The Amazing Moving Day(s)!

My wife and I decided a while back that it was time to move on, time to move away from the state where we grew our marriage, our lives, and our family, Colorado. Amelia was born in November 2012 and shortly thereafter the discussions began, nothing serious just topical - "wouldn't it be fun" stuff. Well, let's just see where this goes and a plan was put into motion around March. We both reached out to our offices in Missouri.

My office came through pretty quickly - oh, sure we'd love to have you. Her office was just as forthcoming. "Wouldn't it be fun" turned in to "um are we sure...?" The next thing we knew we were prepping the house for sale. We got are agent, some paint here, some cleaning there, and we're on the market. Our offices waited for the house to sell.

We came under contract in about 10 days. We were hoping it'd move quickly and it did, until... The buyers lost their financing when one of them lost their job (insert sad sounds and me quietly whimpering alone in a dark room). Back on the market. Lots of showings. Lots of positive feedback. No offers. Her job was willing to let her continue pushing off the move until we sold the house. I was not so lucky. It took about 2 months of no actively and my office pulls the leash. I'm actually surprised it wasn't pulled sooner. I found out they wanted me about 3 weeks before the date. Ok, um, so are we really sure?

We spent the next 2.5 weeks packing and spending as much time with friends as possible.

At the Louisville Labor Day Parade 2013 with Josh (not in picture), Lisa, and Will
following the breakfast at our favorite joint - The Huckleberry. 

Amelia with her buddy Sam and my buddy Jerry! I still find it
interesting that Angie was due a week before Sam's Mom, Duffy.
Angie ended up being a week late and having Popster on Duffy's
due date and Duffy ended up being a week late too. 

Squeezing in one last, impromptu dinner with our dear friends Josh, Lisa,
and Will at Corona's Mexican Grill.  

Squeezing in one last play date with Sam while the grown-ups had some beers. 

Geez, having a baby really prevents anything from getting done before 7:30pm and packing after 7:30pm is no fun. It's tough packing for a few hours then try to clean up for bed. It's tough packing and keeping your house straight for showings, but really it's always tough packing regardless of the outside variables, so I'll stop complaining.

A very helpful Popster - she's holding down the boxes. 

A very helpful Popster with jazz hands! 

"I can load it, but you gotta move it!" 

Long story, the house doesn't sell. The house doesn't sell. We didn't sell the house. Her parents flew out and helped us pack, load up the truck, maintain my sanity, and drive the 900 or so miles. I firmly believe that behind any positive, loving person is a family that is equally positive and loving.

Moving en route! I'd say the U-Haul was great if it weren't for the water leaking into the cab. 

We took 2 days to drive the trip. Amelia was such a trooper. She didn't fuss riding in her car seat for nearly 13-14hrs over 2 days. She had a blowout as we were passing the Kansas City, but that was about it. She was so wound up she stayed up a bit long that first night. She was so funny, just jumping up and down in her institution-style hotel crib. She was so happy. Laughing and doing her la-la-la-la - she figured out the sounds she can make by pushing her tongue inside and out from under her upper lip. She's so smart.

And if it weren't for her brother and his wife I don't know how we could've moved at all. I am in their very generous debt, extremely generous debt. They and their 7month son were one of the reasons for moving back home, but I never imagined we would be this close to them, as in "hey, what's for dinner?" close, but getting to the point of this blog. Amelia has a cousin and they get to play everyday!

She's so fun to watch with him. She's just learned to point. She started by pointing to Grampa's nose, then my nose, then her cousin's mouth. I think she's got the mouth pointing down pretty well now. I don't expect it'll take too long before her cousin figures out he has teeth and maybe if he gives her a chomp she'll find something better to do with her new found pointing talents!

I've been practicing her waving for about 9months now. Every time we go by a mirror I say "hi" and have her wave to me. She gets very excited. Today, when a very dear friend stopped by my landlord's house, she waved and waved a him! She had a pretty limp-noodle wrist wave, but she's got it down! I think she's a genius!