Basement Floor Plan

Before I show you the framing that has been completed in the basement I thought it might be a better idea to show the floor plan, so you know what you are looking at. Framing is hard to photograph.

Deciding on the floor plan has been the hardest part of the basement reno so far. Luckily we did have time to ponder that until it felt just right. We have so many requirements of our limited space and need to be efficient with every square inch.

Here are our requirements for the basement:

-3-piece bathroom

-Family room to house the TV, with room for guests to sleep

-Storage for large items (winter tires, golf clubs, luggage, Christmas decorations etc)

-Laundry room

-Furnace area

-Storage, storage, storage

We used floorplanner.com to create all our different options.

Here is our final basement layout.

Coming down the stairs and turn left into the large family room with 2 windows. Under the stairs will be built in storage as well as along the far left wall. There will likely also be built in storage around the TV.

The laundry and furnace room are together in one large room with a window and exterior door. On the other side at the bottom of the stairs is a small 3-piece bathroom with a storage room off of it.

We had many, many versions of the floor plan. Where we started was a way off from where we finished. We were stuck for awhile with something that just didn't feel right. We just keep trying to think of every possible option until we got to where we knew it was right.

We did make one compromise, not having a window in the bathroom. That one change allowed us to meet all our other criteria and not have any wasted space. Of course all of this is a rough guide and we may make some tweaks along the way as we finish the space.

Third Trimester

We made it to the third trimester! Yay! I can't believe we are in the home stretch and before a long we'll be a family of three. It still blows my mind.

Here I am at 29 weeks!

I'm at 30 weeks now and am still feeling really good. I think my active job and weekly prenatal Yoga have done wonders for me. Also nightly warm baths keep the aches and pains away.

I am starting to slow down a bit now that I am bigger. The last 2 weeks at work I have started modified duties, which helps a great deal with my energy levels. I am hoping to continue working for another 6 weeks, even longer if I can.

I haven't experienced any weird cravings since the First Trimester (all Mexican food all the time). I have had a bit a sweet tooth that I have been indulging. Some things I have been wanting that I normally never have; Hot Fudge Sundaes (with Peanuts) from McDonald's and doughnuts (toasted coconut).

On the home front we have been working on the Nursery and the Basement at the same time. Things are moving a bit slow in the nursery as we hit a few snags and unexpected renovations. Isn't that always the way? We are on track now and making progress. Of course you will have to wait for the full reveal.

The basement has also been moving slowly as Rob has decided to do most of the work himself. He has finished all of the framing and has started the Electrical. I'll have a post up on the framing later this week.

Leibster Blog Award

Recently I received the Leibster Blog award from two different blogs, Lisa from Wicked and Weird and Hilary from My So Called Home. I must be doing something right over here! Thanks ladies.

The Leibster award is given to blogs that deserve more followers (more than 100 or 200).

Without further ado here are 5 blogs that I love! Go ahead and check them out.

1. Roncesvalles Renovation Diary-Kyle does has the most amazing carpentry and DIY skills. I always so impressed and inspired by everything he does to his home.

2. Loyalist Cottage-Deb has the best sense of humour. I always have a chuckle every time I stop by her blog.

3. Style-ING w/ Children-We bonded over bathroom reno's at the same time. But really just like us they have so many projects on the go. I love checking out the latest progress.

4. The Stucco Bungalow-Currently working on bathroom reno of their only bathroom in the house. Boy can I sympathize.

5. A Tree Lined Street-This is a new blog for me, but already I am impressed with the projects they have created.