And the winner is

The W.C.
Truly, not very dramatic and only as big as a closet, but with the help of Pap-pap, this week it became the First Finished Room. Unveiled:

A very practical room to finish first, don't you think? It needs a little art and perhaps some, um, reading material. But nothing too flashy to detract from its singular purpose. You know.

Big Times

My buddy, Aaron, got a front row seat to the biggest news in Marquette: Obama. Here's what he had to say about it. And check out his photos - amazing.

And our local news has a video of him ordering his sandwich at Doncker's. Good stuff.

Me? The closest I got was watching his speech on the computer. But we got a second coat on the main bath Hoosier. Important, eh?

But First...

I was hesitating to post building progress because I really wanted to show you things that are done. Final. Finished. But as we plod on, not a single room is done. Each one has something else unfinished: lights, appliances, counters, appurtenances. Stuff.

So here is the one thing in the house that is complete: our kitchen bookcase.

Followed by some captured 'firsts":

First meal

First sleepover

First tandem change

First furniture put together

First fire

Now happily awaiting the First Finished Room. Which will it be?? (And how finished is "finished"?)

At home

With all the building posts, you may think I forgot that I was on maternity leave, as opposed to construction leave or vacation. But no. We're holding our own, Etta and I. It's true that she has learned to sleep with power saws roaring and nail guns blapping, and I have learned to paint exceptionally fast and with a baby on me if need be.

But we have other, cozier moments together too. Those of you who know me quite well may be surprised to find that there are days that I (happily) accomplish nothing at all. We migrate from one blanketed spot to another. I feel a lot like Cricket, looking for the warmest nook in the house to curl up in. I knit, read, and pull meals from the freezer and Etta does too, right there with me, right there on me. We've had some terrific weeks together. It's been a lot like, well, vacation.