Hello from NC!

It's been a long while since I have posted! Life has been pretty crazy lately. We are finally settling into North Carolina and I am loving it! I think I can speak for Harper when I say she does too. It is such a different world here. People are so friendly, things are so clean and well taken care of and there is so much to do! We live in a town called Cary and people joke that it is called Containment Area for Relocated Yankees because there are so many people, who like us, have been relocated to NC for work. I am in love with this place though, and everything about it. The food is amazing! Even though I do miss Santa Maria style BBQ i have to say southern BBQ is slowly winning my heart. And the sweet tea! I am obsessed with sweet tea and go through a gallon a week (I know, it's pathetic) and living here is amazing because literally you can find it anywhere!

I love NC for other reasons besides the food though. One of those reasons is just being out of my comfort zone. I had always had a desire to live in Georgia and live a southern life-style, so NC is close enough ;) Seeing what is outside of the small town of Santa Maria has been truly amazing. I have also had to learn to be independent. I am such a mommy's girl and I go to my mom for everything! So being across the country from each other has been hard, but I think it was necessary. I have grown my own back bone I think and am slowly learning how to do things without calling mom first (even though I talk to her literally everyday still). I definitely miss having the support and help from all of our family and friends and being able to see everyone whenever we wanted, but being on our own has definitely strengthened our little family unit.

Gavin and I have also learned a lot about each other I think as well. As with any relationship there are bumps in the road and now that we are here in a state where we literally only have each other to have adult conversations with, (because face it, talking Barney and Caillou with a two year old all day makes you want to talk politics every once in a while) has really strengthened us as parents and as a couple. We have learned how to communicate so much better and have learned to truly be there for one another. I'm not saying we didn't do this before, but being all alone really takes your relationship to a different level of maturity. After being apart for so long, since Gavin moved months before Harper and I did, and then Harper and I took a 3 week vacation back to California recently, I think Harper really enjoys it, too. I have to say I really think it brought us back to our relationship and friendship we had when we first started dating, which is almost 6 years ago! I feel old haha

Although NC has been amazing and I can only see it getting better there has been some issues. One big thing is the HEAT! Can you say 90% humidity at 7 a.m.?? My hair hates it. But if that's really the only big complaint we have then we are pretty blessed. I'm also very directionally challenged and it took me almost 3 years to learn my way around my own home town, so I'll let you figure out exactly how finding my way around town is going...

I am still looking for a job because the school district here has a different hiring procedure, so while I am waiting I have been staying home with Harper. The only way I can describe this is, in all honesty, shit show. I will not even pretend or sugar coat it. Granted, it's not always a shit show, but usually I am ready for a marg (or 3) by the time Gavin gets home. Harper is about 75% potty trained and is also about to turn 2. Together, this makes for a crazy naked baby running around most of the day. She is seriously the funniest, spunkiest (is that a word?) most feisty little thing ever and I love it! She is really into singing and dancing right now and her favorite songs are: stay with me, Fancy, and Are you Gonna Kiss me or not. If you follow me on IG I am sure you saw the video of her dancing to Fancy in the car. She is really camera shy so anytime I try to get her on video she usually stops. I tried to capture her singing Stay with Me at the top of her lungs at Cold Stone but of course she stopped.

Other than singing, Harper usually runs around naked and when I try to tell her to get dressed she says no and runs away. She also is very independent so trying to get her to do anything with my help is pretty much impossible. We have implemented time outs which have helped and we've had to really cut out any sugar from her diet because she is super sensitive to sugars. Even the smallest amount results in a crazy child. Being a stay at home mom is no joke. It is so hard for me. It's not only hard because I am home all day with no one to really talk to besides Harper and it's hard to do a million things at once with no extra hands but it's also hard because I like to work. I like to feel like I am contributing to my family. I am in no way saying stay at home moms do not contribute because I know we do, I personally have always liked working and being able to help financially support my family. Gavin has been amazing about helping me with this and supporting me. He knows how hard it is on me at times and he lets me sleep in one morning during the weekend or he will offer to take Harper to the park so I can shower or even just eat in peace.

Being away from home has been a huge positive experience for not only for us as a family, but I think it has also helped me see who is truly important in my life. When you are away from home it is so easy to lose connections and contact with people because we are all busy and wrapped up in our own daily lives, but it has also strengthened a lot of my relationships at home. My best friend Lindsey is amazing. She has been there for me since day one and I could never put into words are grateful I am to have her in my life as well as Harper's. We usually talk every other day if not every day, and when we do she always reminds me of her support and love for us and what I am doing for my family. It's always nice to hear that the people you love support your decisions and see that you are trying to create a stable, healthy future for yourself and most importantly my daughter.

Like I mentioned before, I talk to my mom every day. You never truly appreciate your parents until you become one. Since I moved, my relationship with my mom has become more of a friendship. She is always there for me when I have a rough day and she reminds me to laugh. I know it is so hard for her to be so far away from me Harper, but I love that she still supports me and reminds me that she is always there. The move has also strengthened my relationship with both my brother Vinny and my sister Lauryn. We have always been close, but now that we don't see each other everyday, we appreciate each other a little more. They always have my back and I always have theirs. I miss everyone so much everyday, but I feel like I am meant to be here in NC. There is so many more opportunities for me as far as school and work goes as well as for Harper. I think growing up here will be the best thing for Harper.

We're getting ready for a visit from Gavin's family soon as well as a trip to Myrtle Beach! Harper's SECOND birthday is coming (What??? when did this happen?) and I cannot wait. Overall, I just want to thank everyone who has supported and been there for us since we have moved. I know I only mentioned Lindsey, but obviously Amanda, Kiersten and Julie you guys are just as amazing and I love you all! This move has been the hardest, most trying thing I have had to do and it is amazing to see how happy people are for us and how excited everyone is for us. It truly means a lot to us and hopefully we will be able to take a family vacation home to CA to visit soon :)