Upstate Life

Its been awhile. Our life has dramatically changed in the past few months! I'll do my best to catch you up on our life.

We moved from Lubbock, TX to upstate NY (over 2,200 miles!!!) during the first two weeks of August. David finished his coursework for his PhD at Texas Tech and is now teaching at Colgate University in Hamilton, NY. His teaching appointment at Colgate is only for 9 months so we will only be here that long. Our house in Lubbock was under contract to be sold when we left, but after we arrived in NY we found out that the buyer backed out in the 11th hour. We still DESPERATELY need to sell or rent it.
Here are a few photos from our voyage from TX to NY. We drove a 23 ft. Penske truck with our car in tow. The three of us were in the bench seat in the truck. George did SO well. He only had a few meltdowns. We were able to stay with our families along the way and spread out the trip over a few weeks. We even got to introduce George to our old stomping grounds in Charlottesville.

Our truck in Little Rock

Visiting Grandma

Visiting Grand-Betsy and Dada 

Visiting Grandpa

Hanging out with Dada

Little Rock 

Meeting up with Bethany and Avalynn in Memphis

Watching sports in Chattanooga 

Lookouts game in Chattanooga

George and Grandaddy 

George with Aunt Julie and Mimi 

UVA grounds

Charlottesville Downtown Mall with George

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We live in a little town called Earlville which is 5 miles south of Hamilton. We have downsized to a 2br apartment in the downstairs of a Victorian house built circa 1820. It has lots of character, but totally different from anywhere we've lived before. Luckily, the apartment above ours is empty and will remain vacant since our landlord uses it as a retreat and seldom visits. Our friend Evan was so sweet to visit us from Brooklyn to help us unload our truck. We were surprised to learn that we don't have air conditioning! We've only had a few truly hot days, so it's really not that bad. Our heat is a bit strange (to us). We have a huge fuel oil tank in the basement and it's a little scary. I am learning to live without a disposal and dishwasher. Also, our washing machine flooded our first night here! It's certainly an adventure. The neighbors are super friendly and have told us that they're really into snow mobiling. I'm so excited to introduce George to snow and drag him around on a sled. They don't pick up trash or deliver mail here either (so weird!). However, George and I enjoy our daily trek to the post office which is just around the corner from our house. We usually stop by the library and play with hand puppets and puzzles. The church situation is very different from Texas. We don't know of any churches in our area that have childcare or have attendance over 50 or so. I'm so eager to meet other women and moms, I just don't know where to start if we don't get plugged into a church. I've asked around about playgroups, but haven't heard of anything. My mom visited us last week and helped us out so much. David and I were even able to go out on a date to Utica! We saw Contagion and really enjoyed it. My mom dyed my hair (verrrry) dark brown and I really like it! We went to the Farmer's Market, explored surrounding towns, went to H&M and Target in Utica, cooked (PW's fried chicken), and baked. What a blessing it was having her around!

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George! He is growing so quickly. He is 10 months old and so active. George has been saying "Dada" for awhile, but TODAY he said "Mama"!!! My mom bought him an early birthday gift and gave him a walker. He is "walking" all over the house in it and it is so funny seeing his independence. He has been standing unassisted for awhile, but lately he has improved his duration and even flirted with taking a step. We are so in love with this little man.

These videos were taken today:

Latest Georgeisms:

• He is really into pointing at object around the house, us, and pictures in books.
• He can identify us by pointing and say our names.
• He is still obsessed with ceiling fans and can spot them a mile away.
• He gives us the biggest, sweetest, wettest kisses.
• He is a good little waver and even waves at strangers.
• He eats table food and stage 3 baby food.
• He is wearing 12 month clothes and size 3 diapers.
• He has 6 teeth (4 on top and 2 on the bottom)
• He typically sleeps from 8pm-6am without waking up (this a very big deal!)
• I still breastfeed him 3 times a day (mid morning, mid afternoon, and bedtime)

A few recent photos:

David and George strolling on Colgate's campus

George and I hiking near the Chittenango Falls

View from David's office

We have really enjoyed exploring surrounding towns. They are all very unique and charming. It is so fun to shop and eat in Syracuse, which is an hour away. We love Dinosaur BBQ and have eaten there twice already. David really loves his job and has had lots of time to write. I am enjoying being a stay at home mommy and spending time with my little man. David will be applying to poetry teaching positions and fellowships this fall for jobs starting next fall.

To sum it up, we're enjoying upstate NY and are finally feeling settled! Sorry for the long update. It's been a wild ride!

Our new address:

P.O. Box 383

Earlville, NY 13332