Hello from Melbourne, Victoria! Where one day I’m melting off the couch, unable to perform basic functions or really do anything other than watch 50,000 episodes of Nigella Lawson cooking stuff, and the next I’m digging out two pairs of socks and wondering how I’m actually going to make it through winter if I’m this cold in summer.
I can’t complain too much, I fully knew what I was in for when we made the decision to move. These 8.40pm sunsets are still weird as hell, though.
I am super-in love with Melbourne, and thrilled to bits that I’m actually here. I was expecting a period of adjustment where we felt a bit weird and wondered if we’d done the right thing, etc etc, but so far I haven’t seen a skerrick of that. I’ll wait for winter before I say with any certainty that there won’t be any!
We’ve been here just over a week, and I’ve spent much of that scrubbing this charmingly old house into submission. It’s a huge job, and I’m nowhere near done yet. Once I get over the absolute homicidal periods of scrubbing filthy, disgusting window blinds (they don’t come down to hose, I’ve TRIED) and obsessively washing the ancient, grubby lace curtains, we’ll be almost there. They both give me the absolute heebie jeebies as they haven’t been cleaned in years, and they’re full of dust, and we all know dust is actually dead human skin cells, bug poo, and the nightmares of small children. I try not to breathe when I’m moving them, and wash my hands 42 times after having to actually touch them. I’ve never been so wigged out by this stuff before, and I’ve certainly lived in far more disgusting places. I’m guessing it’s because I’m way more tweaked now that I’m a mum.
Every single room has a different chandelier. Right now, they’re chandeliers that need cleaning, but they’re so beautiful and I can’t wait to get them back to their former, undusty glory. When we were searching for houses online, I kept looking at newer ones (which ended up being townhouses as they were the only new places in our price range) so I would feel a little less crazy if they were messy. My mental health needed clean, clear spaces and a calming environment. I didn’t even open a link to any house that didn’t have a dishwasher.
And then one night I randomly clicked on the link to this house and felt something stir – I had to have it. It wasn’t new, and it didn’t have a dishwasher. It was what I would have wanted six months or a year ago – wallpaper, carpet, chandeliers, lace curtains. Everything I’d been saving my antique and vintage furniture for. It didn’t have a single white wall that I thought I now wanted, nor a modern kitchen, or fancy bathroom, but it looked gigantic, bright, open and airy. It was on a huge block, had a wonderful view, and was just on the upper edge of what we could afford.
It is such a wonderful place (at least it will be once I burn those curtains), and I’m so glad we’re here even with the lack of dishwasher. First world problems or what! I actually don’t mind that it doesn’t have one, but it remains to be seen if I’ll survive. There are beautiful glass doors, fancy ceramic knobs, moulded ceilings and a hilarious peach-coloured ’80s spa with gold features. The best part of all is the space – it’s so big that we can all spread out, the kids can have places to create, play, and go nuts without me tripping over their stuff every two minutes. I felt so claustrophobic in the last place that it was starting to get me down. I love the big, bright windows, and the rosebush-filled back yard here. The yard is severely neglected, but I’m excited to get it looking fancy again. I know nothing about roses, but I plan to be a complete expert very soon – if you know anything about growing them, get at me!
I was very careful to help the kids adjust, so we talked about the move and told stories about two little girls going on a plane to their new house in Melbourne (they’re both under three, so there’s only so much I can do), and they’ve taken it really well. I enrolled them in a new day care so I can do a little work and also so that they could make friends and get a wider range of activities to do during the week. I had to enrol them in a place I hadn’t seen yet, so you can imagine my disappointment when I walked in and didn’t like it at all. It had a weird vibe and is pretty neglected (despite their horrifically high fees), and felt constantly chaotic, like everyone was running to catch up rather than be calmly in control. Well, as much control as you can have with a roomful of snotty babies and rambunctious toddlers.
I wondered if I was just being a bit precious, because we’d been spoiled at the last place with a brand-new facility and wonderful staff. But the feeling never quite went away, and when Abby came home on her first proper day with a vomiting bug, that was the nail on the head. I mean, I know kids get sick at day care, but I think that was probably the sign I was looking for that my gut was telling me this wasn’t the place.
I got a few side-eyes because I insisted on staying during orientation until both kids felt comfortable enough to leave me and play on their own. For Peps that took nearly three hours, and I think they were expecting me to do the drop and run, leaving the ladies to comfort the kids. Which I’m fine with, but only after my kids feel comfortable and familiar in that brand-new environment and with those brand-new people. It’s also hard to encourage them to stay and tell them they’ll have a great time if I’m not feeling it myself. So I don’t make them. It means working at night and wherever I can get five minutes (including letting Pepper cover herself entirely in yogurt while I get shit done), but after all the posts I’m seeing of mums crying over their kids going to school for the first time, and how fast everyone grows up, I’m not in any hurry to have them in day care a lot (although we have found a new one a bit closer to home) – Abby will be at kinder before I know it, and then there’s no turning back!
I’m also working on finding all the best pizza in a 10k radius. This is by far the most pressing of my issues.
Work has been fun, and I’ve been doing as much as I can remotely, but it’s far nicer to be in the same city as your peeps. We’ve got a lot of cool stuff happening on ProBlogger this year (including the conference – I can’t wait for that!) so if you’re looking for a bit of blogging help, do come over and say hello! You’re sure to find something that will be useful to you, and you’re always welcome to ask us for anything specific.
And lastly a huge thank you all for your words of welcome and encouragement as we made such a big move, too. I know I’ve neglected this space a bit, but as I’m sure you all know there was much to be done! I’m going to take all of you up on your offers of cups of tea. Just as soon as I exorcise these curtains.
Congrats on the new job and so glad you love Melbourne..hope kids settle in better soon- picking a daycare is tough, good luck! 🙂 x
Thank you so much! The second place we looked at was much nicer. I’ve already given the first one notice that we’re leaving!
Glad you’re enjoying Melbourne! I’ve been missing it lately!
It is SO wonderful.
oh dear on the child care place! i send mine to a non for profit occasional care centre (max 20 kids) not a fan of the bigger ones that i’ve seen locally.
The second one I found is much smaller and a lot nicer. It’s hard when you don’t know what’s around, or what is good!
good to hear 2nd one is better! yup going in blind makes it difficult, only so much google can tell you 🙂
I’m glad you are enjoying Melbourne petal and I hope you get that house cleaned up fast!If you don’t like the day care pull out the babies ,you should feel comfortable my daughter is a preschool teacher and I know she loves her children and you should feel fine about leaving them,I do hope you find a pizza place soon and I have missed you too xx
I totally agree! I’ve given my notice that we’re cancelling placement. They need to actually attend for four weeks (or at least be signed on/off the roll), so we’ll see how we go. I’ve already found a much nicer and smaller place around the corner. It’s such a subjective thing, and I’m sure the other place is great, but just not for me 🙂
Up until recently I always thought I would stay put in Brisbane and travel the world a few times a year.. but seeing you move your whole fam bam to another state has stirred something in me.. Excited to watch your family explore living in a new world!
I know, I thought that too. But I can’t do it. Maybe now I can because Melbourne is not the Sunshine Coast! So much more here.
Yay! Welcome to Melbourne, S! So glad your move went well and the girls have settled in well. You’re new house sounds lovely.
If the daycare doesn’t feel right, then definitely pull them out. I think I went to about 5 different centres before I chose one when the boys were little.
If you’d like to catch up for a cuppa, give me a yell x
I am so glad I’m not alone! I really like to go with my gut and my gut was saying noooooooo. Would love to see you sometime! xo
Im glad your move had gone well, nice to see you back I have missed you 🙂
You’re so lovely Tina, thank you!
Welcome to Melbourne! Glad to hear that you have found a nicer daycare, that’s closer to home. Those things can be so hard to judge especially when you can’t see them first. Here’s to more nice weather so you’re not too cold, too soon 🙂 x
You’re so lovely, thank you! I will need to buy more jumpers… like… now.
Welcome… Funny all your previous posts have always made me want to move to Queensland ha ha ha…. The grass is always greener right?!
It IS lovely, if you’re into beachy things (where I was living, at least). I am much happier here 🙂
Pizza Meine Leibe. There. You are sorted. (Assuming you are within a 10km radius of this. I think yes?) Congrats on surviving the move! xx
Yep! I’ve added it to the list. Thanks so much, beautiful – that menu has made me hungry already! xo
Well HELLO!! I have missed you back! Glad you love Melbourne. Big bright window, chandeliers and awesome door knobs rock. I know nothing about roses though sadly.
Glad to hear you are getting your groove on down there xx
You don’t? Well what’s the good of ya, then?
Welcome to Melbourne!! I’m glad you are settling in well! Will have to catch up one day! x
Yes please!
Welcome to Melbourne! Hurrah that the move went well and you’re enjoying the new house. Old homes are THE BEST, once the hideous dust and decor is dealt with of course. Hope the settling in continues to go smashingly xx
Thanks so much! Slowly getting there. We should be skin-flake-free by next week 🙂
I’m so glad you’re back!!
Looking forward to a whole new year of Veggie Mama in a whole new city!!! Fun times xxx
It’s gonna be rad!
Welcome to Melbourne! Glad to hear you’re enjoying it so far, despite the ridiculous weather we’re throwing at you. Let me know if you need pizza advice (or other food suggestions!)
sheah, what’s with the crazy weather! Good one, Melbourne! I always need pizza advice 🙂
Yay! So glad the move went well. Your house sounds awesome! Looking forward to reading your blog this year. The dishwasher thing is no issue for a plumber to install. Just depends on the design of your kitchen and if its easy to take out a cupboard under the sink drainer tofit a dishwasher. I’m going back through your posts about coping with a small age gap between kids because i will be in the same situation in July with my third. I’ve missed you but loved your post on Problogger about how you got more traffic to your blog. 🙂
Oooh you’re having a baby! Congratulations!!!! Anything you need to know, just ask – although I’m definitely no expert.
I’ve definitely thought of getting a dishwasher installed, but we have to run it by the owners, we’re only renting. I hope they say yes! I’m not sure there’s much room under the dish drainer, but there’s gotta be a way…
Hello sweets!!! I must admit I have missed you on this space, but knew you had the move which is huge (we moved house last year to the next suburb and that was stressful enough!) so pleased to see your back:-) good on you regarding the child care situation. When Jesse turned three I had him on several pre-school lists, after not getting him into the one I really wanted I tried him at another whilst we waited. I too stayed for the orientation and after four weeks pulled him out. Something didn’t sit right and he would come home crying etc anyway he stayed home with me for another 5 months then got into the preschool we originally wanted-yay! Certainly was worth the wait he is thriving and we are stoked:-) so pleased the move went well, love to all x
Oh yes, I think it’s so important to go to the right one that everyone is comfortable with. I have found a vacancy at a place I like much better, so we’ll see how that goes. I didn’t have the luxury of waiting, so I put them in the first place that seemed legit and had vacancies. But you never know until you go, do you? anyway, so glad to be chatting with you again! Here’s to a fun 2014 x
Welcome to Melbourne! Please let me know if you’re visiting Melbourne South East beaches, I’ll show you some cool spots!
I’ll be sure to let you know! And thank you 🙂
Welcome to the hood! Lovely to have you and I totally understand and relate to your nesting frenzy. I can help you on the pizza front too – check out these two links for two of my faves that are on your side of town:
http://styleandshenanigans.com/dinner-out-with-the-kids-pizza-queen-margaret-north-fitzroy/ and
http://styleandshenanigans.com/out-and-about-with-the-kids-carlton/
Would love to meet you at either one, any time! xxx
Gosh your blog has been so useful to me during this move! I will go to all of the pizza places with you, haha. Darren mentioned I Carusi as well, so I’m excited to check that out. Now, back to the curtains!
Welcome to Melbourne town.
When it comes to creche, always go with your gut instinct. If it doesn’t feel right, then it really probably isn’t, but there are lots of excellent options around once you have a chance to check them out.
You’re so right – and I think we’ve found a new place that’s much closer to home. But as I’m sure you’re aware, it’s hard to find vacancies!
It’s wonderful to hear from you, Stace. Best wishes for the settling in period (and ignore the side-eye – you stay as long as you’re comfortable… you know you’re really staying for yourself, right? That’s me all over!!). Enjoy this wonderful ‘on the brink’ time. I loves me some Melbs, so I’m all colours of jealous. x
Aw thanks bro! You’ll have to come back down and we can hang out sometime.
I love ignoring side-eye, I’m so good at it now! Normally I’m a bit of a hardass, but they’ve just had such a big move, leaving them in a new day care with absolute strangers was a bit much. I’m glad I stayed though, it really cemented for me that it’s not the place I want to keep sending them to. It’s hard to explain to a toddler that you’ll be back to get them in a while! They’ve got no clue where you’re going or why you’re taking your boobs with you haha xo
Hooray!
It is so GOOD to hear from you!
I have missed you and your posts…although I have been enjoying catching you over at ProBlogger.
There is nothing worse than a sub par child care…we went through two before we found one that we all loved.
You are not missing much up here in QLD…it is hot and there is very little good pizza.
Good luck with those blinds and the curtains…and living without a dishwasher!
I feel better that I’m not the only one to be a bit fussy concerning care. I just want to make sure they enjoy going, you know?
wah dishwasher!
Hi Stacey, well I’ve missed quite a few of your posts it seems but from the trickles I have seen I see you’ve moved to Melbourne. Congratulations and may I ask what brought on this big move. ? I’ve been thinking about moving in a big way lately myself but I’m not sure if hubby will be with me on the idea. I totally agree with you about day care centers, if it feels wrong it probably is, always trust your gut and you can’t go wrong. I hope you continue to love living in Melbourne and I wish I could get to the conference but maybe next year. Xo
Hello lovely! I hope you’re well!
We just wanted to move, and thought about doing it. And then I got a job so we moved. Best thing ever!
I’m glad you are back. It’s good to go with your hunch especially when it comes to your children. I use to stay for an hour when my son first started childcare. Not only for his sake but also for myself to be comfortable with the facility and carers. I was lucky they turned out to be amazing. It takes a while to settle in to a new place. I look forward to seeing snippets of your new home.
The carers are lovely here! It’s just… I don’t know. A bit too big, a bit too run-down, a bit too chaotic. I think I’ve found a much nicer one, so I hope that one works out a bit better 🙂
Welcome to Melbourne Stacey! Melbs is obviously just trying to make you feel at home with all the hot weather… Only to blow you away with her impressive, yet lovely (!), winter. For my sake as a typical black clad Melbs lady I wish Winter would hurry the hell up! I’m mellllting!!! Hope you settle in and get the skin outta those curtains real soon!
haha I was melting too, oh my gosh. I’m halfway through my skin removal, and looking forward (dare I say it) to getting into some cardigan action.
You’re back, hurrah! Sunshine in my inbox this morning. Good to hear the move is going so well, albeit it slightly disgusting (I’m of course referring to the childcare). But seriously, your gut is so important with these things. Oh and Abby’s gut, too. What’s with the dad jokes? I don’t know…
the more dad jokes the better!
Welcome back! I’ve been away too so glad to be back with everyone:) Again, welcome to Melbourne. I’m not sure if you ever get used to the weather but at least you accept it after a while. We should all find a time to get together, we Melbourne girls. It would be great to meet you and everyone else face to face. Good luck with the curtains – they make me tired just thinking about them…… xox
Oh would love to hang out!
Love your kitchy new house with all those gorgeous chandeliers and a rose garden! Melbourne is such a fab city I’m sure you’re going to love living there. It does get hot though and not really that many cool places in the city once the heat really hits.
I sure do love it! And probably just move into the museum or the library for the summer 🙂
I threw the netting curtains out when we moved here, they were these burnt orange 70s things that billowed dirt when touched, oh and I had to literally vacuum the walls they were covered in fluff and dust and dirt.
IF you unscrew the blinds and take them off the windows fill the bath tub with warm water and detergent and leave them to soak for a couple of hours before trying to scrub them.
GROSS, GROSS, GROSS! I m having trouble getting the blinds down, I don’t see any way to do it. But there MUST be.
Take some photos of the brackets if you want and send them to me / insta them and tag me and I can have a look. I’m quite proficient at pulling them apart now.
It’s a shame I didn’t know when I was in Melb last weekend I could’ve helped out.
Nothing worse than that gut feeling re a child care centre. I had it once with Alex as I had no other choice for six months but as soon as a place came up where her brother was at, I was out of there. You just know! It’s a month today since we moved. Feels like 5 minutes. Good luck with the pizza hunt. We nailed ours first night by accident and hunger x
Yep, I know what you mean. I just knew, but questioned myself in case I was being prissy. But every time I go back there, that’s how I feel. So much good pizza around!
We’ve just done the same thing! We moved from Perth to Melbourne (Prahran) last month for my Husband’s work. My 3 year old son starts attending day care tomorrow for 2 days a week and as much as I’m looking forward to him getting some socialisation and me getting some time to myself, I’ve got something niggling at me. In theory the place sounds good, he really liked it there when we did a tour but I have my concerns. My husband thinks it’s great and I don’t know if I’m just being overprotective (first time I’ve put my son in childcare). Can I ask if the dodgy childcare you’re talking about is located in Prahran/Windsor? I’m worried it’s the same place..
Glad to hear you’re enjoying Melbourne. I think I’ve put on at least 5kg since I arrived, so much glorious food!
Nope, it’s not down that way! My husband also thought this one was a bit off, so I’m pleased he was understanding! I think we’ve found a good new one though. I think maybe have a look at some others near you?
Welcome to Melbourne!
What suburb have you ended up in?
Hooray for the great pizza. Hope you have some great heating in the house for winter.
We went north! And yet to find out about this heating business…
So many new things to find when you move! Child Care and Pizza are both biggies – hope you get it sorted!
We’ve got a good foothold to start 🙂
Glad to hear the move went well. Good luck with the pizza hunt!
We’ve had success already!
Such a big move going interstate with 2 littlies. Good on you! I’m glad to have you here and can’t wait to finally meet you and squeeze you! Also good on you for going with your gut on the childcare. Your mama instinct is the most important parenting tool in my opinion! I hope the dust fog lifts soon. As for pizza – go to i Carusi in East Brunswick. Order the “Pizza for a friend” with roasted pumpkin, pine nuts, feta and rocket. Even better, order it with me one night! Oh and they also have an awesome broccoli pizza with lemon and a bit of chilli. Definitely worth a visit. It looks like a dive from the outside but is tiny and awesome within. Welcome to Melbourne town!xoxoxo