Basement Suite Drama

Ever since we decided to rent out our basement suite, we have been completely open and honest with our neighbour that this was our intention. They never expressed any concern, just tried to encourage us to use the space for ourselves. After our renter moved in, we received a notice from the City that someone had filed a complaint about "new construction" in our home. I called them back and said there was no new construction, and they were going to make an inspection, but due to our work schedules, we couldn't pinpoint a time/date. Anyway, this dragged out into weeks with us playing telephone tag with the city, until we received a notice stating they were invoking 48 hour notice for a mandatory inspection for "new construction" or "the existence of a rental suite". Turns out our neighbour has been complaining on a regular basis (every 2-3 days) about our rental suite because he wants it gone. This has created other strife, including bad relations with the neighbours and the possibility of increased insurance at a rate of 30% or higher. And the closer this baby comes to arriving, the more cramped we are getting upstairs.

So we are going to make some changes. I was planning on enrolling Kaitlyn in dance classes this year, but we've decided to save that money, and whatever money we possibly can, and take over the house. The kids will be able to have a "bed"room upstairs (right now it is also the playroom, but there's just not enough room), we'll move the extra tv downstairs for the kids and for having the guys over for hockey games etc. We're going to need some rec room type furniture. We'll have a room devoted to laundry/working out downstairs. It will be a major change but will make the upstairs so much more liveable. It will also mean taking a good look at our finances and cutting out a lot. Once my mat leave starts, we're taking the car off the road and will make do with 1 vehicle. We've already reworked the mortgage to avert the huge "hit" once a month and spread it over on a semi-weekly basis instead. No more buying lunches. Grocery shopping at Superstore only, no more Safeway. I think if we have work hard on it, it is manageable and will make our lives so much better at home. I've never been one for sharing my home, and this will probably decrease some of my stress levels as well. Anyway, we are looking forward to it!

I had another doctor's appointment this week. Baby's heartrate was in low 170s (very active during the appointment and says nothing about gender according to Dr. D!), I gained 5 pounds of "pure water" according to the dr, and my blood results are back. I have been diagnosed with pernicious anemia, which means that my stomach attacks B12 when taken orally instead of absorbing it. Apparently B12 helps with energy and absorbing iron as well, which Dr. D. says accounts for my lack of energy and downright tiredness. He doesn't know when I came down with the disease, but thinks he caught it early since I am not yet suffering from numbness or tingling in my limbs (which are long term effects). So he's given me my first B12 shot in my arm, and I'll continue getting them every 2 weeks for who knows how long. Could be the rest of my life. He says it's a good thing we did the bloodwork or I would be suffering and not know why.

Anyways, this turned into a bit of a long one :) Take care everyone!

New Nephew!

We are very excited that my sister and her husband (Brad and Rebecca) have welcomed a baby boy to their family, after 3 girls. They are very excited, and Rebecca was thrilled to not be pregnant anymore, after going 11 days overdue and constantly being sent away from the hospital. Everything went well, but I still haven't met little Justin Peter as he's fighting a little infection and Rebecca was exhausted last night, so by the time I got off work, they were asking for no more visitors. Totally understandable - I know how exhausting those first 48 hours can be, especially with a constant parade of visitors. Hopefully I get to see him today after work!

Not much else to report here. Still getting more uncomfortable. This baby moves all the time and seems to have no place to put his/her elbows and knees as they are constantly poking and protruding. My maternity leave paperwork is officially filed and October 28 is my last date. Only 9 weeks until my due date! We are so not ready. Still have to reorganize Kaitlyn's room, bring up the bassinet, start washing baby clothes, set up the change table... Hopefully we have a good 9 weeks left to get everything accomplished.