We ended up renting a big 26' uhaul and split it with Adam and Heidi. It fit all of our stuff in it and we were thrilled to share the cost. We made the trip in two days. We stopped in Colorado in the dumpiest most run down hotel which was super cheap. It ended up being so perfect though because the guy at the front desk was SUPER nice. When we mentioned that we would need to leave before their continental breakfast opened he said he'd be happy to have some waffles made for us in the morning whenever we needed them. He really was great. The only problem we came across during our travels was that on the second day the uhaul air conditioner went out... That made for a long drive for Adam and Jared who were the uhaul drivers. We luckily got some money back from uhaul after I sent in a complaint, so the guys didn't suffer in vain.
We got to North Brighton Townhomes Monday afternoon just in time to get a key to Adam and Heidi's townhome. Unfortunately ours wasn't done for about another week so we had to cram in with them for a few days. It was great that they were willing to host us and let us take over their living room with boxes. I was thrilled when we finally got a key to our place and I could start unpacking. I was very ready to settle in and start feeling like we were home.
Jared started orientation just a few days after we got here. He was a little nervous starting this new adventure but once it all started he was very excited. He has met some great friends and he, of course, always has Adam who he knows. Jared has worked really hard these first few weeks in his classes. He finished biochem and just started immunology. He has already had his ups and downs but for the most part it has been ups! He is very focused and wants to put himself in the best position possible to pick whatever specialty he wants to do when the time comes.
We have really loved exploring Kansas City and trying out all the new things it has to offer. Just a few of the things we have done so far.
-Trying Kansas City BBQ. It is AMAZING!
-Went camping at the beautiful Smithville Lake. The weather was perfect!
-Explored Weston MO which is an old town that has lots of cute shops and things to see. They also have a Lewis and Clark exhibit explaining when they came and stopped in Weston.
-Went to a Kansas City Royals baseball game, thanks to the school.
-Went with a bunch of friends to a Kansas City Chiefs football game.
-Enjoyed the Kansas City Zoo with some ward members.
-Tried out lots of different parks and splash pads.
Another really cool thing we got to experience was the total eclipse! That was more amazing than I thought it was going to be. People traveled from all over to Kansas City because we are in a point of totality. The morning of the eclipse it was super cloudy and down pouring. I thought there was no way we would be able to see it. In the end, everything cleared up just in time for the eclipse. We watched as the day suddenly turned to night and back to day again. It got SO dark. The automatic street lights turned on and so did the temple lights. It looked amazing. Even Reese seemed shocked and confused by what was going on.
Reese's little personality has developed a lot over just the last month or two. She loves dancing to any song that turns on. She tends to put one hand up in the air and sways her hips side to side. The best is when it's a calm, peaceful church song that she is rocking out to. She really really really loves books. We get new books from the library each week and she is constantly bringing me a book she wants read to her. She is going through a little bit of a frustrating eating phase. If Jared and I don't pay any attention to her while she is eating she usually does a great job. If she notices we are watching then she typically spits it out or drops it on the ground or some other frustrating gesture. I don't know why this happens, but we do our best to ignore her. She has become obsessed with giving people and stuffed animals loves. She frequently goes through all her stuffed animals, pulling them out one by one, and gives each one loves. She goes up and gives Clark loves all the time. Right before bedtime she gives Jared and I about 10 hugs each. It's pretty cute. We are working a lot on learning words and pointing to body parts right now. Her favorites are tongue (she sticks it out) ears (she grabs them and wiggles them) and legs. Although she still isn't saying many words, she loves making animal sounds. She picks up her stuffed animal monkey and makes a oooooh ooooh oooooh noise, she also likes to make an owl sound. I love watching her learn and soak things in.
She still has her little umbilical hernia although I do think it has gone down some. I hope that it goes away completely so that we don't have to look into surgery in the future. Reese is still lacking in the hair department. She doesn't have much, and what she does have is blond and thin. Today was my first day attempting to put a little ponytail in it. Although there wasn't much hair to work with, I still thought it was pretty cute.
I take Reese to the little gym day care and we are still working on her not crying when I leave. The first time she didn't care at all when I left. She just played and it was no big deal. On about the third time she suddenly freaked out and cries each time I take her now. She gets over it after a few minutes and whenever I go to pick her up she is happy as can be. It's the initial drop off that we need to work on. Hopefully she gets over this before it's time for nursery.
Our neighbors have been much different than I expected. I think I pictured the townhomes to be mostly filled with young people my age in similar situations in life (in school with small kids). There are so many different people here in different age groups. My neighbor to the left is an older lady around 60 with her son and grandson who live with her. She is SO NICE. The first day I was moving stuff in she came and introduced herself and let me know she is an ICU nurse and has been a NICU nurse and if we ever need help just to holler. She ended up bringing over a cute little blue car/stroller thing that I take Reese on walks in all the time. Our neighbors on the right moved just a few days after we moved in but they were also incredibly nice. They are a family with 5 kids from Kazakhstan. Because they were moving they were getting rid of a bunch of stuff. They brought over a huge basket full of cute toys and stuffed animals for Reese that their youngest daughter had grown out of. Reese absolutely loves them.
We have a cute little family of 3 kids (Lilly, Rylee, and Luke) who play outside all the time and Reese loves to go join them. Another little girl (Brianna) is so cute to Reese. It's fun seeing Reese interact with the other kids.
There are a lot of people who have lived here for 30+ years. Many people grew up here as little kids and are now raising their own small kids here.
There are also quite a few other med students and members of the church who live at North Brighton. In all, it really is a great place to live. I am happy we ended up here.
We have been able to have the Elders over for dinner twice already and the sisters will be coming this Sunday. I love that we have a closer connection to the missionaries here compared to in Utah. They turn to the members a lot for help.
We had our 20 week ultrasound about a week an a half ago (a little late due to insurance changes). Jared was really not wanting to find out the gender and I finally gave in. I told him no way when we were pregnant with Reese so I decided this time we could do what he wanted. It does stress me out a little bit feeling like if it ends up being a boy I wont be prepared but I guess I need to get over that. At the ultrasound the tech had us close our eyes a few times to be sure we didn't accidentally see something. It was really hard not to peek. So far I like my new OBGYN.
Speaking of insurance, figuring out medical insurance, car insurance, renters insurance, license plates, finding new OBGYN, pediatrician, and family practice doctors, applying for WIC, setting up internet, gas, electricity and all the other random little things that go along with moving has been such a pain but I think I pretty much have it all done now! Jared wasn't able to help with much because he started school right away so I was sort of on my own. After many phone calls, I am feeling good!
So far our few shorts weeks here have been wonderful. I love watching Jared progress in medical school, I love watching Reese soak in everything and learn, I love exploring this new place we live. I just really am enjoying life right now. We can't wait to add another little one to our family in January (or December)!
