Home Improving

OK looks like there's getting to be a trend here. Shortly before Sophie was born, we had stuff done to the house to make better use of the existing space.


This time round, we're replacing the water-warped and delaminated kitchen countertop with a single solid-surface stretch complete with undermounted black granite sink and glass cooker hob. Cabinet door hinges to be replaced as well, and a minor leak in a bathroom kerb to be fixed. As I speak they're dismantling the existing kitchen stuff and I hope to find it all done before next Friday.


We've also stacked up the girls' beds and Sarah has the top bunk with Sophie "downstairs". Pink and white flower-shaped wall lamps with green wiring each cosy up their own little nooks. Sophie has been surprisingly good about not being the one on top, although she did assure herself, "Next time when I'm big girl and Jiejie is small girl I can sleep on top." We have also on occasions found both girls zonked out on the top bunk! All to make space for Matt who'll be giving up his room to Rachel until she sleeps through, and then there'll be another round of rearrangements to come.

It's a lot closer this time - four more weeks to Rachel's estimated due date. Very happily, the firm has agreed to let me take a 12 week stretch followed by slightly shorter hours (9am-4pm) thereafter, until the end of the year. I'm now putting away whatever I can and trying not to take on anything that will require substantial following up when I'm away.