Monday, April 26, 2010

Settling In

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Beware, this is a massive post!

The last month has been absolutely crazy. It seemed like we had so much going on before our move. We were able to hang out with our friends and say goodbye, but I wish we could have spent more time them.





Abe graduated from AFIT (Air Force Institute of Technology) with his Masters. I’m pretty sure he was very relieved to be done with school. The last couple of months he was very busy with his classes and trying to get his Thesis done. Way to go Abe! I brought all my camera gear so I could get some good pictures of Abe. I recently got a 70-200 2.8 telephoto lens and was excited to use it. As soon as we got there, I realized I forgot my flash card and it was too late to go back and get it. Luckily I had my crappy point and shoot. Abe’s parents were able to be there which was neat. Their main purpose for visiting us was for Norah’s baby blessing and so that Abe’s dad could help us drive out to Boston. It was so much fun spending time with them and that they could be here for these major events. Abe’s good friend Rob also game out for Abe’s Graduation and Norah’s blessing. We are so blessed to have such supportive family and friends.







We were able to attend our neighborhood Easter egg hunt before we left. It was a lot more fun than last year. Adeline was practically running around grabbing eggs and was so excited. We also went to another Easter egg hunt that my friend hosted a couple days after our neighborhood one. It was pretty funny because every time Adeline would pick up an egg she would shake it before she put it in her basket. If she didn’t hear anything, she would put it back and move on to the next one. I had to assure her that they still had candy in them. At the other hunt there were some that only had a tattoo or a sticker… so I think she thought this Easter egg hunt was the same and wanted to make sure she got a lot of candy.

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Most of my time before we left was spent packing and cleaning. After deep cleaning my entire house from top to bottom for 8 hours straight 2 days in a row, I had wished I hired a maid. It was really sad seeing our moving truck drive away and saying goodbye to our house. We were lucky enough to get really good renters and hopefully they will take care of the house.
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On our drive out to Boston, we stopped at Niagara Falls. It was pretty interesting having Abe’s dad, me, Abe, Adeline, Norah and Chloe all in one hotel room. We probably should have got 2 rooms… maybe next time. We went to look at the falls at nighttime. I actually liked it better at night because of all the lights. It was freezing cold and windy, so we didn’t stay long. Adeline enjoyed seeing the waterfalls. It was funny because when we were driving there we told Adeline that we were going to see a Waterfall. She said, “No, I don’t want to”. A couple minutes later she said, “Okay… but I don’t want to go down it!”. What a silly girl.



When we got to our TLF (temporary housing) at Hanscom AFB in Boston it was about 10:30pm and we showed up to a tiny place. There was one bed, a little sitting area and a tiny kitchen. NOT ideal for a family of 4 plus a dog. Oh, and Abe’s dad that first night. Things were quite tight. We ended up staying there for 10 days because the housing office on base was being a little bit difficult. All four of us would take naps together in the same bed everyday. Adeline was such a good sport and ran around all the houses we looked at saying which room was going to be hers and what color we were going to paint her room. If it weren’t for her, I’m not sure if I would have been able to hold it together. The housing office finally offered us a house on base and we accepted it even though we really wanted a new house. They told us they had no idea when the new houses were going to be done. We were going to wait 30 days to see if one popped up, but it didn’t seem very promising. 2 days after we signed a 1 year contract the new houses opened up. To be honest I cried when I found that out because we are living in a tiny town home built in the 1950’s. However things happen for a reason and I am going to make the best of the place we are living in. The bonus is that we make a lot of money living here because it is so “cheap” (for Boston), so I shouldn’t complain. We have never experienced living on base before, so this is all new for us. There are going to be many benefits for living on base.

We are adjusting living in a new place. I am excited to get to know the area because there are so many things to do and see. Abe is back at work now and that has been weird since he was around so much. I can tell that Adeline has been affected by the move now. Ever since we have moved into our house, she hasn't been the happy, silly, obedient** girl she usually is. We are constantly on her to eat, go to bed (that has been a nightmare), listen, etc. She is still happy, but I can tell she is struggling. I need to give her some extra special attention or something.
If anyone wants to come and visit us, we would love to have visitors!





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Just an update on the girls-


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Adeline
*Loves stories. She makes us tell her stories every night before she goes to bed. I have found that I do not have a very good imagination anymore and can never think of anything to say. Mine are pretty lame. Adeline on the other hand tells pretty good stories.

*Still loves talking. She loves to talk to people when we are at the store and tell them about her baby sister, or her dog Chloe. She can be a pretty good icebreaker.

*Sings all the time. I am always amazed at her imagination because she makes up most of the songs that she sings and they are hilarious.

*Thinks she can go to the bathroom anywhere outside. Today she ran up to me at the park and asked me to help her because she was going to go poo poo in the grass. Uh, that is not okay Adeline.

*Calls the Easter Bunny the “Super Bunny” no matter how many times you correct her.

*Loves princesses and Dora

*A couple of months ago Adeline ran out of pull ups for night time so we decided to let her wear underwear at night. She has done great and hasn’t had one accident at night.

*For some reason she started calling us “mom” and “dad” all the time. Not a big fan. I feel like she is an adult now

*Two days ago we finally threw away her pacifier. I hate to admit that she still had it when she went to bed, but she loved it. She had two of them and one of them had a little hole and it stunk. I told her it was time to get rid of it and threw it away. She said, “I will get my other binki, it’s ok”. Well, we never found that pacifier so we officially got rid of them. I have been warning her the binki fairy may come and take away her binki’s to give them to the little babies that need them, so I told her that’s what happened to the other one.

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Norah
*Is a little tank. She has the most darling chunky thighs. It’s quite a change since Adeline has always been a little waif.

*Loves her hands and is always sticking them in her mouth.

*Has gotten pretty good at grabbing things and putting them in her mouth.

*Smiles ALL the time.

*Laughs out loud.

*making lots of sounds and loves hearing her own voice.

*Loves when we sing to her or tickle her.

*Such a happy little baby. She is a little spoiled though and wants to be held or needs someone to pay attention or talk to her.

Sorry that this is a novel. Now that we finally have internet, I will try and be better about updating my blog.

13 comments:

Creel Family said...

I am so happy to finally hear how you are doing! I know things will work out with the housing and you guys will end up loving it. I'm glad you got to do a lot of fun things before you left. I think you're hair looks really good and I think your girls are cute. I love how they look different but like sisters. Tell Abe Congrats for us and Amanda congrats on her pregnancy. I think that's it. Sorry this is so long! I'll try to call you again!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the post. I have been looking everyday and anticipating the new pictures!
Mom

Nicole Lambert said...

Glad you guys made it out there safely!! And congrats to Abe finishing up school! What a relief that must be. You guys all look so cute, and have fun venturing out and enjoying your new area!!

Post some pictures of your new place when you get a chance!!

xoxo

Meg said...

I can't believe you're in Boston, how exciting! I want to come visit, I've never been there. You must seriously be exhausted...just thinking about everything that moving involves just makes me tired, especially the cleaning, I bet you're glad that's over. I'm happy to hear you guys are doing well! Tell Abe congrats and have fun exploring your new home!

Campbell Family said...

Great post... I'm glad I got to catch up on more of the details. I can't believe how long Adeline's hair has gotten in the last few months, Chase and I were just talking about how our girls are starting to look more and more alike! It's crazy!! p.s... Norah looks just like you as a baby!!!!!

Tori Dumke said...

Nicole I love the update! It was great seeing you guys on Skype the other night. The girls are darling and I can't wait to see them in person!

Amanda Waite said...

Yay for a post! Keep them coming!!! Love you! xoxo

Brooke said...

Glad to hear you guys are getting settled! There are a lot of benefits to living on base. It will be different, but I'm sure you'll adjust fine. The girls sure are cute...and I can't believe how much they both have grown in just a month!
I was excited to read your update - all of the pictures are great! Keep em' coming!!

tbarker said...

Tell Abe "WAY TO GO!" from his long-lost cousin! About Adeline's "adjustments," Tyson and Lisa's daughter Mazzy had a rough time when they moved from Reno to Sacramento. She has ALWAYS been mello, obedient, helpful, thoughtful, and kind; but when they moved, she started throwing temper tantrums, beating up her little brother, etc.... it took some time, but she eventually went back to her own self. (Just thought I'd give you some light at the end of the tunnel!) Love you guys -hope everything is going better now that you're getting settled!

Mindy said...

I'm glad Adeline liked looking at the pics of Nash. And I'm glad you found time to update your blog! You have two darling little girls, and I want to see them. Any plans to visit Utah soon? I'm going to tell JD that you officially invited your blog readers to visit Boston. It sounds like a really fun place to live. You'll have to update us on all the cool places you go while living there. I'm glad your getting settled, and sorry to hear the housing thing didn't work out quite like you wanted.

the mind behind said...

Glad you're getting settled. We're hoping to make a big move like that here soon so I appreciate hearing about yours! And I'm convinced to hire someone to clean and not take that on myself!!

Katie said...

Cute pictures! I can't believe how big both girls are getting! I'm glad you finally made it to Boston. Moving can be so stressful. Too many unknowns! I can't wait to see pictures of your adventures in Boston! Take care!

Tami H. said...

Wow, so much. D and B just moved today - cleaning, packing etc!!! We will miss them. Abby has been wanting to play with adeline at the park again - we have to remind her you guys moved. I LOVE the picture of abe's dad holding adeline, super cute.

We just came from living in a 1950's townhome. It looks like you have oak wood floors like we did. That part we liked a lot. Is the kitchen tiny or a good size? I am sure you guys will adjust - and adeline will back to herself soon.
Keep us posted!