relationships

So, we’re moving.

In just a few days.  It kind of came as a surprise, as far as moving goes.  Our landlord let us know about 2 weeks ago that there was an opening in our complex for a larger unit, with 2 bedrooms.  We had been talking about moving on and off for years, and it was never really the right time.

We had been talking about moving on and off for years, and it was never really the right time. 

We moved into this apartment from a smaller one bedroom when I was 9 months pregnant with Katie.  Why move from a one bedroom to another one bedroom?  Because our last one bedroom was so tiny, there’s no way we could have possibly been able to fit a crib or any of the other things a baby needs!  The featured image is of Jason and I on the last day of our babymoon, and we left from there to sign the paperwork for the apartment we’re currently in.

We moved into this apartment from a smaller one bedroom when I was 9 months pregnant with Katie.

SoCal living is much different from Michigan where I grew up.

In college when I looked at apartments, I remember thinking about what amenities I wanted – a dishwasher, parking, close to campus, etc.  Then I moved to Long Beach.  Now I’m realizing you pick your price range…. and that’s about all you can pick.  You see what’s available in your price range, and you can take it or leave it.

You pick your price range…. and that’s about all you can pick.

If you are casually browsing, you can just look every few days and see what’s out there that matches your needs.  If you have a deadline, like you’re having a baby or changed jobs and need to move, expect apartment searching to be pretty much another part-time job.  And if find something but can’t look at it until later that day, there’s a good chance it will be gone by then.  It’s happened to us!

Expect apartment searching to be pretty much another part-time job.

So, when I was about 8 and a half months pregnant with K, we found our large one bedroom.  We had actually been searching for 2 bedrooms at the time, but we didn’t really find anything that we loved that was in our price range.  (This meant lots and lots of tears from a hormonal soon-to-be mama…)  We decided to take the large one bedroom because I was about to burst.  I had Katie 3 weeks later, and we agreed to start looking at 2 bedrooms in another year.

When K was 13 months, I got pregnant again.

It seemed difficult to move during another pregnancy, so we held off our search.  We ended up losing that baby, but I got pregnant for a third time 4 weeks after the loss.  Again, we put off our search.

It seemed difficult to move during another pregnancy

And now, here we are. Isabelle is 18 months, but I’ve been so busy with work and the kids that searching for an apartment as well seemed like an impossible feat.  Our landlord knocked on our door the other day and let us know the unit right next to us opened up!  We literally only have to move about 4 feet over!

The opportunity fell into our laps, and we had to jump on it.

As a family, we’ve had a lot of emotions surrounding the move, even though it’s literally next door.  Jason and I really excited.  More space will mean a better quality of life for everyone.  We won’t be so on top of each other, the kids will have more to play, more storage space will mean less clutter, and less clutter makes it easier to relax.

More space will mean a better quality of life for everyone.

We’re also excited to have our own room!  I never realized how much having your own space means to a relationship.  Even the little things like watching a show together in bed help with bonding.  Since having the girls, our bedroom was literally just a place for us to sleep.  It didn’t feel like “our” space.  And having 2 little kids is stressful, so anything that makes you feel more unified as a couple is important!

It didn’t feel like “our” space. 

K is a little confused.

Despite me telling her over and over that ALL our belongings are moving with us, she keeps asking about specific items.  “But what about my backpack?”  “Yes, it’s coming.  EVERYTHING is coming.”  “But what about my bed?” …  She also asked briefly if she should leave some of her toys for the next people who live here, before quickly having a change of heart and saying “Those are MY toys!”  Her giving spirit was cute, and brief.

K is also not sure about having a room with only Isabelle, and not Mommy and Daddy too.

K is also not sure about having a room with only Isabelle, and not Mommy and Daddy too.  I know after she adjusts, she’s going to love it.  Maybe too much… already imagining the mischief the 2 of them will be getting in together!  But she’s also never had in a room away from us before.  It will be new and different, at first.  Just like the transition to a toddler bed, I can see a layer of excitement in her, and another of unease.  And for me, feelings of pride mixed with a little sadness about how she’s growing up so fast!

I am also feeling a little bittersweet about leaving.

OF COURSE I am beyond excited for more space and our own bedroom, but there’s also that feeling about a chapter closing that’s leaving me emotional.  (I know half of you can relate and half of you are rolling your eyes because it’s RIGHT NEXT DOOR.) .

I was scared about labor, life as a mom, breastfeeding, all of it… 

But when we moved into this apartment, I was 9 months pregnant.  I was scared about labor, life as a mom, breastfeeding, all of it…  K was born and a few weeks later, she was diagnosed with colic, so I had some really dark times in the beginning.  In THIS apartment.  These were followed by some of the most wonderful times as I watched her grow from a colicky newborn into a smiley 6 month old and then a walking, talking little person (or threenager….) . In THIS apartment.  During that time I also made a career switch into marketing, and I lost a baby which led to more really dark times for me.   All in this apartment…

During that time I also made a career switch into marketing, and I lost a baby.

I got pregnant with Isabelle here, and tried to balance being so effing exhausted and crabby and just wanting to sleep with wanting to make sure I enjoyed the last of my time with K as an only child.  My pregnancy with Isabelle was difficult.  I remember a lot of tears, ER trips, bleeding, and early labor.  She was born healthy via c section.  Several months later, I made another big career decision and decided to work for myself.  While living in THIS apartment.

And now here we are almost 4 years later.

We went from a family of 2 to a family of 4.  From spending the weekend at the bars to spending it at the aquarium.  I was waitressing when we moved in and undecided in what I wanted to do with my life (my degree is in neuroscience and I realized I didn’t want to work in a lab forever…) Now, I’m freelancing in marketing and I never thought I would enjoy work so much.  Jason and I have grown into a completely different couple than we were when we moved in, in a good way.  We’ve been tested in more ways than I ever thought possible when I was childless.  And we made it.

So, what I leave behind (aka next door, I know), is some of the best and worst pieces of the most influential chapter of my life.

So, what I leave behind (aka next door, I know…), is some of the best and worst pieces of the most influential chapter of my life.  It feels strange, and exciting.  I’m simultaneously feeling nostalgia and practically vibrating out of my seat with excitement for what the future will hold for us.  My next post will probably be written in the comfort of my own bedroom, and I can’t wait to begin this new chapter of our lives.