We're moving in a month and I'm a little stressed about the process (even though it's going to be a big improvement for us once we're settled in). Any tips for moving with a 17-month-old? And also, getting her adjusted to the new space?
Me (25) DH (33)
BFP #1 on cycle #4: 2/7/12 - M/C 2/26/12
BFP #2 on cycle #1: 4/3/12 - DD born 12/18/12
Re: Moving Tips
* When bringing boxes in I take them to the appropriate room
* Unpack DC room first. I would have it look the same/very similar to the old room
* Always pack a separate box of necessities- toilet paper, change of cloths, meals/snacks for the next day. You may also want to put night lights and outlet covers in this box as well so you have quick access.
The more organized that you are up front, the easier that it'll be. We pre-printed labels with the names of the rooms at the new house, and as we packed a box, we added a label to it. We had help moving, so I also stuck corresponding signs on the rooms at the new house so that people could easily match box to room. At first, we just put boxes in the respective rooms and then unpacked one room at a time, disposing of boxes, etc. as we went. We also identified the boxes that were going into the basement (stuff like Christmas decorations that are stored for most of the year) and stuff went immediately down there.
I like the index card suggestion from PP too, since some boxes are obviously more important than others.
We had a suitcase packed with stuff for the first couple days, so that we didn't have to worry about laundry and/or finding clothes, toiletries, etc. for the first couple days.
If you can afford it, look at local moving companies. We had Two Men & a Truck move us, and it was $400 to have them move all the furniture and all the boxes. It wasn't much more than renting a UHaul and they had us 90% moved in about 4 hours. We moved the fragile stuff ourselves and the stuff that wasn't 100% packed when they arrived, but otherwise it saved us a lot of time and headache.
Get paper plates, cups, etc. so that you can pack up the kitchen early and you don't have to unpack it right away. We also used it as a good time to dispose of a lot of stuff in the fridge and start new (you know, like the ketchup that's half gone, the box of baking soda in the freezer, etc.).
BFP #1 12/02/11, M/C 12/08/11
BFP #2 04/06/12, DD born 12/20/12
BFP #3 06/09/14, M/C 06/15/14