Halfway through the year already, how is that possible?!

We’ve kept busy as usual, though we didn’t have a whole lot on the agenda.

Taz celebrated her 11th birthday with us.

Little Man had two weeks of swimming lessons and passed! He would have been able to go to the next level, but since he was too short to touch the bottom, we’ll have to wait for next year.

Then he had his 5th birthday party. He had 3 classmates attend and thoroughly enjoyed the bounce house we rented for the day.

Sadly, my parents headed home after Little Man’s birthday. It’s been a rough couple of weeks getting used to our new routine without the help. Trying to haul both kids to Little Man’s speech appointments on time while not technically being able to drive/lift more than 10lbs was a challenge. Thankfully, I had healed enough to handle it…barely. Ha.

The following week, the Mister officially started his paternity/terminal leave for retirement.

We’re still processing the latest major change, but it’s been nice having the Mister home without interruption. Especially since we need to start focusing on what comes next for our little clan — moving!

Later that week, Baby Girl had her spinal ultrasound at Children’s at Vanderbilt. Everything came back normal, so we don’t have to worry about her sacral dimple. Thank goodness.

We also saw an audiologist in Clarksville, but she wanted to send her to Children’s for a better screening. Honestly, it felt like this doctor didn’t want to take the time to try to get the reading and was just passing us along. Needless to say, it’s been a cause for a lot of extra stress on this mama. We are still trying to get her appointment scheduled with Vanderbilt, which is incredibly frustrating. They need a doctor’s order in addition to the authorization…which I can’t seem to get from post in a timely manner. Hopefully, we can get that scheduled soon.

We finally got our newborn photos back from Bri and they’re so precious!

We finished off the month with my 6 week postpartum appointment. How Baby Girl is already 6 weeks old is beyond me. It’s been such a haze of sleep deprivation, feeding, crying…on top of everything else, it sure doesn’t seem possible that almost 2 whole months have passed…or that I’ve recovered from my 2nd c-section.

July is going to be interesting. We have so much to accomplish in such little time. The Mister has scheduled movers to come pack/ship our household goods, Baby Girl has her 2 month vaccines/check up, Little Man will be wrapping up his last speech sessions in Tennessee, I scheduled an appointment with my PCM to renew my blood pressure medication, plus the 4th and Jack’s 15th birthday…it’s all very overwhelming.

My mom is flying down to help when we drive to Nebraska. I’m still not sure how we’re going to manage everything… I’ll be honest: I’m worried about how all our plans will shake out.

On one hand, I am so excited to be going back to the Midwest and closer to family. It will be amazing having them in the same area. I’m looking forward to being able to hang out with some of my oldest friends whenever I’d like and not have to worry about trying to fit in too short visits that are never enough.

On the other…I hate the uncertainty we’re facing. For the first time since we’ve been married, we don’t know what comes next. We don’t have our next place secured, we don’t have our healthcare sorted, and the Mister won’t have a job waiting for him or even any potential leads.

I’m sad to leave our first house behind — there’s so many memories here. Nevermind actually getting it sold. Our annual adventures will be sorely missed (the Highland Games, Dia de Los Muertos, Great  Spring Art Hop, Zoolumination); lord knows we’ll never find a better Santa for Christmas pictures or a better photographer. And I will miss all the wonderful friends I’ve made, even if I didn’t make enough time to spend with them while I was here.

While I know we’ll be fine, it’s a weird (albeit kind of scary) situation. Up-ending my whole family’s routine/life with no tangible plan is terrifying!  In the end, it’ll all be worth the stress. Putting down roots is going to be the next big adventure.

Until then,