Home Sweet Home

I really can't believe its been close to a month since my last post. Well, actually I can. As usual, things have been INSANE - did I mention we'll be moving here in July??!!! Any guesses? Charlotte, NC. Yup. Little fishes in a BIG 'ole pond! I have to admit that I'm a little seriously freaked out at the present... Just to give a little background, the hubs has decided to go to grad school and UNC has a great urban design program. I am not a big city person by any stretch of the imagination, but I will do anything I need to to support Adam and his dreams. (Goodness knows he's sacrificed A LOT for our family!!) Anyway, of course when we decided to move I went into panic mode (me panic? I know its out of character completely..)considering I now had 6 months to find a job, daycare, place to live, etc.... all in a town neither of us had EVER been too. OCD kicked in and I just about lost it. I We decided the best course of action would be to plan a visit as soon as possible to find a place to live, or at least find an area that would be convenient and safe. Safety is a huge thing as you can imagine having a 16 month old daughter. I have to admit that when I saw how large Charlotte is (Its the 19th biggest city in the US) I was not picturing "safe". However, that was a pleasant surprise when we visited this past weekend. This town is ridiculous. I mean I have NEVER been to a city that is so CLEAN!!! It was insane! There were no run down, abandoned buildings. No trash blowing through the streets. I was seriously impressed. Good job Charlotte. Now, while I was MAJORLY impressed with the city, I am still having my spaz moments. I will go ahead and say it - I am directionally challenged. Like, bad. I am extremely worried about getting lost like a little ant in this ginormous city and ending up sobbing on a street corner. Everyone keeps saying that I'll learn my way around, but I really want to respond with "people, I lived in Florence Alabama for 18 years and I still get lost". I truly feel there isn't much hope there. However, we did find some great apartment options and I was shocked to find that we could be right in the middle of the city on our budget. Most places we looked were less than a mile to Adam's building so no more driving! I have to admit that I am excited to be walking to most places (even the grocery store is just a few blocks) and shed a few, or several, pounds. Most places only operate on a 60 day notice schedule so odds are we will be planning another trip to see what units are actually available. Besides our trip we've also been busy just trying to get things done. Adam was away for a week in Chicago so I was here with MC. First, she got sick (sinus infection and an ear infection) and then I got sick! Sick mommy and sick baby with absent daddy equals not the best week for anyone. It was very tiring and stressful but my mom came down for a few days at the end of the week and graciously helped me out! MC is doing fine now, just growing like a little weed. I just sit and stare at her a lot pondering her little brain and all those new connections she's making every second. I'm sure its natural for every mother to feel their child is smarter than the average child at that age, but MC really is. haha. She truly blows me away every day with things she says or does or new things she's learned. No greater joy than being a parent!!! Well, being the heavily read blog that I am (did ya pick up on the sarcasm there? Good for you..) I wonder if there are any Charlotte readers out there.... do you have any city advice or apartment suggestions? Hope everyone has a great week!