appraisal finally is finished by the end of next week and the bank recieves it, we can prove that the 3 impediments to the loan approval have been rectified.  Hopefully.

5. Other than that all is well. 

6. Baby Girl Fullen-#2.  I cannot believe I'm more than halfway through this pregnancy already!  I went to visit a friend in the hospital who recently gave birth to a little girl and couldn't help but think while holding her how soon I'll be holding this little one in my arms!  Till then, she's been kicking up a storm lately and definitely reminding me that she's there.  I love that she's so strong.  During my Ultrasound, the tech mentioned that my placenta's on top so I guess she has a lot to kick through.  Amazing to think when she's already so strong.  I think she's going to knock me over with her kicks in a few more weeks.

(Check out these Amazing Pictures of babies at 24 weeks development.  I actually started to cry looking at these not only because they're so awesome, but because when I went looking for "24 week photos"  I came across so many aborted baby photos at the very same age.  I'm not offended that they're on the net, but it simply breaks my heart that SO MANY people don't even know what's happening legally in our country and others.  I mean, LOOK at these babies!  Just look at them.  They're alive and kicking... I know... because I have one inside kicking me all the time.  That a mother could walk into a clinic this late in her pregnancy after feeling her little one inside and say, "I don't want to be pregnant anymore" ...just makes me weep)

I love her already so much and can't wait to meet her and am curious to see how Ava will be with her sister. 

She walks around for much of the day with her "baby" and kisses and kisses her (and drops her on the floor... we're still working on that.  About 1/2 the time she brings me her baby when she's done or "puts her to sleep" somewhere, but honestly... she's still a big dropper.)

7.  Ava's walking.  A LOT!  She's been "cruising" forever it seems, but wasn't ready to walk on her own and we weren't really rushing her, but right after her birthday, she must have watched all the other kids walking around and decided it was time.  A few days later and she was walking... and climbing all the way to the top of the stairs... and Dancing... Now she's wants to run.  She's so funny to watch.

Here's when she first started...

...and about a week 1/2 ago... (she loves books)

...and this evening when she heard the music on the computer.  This is how she dances.  She dances to everything.  If one of her toys chimes, she hears music on a commercial, the t.v., the computer, radio, if we're singing, if she's singing (which is all the time), whatever and whenever, she's always dancing these days. 

I love how these videos are totally what it usually looks like around here.  Somehow I'm only catching the videos when Ava's hair is CrAzY, Toys are scattered everywhere, dinner 1/2 eaten on the table, fingerprints all over the glass, laundry to be folded on the couch and anything she can pull down, scattered about.  Just keeping it real people.  Just keeping it real! 

Hope you had a great week!