Last Saturday, despite the rain, we headed out house hunting on the holiday weekend (The Queen's birthday) with our three kids, plus the little guy who was staying the weekend with us for the last time. We found a house we liked. It was the newest/nicest/biggest house we'd seen so far by miles and miles.
In the gap between open houses we stopped at McDonald's to give the kids a rare treat. We decided to go all in, so to speak, and offer the asking price on the house. After dropping Small Sun off at a birthday party we returned home and called up the agent with our offer. Shortly after he let us know it had been accepted.
Experience has taught us that there is really nothing certain to that and Monday was a holiday. Tuesday morning we had the building inspector out on site (the same guy as we hired to inspect that cat-house). The rest of the week we've spent wrangling with the bank to get the valuation done on the property, and with the lawyers over getting the contract in ship shape.
This morning we exchanged contracts. It is official. We got the house. Now we have several more hoops to jump through before we settle, or close as we say in the U.S. That will happen July 29th. The whole thing was crazy.
The owner listed the house at a bargain price because he wanted to sell it immediately. We were the first offer and he let us have four days to get our stuff together, without issuing any other contracts to other parties. Evidently they had about 40 parties interested in the property. I can't believe we got it.
Wednesday afternoon, in a flurry of house phone calls, I was surprised to answer a call from our foster care worker. I was even more shocked to hear that there was a baby needing a placement in just a few hours and could we take him, please?
After a whirlwind trip picking up Small Sun from school, racing through Big W (WalMart) with my three kids, just grabbing diapers, formula, bottles, and clothes, and flying by my friend's house to pick up a car-seat and bassinet, I managed to get home and have the whole lot unloaded in the middle of the living room floor before baby arrived.
Yes, you heard me, a baby is here! He is 5.2 lbs of preemie amazingness. He's in the bassinet near me right now, I do not lie. If I had known Tuesday night was my last full night of sleep I might have gone to bed earlier. As it was, I was in the shower when the caseworker arrived with him, trying to shave my legs in the last un-strategized time.
Lucky for me he has come from the hospital on a schedule, and eating well. He is all about the sleeping, as I'm sure he will be for awhile before he plumps up. He is TINY. It looks like he'll be with us between 4-12 months.
Did I mention that The Captain is in the middle of a really busy week at work, bringing a project of several months to culmination and delivery? Well he is. And in the middle of that he got contacted about a new job opportunity.
I'm still a little sick, Finch is recovering, and Small Sun is home with a high fever and the wobbliest tooth ever. I think it might fall out in his sleep tonight.
So, just to recap, house-baby-crazy work week-sick kids-wobbly tooth.
I am going to cuddle up with the little munchkin and watch Better Homes and Gardens. I'll probably eat some cheese or chocolate or ice cream. I need the room to stop spinning.
Thank God you didn't get the cat house! He knew a fixer-upper wouldn't have been a good thing for you right now in all the craziness. :)
Posted by: Wendy Knight | 17 June 2011 at 08:37 AM
Congrats on the new house! Amazing how things work out sometimes. Snuggle that sweet little baby! An awesome way to get a good baby fix in.
Posted by: Kelly | 17 June 2011 at 10:21 AM
I love how your last post was a simple settling down and waiting for the call. Well, it's a good thing you did; when "the call" came, it came loud and clear. Sooo happy for you, and praying!!
Posted by: quietstream | 21 June 2011 at 10:47 AM
Congratulations on the house. It sounds like you're going to be very busy.
Posted by: shannon2818 | 25 June 2011 at 10:00 PM
Oh congrats! It's usually hard to go house-shopping. There's always he says versus she says, and the kids' say in the matter (although priority opinion goes to the parents). You should post some pictures to celebrate!
Posted by: Gloria Vanderheyden | 04 August 2011 at 04:18 PM