My Other Baby

As most of my loyal fans know, we just bought a house that has to be renovated from top to bottom (while we're living in it). I've chosen not to blog about it because, let's face it, I'm in denial. We move into this house in 2 days (Wednesday, March 24, 2010) and feeling overwhelmed may be the understatement of the year.

The idea of buying a brownstone (this is a brickstone, if we're being specific) and renovating it to make it exactly what I want has been a dream of mine since moving to New York City in 1996. I never thought that I'd be able to do it because all of the houses I salivated over in the West Village were millions and millions of dollars. Hello, Jersey City! We found a steal - something we never thought we'd find.

And now comes the renovation. I expect that it will take a year (Lord, I hope it's not longer) and I have no idea how we're going to pay for everything, but the project will result in the home of my dreams and the place where my family will grow.

I've never been able to fully comprehend or daydream about teaching my kids to cook until I picked out my kitchen cabinets and countertops. I could never truly imagine being a mom of kids old enough to run around in a park until I sat on my new stoop and looked at the newly renovated park and playground that is directly across the street from my new home.

I joke that I hope my marriage survives this move and renovation. But the truth is that we will have a home that will be filled with joy and love and it will be worth every drop of blood, sweat and tears that will go into it.

You'll all be able to witness a little bit of the renovation because HGTV is invading our lives and home and doing our first room for a new show called "Battle on the Block". Don't worry, there will be more blogging about the show and I'll let you know when it's going to air.

For the complete BEFORE pictures, check out this photo album by clicking on the picture below. Wish us luck! When it's done, you're invited to dinner!

260 9th Street Before