Why?

Today is Thursday, so our house was open for inspection this afternoon.

It can be stressful getting everything clean and tidy (and staying that way). I wonder ...

• Why did Grace wake up at 5:00 am today, when she normally stays asleep until about 6:30 am?
• Why did Grace decide today was the day to repeatedly take off her nappy and want to use the potty like her friends (with several resultant accidents)?
• Why is it that when you need to take the children for a long drive, the fuel tank is always less than quarter full?
• Why did my usually sensitive nose not smell trouble before I took Charlotte out of her car seat, and ended up with poo up to my elbows and all over my t-shirt?
• Why is there only ever three wipes left in the packet when you experience a nappy explosion when out and about?
• Why would a two-year-old insist on wearing her plastic raincoat (done up and with the hood on) on a hot, dry 30-degree day?
• Why do two-year-olds take their seatbelt off as soon as you get onto a freeway?

But then again, I could also wonder ...

• Why do my children think I'm wonderful, despite my mistakes?
• Why does a two-year-old who recently threw a tantrum not hold a grudge?
• Why are children so trusting, so affectionate, so happy?
• Why am I so fortunate to have two beautiful daughters, when people just as worthy are unable to have children?

One thing I don't have to wonder. Would I change my life? Never!

More Red Curls

Neil kindly took these photos after Charlotte's bath the other night. Her hair is damp, but I promise, no product is involved!

Isn't she gorgeous?

Red Curls ... Again

The verdict is in. Charlotte's hair is definitely curly.

This picture gives a little bit of an indication of the curls ... and her need for a haircut! And it's cute!

I'll try and take a photo soon of Charlotte after her bath, when her head is just covered in a mass of tight curls. When you see that, there's no doubt about it. It's red curls all the way!

In His Hands

You're not supposed to do a home pregnancy test before the blood test scheduled by IVF. Blood tests are more accurate.

But I usually do it anyway. I prefer to have a heads up of what to expect. And to deal with it in the stillness of the early morning, in the privacy of my own bathroom.

It's looking good this time. A few mornings have revealed that magic second line, growing darker each time. So far so good!

Now the really scary part begins.

Until now there was hope. Potential. Wondering.

Now there is something definite to lose.

I'm not a pessimist. Or a particularly anxious person. But I've discovered that becoming a mother opens a whole world of things to worry about.

Any woman who has experienced a pregnancy loss will relate to the compulsion to check the paper each time you go to the toilet, just to make sure there's no blood.

Little "Ollie" and I have passed what is just the first of many milestones. Next is the blood test on Thursday. Then blood tests every two days, until the doctor is satisfied my hormone levels are rising appropriately.

Then comes the six week ultrasound, to look for a heartbeat. If we make it that far, we are officially 'clinically pregnant'. We graduate to the obstetrician, with whom there is another scan at eight weeks, before the 12 week ultrasound which usually signals it is OK to share your happy news.

I remember during my first pregnancy, thinking that I could relax after that point. Silly me!

Will the baby be healthy? Will the delivery go smoothly? Am I doing the right things to look after her? Will she die of SIDS? If you allowed them to, the list of potential threats or dangers could easily overwhelm you.

At Grace's dedication, I requested the hymn "I Surrender All". I spoke briefly of coming to the realisation, after a pregnancy loss, that I couldn't control the outcome. I did my best to leave it in God's hands, knowing that He wants what is best for me, and for my children.

A line from a Gaither song stuck in my mind while I was pregnant with Charlotte. "I could never, ever outlove the Lord." Believe it or not, He loves my babies more than I do. I can trust Him to look after them.

My mother once gave me a wonderful greeting card. I think it was from the "Really Woolly" range. Unfortunately it is packed at the moment, or I would have included a photograph. But the cover says something like "I'm picturing you today, right where you are ...", and then inside it says "in His hands", and pictures a little sheep cupped in large hands.

I'm trying to picture that image again, as I think about this little baby. It is in His hands. And so am I.

Before and After - Family Room

This room was previously the only living room, and was the room you entered when you came in the front door.

The windows were replaced, but remain in pretty much the same position. The heater was removed and converted back to a fireplace, with a feature natural stone wall. The walls between the kitchen, living room and to some extent the dining room were removed to create a much more open plan space.

Here is the family room/kitchen now:

And here is what it looked like back then:

I always thought this light above the entry was a retro classic. We probably should have tried to sell it, but I wasn't so well-versed with ebay back then!

Before and After - Dining Room

I hope you don't get sick of these. I certainly won't!

Here are several views of the dining room in its original state:

As I'm sure you've noticed, the previous owner was very fond of wallpaper. The home was neat and clean, but has definitely benefited from modernising and extending.

The dining room now looks like this:

A lot more windows, and a lot more light.

It is hard now to believe that this room functioned as our bedroom for a year!

Before and After - Kitchen

This is my favourite part, and the best visual (and practical) transformation. The original kitchen was, well ... small, dark, and dated:

Here it is now:

How lucky am I that I married an architect/builder?

The new kitchen features Caesarstone benchtops, a huge island bench, lots of soft close drawers, glossy white cabinetry, a glass splashback, stainless steel appliances (including a double oven and a 5-burner gas stove), and a wonderful butler's pantry. It also contains one of only two original windows we kept!

It's great to see what all our hard work has achieved over the past four years. A new build will be wonderful, I'm sure, but there is something special about seeing an old home transformed.

Before and After - Front

Our house is now officially "on the market". The photos and video have been taken, and it has been listed on the internet. The board will be up in the next few days, and open for inspections start next week.

The photos the professionals take are pretty awesome, with their special wide-angle lenses. I thought it would be interesting to look at some "before" shots I took of the house when we bought it, and the photos of the finished renovation now. A girl's allowed to gloat!

Here is the front of the house in its original condition:

And here is how it looks now (with the real estate banner I can't figure out how to remove!):

Pretty good, huh?