Well hello there

Since moving to Ohio we've had a humdinger of a time. My temptation is to use this post to complain, but I'm going to resist the urge and just say it's sucked and move on.

So friends, since it's been awhile, let me brush off the dust and bring you up to date...

As of today we've been here for 4 weeks. Lots has happened in those 4 weeks, but let me start by giving you a run down on the move. We left CT on Saturday Dec 12th, after a bit of a debauchel underestimating the amount of truck space we needed. My father-in-law and husband came out from Ohio a few days prior to prep for the move...but I wonder if anyone is ever reeeeally ready on game day? My dad also came down on Friday to help us pack the truck. We ended up hiring a couple of guys to "load/unload" in both CT and Ohio. Excellent move. Unfortunately it was bitter cold when packing the truck in CT and raining when unpacking in OH. But we got it done. Friday night we spent in a hotel room, with my Dad, IA and I in one room and my father-in-law and husband in another. Now, for those of you who know my father you know that his snores can rock the roof. Well, he was in full force that night and between him and having to sleep in the bed with IA, I was not refreshed the next morning. After an extra trip to Danbury, to get a hitch for one of our cars...part of the underestimating debauchel...we said goodbye to my Dad and took off. Saying goodbye to my Dad was really tough. He's in a rough place right now, hasn't really recovered from my Mom's death if you ask me, and leaving him, especially when he's so vulnerable, was extremely hard. The thing that made me smile was as I was leaving he reached for his wallet and asked me if I needed any money...instantly flashing me back to when I would leave for college. I guess I really will always be his little girl. After declining his generous offer we hit the road. One other thing to note, in one last amazingly kind gesture our CT friends MH and GH offered to take a heap of trash sitting in our front yard to the dump. It was one less thing I had to worry about and definitely made me sad to be leaving such thoughtful friends behind. So with my CD player full and Diet Coke in hand, we were off. I was in a car with IA and both my husband and father-in-law drove u-haul trucks (with one towing our truck). The drive was long and IA threw one monster fit, but all in all it wasn't actually too bad...especially considering I had minimal sleep the night before. 14 hours later we arrived in OH. We spent that night in a hotel and the next morning were greeted by many of my husband's family who had driven down from northern OH to help us unpack that day. Unpacking was fairly uneventful..except of coarse for the fact that my husband forgot to get the heat turned on! He ended up having the heat guys come out and we were toasty in a few hours. Moving in was MUCH easier than moving out and the house was full of boxes in about 3 hours.

Since that time I've been slowly unpacking and have completed most of it. The only exception is our office, which is still in boxes as the one move casualty was a couple of bookcases that got rained on (due to a leak in the u-haul roof). Pictures are on the walls and most things are where they will ultimately live. I still need a good storage solution for toys. Seems like they are invading our house and I need containment...fast. We now living in a house that is not quite twice as big as our last one and it's a whole different ballgame. I'm sure I'll get used to it, but there's something to be said for small cozy spaces! Our neighborhood is great. I really think we're going to be happy here. I've already met many of the neighbors and most have kids between 1-6. Unfortunately most of the kids around WA's age are girls. Thought I bet WA will appreciate those odds in a few years! Our next door neighbors have a little girl one month older than IA. Can't wait for them to meet. The other day WA was helping me shovel the driveway, and our neighbors invited him to sled in their driveway. I love that! So friendly. So much so that the New Englander in me is on nice overload. I haven't yet taken pictures of the house or kids. I promise to do that now that the worst seems behind us. Once I do I'll post a few on Facebook and this blog.

The other GREAT thing about the move has been the daycare situation. WA is thriving! His behavior is excellent (knock on wood...please don't let that be a jinx) and he responds to his teachers very well. He's slowly making new friends and is going to a birthday party tomorrow. Their new daycare offers a bunch of extra curricular classes (Jump Bunch..an "exercise class" of sorts, gymnastics and computer classes), they also have a "Village" where kids can pretend play and a gym. WA seems to appreciate this kind of variety and stimulation. IA hasn't been in as many days as WA (due to her illness), but she also seems to be doing well...though at her age it's really more about childcare than it is education. Last night WA came home and told me "Mom, I didn't even miss you today at school.". I broke out in a huge smile and told him that was great, because I, for one, see it as a sign that he is engaged and happy in his new environment.


Wuff, ok that was a long one. I'm going to stop now and will have more regular updates moving forward. I hope you all are well and that one day you will come see us (BF, AGF, KF...you have no choice:)), it's a great area with lots to do. I should be able to tell you more about that once we dig out from underneath all this snow!

The offical tally

Since moving to Ohio we've had:
- 4 out of 4 members of the household down for the count with various illnesses
- 2 bouts of homesickness (me and WA)
- 1 death of a sweet family friend
- 1 broken glass (not bad!)
- 80% of boxes unpacked
- 2 cookie deliveries by insanely nice neighbors
- 1 best friend b-day for which I still owe a present
- 3 snow falls (very light for the most part)
- 1 new major household appliance (go front loader go!)
- 1 new vacuum cleaner (thanks MB, I never believed in the power of the Dyson until now!)
- Many great holiday cards from friends and family (now gracing the fridge)
- 1 kids birthday party invite (already! I tell you people are so nice here!)
- Many visits to Facebook to see pictures of friends and family (again WA and I)
- 3 (ok, maybe 4) bouts of PMS
- Too many unbought X-mas presents to count
- 1 extremely happy kid now that we are all under the same roof again

For me, the first week was a long one, but I am feeling much better now that my environment is a little less chaotic. I am hopeful that once things settle and the holidays are over that this move turns out to be a good thing, especially for the kids. Transitions are always a little rough, I guess I just expected to be much more of a solid rock than I currently feel!

And in the spirit of my sister-in-law, AGF, leave mean comments so I don't cry:).

1 year

Today I am completely and utterly wiped out. I have not been this emotionally tired in a very long time. It is the first anniversary of my mother's death. I attended mass this morning in my hometown and so many of my Mom's friends and family were there, it was extremely emotional for me. After mass I had to say goodbye to my close cousin and my aunt for the last time before we move to OH. That was very hard too. To top this all off I got a call from my mother-in-law after WA was nipped by their dog this morning. WA was pretty upset and kept screaming "I want my Mommy, I want my Mommy". I could tell he was shaken and scared and to not be near him was heartbreaking. With all the activity, packing, duel households and goodbyes I've goodbyed over the past couple weeks, I am completely and utterly wiped. Tonight I envision collapsing in a heap at around 8pm. Hopefully I will sleep well.

The floodgates are open

Today brought move tear numbers 2 and 3.

I picked up the kids at daycare today and was doing fine until I walked in to WA's class. It was a bit of a madhouse, since all parents seemed to converge at the same time because daycare got out early due to the holiday. They children had "movie day" and were just finishing Blue's Clues, so they were all somewhat distracted. WA's teacher took him aside and said some very nice words and gave him a gift. He then gave a hug to his very first girlfriend, MK (that one definitely made my eyes tear) and said bye to some of his male buddies. The children in his class made him a card, and I could not read it there...I knew it would be waterwork city. WA also said goodbye to some of the teachers that have made his experience there great...including Ms. N. We made it out the door, but not before I was getting a bit sniffley.

Once home we got a visit from WA's other favorite teacher, Ms. C. Ms. C hung out for just a little bit before she had to hit the road for T-day. WA was excited that she was at his house and told her that she needed to stay "ALL DAY LONG". They played for a bit and then it was time to say goodbye. WA played coy thinking that if he didn't really say goodbye to Ms. C, that she wouldn't really go. Finally he gave her a hug, as did I. We stepped outside so WA could wave as she went out the driveway and then it was back indoors. That's when I lost it. I am very fond of Ms. C, always have been, but I think what hit me most was saying goodbye to someone who clearly cares for my kids. It was also tough saying goodbye today to people who have enriched my child's life, and Ms. C, Ms. N, MK, LP, LS, JM and AS...they all have and it was tough to see that literally and figuratively walk out the door.

Next is saying goodbye to my brother and sister-in-law. Oh lord, wish me good luck for I teared up just writing that sentence!

The end is near...

Me:
It's all becoming real. This move to Ohio. I have to admit I am SO ready to be a one state family. While I really have treasured most of the moments with my kids over this past month, I'm utterly exhausted. Taking care of two kids on your own is no picnic...there's zero downtime and it's even rougher when everyone is still not sleeping through the night. It's not all warts and rocks though, there has been an upside too. Being the only day-to-day love and support for my children has given me a special present....some excellent and unexpected bonding. Both of my kids have needed extra from me and I have been happy to oblige with hugs, cuddles and kisses. WA has also used me as his confidant becoming more verbal, expressing his thoughts and telling stories. The roller coaster ride is almost over and, for the most part, I'm glad the end is near.

IA:
IA is blissfully unaware of any change (ah, to be young:)) and is doing great. The only issue with her is that she is a packing blocker. Whenever she is in the same room, she wants to play or be held...and she's hard to resist! When my husband calls she mutters "Dada, dada, dada", so she is clearly missing him in her own way, as do we all. She's gonna do great and will likely never really remember living in CT (though we will be visiting often). 

WA:
So tomorrow is WA's last day at his daycare. This experience has brought my first (and definitely not last!) associated move tears. The thought of him leaving his buddies is really tough. There are a few that he just loves and that have been with him for almost his entire life. He's also leaving behind some of his favorite teachers, the lovely Ms. Cherine and his first love, Ms. Natalie. I'm not sure how much of this WA really understands, but hopefully his last day will be a good one. He's had a rough go with all the flux happening recently and I look forward to life getting a bit easier on him.

18 days and we'll all be Buckeyes. Yup, it's real.

No more excuses

Dum, dum, dum. The boxes arrived today. Now I have no more excuses. Packing must begin. Crap.