it was a thursday when colin called from work and said we needed to move on sunday rather than wednesday. we packed up the condo that friday and saturday, and movers came sunday. all our things were taken to storage save for a couple of suitcases that we brought with us to my parent's house. the closing date on the house remained undecided, and our lives hung somewhere in between here and there, now and then, before and after.
it was a friday when we flew to new jersey for a wedding, kids in tow. quinn shrieked louder than she ever has when we descended, her little ears straining under the pressure. with mommy off doing rehearsal dinners and hair appointments and receptions and all that grown up stuff, and confined to a wonderful but small apartment lent to us by some incredibly generous friends, will became more and more unhinged. by sunday, signs of a brewing cough and cold in both children became apparent, and were confirmed in a burst of yelling and fever and tears as i called colin over and over again on his phone, demanding he, "get back here right now! no, get some infant tylenol! no, just get back here!"
it was a monday when we left for the newark airport at the crack of dawn, children crying and hacking and sniffling. we decided to brave the flight despite icy stares from other passengers, knowing that when you're sick, there's no place like home, or, in the very least, a half, sort of, somewhat home at nana and papa's house. upon arrival in chicago, all hell broke loose, and continued to tear through our lives for days, ravaging sleep and emotions and little ears and noses and lungs. in the middle of one sleepless night, my heart broke in two as will wailed, "i just want to go home!" how do you tell a sick, sobbing two-year-old that he doesn't, at the moment, have a home to go to?
it was a wednesday when quinn was diagnosed with an ear infection, and a saturday when we visited the doctor with will to have his checked.
that was also the saturday we had our final walk through of the house. we closed on monday. on tuesday, the professional cleaners came. on wednesday, they cleaned the carpet. on thursday, they cleaned the air ducts. on friday, the painters began. on saturday, the movers delivered our things, and grammy and poppy flew in from new hampshire to spend time with the kids while we unpacked. after having the floors refinished on monday, we finally, once and for all, in one big, exhausted, eager, overjoyed heap, slept in our new home. and we have every night since.
it is everything we hoped for and more.
isn't she a beauty?
we sure think so.
