More Progress!!

     It is now Christmas vacation!  I am so glad for this time off, so that we can get further along on the house!  Jim installed our new 96% proficient propane hot water tank last Saturday, and has been working on installing our in floor heat since then (around Christmas and work and everything else).  He did have someone come out to help us on Sunday, which got us a lot closer to our goal- and last night we ran water through the lines and started circulating our in floor heat!  This morning when we woke up, the floor was wonderful to step on, and it was 60 degrees in the bottom of the addition!  There is still a bit of work to be done on it, but it is working!!  Yesterday I spent the day at home and got the grout put in around the tile behind our stove, and finished insulating behind our sink.  I also drew out some designs for my corner trim pieces upstairs, and Jim picked out one he liked for our bedroom, so maybe I will get a chance to woodburn those today and get them in.  I was also able to get out my cross country skis and went for a little ski with Arlo down the snowmobile trail that is about 1 mile from my house.  I didn't make it too far, but for my first time out this year (and for being about 8 months pregnant) I thought I did pretty well.  It was really calm and quiet out- which was pretty relaxing.
     This morning I woke up with Jim and I have spent the day so far organizing the downstairs (taking some things upstairs and to the storage containers, and organizing things, sweeping, etc) so that the carpenter who is helping us with mudding and taping can start the downstairs today.  He should be here in an hour, and I am hoping he can get the first coat on today.  My mom is also coming soon, and is going to help me put primer on the baby room walls.  I just got back from Nordstroms, the construction store in Melrose, 7 miles from here.  It is snowing out, and hwy 54 is not that great, but my Jetta made it just fine (until I tried to get up my driveway which took a couple tries). 
     I am getting really excited about my new addition- I can't wait to get flooring in and actually start moving around some furniture! Christmas was a lot of fun too- Katie and Matt and the kids made it up this year, which always makes it more fun!  It was a bit of a zoo with 6 kids running around Christmas Eve, but I wouldn't want it any other way.  I love seeing them have so much fun together!  Thank you to everyone for all the great gifts- especially the baby ones.  I am getting so excited for her to come!

Building, building.....we should have a month+ left....

Our container garage!  "My" container is on the right, and Jim and his Dad helped me build 16 feet of shelving along one side, so I have started organizing all my "stuff" from the storage shed.....though I am only about half way done!  It is really nice to have some of my stuff close to home and organized though!  I have also cleaned out the shed, which was storing some house things as well as wood and tools.  After moving some things to my container, I can now walk into the shed and get things I need without squeezing and tripping!  We have one side of the garage roof tinned.....I'm not sure the other side is going to get done before spring, as winter and snow are already here. But, Jim did get the electrical lines dug and put in last weekend to the container.

A few weeks ago I finally got tile put up around the stove.  I love how it looks, and wish I had moved on it sooner.  Now I just need to get the grout in and trim around it!

The outside (back) of our house.  Christopher came out and helped me stain it the last nice day before it got cold- right before Thanksgiving.  I feel so much better knowing the siding will be protected this winter!

A picture from when I started putting the pine walls up in the mudroom.  I finished this last weekend.

....and going up the stairs.  I have about 3 feet left to do. The sheetrock is now pretty much up downstairs as well- though no mudding and taping yet.

Our bedroom!  This week we also got it painted (Thanks Wayne!) and trim put in around the door and closet, crown molding along the top, and baseboards put in!  Jim also put in the lights this weekend and has about half the outlets wired.  We are so close to having this room completely done!  Now we can start mudding and taping the rest of the house!  I am so excited to have the sheetrock done!

A built in shelf that I started for the baby room.  I figure I will put the dresser, with the changing pad on it right underneath, so that I can put all the diapers and things I will need on the shelves.

I was able to finish this today!  And, I got wood up in the closet cieling.  So, I had a fairly productive day, for a snowday!  I am debating whether I should start something new or work on cleaning my house and wrapping Christmas presents.....Arlo is snoring on the couch, though he hasn't done much today but sleep, and follow me around when I worked on a few things in the yard.  He seems to really enjoy the snow- he has been rolling in it, and chasing the snow that I shovel!
     I am due on February 9th....they have adjusted my due date by a few days.  The baby has been growing a lot, and I am still feeling good! (I just get winded very easily)  She really enjoys kicking me, and has been getting in some good ones, enough to surprise me and stop me sometimes!  I like feeling her move and knowing that she is growing strong.   Sorry- we STILL don't have any names picked out!!  ha ha!  I guess we need to get on that pretty soon!  Things have been pretty busy though.  Jim was out of town for 3/4 of November, going to Nevada, Colorado and Alaska for big work projects, and I always stay busy enough with work.  Our focus has primarily been on getting the house ready for "Baby, baby" as Jim likes to call her.  We did have another ultrasound, and all looks good.  We were excited to see hair growing on our baby already!  I am excited to see what color it is going to be- though I know it can change a lot the first few years.  I will post more pictures later.  I haven't been too good about it, but life is busy.  Today we had a snowday, so I thought I might get caught up at least a little bit!