Let the Countdown Begin....

Ok, be honest.....who immediately thought I was referring to the pregnancy in terms of a "countdown"??

 

While there are tons of things to count down right now:

-Baby

-Avery will be 2 soon!

-Reese's birthday is coming

-Springtime (in Duluth, ha!)

-Moving to Kansas City

 

Wait?? What??

 

Yep, that is the countdown we have begun.

 

As of today we are at the 1 week mark.

 

Woah!!!

 

We have been biting our tongues for so long (well only a few weeks, actually) to keep the exciting news a secret.  Adam has accepted a new job that includes a relocation to Kansas City!

 

Of the few people we have told our news to, the questions are always the same......

 

Here are the most popular:

 

Was there a problem with Adam's job?

-No, absolutely not.  Adam was approached for this job, from a different railroad, with an offer we just couldn't refuse.  The main factor......going to KC, which is home.

 

You were just too tired of Duluth winters, weren't you?

In all honesty, yes, the winters here are hard and require a different approach, but it was not at all part of the decision to move.  Obviously, warmer weather is a perk, but it was not a make it/break it part of the conversation.  Plus, our kids love the snow!!

 

Am I staying behind to sell the house?

No, not this time.  When we moved from Ames, I had a school year to finish before I could move north.  This time around, circumstances are a bit different.  We have 2 kids, plus one on the way, and it is winter.  I cannot physically maintain the outside in order to keep things running on my own.  Thee house is on the market, and it will stay that way with some neighborly monitoring until it sells, which will hopefully be soon! 

 

What are you going to do in KC?

For right now, we are staying with family and house hunting.  When we find The One, we will snatch it up!  Again, hopefully we sell this house fast, since we have to sell it in order to be able to buy another one!

 

Why Kansas City?

While neither one of us were born in KC or even really raised there (in my case), it has become "home".  Adam's family has been there since he was in early elementary and my family has been there since high school.  Every trip home from college was to KC.  We met, dated, and were married in KC.  We know that, while our parents are all close to retirement, none of them are looking at Duluth for a retirement option.  We want our kids to be able to grow up with their grandparents as a common fixture in their lives.  There are a million other reasons....central for travel, etc. but those are the main points.

 

Are you excited?

Yes!!  If you look past the (very likely) possibility that I could have a baby without having a home of my own yet, the overall idea is exciting!  Adam is very excited about his new job, the kids are excited to be near the grandparents, we are all excited about the options KC has (entertainment, dining, activities, grandparent babysitting....) to offer. 

 

So.....one week and counting.  Next week, we will load up the essentials and head south.  We will come back up when the movers pack up and move our things, but otherwise, that is it.  Duluth will once again be a vacation place to visit....in the summer, of course! 

 

Here is the listing for our house.....if you know anyone looking to buy, pass it along!!

http://www.remax.com/realestatehomesforsale/130-kingsbury-dr-proctor-mn-55810-id211202374.html

 

Please pray for us everyone!!  We would love to sell this house soon so we can buy one in KC.....clearly BEFORE baby would be great!! 

 

KC friends.....see you in a week!!!

My baby, the Big Girl

Most days, Avery can be very much true to her 23 month old age.....

 

The whining, lack of understanding, need for cuddles, the uncanny way she stands on the other side of the bathroom door every time I decide I may want to (gasp!!!) pee alone and scream "Mamaaaaaaaaaa!!!".

 

Then there are the moments when I catch her and think "when did she grow up?"

 

Like when she talks in sentences and prances around like she owns the place.

 

Or when she picks up the phone and hops on the couch, crosses her legs, and "talks" to the phone saying "Hello, yep, ok".

 

 

I am already seeing the teen years being a challenge.....



The Butterball Timer

The rule is usually that when the button pops, it is done!

 

But, in my case, the "button" pops a bit before I think the "oven's contents" are done.

 

Per my typical fashion, the highlight of week 25 is the official announcement of my belly button becoming an "outie".

 

And while I am already feeling large, bloated, sore, tired, and downright fat, I will give this little turkey a bit more time in the oven.

 

Happy Tuesday!



'Cause I'm a Guy.....

When you live with a 4 year old, you can just about expect anything.

 

Tonight, for example, we were just finishing up dinner, and Adam just nonchalantly grabbed a bite of something with his hands. 

 

This prompted both Avery and Landon to slowly move from their own chairs closer to the middle where the food was and start to help themselves.

 

Avery had the serving spoon, Landon has his hands.

 

I looked at them both and said "Excuse me, why are you on the table?"

 

Landon just matter-of-factly looked at me and said "I can do this.  It's OK.  Daddy does this.  It's OK.  'Cause I'm a guy, I can do this."

 

What else do you say to that??

 

Oh Granny Goose (my Granny) would be absolutely up in arms at such behavior at the table!!!

 

At least they look cute being naughty....

 



Choo Choo Pants

Funny story......

 

We are in the car on the way to dinner and Avery is in the back seat saying "poop".

 

I know this does not necessarily mean she pooped....it is her universal word for anything of the "bodily function" nature.

 

So I asked, "Are you sure you didn't just toot?"

 

She says "Toot toot".

 

I said it back to her, not realizing that a Thomas the Tank Engine cartoon was also playing in the car for Landon.

 

Avery comes back with "Toot toot train".

 

I laughed at Adam, and made a comment about her being pretty smart.....I mean, I suppose a toot is like a train in your pants, tooting along.

 

Her response??

 

"Choo Choo Pants!!!"

 

Not just once, but the rest of the way to the restaurant.....of course, interchanged with "eat, eat, eat din-are" and "ot gog, Daddy, eat ot gog??" 

 

Somewhere, she turned into a little girl!!