5 Generations

Last weekend Wyatt and I made our way up to Boston to visit my Great Grandmother. You read that right.  Wyatt has a Great GREAT grandmother! She is 101 years old.

What an adventure though. Thursday - daycare called that Wyatt was sick. Poor thing. He was so puny- but he went strait to sleep when I picked him up around 1. He slept all night- only waking up to eat once. I booked an apt with the doctor for Friday morning anyway just in case. Friday- he was still not himself so I took him in at 8. Our flight left at noon. The confirmed he a little bug of some sort and to try and keep him hydrated- but that the worst was over. We had to run over to Methodist to get labs drawn. Thankfully- it was a slow morning for them and we were in and out within an hour. I rushed home- grabbed our bags and headed to the airport.

Wyatt did well on the trip up. It was just LONG. Our first leg was almost 4 hrs long! He slept for about an hour and I spent the rest entertaining him in a tiny space. He was good- no screaming fits- just wiggly wiggly wiggly. We finally made it to Boston around 7PM where Aunt Alisha, Uncle Justus, Uncle Jake and Eli were waiting for us. It was SO great to see the kids play together. They just crawled around and explored while the adults ordered pizza and got settled into the hotel. My Auntie Carolyn really came through with a some nice rooms at reasonable rates (Boston is SO expensive). They were suites with a kitchenette so we had plenty of room for the babies to hang out and crawl around. Wyatt didn't act sick at all- but jsut didn't want to eat anything besides his bottles. He slept like a champ that night which was much needed after a long day of travel.

Saturday we met up with the rest of the family for Great Grandmother's birthday lunch. We had it at the nursing home which made it easy for her. Auntie Sue picked up the traditional chinese meal and we had the family gathering in the conference room. Wyatt was a little fussy- I'm not sure if he's going through a little phase where he's wary of strangers or if it was due to him being sick the day before. He eventually warmed up to everyone and played quietly by the windows for most of the afternoon.  I'm so thankful both babies were happy and pleasant for the main event.

We just hung out at the hotel after the party and let the babies play and rest.

I'm hoping someone else got a better pic on their camera. With babies- you take what you can get. 

5 Generations!

Everyone who lived in the Boston area stopped by for lunch. 

We headed back to SA on Sunday. Wyatt was GREAT on this trip back. He slept for the entire flight on BOTH legs. I thought he was a little clingy/puny that morning but he perked up with Eli came to play. But- Even with a sleeping baby- it's a lot of work for Momma to travel. We had a layover in Nashville where Wyatt EXPLODED. I had to strip him down in the middle of hte terminal. It was a MESS. 

He has been fussy and puny for a whole week. no fever and no more diarrhea but I've been to the doc twice this week for ear trouble. I finally got the ok to start him on an antibiotic since his stomach issues were sort of over and he started running really high fevers again. 

After 24 hrs of antibiotic- he is himself again. Happy, wiggly, hungry and playful. I'm thankful to have my little guy back.

While making a trip half way across the nation, alone, with a sick infant will never really be convenient- I'm so thankful for the opportunity to go. You don't turn 101 everyday and seeing how happy the babies made Great Grandmother made the trip more than worth it. It was short- but o so sweet to see everyone!

Fun times around the house

Big Smiles when Daddy comes home to play!

 A little playtime before bed.

My baby has learned how to pull up! And- once up- he's started moving between things.

He loves looking out the window

Belly laughing

Wyatt loves it when Daddy is home to play!

Fun with Grandparents

We've had lots of visits from family this summer. I'd like to think it was because they miss ME so much- but we all know who is the real draw.

Aunt Terri came for a few days after a conference in Dallas. It was so nice to visit with her and catch up after a few years of not going to Hampstead, NC.

Aunt Stacy and Uncle Dan stopped in for a quick visit with Granddad, but we gathered over at Warren and Melissa's for a meal. Stacey met Wyatt for the first time.

Wyatt got some special play time with Momma and Poppa B.

 A little snack

Even the pups got some love. 

And a little pool time with Momma and Dad. 

Do you think this little man gets enough attention? 

To everything there is a season....

and a time to every purpose under the heaven (Ecclesiastes 3:1).

Boy- I'm coming to realize the truth in this verse! At least in one aspect of our lives.

When Byron and I got married, we spent most evenings home, and I cooked most nights. We ate leftovers for lunch and ate simple/ fast things for breakfast.  Sunday was our "Day Off". We ate out with friends or family after church and had burgers almost every sunday evening with our class. It was my day to relax and enjoy some fellowship after a hard week of work.

We tried to maintain this lifestyle after Wyatt came along and were successful up until about a month ago. But- he's too big and 'opinionated' now. He's willful, but not quite to the point where he knows right from wrong (at least I don't think so). He's very good all through church- bible classes, service and even amenable to the 30 people that want to hold/play with him. But- towards the end of the lunch hour- he wants OUT of that highchair. He wants to crawl around or just plain go to sleep.  Byron and I spend the last 1/2 of the meal wrestling a very strong 7 month old, eating with one hand and hurrying through all our conversations. It's just not enjoyable.

The final straw was about four weeks ago when a bunch of family was in town. We went to our favorite post church chinese place. You know the type: fast service, good american chinese (Beef and broccoli, general zso's etc), loud, crowded and CHEAP. Priciest thing is like 6 bucks. Wyatt was NOT in the mood. He was passed from person to person, no nap all morning and he'd been up since 6:30. He was DONE. Aunt Kate took him to the foyer so I could finish my meal. He fussed and fussed. Then- some lady came up to her and asked her to take him outside so she could finish her meal in peace. She and her husband didn't get out much and the baby was distracting them. Kate made some comment and the lady felt bad. But Kate- ever so cool took him outside in the 110 heat. When she told me this I was a little miffed. What kind of person says that to a mother struggling to quiet a child? She was already in the foyer- so it wasn't as if she was being insensitive to others trying to eat. It wasn't a country club, or the Ritz carlton. Like I said- top priced item is about $6. Classy place.

So- since then- I've made a meal  in the crock pot or prepped a casserole the night before. We come home, Wyatt can play, eat and then go down for a nice long nap in his own bed. He's happier and I'm happier. Yes- I'd like to not have to cook, but a happy baby and a nap are more important to me in this season of life. It's just not worth it.

Come to think of it- all of my Sunday lunch memories were at home. Mom always had a roast in the crock pot and a fresh loaf of sour dough bread. I'm sure we ate out some, but whether it was for the sake of the kids or cost reasons- we stayed home most Sunday's.

We'll go out sometimes of course for special things. But it's hard to find a restaurant that will put up with 5-6 FAMILIES and the mess that brings. Especially during Sunday rush hour! But we've had the whole family over for a few weeks to share in our meal and time at home and it's worked out wonderfully! We live very close to where Granddaddy is staying so - people just stop by for lunch- visit a while- play with the baby and then head over to see Granddad. I'm fine tuning my skills of cooking for large crowds!

So- there is a season for everything. And right now- the season calls for some home cooked meals and naps on Sundays! But this little guy is worth it.

Saturday mornings

I'm so thankful for Saturday mornings. I know someday they will be just as crazy as the rest ( soccer games, play dates etc.) but right now they are perfect. We sleep a late (and by late I mean until 7:30 or 8!), and take our time getting going. Wyatt plays quietly with his toys and likes be right at my feet while I check email, drink coffee and wake up. He is so sweet in the mornings. He's generally very happy and very calm. Everything is new and he's interested in each toy he picks up. This is what I'm going part time for. I've missed these quiet little moments of un-rushed happiness.