The Adventures of Grunty and Chubbs: Trip to Michigan

Ok, the kids are asleep so I should have a chance to blog a little (ok, a lot) ... :-)

On July 24 Jackson, Veronica and I flew to Michigan by ourselves! Daddy got a gate pass to accompany us to the gate, thank goodness! Getting through security with two babies, a stroller, a carseat and a backpack was tough. Then we had some lunch together and tried to let the kids run around a bit so they'd nap on our 1 pm flight. Unfortunately, Veronica got a little cranky waiting in line at the gate. I'm sure the other passengers were like, "Oh great, these folks are on OUR flight!?"

The toughest part of the whole deal - emotionally, physically and stress-wise - was leaving daddy at the gate and walking down the jetway and getting to our seats in one piece! I pushed the kids down the jetway with the car seat hanging from my wrist (ouch). Then, I had to get the two kids out and get them to stand there while I folded the stroller to gate check it. Then we had to walk to our seats. Veronica was NOT happy about this whole process. She was upset and crying. But we finally got to our seats. Then I had to install the car seat and get Jackson in it while Veronica still cried... Once he was settled in his seat, V and I got settled in our seat (she was a lap baby) and then all was good from then on! We snacked, we played, we pushed the "buttons" on the touch screen TVs and watched cartoons without the sound. (The kids don't really know how to use earphones.) Jackson struggled quite a bit to get comfortable and sleep. He did a lot of rocking but really slept for the majority of the flight. Veronica slept on me for an hour or so probably.

When we landed grandmama and Christopher were there to greet us at the baggage claim! (I had to walk all the way with that heavy car seat over my wrist, ouch.) The kids were totally tickled to see grandmama and Christopher! We stopped over at Aunt Debbie's to visit on our way to my mom's house. The kids were starting to get tired at this point... What a day!

The visit went really great. The kids were right at home with grandmama, Aunt Debbie, Christopher, Sean and Mike. It's funny how comfortable they were. I've always thought that Sean and Christopher seemed like they could tell I was family when I visited. I think J and V felt the same way.

It was DAMN hot there. And humid. ICK! The feeling will wear off but when I was there I swore up and down I would never live in a place with that kind of weather! I know, I'm so spoiled! Spring and fall are beautiful there. And there's nothing like that first warm day in the spring... But summer and winter - well, I could live without that weather.

We hung out at mom's and Debbie's place a lot. With naps and early bedtimes the days filled up very fast! Mom and I took the kids to the farmer's market and that was fun. Aunt Debbie has a preschool playground in her yard so we played there a few times. We also visited a park with farm animals, and swam in a few lakes. Jackson is still learning to keep his face above the water so it was good to have lots of adults keeping an eye on him (thanks, mom!)

We saw LOTS of my old and dear friends including Jenny and her darling daughter Vivian, Amie, and Leah and her three kids! How wonderful of my friends to drive from Grand Rapids, Chicago and Columbus area to visit with us! Thanks!! :-)

The kids got to know Vivian and Aunt Jenny quite a bit. It's funny how I realized how similarly Jenny and I treat our kids! We use the same mannerisms and techniques with them. The kids really liked Amie too. And Amie and I got to spend a few evenings out talking for hours and getting caught up (not that we don't talk over the phone lots!)

We also got to see Uncle Doug, Sandi and their kids. And we had an open house and visited with lots of family from my dad's side of the family, and my Godmother and her daughter and boyfriend.

Sean and I got to spend some time alone by driving up to Michigan State for a few hours! I went there back in (oh my god, has it been this long?) 1989-1993. Sean will be starting there in January after boot camp! We walked around campus quite a bit and then ate at my favorite Mexican restaurant which is still there (after all these MANY years!) ;-)

Sleep was a bit of a struggle for the kids - there was a little crying. And a little waking. Jackson had a fever for a few days (and maybe Veronica too, I can't remember now). Jackson clearly didn't feel well for a number of days. He was crankier than normal. And Veronica asked to go home a few times. That made me sad. I know they missed daddy. We did get to video-conference with him a few times so that was nice.

The trip back went well too. Grandmama got a gate pass to help through security (again, thank God for that!) We had lunch, and I did the same routine to get us on the plane. This time, a kind flight attendant offered to carry the car seat to our seats in the back of the plane. Nice of her. But... Jackson was walking in front of her and while adjusting how she was carrying the car seat, she bonked him on the head with it! She didn't exactly DROP it on him, just whacked him with it. Poor baby. He cried a little and I carried them both to our seats. I watched him during the flight and he seemed just fine. No lasting effects. He cried a bit at the start of the flight. I rocked his car seat for a while and then he fell asleep. Veronica slept very little. She got a little testy but not too bad. None of us ever left our seats on either flight (direct flights). I had to pee (TMI?) but it was good for the kids to not know that getting up was even an option!

Funny story. When we first got on the flight home, Jackson was again in the car seat (he's a little heavier to have on my lap!) Veronica wanted to play with my cell phone while I got settled so rather than fight her I locked the keyboard and let her play with it. She kept putting it up to her ear and saying "Hello?" really loud! She sounded like a New Yorker or something... it was so funny. I swear she did it for 10 minutes straight. I was like, "Veronica, we have to be quiet and whisper on the plane..." And then she'd yell again, "Hello!?" It was cute. Better than crying!

When we got to the San Diego airport, we were all tired and struggled to get our luggage and get to the curb. When daddy pulled up, the kids were totally energized again! They were so happy to see daddy - especially Jackson! They were excited and thrilled all the way home and for an hour after we got there before bed! It was very sweet.

Ten days away from home, while hard, was also really nice. It was a nice long visit to really get to know, spend time and relax with family. Next time I'd probably make it a little shorter... but I'm not sorry we did it. It was a great time that we'll remember for a long time!

Here are a few photos of the trip. A BUNCH more can be found here.