The MOVE

There's so much... I really don't know where to begin, I suppose I'll just start from the beginning. The Mortgage company had told us it would take around six weeks to finalize our loan. We started packing as soon as get got our approval (five weeks prior.) Well, we got a call 5 weeks later and they told us we were ready to close. We weren't 100% ready but all we had left were odds and ends, lighting fixtures and taking the furniture apart... Jimmy was given 3 days off, had to go back in on Saturday and then off his usual Sunday. Day 1 (Wednesday) Our appointment to close was at 10 and I remember thinking to myself... Okay we'll get the papers signed, run to get the moving truck load all the boxes in the moving truck and spend the first night at our new home. On Day 2 I had hopes the guys could get all the furniture moved while I unpacked all the boxes and took care of Addelyn. Day 3 was supposed to be spent putting all the furniture together, installing the appliances and lighting fixtures. Day 4 Jimmy had to go back to work I figured I could decide where I wanted everything hung and set up decor etc... Day 5 he could hang everything up, So that Day 6 Monday- we were all settled Jimmy could go back to work and focus. Welllll that isn't even what remotely happened.

Real World: Day 1- We went to close at 10am, Didn't get out of there until 1:30 ish we had to drive all the way out to Hutto to get the keys, eat something, and by then it was 4:00 when we got back to Round Rock. On the way home I was already feeling so defeated with how day one was unfolding I started calling a gazillion movers trying to get quotes and had a couple guys meet us at the house and EVERYONE told us that it was a 12 hour job just to move everything and put it in the garage and that didn't include taking the furniture apart and setting it back up. On average we were quoted 100 dollars an hour plus trip fees and mileage. So back to square one we call U-Haul to get the truck, we rent a 26 ft truck and watching Jimmy drive that home in rush hour traffic was to say the least SCARY. So we arrived home with the truck around 7:00 pm loaded as many boxes as we could, I was still packing while he was loading and we left to head to the new house at midnight, having to stop for dinner and gas we arrived at the new house at 1:00 am. Jimmy was so defeated he decided to suck it up, stay up and unload the truck that night so in the morning they could book it to the house to start taking everything apart and loading the truck. Day 2 Lets just say I didn't get to stay at the new house and unpack I still had MORE packing to do, 12 hours later... two car loads, TWO 26 foot u-haul truck loads later.... it was the end of the day, the guys were BEAT and decided to call it a night. Here is what's hard about moving with a baby: They are expected to make a million trips back and fourth and constantly be in the car- have I mentioned how much Addelyn use to love the car? Try singing the itsy bitsy spider an entire 30 minute car ride 10 times, LOL. I look back and can't help but laugh- but at the time not so much. Once you finally get out of the car babies want attention and it's such a juggling game between getting the car unloaded and meeting baby's needs. Honestly the only time that I personally could be productive was if Addelyn was sleeping so the sleepless nights began.... I started staying up till 3 and four in the morning to get things unpacked so on to DAY 3 Jimmy's last day off, there was still a good 1 and 1/2 moving trucks full of stuff at the house, so another day went where Jimmy and the guys had to spend most of his day at the old house packing stuff up. We only had the truck for three days so it was crunch time. Six o-clock came around and it was time to drop off the truck, a girlfriend of mine came over that day to help with Addelyn and I finally felt like I was making headway, there were still two car loads waiting at the house to be picked up Sunday but we did what we could and on Day 4 Jimmy returned to work. Day 4 was Saturday which meant Jimmy's mom-Nana was off work and was able to watch Addelyn, so off to Nana's she went. I got SO much done by that night everything was at least out of the boxes. Day 5 Sunday: Jimmy's day off came around and he was able to finally get the rest of the stuff from the house and get things hung up. It's so crazy what expectations we set for ourselves when the reality of things is so different. Before plans originally were put in place I literally thought that somewhere in there we would paint the entire house in a day of course with help before we started moving anything- CRAZY. All in all we had 90plus boxes, at which I quit counting. You'd think we were hoarders. So 4 1/2 26ft u-haul loads and 7 truck loads later we got everything out of the old house and into the new.

How we made it happen? WE didn't, thanks to family and friends things were able to happen as they did. I think if we hadn't had the help we might still be unpacking and setting things up. Jimmy's brother Kevin came into town and stayed for four days with us, as well as his lovely lady Mirah. Kevin was such a trooper with helping with all the heavy lifting, installing FIVE chandeliers and an outdoor lighting fixture, installing our front door, mounting tvs to the wall and helping put together furniture and SO SO much more. Is he amazing or what?! Thank you so much Kevin! Mirah helped me get organized, care for Addelyn and unpack boxes as well as Lynn. They are both such selfless giving ladies... Thank you! Jimmy's cousin Tyler pitched in a lot of help with by taking everything a part and moving the REALLY big stuff. Jimmy's momma watched Addelyn for an ENTIRE day so I could get stuff done. I have such an amazing family and I'm blessed to have loved ones to call on when things like this happen.

Salutations!

Hello, from Hutto! I'm elated to announce that we're getting back to the basics at the Wilcox Abode. It has been a journey to say the least. So much has happened in the past two, three, FOUR months and I have so much to unfold on this little blog. Bare with me as I travel back in time. Honestly, I don't even know where to begin. Life has been moving so fast on top of transitioning and getting settled into a new "city". Yes I said city, although Hutto is only a measly 20 miles from our previous home, life out here is much, much different and feels almost as if we have moved to a far away land- Ha, more on that later! Between packing, the home-buying process, moving, unpacking, nesting, decorating, tons of milestones and precious moments, I've been doing my very best to be present and in-tune with this new life we have commenced. Although the blog has taken the back burner, I'm so happy to say I've been able to focus solely on our little family and really enjoy all of these little precious moments. It was a much needed break but I'm so glad to be back!

Life Update:

We purchased a new home, packed, moved, unpacked and still have workers coming in and out of our home to finalize details. Let me tell you, moving with a baby is a MISSION in itself. The timing worked out perfect regarding to her mobility now. I don't know that we would be where we are today if she hadn't been a little blob then. I feel as if I have voyaged across the many seas, trekked through the desert and conquered Mount Everest. More on that later.

Transitioning has been a trial in it-self and I can honestly say I'm on the fence to declare who it was harder for- Addelyn or Tucker: Funny stories to come!

The move resulted in yet another sleep training fiasco but we are finally nearing the end! Looking forward to sharing the do's and don'ts- learned the hard way.

Addelyn is MOBILE! Since our move she has gone from sitting to balancing on all fours, rocking, scooting, and (drum roll please) CRAWLING! I honestly think it won't be long before she's walking. She is pulling up on EVERYTHING and we've already had our first big fall. Are we ever prepared for these petrifying experiences that our little ones endure? GRACE! Little A is talking- YES TALKING! Addelyn says Mama, Baba, Hiii and signs baba, more and waves. BIG GIRL! She has a mouth full of four teeth and 2 cutting through the gum as we speak. We pierced her ears- was terrified yet so worth it! She's grown out of the baby bath tub and is now in a big girl bath seat. She wants nothing to do with th exersaucer, walker, bouncer or anything that confines her. She is into EVERYTHING! She has leaped and is on the brink of another one- oh joy. I need to rewind big time and upload Addelyn's monthly updates and so much more, I have been itching to document and share all of these milestones with you!

We've celebrated two holidays: Valentines Day, St. Patricks Day, and are thrilled that Easter is around the corner.

We have hired a babysitter- oh Lord help me. I am THAT Mom. Who knew? Everyone- but me? YUP-ha! More on that later.

I have some vulnerable things to share regarding beating isolation and striving to be Super Mom. I am so blessed to have been connected with a fellowship of families that have the same love for Jesus. Thank you Ruthie Hart. These emerging friendships are so cherished and I feel blessed to have the opportunity to be surrounded with these sweet people. We are currently in search of a new church that is closer to home. I have recently started a Mom's Club and it is quickly evolving into something so special- let me add it has become my sanity! What better way to celebrate hump day than to get together with other moms and let the kids go crazy?! These ladies are so wonderful, coming as they are, and sharing their experiences, giving advice, having fun and just being REAL.

The past four months have been LIFE CHANGING. I've learned so much from Addelyn and my heart as been touched in so many ways and by so many people. Stay tuned as I backtrack and relive all of these fun, crazy, stressful, amazing and funny milestones!

Mama

OKAY. Call me CRAZY but I think someone is saying MAMA!!!!! She looked at me this morning and just straight said it with arms reaching for me, Ma-Ma. I reached for the camera and unfortunately I only got bits and pieces due to there not being enough storage on my phone (bummer). At first I thought no way, she must be babbling but she continued to respond to me with ma-ma, ma-ma-ma-ma-ma. She's really into copying us right now so I'm gonna take it! She may think everything is Mama right now, and may not know how to use it properly but SHES SAYING MAMA! So I'm not gonna get into the formalities of counting this as her first word or not however I am going to REVEL in this milestone and celebrate our little peach's new achievement!!!!

Happy Hump Day!

First Valentines Day

If you cannot tell... we are teething!

A little bit of spoiling for the hubs and I....

And of course for Little A too... Flowers from Daddy!

Looking forward to a much needed date night tonight!!! Thank you Nana!

Happy Valentines Day to you and yours!
- Love, The Wilcox Bunch

Stuck in 2013

I just can't bring myself around to committing to my new years resolutions much less bring myself to put the lid on 2013. The New Year is all about celebrating a year passing and a New Year beginning. A great time for change, new habits, new ways and goals. And while I have quite a list of new goals:

1. Be more active: start working out at least 3 days a week
2. Eat out less: cook healthier meals
3. Have date night once a month
4. Take advantage of the opportunities to have me time
5. Grow my relationship with God

I feel like we aren't in a place to start those. My motivation is so contingent on my environment . The environment here at the Wilcox abode is such a unsettling and idling vibe. We are basically living out of umber, cardboard boxes. The house is stripped of all things snug and warm. Walls are bare, cabinets are vacant. Our home is bereaved of all things homey. Its the perfect concoction for ZERO motivation. So how do you begin to start new habits, new goals? How do you feel refreshed? How does one close the chapter of 2013 and open 2014, when you are stuck, waiting and idling for the green light. I LOVE change but cannot stand the anticipation- usually due to the fact of starting the transition of something and having to wait to finish it. So basically I feel like I sit here and gawk over the view of all that needs to be done but can't be. Aka de-mot-i-vat-ing.

For some unexplainable reason I just do not feel like I can start this New Years venture before finishing what we started with operation: move to our new home.

So heres where we stand: 

Our loan is finally out of underwriting and was sent to be processed on the 31st, which can take 2-3 weeks. Our latest close date is the 24th but we are hoping for it to be sooner. We do our formal walk through tomorrow. We are excited but nervous there might be a few things that pend our close date.

Most recent picture.

2013 was filled with so many blessings and we are ecstatic to see what God will do in our lives in 2014. But before I take on these new goals I'd like to get settled into our new home first!

Addelyn Meets Santa

Four Month Update

 

The holidays and our home buying adventure sure has me behind on the blog, tuning in this week to catch up!