The Richardsons: Pensacola

The second week in March we got to escape the cold (although it actually turned out nice that week) and spend some time in Florida. Michael had a couple of job interviews set up and we thought we might check out Paul's new preschool and a couple houses while we were there, besides spending time with family!

A couple days before we left Knoxville, our 5-year-old nephew was admitted to the hospital in Pensacola (he actually lives an hour and a half away) due to an internal injury after falling on his bike a few days before. He couldn't eat or drink anything and had to be monitored. We were so sad for him, and as it turned out, it is as even a greater ordeal than we realized at the time, because it is not two months later and he is still recovering. But we were grateful we were able to be there for a little bit, so that we could go visit him in the hospital.

Paul turned out to be an especially good hospital guest, maybe just because he loves his big cousin Stephen so much. It always warms my heart to see them together. They cuddled and watched a movie together and even played Legos. I just wish we had already been living there so we could have seen him more!

Just look how they are holding onto each other! It's so sweet.

After visiting Stephen, we went straight to my mom's house so I could see my family! We were very excited because Paul had a special message for everyone on his shirt. So of course he fell asleep before everyone got there, woke up very drowsy about 10 minutes into dinner and took a while to warm up enough that we wanted to subject him to being a message-bearer (or take his outer shirt off).

Eventually though, we did take it off. Only it took quite a while and even some prodding for people to understand that his shirt said "big bro" because he in fact as a little brother on the way. It was actually very funny to see people slowly work it out, only Haley got it pretty quickly once she saw and jumped up excitedly! Which is good because the baby is due on her birthday in September, so she kinda has to be excited.

Acey and Paul

Haley with Paul

The next day Michael had a big interview. But before he could go anywhere, he had to have a check up from Dr. Paul, whose work-up questions included: "What's your name?" pause to scribble reply "what old are you?" pause and "are you a boy or a girl?" He would then proceed with the check up, listening for the heart, checking blood pressure, looking at eyes and ears, giving a shot or bandaid as needed (always needed). He was very thorough, probably because he saw one Daniel Tiger episode but also likely because he has been coming to all my prenatal appointments.

Mimi also needed a check up! My mom found my old doctor kit and cleaned it up for Paul, so we got to take that home with us!

Later that afternoon, I was doing my hourly (ok I wasn't checking that often) scan of craigslist/zillow/trulia when I found the perfect house. I was hyped up but didn't want to get my hopes up since a couple houses we liked had fallen through already (one rented before we could view it, another that seemingly looked good but had some awkward parts that made it a no-go). I was ready to give up the idea that we might get to see the place in person, secure it early, etc, when I saw it. It looked perfect and I immediately called the realtor, but had to leave a message. It was end of work hours on a Friday, so I emailed as well. I was beginning to get anxious without any response.

That night we went to a nice, new Italian restaurant downtown at V. Paul's with the doctors and doctors' wives of the practice Michael interviewed at. We had a lot of fun getting to know everyone (and a date night to boot!) and it helped take my mind of the house a bit.

After still no response later that night, I found the realtor's facebook page and sent a message that way. (My journalism degree taught me the value in persistence and variety when trying to contact someone!) Ten minutes later, I had an email back! Hurrah! We would be allowed to view the house the next day, although it was a Saturday so they couldn't actually show it to us.

Michael had another part of the interview (from the office of the previous day) that morning, but we were able to run by before and we loved it. I know this is a long story, but it took a lot of effort to get this place and I need to document it!

Just look how cute it is! So we told them we wanted it, but they told us there were others interested and if we all turned in applications Monday then they would have to consider us all. (If we were the only ones on Monday, they would run our app first and as long as it went through, it would be ours.) We did all the paperwork and dropped it off before we left for Knoxville on Sunday. On Monday they told us there were two other applicants and we'd have to wait to see. On Wednesday they told us we were approved and chosen! We were so thrilled! The house is in Cordova Park, on the same block as a park, a 10 minute walk to Carolyn's house and a five minute drive to pretty much everyone we're related to in Pensacola, except my family in Gulf Breeze. :) We can't wait to be all moved in!

Later that day, we went to see my mom (I think I have more pictures in a separate post from this day). She offered us some ice cream, and of course we couldn't say no! But later in the day, back at Mimi and Papa's house, it was decided we would all go out for ice cream! So Paul got it twice in one day, lucky kid!