It's hard to know where to begin, so I will start by saying I am sorry for the amount of pictures that are to follow. We had a busy 10 days between Texas and Oklahoma, visiting 4 out of 7 grandparents, 2 uncles and an aunt as well as all of the boys' cousins! It was a very busy, but exciting 10 days.
We started the trip by flying into Dallas to meet Nick. The boys and I schlepped through the Orange County airport, gathering sympathy and a few helpful hands along the way. I must have looked pitiful, but capable, as many passers by just simply called me "brave" for traveling alone with the two boys. I took some tips from a few friends as well as lightening our load with VERY helpful and resourceful grandparents! We had car seats, a car to use, and beds at both houses, so we didn't have to worry about bringing any of that with us! So, I loaded the car up with our 2 suitcases, the trusty pump, a backpack for a diaper bag, Matt's best bud "Doggie", the stroller, and the carrier. I have to say, the best part of all of it was
the carrier. I was able to strap Jonathan on (comfortably, I might add), wheel Matt with one hand, and pull the wheeled luggage with the other. I am not going to pretend we didn't have to stop 3 times on the way to our car after we arrived back in Orange County (just so I could catch my breath), but it made things a heck of a lot easier!
The boys did great on the flight! Matt watched a few of his favorite shows on my iPod with his new headphones and Jonathan was fairly entertained on my lap. No one slept, but we got compliments on our great behavior from those around us. We were in first class due to Nick's overwhelming amount of airline points, so that was something to have those passengers happy with us sitting there! Jonathan learned to wave on our flight out to Dallas, which was overly entertaining to the flight attendant who received the first wave. Enough with the trip, here are some pictures.
Matt got to feed the fish dinner at my dad's house, where we met up with Nick!
Jonathan gives such a mischievous smile these days! We're in trouble!
We only stayed in Dallas that first night and then it was off to Nick's class reunion in Oklahoma. We headed out that morning and Matt quickly got in his travel position. He was watching a little Backyardigans on the drive. The iPod worked wonders on this trip!
Matt got a little seranade from Pawpaw when we arrived.
What a proud daddy!
Pawpaw and Jonathan got to know each other a bit! Jonathan had a crazy hair day that day!
Jonathan and I got some alone time to recover from a rough night while Nana, Cousin Abby, Nick and Matt went to the Oklahoma State Fair. Here's Abby doing something you'd never catch me doing! She sure loves that vestibular input!
Matt tried a few games while he was there, and came home with 3 more dogs to add to his collection of stuffed animals. He now has barely any room in his bed for himself! Here he is with the fishing game he won.
More fishing!
The one ride Matt rode was this train. According to Nana he was a bit tired by the end of it and wanted to be done.
More vestibular input for Abby. She talked Uncle Nick into going on the rides with her. She's just lucky she's related. Nick said he had to hold back to prevent from getting sick. Abby seems to like the rides that not only spin one way, but at least 2 ways. Even the seemingly normal roller coaster they chose ended up having a spinning component. Nick still looked a bit green when they got home!
I think Matt was getting ready to head home in this picture. He's holding his new friend Buster that he won!
Morning pj playtime is the best!
Jonathan really started trying to get toys out of his reach during our trip. He still won't get up on his hands and knees, but Matt is learning that "out of his reach" has a new meaning when he's on his belly and when he's sitting up. We're in trouble when he starts crawling!
Nick had to work while we were visiting, so the boys and I got out of his hair and went to the park. Jonathan had fun for a bit in the swing.
Apparently the tongue is an important element to a coordinated climb of the ladder! Just a few short hours after this picture was taken, Matt was rushed to an after hours clinic and diagnosed with Bronchitis. He was not himself after his nap that day, but was back in action the next morning after he had his first doses of his medicines. He was such a trooper. He not only held the mask on when they gave him a breathing treatment, but he was a big boy when he had "pictures taken with my shirt off".
We took an extra day to hang out in Oklahoma while Matt continued to recover from all he had been through. We drove back to Dallas and spent some more time with Granny and Grandpa (my stepmother and my father). Matt went for a walk to the pond with Grandpa.
While we were in Dallas, I got to spend some time at my best friend Lisa's house. Matt got to see her son Joshua again (Who turned 2 today! Happy Birthday Joshua!). We took the 3 boys for a walk and Matt & Joshua got to play a bit while Jonathan ate everything in site for lunch!
Whenever Jonathan gets a bit upset, just give him some newspaper. Just be ready with the wipes. He was quite amused, and afterward, quite dirty with newsprint!
Even though this picture is a bit blurry, it's one of my favorite. Jonathan was giggling the whole time Nick fed him. I think the airplane sounds Nick was making started it all.
One evening we tried to go feed the "ducks" at the pond near my dad's house. Unfortunately, the geese were hanging out at the model homes instead of the water (see them in the background?). So, we tried to go feed them on our walk back to the house, but they weren't very hungry. Apparently they are the most spoiled geese around. There was even a dog dish at the model house for them. They seek water/food at other houses as well, and leave a great trail behind them. Matt recalled the geese with me yesterday and talked about how they "made a mess" and there was "poopy on sidewalk and in the driveway". "Don't step on it, Mommy."
Matt got a piggy back ride home after our walk to the pond. Do you think he enjoyed it?
More piggy back ride!
One of Matt's favorite things to do is play with water. He loves helping me water plants, so when Granny asked if he wanted to help her, he ran outside eager to do just that.
He's a pro with the watering can!
He just has that "don't patronize me" look on his face. I just love it!
He just had to ring the doorbell on his way back inside.
Maybe it was the blur of the visit, or maybe we hit a button on our camera to change something, but the next few pictures have blurs everywhere! On our last morning, about an hour before leaving for the airport, my brother, sister-in-law and their 4 kids came by to visit. As usual, the kids dove right in to interact with their cousins. Matt & Jonathan were well entertained!
Aunt Kim, Grace, and Chase get Jonathan's attention with his new Nemo (given to him in Oklahoma by his cousin Abby). Matt was building a "tall tower" at the time.
Nemo may light up, but Jonathan was making eyes at his daddy for this picture.
More with Grace, Matt and Jonathan.
Although Ethan did interact with Jonathan, both of their faces were blurred in the picture as if they were in the witness protection program or something. Sorry Ethan, this was the best I could to with at least one of you not blurred!
Jonathan thinks his Uncle Steve is a bit silly! He's right!
Chase took this one for us. Turned out well, considering how exhausted we were from our crazy travel adventures!
Matt snuck in for a picture with me! Uncle Steve entertained Jonathan so I could be out of eyesight for a minute!
Blake almost lost an eye while playing with Jonathan on the floor.
Matt must have been telling a good story at this point. He has everyone captivated! I think it was shortly after this that he ran off into the kitchen and all we heard was "everyting okay in here Granny?" He is such a character!
This blurry picture is fitting! Chase and Jonathan are going to keep us all on our toes for years to come. These two just don't sit still!
