Our Happily Ever After: The Move and Much More

We have successfully moved from our New Hampshire home that we loved so dearly to our new Connecticut apartment and all is well. Back in July Aaron was laid off at work. He quickly found new work and is super excited about his new job. He started immediately and Amelia and I stayed behind to pack, clean, and make arrangements..... lots of arrangements. We needed to rent our NH home, find a new apartment in CT, and tie up lots of loose ends while Aaron lived in a hotel suite in CT 3 hours away. It was a crazy time, but all considered it was a very smooth process and we are grateful for that. All worked out perfectly.

We were happy to be reunited. But it was brief. 8 days after moving in and finally being under the same roof again Aaron was off traveling for work. First to NJ/PA and then to TX. We don't expect much travelling with this job, but we do expect frequent relocation..... both of which we are ok with.

Lots has happened in our first week back in CT. It was nice to be welcomed back by so many beloved friends. It is great to be in the place we think of as home, even if we hate the government and how expensive everything is.

Tuesday Amelia and Mommy went home to Montgomery, MA to visit the great grandparents. It is wonderful that Amelia has this opportunity to know her great grandparents. She loves both her Meme and Bumpy so much. She has them both figured out too. She runs to Meme when she gets her hands or face dirty, letting Meme clean them with a wet wash cloth (which Amelia fights Mommy on, but Meme must do it better). When visiting Bumpy Amelia enjoys all of the very old things around his home. She loves spending time with him and treasure hunting in his home. This was an especially wonderful visit because it was the first time we visited without Nana. Bumpy told us stories of the war, about the immigration of the Polish and Irish into town, and more. It is a gift to be able to sit with him at 99 years old and hear firsthand stories of a world that only exists to us in books, movies, and museums. Both the Wolcott's (Bumpy's Family) and the Pease's (My Father's Family) were some of the original settlers in this country. Now is 2015 he is my (Jill's) step-grandfather and Amelia's step-great-grandfather, but our ancestors have known one another since the 1600's which is just amazing. Our shared history and the love that he has always shown for me and Amelia has created familial love regardless of biology. He always wants to give something to Amelia to take home. Usually he looks around for something and she ends up bring home a golf ball, but sometimes he finds an old stuffed animal or trinket. It really is very sweet. He stands by his front door waving goodbye and Amelia yells "goodbye, love you bumpy" as I buckle her up. Im glad to be living closer at this time because it means we get to visit him more while he is still here with us.

Thursday Grandpa and Grandma Card arrived from Michigan for a visit. We hadn't seen them in 1.5 years so it was overdue. Amelia and Mommy were spoiled with lots of time with them while Daddy was at work. We went to a great park in South Windsor on Friday where we all got alot of exercise but especially Amelia and Grandpa. On the way back to the car Amelia collapsed in the grass and said "I rest here" as she proceeded to attempt a nap. It took alot of persuasion and some lifting on Mommy's part but we eventually made it to the car where she got a quick catnap in. On Saturday we went to Lyman Orchard and ran the corn maze with Amelia leading the way at a sprint. With only a couple of minutes until the the end of the 2 mile maze Amelia tuckered out and enjoyed riding and resting on Daddy's shoulders. She also enjoyed riding a pony for the first time and is still talking about it days later. It was a cold windy day but that didn't stop us. We enjoyed our cider donuts, cider, and lunch and then went into the orchard for Apple picking. We picked lots of Macoun's.... Our new FAVORITE apple. And enjoyed eating them later in the form of apple crisp with whipped cream after dinner. Amelia loved playing with Grandpa and Grandma, and Mommy and Daddy did too. Sunday afternoon Daddy left for his work trip and that night Grandpa and Grandma left for home. Monday morning we were back to reality, Mommy and Amelia all alone. It was a tough day, but now on Tuesday we are better adjusted.

Other things that happened:
*Amelia got a Big Girl Bed, a twin bed all of her own.
*We have been trying new vegan/vegetarian recipes and they have been really good thus far.
*WE LOVE LIVING SO CLOSE TO THE VICTORINO'S, it is crazy to be able to see them every few days.
*Amelia has been dressed in complete princess attire pretty much all the time.
*We went to the Big E a few weeks ago and although it was cold it was great, especially the circus and the cider donuts.
*Amelia has taken to singing the songs from Frozen, especially with her singing Elsa doll.
*We have discovered bath paint, which we love. Bath crayons BAD, bath paint GREAT.