Construction has begun!!

Yesterday, our basement remodel began & I'm so excited!  We are finishing half of the basement in order to make a playroom/4th bedroom in our home.  I had originally planned to put the girls together into the one big room that is now Ella's nursery (and that still is the plan for later), but for now, neither is sleeping through the night & we have limited options as far as where guests can sleep when they visit.  Frankly, I'm also a little tired of toys being everywhere in our home.  My hope is that this will be a great area for them to play when we can't go outside (a nice wasteland of toys) & a nice room for people to stay in when they visit.  Although it is noisy--this is a much easier remodel than the kitchen remodel that happened last fall [no kitchen for 6 weeks---not fun].  I took a few before pictures yesterday (well, not totally before--there are some studs already up).  And I'll post after pics when it's all done, which should be in about 2-3 weeks.  This morning the construction crew is already here & Jessica is a little clingy.  She decided to "help" me with the laundry, well, really just get in the laundry basket while wearing her rain boots (pic below).  All these things are great, but the most exciting thing in our family this week is that we will be welcoming a little nephew on Friday!!!  Michael's sister, Wendy, is scheduled to be induced this Friday and I couldn't be more excited for her.  Although, it's an adjustment having 2 kids I know she, her husband, and big sister Hannah will all do great with baby boy Muller.  In honor of this event, Gabriella wanted to wear her "I love my auntie bib" this morning while eating her breakfast (pic below, of course, right?)  Well, my internet is about to be turned off, so hope everyone has a wonderful day!

Stairwell from kitchen to basement

Bottom of stairs looking into framed unfinished "man" area

Kitty Jenkins even gets his own room, under the stairs

Looking down hallway into soon to be finished area

Soon to be playroom/guestroom

Another view of playroom/guestroom

From playroom/guestroom looking into hallway/entry area

It always helps to wear rainboots while doing the laundry!

She loves her auntie and can't wait to be a big cousin