Biochemist has a Baby: Final Day - we have arrived! (written 08/10)

Since we’re without internet until Thursday, I’m writing this in Word and plan to post it later. No internet is killllllling me.

Last fill up of the trip!


Pretty mountains and clouds!

Yesterday we made the short drive into Seattle, got our apartment keys, and finally got to see our apartment for the first time. The grounds are very nice, and although there are some minor issues with the apartment (which I documented for security deposit purposes!) it really is great. I can’t even express how awesome it is to have TWO bathrooms and a separate laundry room. I also keep going into the baby’s room, which is completely empty, and smiling. I’m a weirdo. There are some storage issues, which may be partly because we had SO MUCH storage in our old place, but after we pick up some shelves and drawers, I think it will be fine. We’re going to have to turn the dining room/hall closet into a pantry by adding some shelves, and then we’ll use the spare room’s closet as our ‘hall closet’ for coats and off-season clothes – this should work just fine, it’s the closest to the front door so it’s not a bad place to grab a jacket from. We also need some shelving in the laundry room and the bathroom – there’s nowhere to put sheets or towels! Again, it will work out, I already have a plan but I want to wait until all of our stuff is here to see exactly what we need.

We were quite busy yesterday, even though it was our first day in town. Since our cubes don’t arrive until Monday, we needed something to sleep on and a few other essentials. We spent quite a lot of money yesterday, but luckily most of it was stuff that we needed anyway, now that we have an extra bathroom and two extra bedrooms.

First stop: Costco (we had to get membership cards, too)

-air mattress, sheet set, 2 pillows, 2 blankets

-2 bath towels, 2 hand towels, 2 washcloths

-giant box of Welch’s fruit snacks (Jeff's contribution)

After Costco we went to the DMV to get our driver’s licenses, then to a nearby-ish mall in the city (Northgate Mall) to go to Target and get lunch at the California Pizza Kitchen; traffic was so insane that we decided to go to a different Target, north of us (Alderwood Mall). MUCH better choice, and it was really close to Trader Joe’s.

Second stop: Target

-two folding ‘disc chairs’ and a storage cube/ottoman

-baking sheet, skillet, plasticware, paper plates & bowls, cooking utensils, microwave

-trashcan, rug, toothbrush holder for bathroom

Then we went to Trader Joe’s and Albertson’s for groceries (only things that can be cooked in the microwave or using only a baking sheet and/or skillet!).

We now have pretty much everything we need – the air mattress is surprisingly really comfortable, and pretty fancy (tall, like a mattress + box spring, with a headboard!), and so are the chairs. They will wind up in the guest room, and I think the ottoman will be my night stand. I had been using our cat carrier, so this is a step up! Obviously I would rather have all of our stuff here, but we will be just fine til Monday. What’s really killing us is the lack of TV and internet; last night we went to Starbucks, only to find it was closed, so we squatted in the parking lot to use their wireless. Today we at least went in and bought stuff! The only blemish on the day was realizing I left my phone charger at the last hotel (d’oh!), so we had to go to the Verizon store and buy a new one. It worked out, though, because we also discussed the options for getting Jeff switched onto my phone plan.

Today we set Jeff up at his new job, which was somewhat stressful because we didn’t know that he needed super ID (passport, birth certificate, or social security card) and a canceled check. We did what we could, and he got a name badge and talked to someone about benefits. What really sucks is that I had it in my purse from the day before when we went to the DMV (where we didn’t need it). Then I got to meet the lab – everyone is SUPER nice. One of the guys is moving soon and we’re going to buy a large rug and filing cabinet from him (for only $35!). We came home and realized I left his paperwork (seriously, I am such a mess right now), so we had to go back and get that, and took care of the whole passport/check issue too. I felt terrible for forgetting, and then even worse because traffic was AWFUL, both ways. We also found out Jeff is on a waiting list for parking, which really sucks – until he gets a spot (the guy thinks less than a month) I will be driving him in and picking him up, because the other parking options are really expensive (cheapest is $16/day, which he doesn’t even get paid!) or the bus (1.5 hours one way). I wanted to cry because Jeff was so upset (and I keep forgetting stuff…turns out I had a spare charger, I didn’t need to buy one…), but I really don’t mind the driving because it’s temporary. He was so frustrated with traffic that we just went home instead of going furniture shopping. Turns out there was an accident, so hopefully it’s not always that bad. I also got some ‘phone errands’ done.

I was feeling pretty crummy when we got home, it’s just so overwhelming and every little thing is going wrong. I cried a little, then we both had a nap. It’s amazing what a nap can do for you – we woke up refreshed, played with the baby a little (always cheers me up to feel her kick!), then went to Starbucks to use the internet. Then we went to get my engagement ring inspected (have to do it every 6 months for the warranty); it turns out the Alderwood Mall is enormous. Then we went to the nearby Macy’s Home store and picked out a couch! I am pretty freaking excited about it, it’s an awesome couch. Unfortunately it won’t be here until the 21^st :-/

Now the only thing we have left is to get the car registered; we have to get an oil change and get the emissions tested, maybe we’ll do that this weekend. We can’t register it until our stuff comes because the title is packed away. Tomorrow is our first baby class, then we will go pick up the stuff we’re getting from Jeff’s labmate, then picking up a fishing license for Jeff. Maybe we’ll squeeze in an oil change too – I would actually be comfortable using the Jiffy Lubes around here, they seem so much better than the ones in Baltimore! I also need to schedule an appointment to tour the KinderCare; it’s sort of our ‘backup’ daycare, in case we don’t get a space at UW or HutchKids, which both have really long waiting lists. Monday I have a doctor’s appointment in the morning and my interview at 2. Jeff is staying home because the cubes are coming that afternoon, and we also scheduled our apartment walk-through. I made a comprehensive list of the stuff he should point out, so he should be fine. Then Monday and Tuesday (and probably more) is unloading and unpacking, and Jeff starts work on Wednesday. Internet gets turned on Thursday, and DirectTV is installed Friday. Whew!

Even with the stress and mini-meltdowns, I am really happy we moved. The weather has been GORGEOUS (I know, I know, the winters are gray and drizzly and depressing), especially compared to what we left behind in Baltimore. It’s not humid, and the high today was 79 – and people were saying it was hot! We actually turned the heat on in our car this morning. Also, I can’t begin to describe how nice everyone is. It actually takes a while to get anything done because everyone is so chatty – the woman at the DMV, the lady we got our membership card from at Costco, the two people at the furniture store, the woman who explained benefits to Jeff…all so nice and friendly. This is my kind of place! There are also a lot of things close to us without being in the city, so I’m hoping we get used to the commute. If I get either of the jobs I’m being considered for, Jeff and I can drive in together, which will be nice. Also, our 2^nd wedding anniversary is a month from today, and the baby is due two months from tomorrow! :-O