It’s amazing how quickly your life can change. How the days that are really significant in your life sometimes start out as the most mundane.
I had finally let my guard down and resigned myself to the fact that we would be staying in Olney for awhile longer. I knew Mike had some applications that were still out but I’d focused on preparing our current house for the twins. We’d planned a vacation. And now, the twins won’t be coming home here and the vacation may very well be a pipe dream for the next year and a half.
Yesterday afternoon, at about 1:15, as I was throwing dinner together in the crock-pot, my cell phone rang. It was Mike. He had called earlier in the morning with a random question, so I didn’t think much of it.
“Hey, what’s up?”
“So, what do you think about living in Peru?” Mike said.
Pause.
“Oh my God. You got it.”
I’m pretty sure my heart skipped a beat. We’ve been waiting over a year and a half for this news and now, just as I’ve made peace with being here for a little while longer, the rug is pulled out from under me.
Don’t get me wrong — I’m excited — I am. I know how positive this is in so many ways for my family. And honestly, for some odd reason, this strange town in central Illinois that I’ve now Googled even more than “twins after infertility” feels like the right place for us. But at the same time, I’m scared out of my mind about all that we have to do and the changes that will face in the months ahead. Moving at 20 odd weeks pregnant with twins isn’t exactly going to be easy. Then throw an 18 month old and my mom into the picture… and well, these next few months will be interesting…
Positives
1. The new job is in Peru (near Starved Rock where we were married). It is a promotion that is several steps above Mike’s current job. He is currently a CR (Claims Representative) and will now be an OS (Operations Supervisor), skipping the TE (Technical Expert) position (what he did in Champaign) and the MSS (no idea what this means) positions. That is good news for us.
2. Because the job is a promotion, the government will buy our current house and help us to relocate. We don’t have all of the details regarding this yet, but hopefully we will have them soon and can start the process.
3. From my research, it appears we will be able to find a house within 10 minutes of Mike’s work so we will also be saving a lot of money in gas due to the much shorter commute. We will be saving thousands of dollars a year!!
4. Mike will have significantly more time at home (2 hours a day adds up fast!) due to lack of said commute.
5. Peru is an hour and a half from Mike’s parents.
6. Peru is an hour and a half from Peoria and an hour and 15 minutes from Bloomington The area is more urban than Olney with sit down chain restaurants like Red Lobster and Applebee’s and even a Target (woohoo!) but not a big city or suburbia (hence, Mom and I should both feel comfortable driving and getting around there).
7. Most likely, we’ll be able to purchase a house that will hold all of us comfortably. I may even have an office… That is really exciting to me!
Negatives
1. It is around 3 1/2 hours from Olney. Which isn’t unreasonable and I will be able to visit fairly often. However, twin pregnancy and subsequent 3 under 2 will probably limit my visits for the next year or so. All Olney friends are welcome to come visit us any time. We’ll hopefully have room for you.
2. My mom. I called mom immediately after Mike called me. I’m hopeful she’ll move there, as I feel like it will be a great location for all of us (not super city like which she has always been opposed to) but yet big enough that there might actually be something to do every now and again. I’m worried about her reaction and response to this — despite the fact that we’ve been very clear since before we were even married that this was our plan of action, I don’t think Mom ever really thought it would happen.
3. All of the steps that it will take to move there and become settled. I’ve already found a few houses to look at and we will hopefully be doing that this weekend. I’ll be calling the bank today to discuss mortgages. Then there is the physical moving — ugh. And then fixing up the new house and preparing it for Bo and the twins. Ugh.
4. Finding a new doctor(s) and new health insurance. One thing I have to figure out rather quickly is finding a new OB in the area. We will be able to change health insurance (which is a good thing as the only reason we are on our current insurance was for IVF coverage). I am hoping to see an OB in Peoria, since it is the closest hospital with a NICU. Any recommendations would be highly appreciated! Bo will also need a new pediatrician as he is due for his 18 month appointment. I am hoping to find a pediatrician locally in the LaSalle/Peru area.
5. I am very disappointed because we were suppose to leave for Florida on Friday, but the vacation plans have been scrapped. We were suppose to be in Florida until June 14 but Mike is set to start the new job on June 22 and will be in Bloomington for meetings June 16-18. We need to find a house and at least start that process. It is going to be a long while before we have the opportunity to travel again. I’m nearing the end of my travelability during this pregnancy and during the first year with twins I doubt if we are going to be up for a trip across the country.
It feels like the right place for us, for now. And I know that everything happens for a reason, so I’m trying to go with the flow (which I am very bad at)… but there is just so much to think about, plan, and do.
This is the big news that I tortured everyone on Facebook and Twitter with yesterday. Stay tuned to the blog/twitter for updates if you’re interested in watching me lose my mind while pregnant and moving!
Congratulations! This sounds like it will be ideal once you get past all the logistics. Happy for you.
God, am I glad you clarified that Peru is in America, not Peru Peru. I could just see you down there with 3 tots, trying to find some sort of internet service with your Blackberry. It wasn’t a pretty picture.
Good for you all! It will be exciting, for sure.
Congrats!! My sis moved with her then-preschooler when she was roughly 20 weeks preg with twins (with *ugh* one week notice. don’t ask! lol).
I highly recommend a sitter and lots and lots of help! This transition sounds like more than a few steps up for you. Yay!!
Wow! Glad I kept reading. Had no idea this was Peru in the US.
Good luck!
It seems that you are being taught many “life lessons” through this whole process, which fits right into your “everything happens for a reason” mantra. Thank goodness this changes comes now, rather than a couple of months from now! Also, thank goodness for the great support network that you and Mike have. You won’t have to do all of this alone, and his parents will love the new tasks ahead in preparing the new home.
Congrats on moving ahead with your goals and plans, and out of limbo-land.
Jenny
Congratulations! This timing is actually pretty good for you I think- you no longer are living every day knowing that at any moment everything could change, and also better now than when you are 9 months pregnant. Congratulations to your family!! I do have to tell you when I first started reading I thought you were moving to Latin America! GOod luck with everything-
If you are happy, then I am happy for you and your family. Congratulations.
Even though it is stressful it is so exciting! New opportunities in the economy…awesome!
Wow! I know you have been hoping for this promotion/move for a while and even though there will be a lot to do, I’m sure you’ll get it all accomplished!! I would love to personally meet you if you’ll be coming over to Bloomington at all. I don’t know much about a NICU here – I’m assuming you mean OSF St. Joseph’s, but I didn’t think they had one. My hospital is BroMenn, and I know they transport any NICU patients to Peoria. Good luck!!
Great news! I did think you were going to Machu Picchu though…and I thought, “Wow, you would have to change all the recipes because that is super high altitude baking.”
Congrats on the promotion and I know everything will turn out great!
Congrats!! Its a bummer about your vacation but it sounds like a wonderful opportunity.
You are a brave woman moving while pregnancy with twins. Good luck!
Huge congrats to Mike on his promotion and best of luck with the move!
How wonderful! I’m so happy for you!
Yes, your in-laws are very excited about some new projects and being able to help with your move. You know we are always here to help however we can – just let us know what we can do! It will be exciting and fun – but we want you to just take it easy and “let your finger do the pointing”. You can be the manager for this project – we’ll be the strong backs and weak minds!
Love you all, Sherri Mom Grandma
I totally thought you were moving to South America.
Good luck with the move! Don’t lift anything — just direct others!
Congrats to Mike and you!!
You know this means a new blog—one for pictures only—of Bo and the girls, since we wont get to see them on that occasional trip to Wally World.
Good Luck with everything.
Bo can now have that chance to get acquainted with some new buds at a daycare, and Mike can take him since he will much closer to home.
Keep us posted. I’m glad more good things are happening in your life. Slow down and enjoy them all.
Wow – that is huge news and you’re moving so quickly! Good luck with everything!
I thought you meant Peru the country and I about fell out of my chair!!
I HATE moving/packing. I can’t imagine conquering it with a toddler and being pregnant with twins – you are a brave, brave soul. Take care of you.
CONGRATS on the job Mike!!
Congrats!! I hope the move goes smoothly and you get settled in quickly.
Don’t over work yourself trying to pack and move, though.
How exciting and scary. Lots for you to think about. Remember to take it easy!
glad i’m not the only one who thought “Peru! that’s a big move to south america!”
sounds like a great opportunity.
and, if it’s any help to your mental state, we moved last summer when I was 32 weeks pregnant with our second baby. finding a new ob and pediatrician wasn’t too tough – just find out what the insurance company is you’ll be working with and i would choose an OB practice, since odds are you’ll like SOMEONE there. same for pediatrician. we lucked out with both and i was really happy with who we found. and moving while pregnant meant that i didn’t have to do too much packing/lifting/unpacking.
more like a lot of pointing to where i wanted things… congrats and best wishes!!
Wow, exciting news! It sounds like a great opportunity and full of lots of good changes. Good luck with moving!
At first I thought you meant Peru in South America, LOL. Now *that* would have been a logistical headache-and-a-half.
Congratulations on Mike’s promotion and the big move. I can sympathize with you because I moved halfway thru my first pregnancy (from LA to St. Louis). It’s stressful but just think, in a few years, it will just be an oh-my-gosh memory–and you’ll have bragging rights.
Best of luck!
Wow! At first, I thought you meant Peru the country and my jaw dropped! This is great news. I'm so glad for you and your family. You'll surely appreciate those extra 2 hours of Mike time when the twins come.
Congrats & good luck with everything! You'll be one busy lady for awhile
LOL, I was pretty sure you meant LaSalle-Peru. I am from north-central Illinois and think L-P has a beautiful setting!
Wow, thats great! Congrats–news like this seems to comes at the most unexpected time!
We moved to Philly when I was 15 weeks pregnant with Zach and then again at 38 weeks. The last move was across town, but it was still a headache and we had to do that one ourselves. You'll do great and i know you will have lots of help!
Congrats again! let us know if we can do anything to help!!
*laugh* I'm sorry I freaked everyone out with Peru!
Peru, Illinois!!
Thanks for all of your nice comments and support. It's going to be tough, but I feel confident it will be worth it.
Sounds like a busy and exciting time for you guys. Good luck!
Congrats on the promotion!! Its great news
I always moved pregnant…once at 8 months, once the DAY we had her(she went two days over), and once when I was 5 months pregnant so that felt like a piece of cake 
It can be done, and I bet with your mom watching Bo, and Mike and your inlaws doing the heavy lifting and you doing the organization…it will be fine 
Big things!!!
Okay, from now on,for your geographically challenged readers, please clarify whether you are speaking of the continental US when speaking of Peru ;P
WHOOO HOOO! Well, you certainly have your share of adventures in the near future, now don't you?
I wish you all well and will pray for a happy and SAFE and LOW stress move 
I am from PERU!!! My sister works for the school system. I loved growing up there and would love to move back. We aren't far….Minooka.
P.S. I have a wonderful Pediatrician for you…she went to high school with me and is WONDERFUL!!! I also have an OB in the area that I went to high school with who is equally AMAZING!
My email is theticefamily@yahoo.com if you need any local help.