Settling in Scotland

[eleneala]

Here I am now, having moved overseas and all with two toddlers and a teenager. >.<

I seriously do not recommend flights longer than four hours with two toddlers. It was hell. Perhaps the worst part of all was the way they rushed us through security in the US where we had to transfer. I lost my wedding ring in the process (I must also thank the baby weight for making the ring too big for the right finger so I was wearing it on my pinkie which was just a smidgen too small for it) but I at least made the plane, with a 2 year old leaking through his diaper (and yes, number 2 of course) because I had no time to stop and change him and a 1 year old who cried for most of the flight. I didn't even realise I'd lost my ring until we were landing in Ireland. (another transfer)

One amazing thing I noticed during the trip was the massive difference in attitudes from strangers. While in North America noone helped me at all, in fact, as I was trying to harangue the two toddlers through the security metal-detector arch people kept butting in ahead of me while I became more and more panicked because they were calling our name at the gate. Once we got on to that plane however (Aer Lingus) we were immediately met by friendly faces and during the transfer process from that long flight (Chicago to Dublin) to the short final one (Dublin to Glasgow) as well as after we landed in Glasgow and had to get all our luggage before we left security, everyone helped. I think four or five different people helped us bring all of our toddler stuff from the one plane to the other, and not just the airline/airport workers, but just other travelers! It was amazing and uplifting and the who safe arrival in our new homeland certainly was worth the trade of my wedding ring.

Having said that I am aching to replace my ring. It's been four months now and it just feels wrong.

It's not exactly a priority though. We have had to move out of the in-laws place and now we're in the first apartment that we could find that was affordable and the right size. The downstairs neighbour hates having kids above her and takes to banging on the floor beneath our feet any time there's a smidgen of chaos up here and I am sure anyone else with toddlers can understand how hard it is to avoid that.

I also can't get the boys and the dual stroller downstairs by myself. there's not elevator in the building. So... we're waiting out our six months and looking for a new place while we try to live through the thunder under our toes. :P (Hey at least she isn't coming upstairs and cursing at us any more!)

Through all this, I am well aware of being so very far away from my friends and family.

I have not had a chance to find any moms around here. Anyone need a mumfriend? XD

*sniffs* Oh smell that, I have two poopy diapers to change. :P