Tips for Moving With a Newborn Baby

There's a ton going on. You just had a baby and now you have to move. Your life may seem like it's one big blur during this time, but you can make moving with a newborn baby easier. Here are a few tips to get you started.

Create a Routine and Stick to it

Babies need a routine and you need to stick to it. If you get your baby on a schedule, you can easily work in the packing and unpacking when they are napping or when they are entertained by your spouse.

Since you know your baby needs a routine, create one for yourself and spread out the packing and unpacking. Don't rush yourself and instead of trying to do it all in a few days, take the time to do it one piece at a time. After all, you're a new parent and you should be able to enjoy this time.

Lean on Childcare

If possible, use childcare to help you, especially on the actual moving day. Whether it's a trusted friend, family member or babysitter, let someone else watch your child while you move. You can even do this if you need a day to really catch up on packing or even just on sleep to ensure you have the energy for the move.

Pack Your Baby Bag

It would be a huge mistake to pack away all the baby stuff and forget to leave out the things you need. Pack a baby bag to carry with you anywhere you go. This should include at least three days of supplies for your baby to ensure you have enough food, diapers, pacifiers and other things for the move.

If you're moving a long distance, you may need to pack a week to a month worth of supplies. The last thing you want to do is arrive and not have diapers when you need them.

Unpack the Baby Stuff First

If you label your boxes and you pack the truck properly, you can unload and unpack the baby stuff first. If the nursery is set up first, you'll find it far easier to live in your new home while you unpack everything else.

Keep the nursery as similar to the setup from your old home as possible. This will help to make sure the baby is happy and feels comfortable. Also, make sure to watch out for any dangers in the room when you're putting together the crib and other items.

Baby Proof the New Home

Before you start unpacking everything, take the time to baby proof your new home. It's much easier to do this when you don't have anything in the house than when the home is full of things. AS you unpack, make sure to secure furniture and other items that could cause a hazard to your newborn.

There are several ways to make your move with your newborn baby smoother. Hiring a skilled residential moving company may be the perfect way to make moving easier. They will likely be able to pack and unpack your things for you, as well.

How to Make Moving Day Fun

Moving day is very stressful for most people. When we go through huge changes, the transition can be difficult. You may not get as much sleep, you may be doing more physical work than you’re used to, and you may have pets or children to think about.

While moving day may be stressful, there are things you can do to make moving day fun. Here are a few ways you can make your moving day more fun and less stressful.

Create a Packing and Unpacking Playlist

It's actually rather amazing how the right music can set the mood and make you feel like a boring task is far more fun. Creating a playlist for packing can help to keep you motivated. Keep this playlist upbeat and more of a motivational type of music.

You also want an unpacking playlist, which should be upbeat, but you can give it a bit more of a relaxed vibe since the hardest part about moving is over. With two playlists, you can stay motivated and make moving more fun.

Make Your Life Easier

When you're packing, think about how you will be unpacking. This will make it more fun because things will be easier. For example, if you have clothing already on the hanger, pack it on the hangers. Then, when you unpack, you don't have to spend as much time putting each piece on a hanger before hanging it in the closet.

In addition, pack kitchen things that are found in drawer organizers in the organizers. Then you can just grab the organizer and slide it into your new drawer.

Break Your Diet

Moving day is the perfect time to break your diet. It will keep things fun and help you feel like it's a special occasion. Choose something you would not usually eat, such as cookies, candy bars or something else you really love. Eat it on your breaks and enjoy the day a bit more.

Bribe Yourself

During the move, set up a system of reward and bribe yourself to get the work done. For example, if you really love golf, tell yourself that if you can get everything unpacked in the first week you arrive, you can book a tee time for your favorite course.

This gives you something special to work towards, but you do have to hold yourself to it. With the right bribe, you can motivate yourself to work hard and get the packing, unpacking or moving done.

Don't Forget to Make it Fun for the Kids

If you're moving with kids, make it fun for them, too. Create a box fort with a few empty boxes to help them have some fun and keep them entertained while you take care of business. In addition, turn it into a party. This can help to keep things fun and keep the mood light.

When it's time to move, you want to make sure you keep in mind how special the occasion is. You're turning a page in your life, even if you're just moving up the road. Hire the right residential moving company and make sure you take the time to plan for moving to be fun.

How & When to Change Your Address During Your Chicago Move

When you move, you need to change your address. Since this isn't something you probably do very often, it's necessary to have a guide to help you change your address. You should know the right timing during a Chicago move for making the change and how to do it.

When to Change You Address

The plans are in place; you've bought a new home or leased a new apartment. It's time to move and you want to make sure you do it in the most efficient way possible.

• First, make sure you hire a residential moving company in Chicago.

• Second, make sure you take the mover's advice for packing and getting ready for the move.

• Third, create a list of all the things you need to do during the move, including changing your address. A Moving Checklist will come in handy.

• Finally, make sure your timing is good with everything.

If you wait until the last minute to change your address, you will miss mail that could be important. It could also cause headaches when you first arrive at your new home. It's best to submit your change of address about a week before you move or at least a few days before you move.

In the state of Illinois, you need to change your address with the IL SOS Driver Service Department within 10 days of moving. This can be done online, through the mail or in person and you don't have to buy a corrected IL driver's license or ID card.

Not only do you need to change your address with the IL SOS Drivers Service Department, but you also need to do this with the USPS. Both of these address changes can actually be done a few days before you move. If you don't do them right before you move, you want to change your address as soon as possible when you arrive at your new home, preferably within a day or two.

How to Change Your Address

When moving in Chicago, you will need to change your address with the IL SOS Drivers Service Department, the USPS, your bank, any credit cards you have and any subscriptions you have. It can be a big job.

Start with the USPS address change. You can do this right online at USPS.com/move. It costs $1 to do it online and all you have to do is use a credit or debit card to verify your identity. You can also do this at your local post office for free, but it will take longer for your mail to forward to your new address.

Next, change your address with the IL SOS Drivers Service Department. You can do this right online here. You will need your IL Driver's license or ID card, social security number and your new address. This can also be done by mail or in person at the Secretary of State office.

Changing your address with your bank, credit card companies, utility companies, subscription services and any other vendors you use can usually be done with a simple phone call. It's a bit of a tedious task, but when you move in Chicago, you will need to change your address.

How to Feel At Home in Your New Apartment After a Move

Moving is very stressful. It can take quite a bit out of you, but it also has several perks. Maybe you're moving into a new apartment complex with plenty of great amenities or you're getting a larger space. No matter where you're moving to, you need to know how to make your apartment feel like home after a move.

Clean Thoroughly

Before you start putting your things away and setting up your furniture, it's a good idea to go through the entire apartment and clean. One of the best ways to feel at home in your new apartment is to wash away any evidence of the past tenants.

Spend a few hours cleaning every nook and cranny to make your new place feel more like home. This will help to give you the control of the apartment and know that it's clean to your standards.

Get your Furniture in its Place

The next step to making your new apartment feel like a home is getting your furniture set up the way you like it. Once the bed, couch, shelves, tables, and TV are in place, your new apartment will start to feel much more like your home.

You want to reassemble anything you disassembled before you move and get your bed set up before it's time to go to sleep. If you hired professional residential movers to help you move, they will be able to disassemble and reassemble the furniture for you. This saves time and allows you to simply need to figure out where you would like each piece before it's assembled.

Unpack the Bathroom and Kitchen First

The bathroom will likely be the most used space in your new apartment with the kitchen not far behind. Even if these are the only two rooms you get unpacked, you will feel more at home in your new apartment with both unpacked.

Hang some Decor

Once you have some things unpacked and the furniture set up, hanging a few pictures can help make you feel at home. Plain white walls don't often make an apartment feel like home, but adding a few of your personal pictures or some artwork can certainly help make your new apartment yours.

Unpack the Children

If you have children, getting them unpacked will help them feel like they are at home. You'll want to help your child arrange their room the way they want it and get their things set up so they can feel comfortable in the space. Giving your children a sense of security will go a long way toward helping you and your entire family feels at home.

Recycle or Toss Out the Packing Materials

Having packing materials hanging around your new apartment will not make you feel at home. As soon as you are done unpacking a room or an area, take the packing materials and dispose of them. If possible, recycle the boxes and the bubble wrap. Hopefully, you were using Chicago Green Boxes!

Put all Unpacked Boxes in One Room

If you know you will not be able to unpack any further for a few days, put all the unpacked boxes in one room, preferably one with a door you can shut. When they are out of sight, they become out of mind and you can feel at home in your new apartment.

When you first move into a new apartment, you want to make it feel like home as soon as possible. Use these tips and you'll be well on your way to feeling like you have a new home.

How to Move a Vending Machine

One of those tricky items that homeowners and business owners are sometimes faced with is how to move that vending machine. This may be a vending machine for an office move or a vending machine you keep at home for visiting clients, the kid’s friends, or for a fun addition to your basement game area.

Since these are so heavy and bulky, you’ll definitely want to hire a professional moving crew to get it out of your home or office safely and transported to your new location without damage. Take a look at what to expect with the vending machine move, how to prep it before the move, and what your movers will have to do to get the job done.

Why it’s such a challenge to move

Vending machines are something you wouldn’t normally think about moving but sometimes it has to happen. You’ll definitely need a crew of people to handle the job because it wouldn’t take much to damage this machine.

You usually head to the vending machine to grab an afternoon snack and don’t put much thought into filling it or maintaining it, but these heavy duty machines need to be cleaned, maintained, and sometimes relocated. You don’t want to hurt the machine or worse, hurt yourself, so be sure to hire a professional staff to handle the job.

How to prepare the machine for moving

The vending machine likely weighs between 400-900lbs empty and is much too heavy to do solo or without proper equipment. You’ll want to ease the weight by emptying the machine of treats and money inside before the movers arrive. They will arrive with multiple movers, the proper equipment, and a plan in place to transport the machine safely. Trained professionals will be able to avoid damaging the machines or hurting themselves by taking proper precautions.

Equipment and the actual move

Your movers will likely arrive with a pallet jack, screwdrivers, furniture blankets, and enough men to move it. The pallet jack is a forklift tool that allows you to any heavy item like a vending machine. The furniture blankets will protect it and the truck during the move or going through hallways and stairways in the home.

The movers will arrive in proper attire for the move to avoid injury and then will measure the machine and the exit routes for the move. If necessary, the doors can be removed to make sure the route is going to be big enough, a trick often used with large furniture move.

Since the vending machine is empty of drinks, snacks, and money, it will be much easier to move and less likely to have a liquid spill or food explosions inside. The power cord will be secured to avoid a trip and fall, whether it’s put inside a special compartment or taped to the upper part of the back panel.

The movers will wrap it in furniture blankets in case it hits anything along the way. The pallet jack will be lowered to the lowest position for the machine to be set on it and then it will be raised from the ground.  The machine can’t be placed on its back or side if it has a refrigerator inside. Fortunately, having other movers will help keep the machine stabilized as it’s raised off the ground and moved to the next location.

The best thing you can do for your vending machine move is called a professional moving service to handle the job. It’s the best way to ensure there is no damage to the machine, the building it’s moving from, the new home, or anyone helping to move it.