Intensity
All of the events of the last few weeks, let alone months, are hard to process. I imagine I won’t truly settle into what’s transpired until our next little boy is sleeping decently at night and we’re well into our new family routine. But I wanted to make sure to take a moment to write some of the joy and grief we’ve experienced so that I can properly reflect on them.
After weeks of searching on craigslist and sending our amazingly supportive friends to check out places, we arrived in Seattle and immediately viewed several newer townhomes (that had seemed promising) and were rather discouraged by how small they were. We didn’t think our piano or dining room table would even fit in them. After enjoying a Saturday morning walk and coffee with the Lais, we walked past a home for rent in their neighborhood. It was absolutely disgusting (would’ve made this nesting mama freak out), so we kept walking, taking a different route than we otherwise would have. Angie nearly tripped over a sandwich board advertising our rental, which was just laying on the ground. I immediately called and we set up an appointment for the next morning. The landlord thought she had posted in on craigslist, but hadn’t, or something went awry with her post because we never saw it nor could find it later. Anyways, we ended up with extra deals like two weeks free because it didn’t rent quickly. While it is an adjustment to be back in a rental with neighbors on each wall and many old and/or odd touches, we are extremely thankful for this place and blown away by how perfect it is in the most important ways. Our furniture fits! We have storage! We even have three bedrooms on the same level. And the location!!! So close to my best friend! This has already proven to be a tremendous blessing. The other places within walking distance include my favorite grocery store, a public pool, a community center complete with toddler playspace, a public library branch, multiple preschools, lots of playgrounds and parks, and coffee and yummies galore. Plus, we’re really close to downtown and have already taken a short bus ride to the aquarium and Pike Place Market. It is AWESOME! In light of the current situation in Haiti, let alone the rest of the developing world, we are spoiled. It will be a good reminder in patience, tolerance, and humility to have neighbors to consider in our daily actions, as well. Although I already feel bad about their potential vicarious newborn experience and definitely experience heightened sensitivity to Charlie’s cries and screams.
Yesterday our movers arrived and unloaded all the boxes we had packed weeks prior. Charlie’s train boxes were front and center in his room an hour into the move. PERFECT. Charlie’s happiness at getting to play with his train set again was contagious. Even the movers commented on his focused train set-up. Angie dropped by after getting Manny to preschool, holding one twin and strolling the other, and gifted us with several treats from Macrina (our amazingly delicious neighborhood bakery that is only a few streets down from our rental). Our dear Cali friends’ sister, who just recently moved here, came over and helped entertain Charlie with great success. And the movers were friendly, hard-working, careful, respectful and fun. It was a great morning.
On top of the pervasive grief we all feel for so many of the world’s current tragedies, Haiti included, more sadness came that afternoon with word that Sam and Angie’s dog would have to be put down. Aslan has been with them since the start of their marriage, and therefore with us as their friends for as long as we’ve known them. In our first year or two in Seattle we dog-sat Aslan on occasion and he always made it memorable…like by eating my underwear once or stealing our socks. He was also present for a backpacking trip and beach trip, both of which I recall him at his happiest with the freedom to run to his heart’s content. To call him active was an understatement but he could snuggle with the best of them, too. And before we had Charlie he let me hold him in my lap, play with his paws and make him do his “mean face.” He will be missed.
To complete the rollercoaster, Harry received news today that confirmed our decision. I begin third trimester this weekend!!! I don’t think my body would’ve taken the stress of the past few months this late in the pregnancy. I had my first contraction two nights ago…I’m assuming just a Braxton-Hicks because it was brief and isolated. It was a good reminder to rest plenty and slow down. So, in that spirit, to bed I go.
I am thankful our borrowed internet connection has allowed me to write this. Tomorrow we get our own, as well as a landline. I’ll send an email out with our address and home phone. Email me if you don’t get this by early next week.
