We just completed a major home renovation project

It occurred to me that its just like having a baby

First of all you need to fall in love

Then comes the honeymoon phase

You enjoy every moment with your home

Until you and your spouse agree that something is missing

A new addition would make your home complete

Its a fun time exploring ideas on what it might look like

This is the beautiful phase of conception

You eventually draw up plans and engage a contractor

Once the contact is signed you are pregnant

The first few weeks of the pregnancy are easy

Then you hit a few snags

Its going to cost a lot more than you budgeted

You have no choice but to press on

Meetings with the contractor are like pre-natal doctor visits

He assures you that its all going to come out great in the end

Tells you not to worry about the bumps along the road

Your home starts to grow fat with construction mess

It looks ugly and almost unrecognizable

Dust and dirt make you feel sick every morning

The baby starts to grow and kicks you frequently

You have to make decisions on so many things

Many surprises along the way have to be managed

It becomes a 24/7 activity that needs constant attention

You get fearful and anxious towards the end

Like a passenger on a run away train

You can see where its going but you cannot get off

As the completion deadline approaches more pain and suffering are endured

The punch list of things left to do keeps growing

Then the miracle of birth occurs

The contractor hands over your newly completed renovation 

Your new baby is just perfect in every way

Everybody is happy and full of joy

Friends come round to congratulate you on your new addition

You rapidly forget about all the pain and worry over the last nine months

Its so much fun waking up every day with your new baby

Within a short period of time

You start to dream about another big addition