Moving Day!

We waited three and a half months to move into our new house.

The day came and went like all exciting days do. I feel like I blinked and here we are, one week later, all moved in and calling it our home. 

It was so worth the wait. 

It is hard to even try to explain the amount of happiness I have since moving. Like this house and neighborhood was made for us. I feel productive and motivated and carefree. We have so much room and storage. It's amazing. The kids just run around all day long, laughing, playing, and wrestling. We walk multiple times a week and I even joined a walking group. Me! Anti-social, introverted me! Everything is more convenient. Parks, grocery stores, quick trips to the gas station, work. Everything is around us. It feels like home, even after one week. 

We have done so many little projects so far around the house but there is so much more to come. Removing wallpaper and painting is next. No I lied. Weeding the yard is next. We have to get the house ready for Marlee's birthday party at the end of the month. My baby girl is going to be three! While the painting is not extensive, the kitchen involves a lot of trimming. Not something that can be done while two mischievous toddlers run around. I can see the paint footstep all over the hardwood floors now...

There are so many things to love about the house; all the kids have their own bedrooms, three car garage, beautiful patio with a huge backyard, a basement for the kids to play. I have to admit that my favorite feature is the office. I can close the door and do bills, make phone calls, fill in my bullet journal, and drink a cup of coffee in peace. It is wonderful. I love this house. 

The kids are doing great with the adjustment too. Nicky struggled sleeping in his new bed for the first couple days but Issac, Marlee, and Nicky are all troopers. They have been sleeping like angels and while Marlee regressed a little with potty training, she is back on track. Her first poop on the potty in the new house is in the books! She was just excited to get a chocolate chip cookie. "Mom! They are so good and crunchy!" Thanks Mar. My favorite little cookie lover. 

Well it is now movie night with Isaac and Nick. Better run before he starts banning me from the office. 

Have I mentioned how much I love this house?

Crib Removal

Fifteen days till the big move! 

Fifteen days!

I took a little stay-cation this week so I could finish up some moving details like switching utilities, changing our address, packing unnecessary items, and really getting things organized for the big day. 

So far we have done nothing but have a whole lot of fun as you can see. 

Do not get me wrong, I would not change these moments for anything. I mean look at those faces! Pure joy.

Butttt with Nicky becoming a ninja gymnastic overnight and not only jumping out of his crib but also climbing into his sisters crib in the morning, I decided the cribs had to go. I was hoping they would last until we moved but the kids had other plans. Marlee was super excited for a big girl bed and I figured maybe this would be a good transition. We decided on mattresses on the ground would have to do for two weeks because setting up two beds just to tear them down and resetting them up at the new house was overkill in the lifting and moving and building department. 

So while the kids were quietly occupied in the living room, I took it upon myself to break down the cribs. Or at least start. Marlee was going to be so excited! 

I was about half way through Marlee's crib and Marlee came in to find me.

"Mom, wat you doin' to my crib?"

The tears forming in her eyes. 

"Marlee I am getting you a big girl bed!"

"Mommy, I don't want to be a big girl! I want to be a baby in my crib!"

Bawling. Bawling. Bawling. 

She cried and cried. It broke my heart. I really thought that she was going to be so excited and boy was I wrong. She wanted to stay a baby. I wanted her to stay a baby.

So I cried too.

We laid on her mattress and cried together until we both calmed down. She sang me a song and I played with her hair. Then we talked about her new pink room and her new princess sheets and her how wonderful the new house will be. 

She ended up helping me take down the crib and Nicky's crib too. She made sure the blankets were placed properly on the mattresses and that the pillow sat perfectly at the top. And don't forget all the stuffed animals. 

"They are my favorite part mom."

I prayed for a good night. I was hoping that she would not be scared. And that I would actually be able to get some sleep. I checked on them around midnight and both had rolled to the floor. Marlee had her legs under the dresser and Nicky was in a ball in the corner. I picked them both up and placed them back in bed. 

I gave them kisses and quietly tip toed out of the room. 

They will always be my babies. 

Crib or no crib. 

Jump into Spring

Spring!

A time for new beginnings, sunny days, growth, and flowers!

The smell is amazing, the grass is green (or getting there), and the windows are open (or at least cracked.)

And we bought a house!

I saved the best part for last. The long search for a house is over and we are jumping with joy. The child in me thought house shopping would be fun and exciting while the adult in me hated every minute of it. Smelly houses, shady owners, and disappointing days. 

Blah!

Finally, our time - and our dream house - arrived. We finagled a deal with friends of friends (its all about who you know!) and it made all the long days of house shopping and the disappointment of losing two deals, 100% worth it. Good things come to those who wait. We have a long closing ahead of us but we are counting down the days until we move. 

70 days!

In the meantime, we are cleaning, de-cluttering, boxing, and planning. So much to do that we are grateful for the long closing. It gives us enough time to get stuff together and make a good solid plan for moving. It also gives us a couple extra months for saving and preparing. We need a fridge and a good mover and a carpet scrubber and the list goes on and on...

The kids are super excited. Well Isaac and Marlee are super excited. Isaac is going to love the basement and the backyard while Marlee just knows that her room is pink. Which is really the only important thing when you are two. I, on the other hand, am stoked about all the extra room. The family living area and the kitchen are ideal for entertaining. Not that we even do a lot of that but the thought of having family dinners really gets me excited. I love my family and wished we got together more often - more often than holidays only. I know life is busy but to have a place for sisters and kiddos to play on Sundays would make my life whole. 

Now back to the mom life, Nicky is wanting to play and I need to empty the dishwasher. 

Next post will be an Easter post! Shopping for outfits this week!