It's so hard to say goodbye...

I'm writing this post looking forward to some exciting news we have but that honestly also has me sad as well as looking forward to our future.

As of the first week of February, Dave, Neil, and I will be moving to Connecticut because I am changing jobs. I am looking forward to the new opportunity, which seems to be a great fit and looks like it will be both challenging and fun. I much prefer being busy and active at work and I will definitely be getting that in the new job!

With that said, I am going to greatly miss our friends and family in the Pittsburgh area, as well as all the activities and things we have done around the area. I moved here in 2001 for my first job, and have met so many people in the last 13+ years (moved June 2001). I never imagined what my life would be like here when I graduated from college. I grew up a part of Steelers Nation, because of my Dad's side of the family. I was so excited to be moving here and I still remember the awe I felt sitting at PNC Park for my first LIVE baseball game. I just couldn't believe it.

Pittsburgh, I will miss you. I will miss: the Science Center, Zoo, running the hills around here (maybe), Children's Museum, Steelers, Penguins, Pirates, feeling at home in a city, the Pittsburgh Symphony, City Theatre, drinking on Carson Street for birthdays, Halloween, and other bar crawls including putt putt in the bars. There are just too many memories here to name them all. I love this city. It's not a huge city so it isn't overwhelming yet there are so many things to do here.

I can't even start to talk about my friends. I remember how lonely I felt when I first moved here and again when I got divorced, but I have made some really solid friends. Some that I haven't talked to as often since having Neil but who are still there for me and I'm there for them. I know we'll still be there for each other, and I'm thankful for social media like Facebook and this blog (for those who follow it) to let me try to keep up to date with friends and family. I also finally got to know our neighbors and have made a lot of mom friends with kids around Neil's age. I was looking forward to some play dates when on maternity leave with our next kid but hopefully this will allow me to make new friends in the CT area who have kids a similar age.

So goodbye Pittsburgh and hello Connecticut. I have some family and friends, not in the immediate area, and we will still be back to Pittsburgh to visit. I think Connecticut in some ways will feel more like home since it will be more small town. And I am nervous but excited about having a baby with a new practice. I loved the Midwife Center in Pittsburgh but am looking forward to (hopefully) a home birth with midwives in CT who seem to be in a lot of ways similar to what I'm used to. I can't wait to meet our 2nd son, and start this new chapter of our lives.