Two Sides To Every Coin

We are officially relocated to Roanoke.  Its great to be in our new house.  I put "our house" in quotes because its not really ours - we are renting.  Renting is a bit of an adjustment - knowing there is only a certain amount of changes we are permitted to do (i.e.  no painting, no taking down wallpaper, etc.).  But, it will be home for the next couple of years....and it does have our things in it.  So, it feels like our new home.

As with any change, there is good and bad.  The good part is that Katie really enjoys it here in Roanoke.  She is loving the parks , the new playgrounds - especially the Greenway, riding her tricycle, and finally having all her toys back.  She is especially wearing mommy, daddy, and Nana out driving her Trike.  Last week Nana took her for a ride and Katie took off down the hill....a little too fast paced.  Nana warned her to slow down.  Katie's response was "No Nana, I like to go fast!"  Nana's counter move - she got a bungy cord and attached it to the back of the tricycle, so Katie couldn't get too out of control.  Check mate - game Nana!

More good, Matt finished his first week of class!  I rarely post about my hubby (cause I'm so focused on the bug), but I am truly proud of what he is doing....he is a bit crazy, but brave to go back to school at the age of 35.  Even more good - I love the mountains here.  I had almost forgotten how much I loved them.  Now that I'm back I can't wait to go hiking and see the beautiful foliage this fall. 

The bad:  Katie has never been a good sleeper....and the transition of homes/moves/etc. has only escalated her already bad sleep habits.  She has completely given up naps.  Actually, we were lucky to make it to age 3 with her getting a nap.  She was ready at 2 1/2 to give those up, but we forced the issue until she turned 3.  Now she goes to bed at 8 each night and usually wakes up between 7 and 8 the next morning.  The bad part - she's up anywhere from 1 to 3 times each night.  There have been a few nights when she has slept straight through, but that is not the norm. 

More bad:  I'm having to travel between Richmond & Roanoke - sometimes without Katie.  Before this move we had been separated only two times (once for 2 nights, another time for an overnight trip).  I was always there at night and the next morning.  Needless to say, Katie didn't take our first 4 day separation very well.  Of course, when I get back to Roanoke, I baby her - which probably only makes the sleep issues worse.  I've actually resorted to putting a sleeping mat on the floor next to her bed some nights - and just sleeping there next to her.  Its probably not the "right" thing to do....but at least we get some sleep!

One of my friends reminded me that this too shall pass.  She said - Alison, do you know of any teenagers that want to sleep with their parents?  Ha - Good point!  I just hope it doesn't take until the teenage years until we figure out this whole sleeping thing.

Pictures and Videos from this post were taken at the Greenway Park.