There was a flurry of great progress on the house and
kitchen on the days before and after our little Peanut emerged into the world.
Although the due date is based on 40 weeks gestation, there’s wiggle room of a
few weeks before and after. So, once Peanut turned 37 weeks and I started having
a bit of prelabor, the crew from Rising Sun pushed the window installation into
high gear (as if they weren’t moving quickly already).
Hartland
ordered and delivered our windows in super speedy fashion, and Rising Sun cut,
installed, and trimmed all the windows where SIPs were installed. Were
Peanut to arrive early, we’d have light and ventilation, not to
mention the end of cutting holes in our bedroom and kitchen. In a token of sweet
understanding, the crew attempted to install a temporary kitchen sink: “my wife would have killed me if I did this to her kitchen when she was 37 weeks pregnant," said River Rat from Rising Sun.In the kitchen, we were waiting on the countertops before the sink could be installed.
The quartz material counters were ordered from
an Ohio-based company, Granex. Although Granex said they could measure, cut,
and install as quick as 7 days, they said it may take as many as 12 days (still
a quick turn-around for stone counters). Wood floors were installed, cabinets
were assembled and trimmed, electric and plumbing was set, appliances
delivered, and the island was in place. Things were really coming together – if
Peanut arrived, we’d be ok. Just waiting on the sink.
The evening of May 2, I entered final grades…just in case.
Before I went to sleep, I emailed my folks the latest pictures of
the kitchen. I just want them to know how good things were looking so they
don’t worry in case I go into labor. That night, I fell asleep to Peanut
kicking differently, and I said, “Be careful, Peanut, you may kick yourself out
of there…”
Early morning (1 am) of May 3, I woke to the sound and
feeling of a waterbed breaking under me (but we don’t have a waterbed…). Our
birthing process had begun. We called our midwife, who agreed that we rest and
labor at home until daylight. Before things got too intense, I called Granex
and left a message telling them my status, urging them to move up our scheduled
countertop install date. If I once thought telling subcontractors I was 37
weeks pregnant may move things along, I wondered what a 2 am labor call could
do! (Turns out that some of their equipment broke, and they needed the full 12 days...it could have been worse!)
Around 7am, the prompt Rising Sun crew arrived for work.
Needless to say, they started a little late that day, quietly waiting outside
while we gathered our things – between surges—for the hospital…We arrived at the hospital at about 7:45 am, and Peanut
emerged at 8:21 am. If only kitchens can be “birthed” as quickly.
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| lovin' the new windows from Hartland |
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| The kitchen sink |
We stayed at the hospital for a few days while Rising Sun finished
up work. We returned to a peaceful house until –a few days later—our one
functioning sink decided to back up on us. As Nicolas did a load of laundry at 4
am (normal, right?), he noticed our ceiling leaking below the backed up bathroom
sink. It was after this realization that the washing machine stopped working. Our
amazing plumber arrived at 7 am, having to saw through the ceiling below our
bedroom to fix our mess.
It was a big day, but by the end of it, the broken
pieces were repaired and the countertops installed. Then, we had our kitchen
sink and a functioning kitchen.
Oh, the stories little Peanut will hear when she
is older…
