Well I’ve been putting off this ‘announcement’ for a bit of time until it became official, official (meaning that the paperwork had been signed and our families had been informed and the dates had been set…)
But all of that has been finalized so now I’m happy to share that Tim and I (with Clara and Ozzie, of course) are moving to Seattle!
We’ll be leaving Chicago in a week. Yep, one week.
This has all come about fairly suddenly. Tim started applying for jobs a while ago and the interview process took weeks, but once a job offer was extended, we were basically given two weeks to pack up and move across the country. Gulp.
Of course, I have a lot of feelings about this whole thing. Lots and lots of feelings. Mainly, I’m excited because I love change and the thought of a new adventure. Tim and I have lived in Chicago for our entire relationship, and it will be fun to live in a new (and very different) place. Actually, Tim and I have lived in the Chicago area for practically our entire lives, so this will be really different for us. On the flip side, I’m sad to be leaving our great community in Chicago, including most of our family members.
Plus, I love Chicago. It’s absolutely one of my favorite cities in the world and I’ve been extremely fortunate to be able to call it ‘home’. It’s definitely going to be a bittersweet farewell.
There are a lot of logistical things we’re still trying to figure out (like where we’re going to live and other minor details), and a million appointments and things we need to do before we officially zip our suitcases and head to the airport. Not to mention all of the goodbyes we need to say… That’s all going to be tough stuff, so keep us in your prayers!
But, more excitingly, if you live in the Seattle area or know people who do (especially awesome people), I would love to hear from you! Tim and I really don’t know a soul out there… well, Tim knows a handful of souls and I know no one, so I would love to have a head start in knowing people I can grab a coffee/meal/martini with!
Phew, I’m glad I’ve gotten this off my chest… Tim and I have seriously been talking/thinking about this move for all of September and it’s been impossible to write blog posts and not mention it. Hence the lack of posts in general.
I’ll be better this month. Probably.
Except that we move in a week so I guess I shouldn’t promise anything.
Or I’ll be posting all of the time because I’ll be friendless and stuck in my apartment with a toddler all day and night and this could become my only outlet…
Three cheers for a new adventure!
Loved this! It’s so funny/awesome how breastfeeding is such a unique experience for each mom and each baby. No two are ever the same! I do have a question (which may be more of an email question but I’m just going to shoot if out here) – as a Mom who stayed home, how often did you find yourself using your breast pump? I have high hopes to exclusively breastfeed as long as baby and I are physically able, and I’m lucky enough to work from home, so I’m just not sure how often I’ll be pumping. Of course, I still plan to invest in a high quality pump, just because plans change and I know it can be helpful in establishing supply, but I’m just curious about the role your pump played in yours and Clara’s breastfeeding routine!
Jumping in here– speaking as someone who had a baby 3 weeks ago and who is staying home full time, I never thought I’d use a pump. I got it because it was free and just in case, but why would I need it, right? Well, nursing ended up being SO painful that I would cry every time someone handed him to me to feed, so now I pump exclusively. It’s not for everyone, but breastfeeding was important to me (even if I didn’t actually nurse). All this is just to say, you never really know how much you may end up using that pump!! 🙂
Thank you for sharing this!! I’m just now starting to look into the how-to’s of breastfeeding, and seeing so many people’s STRONG opinions on the subject can be so overwhelming! It’s good to know that doing what worked for you (right or “wrong!”) was good for your babe!
Say WHAT?! WOWZA! HUGE news!!!! That’s exciting!
SO EXCITING but so scary at the same time. It will definitely be an adventure, no matter what!
I’m still so excited for your move, what an adventure!!! But…before you leave you need to tell me your favorite places to eat in Chicago!!! Preferably on the not so expensive end! Zak and I need some new places to eat at, we always end up going to the same places!
Off the top of my head, have you been to Barcocina? I think that’s in Zak’s neighborhood, right? The Peasantry is another one we like up in that area… I feel like we’ve never gone to the same place twice so I’ll try to think some more of my favorites!
Wow, that’s major! And soon! I wish I knew good people up there that I could connect you with, but alas, I’m a Portland girl- though that’s not horribly far away. If you ever come down this way for a visit, let me know. But really, I wish you the absolute best and hope that your move goes smoothly and that you find a good community in Seattle. Good luck!
I keep having friends move to Portland, so we’ll be there pretty soon after moving, I’m sure! And I would love to get together when that happens! 🙂 I’m praying that everything goes smoothly but even if it doesn’t, I feel like it’s all a part of the grand life adventure we’re on!
Big news! Congrats to you guys and best of luck on your new adventure…I’m sure everything will go smoothly in the move and you’ll be in the swing of things in no time! Excited to read about your life out west!
Thanks so much!! It’s going to be an adventure for sure, and I just pray it all goes well! This is the biggest change I’ve ever made so I’m really excited about it!
oh my gosh! this is so exciting! so crazy and exciting, what a great opportunity for you guys. I can’t wait to hear about your new adventures.
Ohhhh it will definitely be an adventure! I can’t believe I’ll be a Midwesterner not living in the Midwest anymore!
Ahhhh!! I am SO jealous. You have no idea. I’ve wanted to move to Seattle for years, but haven’t pulled the trigger because I’m too scared of “starting over” completely by myself in a city where I know no one. My grandparents live in Seattle (Redmond, technically), so I’ve been out there a lot, and it’s seriously the most gorgeous place in the world. If I didn’t have things anchoring me in Chicago right now, I’d pack up and move in a heartbeat. Instead, I’ll live vicariously through you, so if the things anchoring me here right now change, I’ll have your blog as my “moving to Seattle” resource 😛 Seriously, though, I’m so excited for you and can’t WAIT to follow along with these changes!
NO WAY! I really do love the idea of Seattle but I’ve only been there for 3 days ever so I remain optimistic but still uncertain. I’m glad you love it, that’s so encouraging to me! I hope the move goes well and then I can be an encouragement for YOU to move out there! 😉
SO excited!! That is going to be a big move, but an absolutely amazing one! I have never heard a bad thing about Seattle. You will be in my prayers, I can’t wait to follow along!
It’s definitely going to be a big change for us, because I don’t think Seattle is very similar to Chicago! Thanks for the prayers and encouragement 🙂
Holy crap, congrats! super exciting! Can’t wait to follow along! A MN blogger- Melissa just moved out there a few months ago- they have a 4 year old and a toddler (18 months?) — http://thatcherandmelissa.blogspot.com/ she’s the absolute sweetest!
Thanks!! I’ll definitely be ‘stalking’ Melissa’s blog immediately!
yay yay yay!!
Reading about your move has definitely been an encouragement to me… I can’t wait to hear more about it IN REAL LIFE!
I’m so excited for all of your new adventures!!! And you will make friends SO fast, you are amazing at finding groups to join and meeting new people, but I can understand how it would be a hard transition. When I moved from Utah to Idaho (big move, I know) for school, I didn’t know anyone where I moved to for a week (when my best friend moved up there) and it was a different experience, even when she was there because she was one of the only people I knew. You’ve got this!!!
Thanks for your support and kind words!! I’m not sure if I’m necessarily great at making new friends, but I’m going to try my hardest. And if I don’t meet anyone, I’ll just spend more time on the internet 😉
Congrats!! How exciting, can’t wait to follow along!
EEEEK so exciting and so scary! I’m definitely ready to see what the future has in store for us, though!
Umm…I LIVE IN SEATTLE! Can we please have brunch and take Clara to the park? As an experienced Seattle nanny I know so many great kid places in this area (and adult places of course). Moving is always difficult but Seattle really is a beautiful and wonderful city. I think you will love it here!
I KNOW!!!!! You were one of the first people I thought of. I would absolutely love to get together and to pick your brain about all things I should be doing to keep Clara occupied in the winter months 🙂 YAY, I can’t wait to meet you in real life!
Ahh! So exciting! (And scary) I will definitely be praying for you!
DEFINITELY. I’m very optimistic but also a little bit anxious about everything!
Cheers to new adventures! That’s so exciting!
THANK YOU! I’m definitely excited but also still very overwhelmed.
Cross country moves are trying, but we have been on the east coast for almost two years and it was the best decision we’ve ever made. I’ll be sending lots of positive thoughts your way 🙂 Congrats!!!!
That’s so encouraging for me to hear! I really hope we absolutely love it but right now it seems very daunting and I’m definitely guilty of over-researching everything to try to be over-prepared, even though it really just makes me more anxious!
Congrats on the move! And LOL to the very last sentence. I moved across the country while we were pregnant too, and blogging has been a fun way to meet new people. You’ll be ok!
Thanks so much! Where did you move from and to? I’m glad to hear it sounds like it’s been a good adjustment for you 🙂
From Miami, FL to Phoenix, AZ! We love it out here, but it’s tough being away from all our family and most our friends. Feel free to reach out if you want to talk, vent, ask questions, etc!
From Miami, FL to Phoenix, AZ. I love it here and it was totally worth it!
I know an awesome blogger with two little girls that live in Tacoma. She started a mommy village there. Seriously! message me if you don’t know who I’m talking about and want her info. What a fun adventure!!
Oh that’s amazing! I actually don’t think I know who you’re talking about… And I’m actually not sure how far Tacoma is from Seattle (I know it’s pretty close) but I’ll reach out to you for her info!
Woohoo! I’m like an hour and a half from Seattle!
Ohhhhh in which direction?! How do you like the area?
We’re south and we love it! We just moved here a month ago from portland and think it’s great!
Praying all goes well! Safe travels 🙂
Thanks so much!! So far, so good 🙂
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