Moving with a 6 Month Old

**If you want the short list of things I did to ease Sarah into the move skip to the bottom**

So I've been kinda MIA on the blog again.  Shocker! I know!  But this time it is actually for a plausible reason (excuse).  I have been up to my eyeballs in moving. I HATE MOVING!!!  There are very few times I wish I had a magic wand I could wave and have everything done, but moving is definitely one of them.  (I'm one of those nerds who loves to do things myself and have great sense of accomplishment and pride when it's complete)  But moving and probably cleaning the bathtub are the two things I would wave my wand and have instantly finished, oh and maybe painting a room, how tedious! 

Anyway, the point of this post is sharing my strategy for moving with a baby.  Because let's face it, I needed a strategy to deal with time management of packing and a strategy for causing the least amount of stress on Sarah.  So I started weeks ago with packing.  I figured if I could pack one or two boxes a night I would be in a lot better shape than trying to do it all at once. (Previously I've been the chick up till 4am packing to make sure that when the truck was picked up at 8am we'd be ready... ha! like I was ever ready....)  So I started with the things in cabinets or closets we don't use on a daily basis and that Sarah wouldn't notice had changed.  But there is only so much of that type of stuff to pack... So soon I had to start on the things in plain view that we don't need daily.  You know, pictures on the wall, books, DVDs etc.  Well Sarah started to get a little stressed when she would notice something had changed.  So I had the brilliant idea of showing her what I was packing.  That didn't work.  It's better to pack things when they are out of sight and just acknowledge the changes when she woke up.  Her watching me pack was a nightmare.

Have I mentioned Sarah is completely freaked out by the noise packing tape makes when it comes off the role?  Because you want to talk about turning a sweet happy baby into a huge alligator tear crying infant, seal a box.  I tried showing her the tape, letting her feel it, showing her how it comes off the role.  That didn't work.  The second I pulled on the tape her little bottom lip jutted out and her eyes filled up with tears and looked at me with those big sad eyes that were begging the question "Why are you doing this to me?"  So I stopped sealing boxes when she was awake.  I'd pack them and put them off to the side to seal later after she went to bed or napped.

I saved my bedroom for last, thinking that she needed her sleep area to remain uninterrupted.  I didn't take anything off the walls until the week before the move, and would pack a closet then close the door so she couldn't see the difference.  I was also very purposeful in keeping her corner of the room exactly the way it had been since setting up her crib.  That way she'd be able to sleep well at nap time and night time.  But things needed to get done, so eventually I packed the whole room except her corner.  That area was her safe space in the moving process.  I thought she needed that.

So we had to move in phases.  The two major days were Saturday and Sunday.  Saturday was devoted to moving my sister and Sunday was devoted to moving us.  I arranged for Sarah to spend Saturday with my parents.  It was just easier to have her away from the apartment so she didn't have to be involved with that craziness.  So after moving all of my sisters things out Saturday, I went to pick up my girl, and let me tell you she had a ball with her grandma and papa!  They had a fun day of bonding, playing, swimming, strolling etc.  She was pretty much exhausted by the time I went back to apartment which was my plan so I just had to let her play a few minutes before bedtime.  Again, her area of our room was untouched, so she got a good nights sleep.  Sunday morning, Mike got up and took Sarah to his mom's to spend the day.  I waited until they left to dismantle her area.  I packed everything up in my car so that when we got to the new house I could re-create her area in a similar fashion to help with the stress.

Sarah had another great day spending time with her Gammy and big sister, but I'd be lying if I said it was stress free.  We were moving until late Sunday.  His mom tried really hard to put her to bed, but she just wasn't going for it.  I have always put her to sleep, on the extremely rare occasion that I haven't, Mike has been there.  She knew something was up and was waiting for one of us to be there.  We got a call around 10:30 PM saying that she was pitiful.  Not crying, but clearly exhausted, and could we maybe hurry or one of us come back.  So we threw what was left in our cars, returned the truck and headed to the new house. (Have I mentioned that we're moving into a duplex that his mother lives on the other side? Cause I guess that's kinda important at this point)

By the time I got there she was laying down, with her eyes barely open, but clearly fighting sleep.  I wanted to shower and put clean clothes on, but at this point it was more important to get her to bed.  So I picked her up and she instantly settled on my chest and went to sleep.  I took her into her room with her corner being set up very similarly and put her to bed.  I made sure she had her noise machine and music.  But she's just too smart.  She tossed and turned that night, crying in her sleep.  So we spent the night running back and forth soothing and comforting her.  She just needed to know we were still there, because the second she felt my hand on her she would settle back into sleep.  Oh! And when she woke up that morning I swear she had no idea who I was or Mike.  She had this wild look in her eyes looking back and forth between us followed by screaming.  It got better after her bottle and lots of soothing.  I think this was just a product of the restless night she had.

The next day I made it very clear that she needed to take all of her naps in her bed.  She needed to get used to the space and the more time she spent in there the better it would be for all of us.  So Mike put her down for naps and let her play in the room.  We still had some moving things to do Monday, so I picked her up after work and took her to my mom's while we got the rest of the junky things out and cleaned the apartment to turn it over.  But I made sure to be back at the new house before Sarah's bedtime.  I did as much of her nightly routine as was possible and took my time getting her ready for bed.  When I gave her the last bottle she was tired from all of the events of the weekend and was having a hard time relaxing in the strange quietness that is a new house full of boxes.  So I sang her some of the songs I've been singing to her since birth.  Even threw in a few TV theme songs for good measure (I'll be there for yooouuuu.... When the rain starts to poor... I'll be there for yoooouuuu... Like I've been there before... (Name that show!))  And when I took her into her room for our walk (I don't have a rocker, so we pace around the room to sleep) I left a soft lamp on so she could see where she was.  If her head popped off my chest because something caught her attention I stopped and let her look at whatever it was and explained what it was and why it was there.  We did this for probably 5-10 min, then I turned off the lights and her head instantly went to her spot on my chest and she was out.  She slept like a baby that night.  No more tossing and turning and crying in her sleep.  The night time sleep battle won.  I can say that with confidence now that we've had 3 nights of normal sleep.

Now we just have to unpack all the millions of boxes.  We've spent the last two evening arranging furniture and unpacking daily necessities such as dishes and glasses.  Now that things are in place the unpacking moving marathon will start, along with all the million's of paint projects we have planned.  Have I mentioned I HATE MOVING!!!????  Because really I do, the whole process is a pain in the butt.  BUT, I am kinda excited to start living our lives as the Gill Family (Even if I'm not a Gill... yet!)

Oh and if you want a short list of things that were important to me through the move with Sarah here they are:

1.  I stopped referring to any one place as home.  I would say things like "Do you want to go with mommy?" instead of "Do you want to go home?"  I'm giving her time to disassociate the apartment with "home".
2.  I did not let Sarah see the apartment empty.  After my sister's move, I shut her door so she couldn't see in that room and there was relatively little furniture from our living spaces missing.  She knew our apartment parking lot and stairs and thought she didn't need to see the place empty.
3.  I kept the things she is used to the same.  Her sleep corner is relatively the same, her noise machine and music the same.  Same kitchen sink set up with her bottles and food.  Same toys to play with. etc.
4.  I arranged for her to be with people she knew and trusted to keep her occupied during the move so she could have "good days"
5.  I let her get to know her new room on her terms during the first real day there and night.
5.  Saved packing things she saw on a daily basis until the last week.  Acknowledged when something was different and moved on. 6 month olds are surprisingly distractable with a rattle or toy.

So yeah, if you've read this whole post, yay for you!!  (It's super long...) And as a reward you get a bright shiny internet hug from me! 

Changes.

This post is somewhat out of place here, but I'm going to write it anyway. (Mostly because I need an outlet right about now.)  So sorry if you're looking for a post on pregnancy or baby related.  I'll get back to posting those in the near(ish) future.

Currently, my little corner of the world is going topsy turvy.  You know how they say you go through seasons of change in your life?  Well, that's my life in a nutshell right now.  And to be quite frank and honest, I'm not exactly sure how to proceed at the moment.  So let's just start with the biggest thing that is on my mind and emotions currently.

My sister is moving across the country.  Now, those of you know me or know us, know that there have been huge chunks of our adult lives spent away from one another, I've lived in Italy for two years, she's spent more than one summer away at various National Parks.  We went to college hours away from one another.  But for the last 6(ish) years we have lived together.  We spent time away doing our various life pursuits and found ourselves back in Nashville and it worked out to live together. 

Um, I'm not even sure how to put into words the type of teeter totter emotions I feel about her moving so far away right now.  On the one side, I'm so incredibly happy for her.  I just know that her new city and state are going to fit her like a glove.  I can honestly say that I don't think she'd ever choose Tennessee has her home if her family wasn't here.  She is heading off to grad school to become qualified to do the things she was meant to do in life.  I genuinely believe she is going to find mountains and mountains of happiness there, doing things she loves and being surrounded by people who share the same passion(s) she does.  I don't want to say too much on what her future endevours will be because I haven't asked her permission to share it with my handful of readers...  So for this side of emotions I'm elated for her.  I really really REALLY think this is going to be so positive for her.

But then there is my selfish self-centered side that wants to grab her leg and beg her not to go!  I want to tell her to stay here and hang out with me.  I can totally take up hiking and backpacking... Okay maybe that's not really my thing, but we can work out some sort of system involving hiking through the mall or setting up a tent in the back yard  Ooooh!  I can build her a forest in the living room, who loves card board and tissue paper!?!.  I can talk her round, right?...  But I know that wouldn't be fair to her.  So my heart hurts a little(lot) at the thought of losing her right now.  I know that I'll adjust to a new routine and a new living situation and all that, but it's more the loss of my best friend that makes me so sad.  She knows how to read me and we have too many inside jokes and references that anyone else would think I'm crazy.  See I don't really hang out with many people, okay, I don't hang out with anyone.  But we always found stuff to do together.  We would take Sarah to the zoo or a pretty garden or go shopping or to some fun craft fair. We made "fun" together.  Plus, I can't even put into words the emotions I feel when I get past myself and factor in Sarah.  I really can't even get into that... I've been sitting here trying to put words to it and there are none... but I know that she knows what I mean.  Plus, who is going to teach Sarah the right words to songs?  We all know I'm lyrically challenged.

But again, I'm so so SO excited about this new chapter in her life and I know we'll keep in touch.

Which brings me to the next major change in my life.  We moved this weekend.  Mike and I have decided to live together and finally become a more traditional family unit.  We feel this is very important for both Haley and Sarah (and us too).  We've been talking about it for awhile now and it's finally happened.  Yes, we are still on team "let's get married sometime" but as life goes, sometimes you do things out of order.  This another one of those things.  Really we're just working backward.  Haha!  This has been a long time coming and we both feel like it's time.  Actually we feel it's a little past time, but we're at a great place.  We've been together five years and really feel we know how to communicate with one another and can read each other enough to really make it work.  Well not just work, but be good.  We've weathered A LOT of rocky times together and know that we're in it together.  But, as we all know, officially living together brings on more adjustments.  I don't think these will be that hard or difficult, just different.  Another major change in life.

Then there are little changes going on right now.  I've been at my current job for about a year and half.  The woman who trained me and is my crutch at work has announced that she will be leaving the end of August.  She is moving out of state to be with her family.  I don't know about you, but a year and half at a job is not really long enough to know every little thing or all the little random things that don't always come up... so I'm a little nervous for her to leave.  When she's gone I'll be the only Admin left here.  Yikes!!!

So to re-cap:
-Sister/Best friend moving across the country
-Living with boy becoming family unit
-Work/job uncertainty

Plus all the little things that change... I am just a little unhinged or maybe it's exhaustion from the three day moving marathon... but yeah, definately a season of change new beginnings all the way around.

I Hope I Never Forget... 6 Months

Sarah,
Wow!!!  6 months old ~ that's half a year!!!  Growing so big and learning so much!  I really can't believe how fast time is flying by!  This post is a little late because we are in the middle of moving.  This is the last week you will be sharing a room with us, which makes me a little sad.  Also, I'm a little sad at leaving the only home you've ever known... but I think this will be a good thing.  But anyway, I still want to remember these things that are totally you!  So I hope I never forget....

• Your absolute happiness when you wake up!  You've started waking up a little earlier than you have in the past.  But when you decide to get up, you will lay there and talk and sing to yourself for awhile.  It really makes getting up with you so much fun!  Any annoyance that you are awake at the butt crack of dawn instantly goes aways when we see that big smile and excitement you have to see us come get you!
• That you will sleep with your feet straight up in the air.  If you are on your back, your feet are straight up.  We've tried to help you relax by gently pulling your feet and legs down, but you just flex them straight up again.  It's so you!
• Rotating baby!  You turn yourself during the night by 45 degrees.  We always put you down parallel to the sides of your crib, but come morning you are perpendicular.  You also can go in a circle on the floor to get to toys your interesting in playing with. 
• Your love love LOVE of rattles.  You've always liked rattles, but it seems like now you are aware that you are making the noise and just go to town shaking shaking shaking!  You get a little over excited sometimes and hit yourself on the forehead, but you love them.  In fact, you'll pick one to be your favorite of the day and won't put it down for anything!  We have to pry it out of your hands to put you in the car seat or down for a nap.  And even then you want it right back when you wake up or are buckled in.
• Your love of being outdoors.  You still enjoy being outside and taking strolls and have gotten really into pool time.  You love to kick and splash when we go swimming!
• How you are trying to figure out rudamentary talking.  You have started saying "mimi" when you are upset and want me to hold you or comfort you.  And the other day when daddy was taking to you play you got this smug little look on your face and said "adadada" that sounded a lot like you were trying to say daddy.  It's so stinking cute!
• You are now eating solids every day!  Just one meal, but you get cereal and jar of a veggie every day.  We have only introduced one fruit into your diet at this point, which is banana's and you love them!  The jar of banana's was actually the first jar you finished in one sitting. (But that was a couple weeks ago, you're finishing every jar of food we give you now)
• Your love of head wagging.  That sounds wierd, but you love to see me or anyone wag or wiggle their head toward you.  You even like it when we make your stuffed Dumbo do it.  I don't know why you find it funny, but you do!
• Tickling!  You kinda have to be in the right mood, but when you get going you really laugh hard!  You laugh in your deep baby voice, it's so funny!  Also peek a boo has started to entertain you, but not as much as tickling!
• Growing so fast!  We had to change and retire a lot of things this month.  Including your swing, playmat, newborn pacifiers, All 3-6 Month clothing, and we bought your new car seat, even though we haven't quite started using it yet.  Your just growing so big and your needs are changing!
• Reading to you!  You have started to like being read to.  You like to sit in my lap and look at the pictures and help turn the pages.  I'm pretty sure you know the word book already, because the other day I was getting another book to look at, and when I said the word, you dropped the toy you were playing with and picked up a book.  Smart girl!
• Beginning baby sign!  We have started introducing baby sign to you.  We are starting out small with the basics.  Here's a list of the ones we use:  Milk, Diaper, All Done, Eat, Bath, Book, Ball, Bird, and Bunny. (We have a bird and a bunny, so those aren't totally random)
• Exploring new textures.  You are really getting into new textures and realize when it's something you haven't felt before.  We have a touch and feel book, but you're not really into that yet.  You more go for different cloth types, towel, tableclothes, satin/silk, cotton etc. And then different plastics, smooth bumpy etc.  Plush toys vs. plastic toys that type of thing.
• How you hold you hand out when I'm walking.  You put your little hand out just hoping to brush by something.  Like the lamp shade or wall or anything that's along our path.  You look at your hand a little dejectedly if you didn't get to touch anything.
• Reaching for things you want.  You can now lock onto something you want and reach for it.  You haven't really started reaching for people.  But you definately lounge and grab for toys or boxes or whatever you want to hold and look at.  Including our food, so plates and things have to be kept out of reach.
• Your jazzy style.  Seriously kiddo, you are into jazz music.  We have one station in Nashville that plays jazz music with any regularity, but it is the ONLY thing you want to hear in the car.  I've tried switching it off after your calm, but you instantly start whining again.  And Lord help us if that station is doing a news update or isn't playing jazz for whatever reason,  I guess I should get some jazz on my phone for those occasions.  I just don't know anything about this genre...
• Um your lack of interest in feeding yourself.  You will put toys and other things in your mouth.  (Typical baby thing) But when it comes to food, you haven't shown any interest in feeding yourself.  You are happy just having us spoon it into your mouth.  Oh! and when you want more of something you hum loudly until you see it coming.  We're trying to curb this, but that is currently your cue to us that we aren't feeding you fast enough.
• Your hurt baby face when you feel you are being slighted.  It's getting harder to have a meal around you because you genuienly feel cheated if you can't eat what we're eating.  Mainly ice cream or meat.  You have no teeth honey, and it's not time for dairy, I'm sorry!!!
• The big sitting girl you are!  You topple very very little, and usually it's because that's what you meant to do or the toy you are reaching for it just out of reach.  You are also a pro at rolling belly to back and seem to be working on how to get yourself to the sitting position.  You still seem to want to crunch into sitting, but have started to realize it may be easier to push yourself up.
• You're still my little bouncing baby.  You like to be in your bouncer, but when you're not you'll bounce yourself on the lap of whoever is holding you.
• Your facination with hair.  You are really gently with it, but you coo softly when you get to touch it and will run your tiny hands through the strands.  It's really sweet.
• Kicking, I know I say this every month, but you kick as if it's the only thing in the world worth doing.  It's just "you".  You kick when you sit, you kick when you lay down, you kick when you're being held or carried, you kick constantly.  It's actually started to hurt because you kick the same place over and over and over again.  We have to move you or put a pillow in between because your legs are st-rong!
• You are now wearing 6-9 Month clothing and size 3 diaper.  We put you back into Pampers swaddlers because I just don't like the cruisers yet.  I'll probably start using crusiers when you are creeping or crawling.  So far, you have't shown any interest in doing those things yet, but it may just be because you haven't realized that you're able to.

Mainly little one, I hope I never forget what a sweet and happy baby you are.  You get the biggest happiest smile on your face when you see me after work, you also have that smile when I get up with you in the morning because usually it's daddy when I'm working.  I love watching you grow and explore and seeing the ways you're coming up with communicating.  I love playing with you and teaching you new things.  But, you don't like for me to push you into learning something new.  If I try to really get you to do something you won't.  But if I show you when you're trying to do it or show it to you a couple of times spaced out you'll do it on your own.  I think you just like to do things in your time and I'm completely fine with that.  I love that we're starting to see your personality and I can't wait to see what this month brings!  I love you little tiny one!  You light up my life!
Love forever and always!
Momma



I'm 6 months old!!