For the past few years, every time my sister, Erin, and I travel across the country (with kids in tow and husbands often left behind) to be with our family, we end the visit by saying, "see you in five years!" It has become a bit of an inside joke, but those familiar with the joys of air travel with toddlers can certainly relate.
Between my siblings and I, we are spread nearly as far northwest, northeast, and south as possible in the country. But with my parents and both brothers and their families in Texas, they are in the majority and often have the nice weather, so we go there. And truthfully, it's worth every single bit of the enormous pain that it is to get to Mexico, I mean South Texas. There is nothing like family and I miss mine so much. The trip is kind of like childbirth (although I'd take giving birth any day!) I have to stay for at least two weeks to muster the will to get back on that plane to Seattle.
As mentioned in my previous post, this was a last minute trip. Some people plan vacations very well. They find the airfare deals, they get free hotel stays, etc., but never us. It's a proven rule that if we do plan ahead (and yes, we have tried), something will always come up, we'll end up paying change fees and whatever other fees so what is the point. Happened with our recent Kauai trip, in fact. But there is waiting till the last minute late and then waiting till the very last possible second, please fork over your child's first semester of college tuition, late. Because this flight was so expensive (read prior post), I decided to go the lap child route. I hesitated, but Zig thought I could do it. Of course, that's easy to say when you're uh, not the one traveling. Actually, I agreed with him this time. I kept thinking, I am saving $800 at least to hold this child on my lap for what, 7 hours? I am a tough woman and maybe he'll be tired. I can't bring myself to go the often suggested drug route and give a well-baby benadryl, but I can't say the thought didn't occur to me!
We survived our flight down okay. I was exhausted and the stress of flying first class across the country with an almost 2 year old lap child and trying to keep him quiet probably shaved a few years off my life. But we made it. And it is always so, so good to see my family. And can I just say how much my kids love seeing their cousins. It is the absolute highlight of their year.
I was so excited to finally hold the squishy little man that is my newest nephew, Dane. His mom, Amber, keeps a blog and the pictures she posts of this little guy are pure torture. He is so precious. At last, I finally got to squeeze those chubby little thighs!
And when it comes right down to it, I couldn't miss an opportunity to see my sister, Erin, and her kids. She's been staying in Texas for a couple of months while her husband starts a new job and looks for a new house. It's no fun to do that house stuff with three small kids, I don't blame her! Our visit was short, but even one day would have been worth the trip.
This picture was kind of a joke, but it turned out to be the only one I have of Erin.
We had a wonderful three days. My mom has dark blinds and my kids all slept at least 2 or more hours longer each morning there, even after adjusting to the time change. Rollin slept till 11 several days and Evan made it to almost 10 once. I think my aversion to window treatments in an effort to let every possible speck of light in no matter the hour (it is Seattle, mind you), may be over. Having Evan sleep in was soooo good. Black out shades here we come.
On Tuesday, I left for Chicago to meet Zig. It's hard for me to leave my kids, especially if it involves getting on a plane. But the fears I have are irrational so I just try to leave with a smile on my face so they will not worry. And they don't. This was my first trip away from Evan. We've never spent more than 6 hours apart. But he did amazing. Apparently much better than when I was there, unless Mom and Erin are lying to me! I'm told it was cousin fun every day while I was gone. Awesome.
Nina and Tabitha were inseparable.I'm pretty sure with the cousins around, the kids hardly noticed my absence.
I flew back to Austin and my Mom drove up with the kids to meet us at my grandparents house. Maw Maw broke her pelvis recently which was a big reason for this trip. She was home bound and seemed so happy to have company. It was so good to see Maw Maw and Paw Paw and my kids kept them entertained, for better or worse, I'm afraid. It's hard to know whether repeatedly hearing "your kids are SO energetic" is a good thing. But I choose to see it as a positive. Maw Maw and Mom helped the girls make these really cool bracelets out of buttons which they were very proud to wear to school this week. Mom also sewed Sela's Annie orphan costume the night before we left. A true life-saver, she always comes through.
We also visited our old neighborhood in Kerrville, Texas where we lived when I was about 4-7 years old, I think. I showed the kids my first elementary, Starkey, where I got my first paddling for talking out of turn (they don't mess around in Texas!) and we went to a little neighborhood park. I was so surprised there were see-saws! You never see those anymore. Mom was a good sport, as usual, and hopped on the see-saw. The kids laughed and laughed.
On Sunday before Zig flew out, we headed to Hunt, the small town where my grandparents used to have a wonderful place on about 25 acres. We all have so many colorful childhood memories of our many adventures there. We stopped at several water crossings we used to go to and let the kids out to play. Rollin and Nina were wet up to their necks in about 5 minutes flat.
We headed home on Wednesday. I made another poor judgment call this time and booked us on a 6am flight. We had to get up at 3am to make it to the airport. Suddenly that half-day of school I was trying to make it back for, seemed kind of, well, ridiculous. And sometimes sleep deprived babies get wired, rather than nap prone. And sometimes when the only entertainment you bring is food, and your bored, tired baby not only stuffs himself silly but also picks up a few nibbles off the disgusting floor, well you have a disaster waiting to happen.
I don't like talking about poop or vomit, but this trip wouldn't be complete without Evan bringing down the house. He is not a child who has blow-outs. I mean, he's almost 2. I prepared for fussiness and other things, but not diarrhea. No spare change of clothes. Nothing. As I carried him to the cesspool, or airplane lavatory, I felt something damp on my arm. I freaked out inside but calmly set him down and said "please walk baby." We spent the next 15 minutes in the bathroom, while I pretty much tried to bathe Evan with our last three wipes, a billion paper towels that don't absorb ANYTHING, and water. This all while he was crying, flailing, and trying to sit down! Unfortunately I had read an article on all the horrid germs on airplanes (on the tray tables, blankets, bathrooms, etc) just weeks prior. Thank you, Zig! By the end of the flight, I think Evan had touched, licked, and laid on every toxic surface on that plane.I couldn't believe my good fortune on this sold out, hot and muggy flight. When we finally finished up, I tossed Evan's cute little outfit in the garbage, wrapped the newly diapered, but otherwise naked, boy in a small blanket and carried him out past the long line of people waiting for the bathroom we had been camping out in. It was special, let me tell you. The glares were even more special. But not quite as special as the stench these people must have encountered upon entering the bathroom. I felt bad. I wanted to warn them, but that would have been a bit awkward, I think. I know for myself, I would rather die a thousand deaths than use an airplane restroom. I NEVER do it. In my defense, I did try very hard to leave it as clean as possible.
So, anyway, we made it home. And of course, I can sort of laugh about it now. I love my family, and every effort to see them is so totally worth it. It really is.
I love ya'll!
See you in five years! ;-)
The sweet smell of the air is intoxicating. 
Daffodils line the walkways and the tulips bloomed this week. All they needed was one sunny day to pry themselves open, and miracle of all miracles, they got one! In theory, the sun begins to shine more in spring, but I'm going to keep this post positive and just not go there. El Nino (or La Nina?) is a real meanie. 
And he is seeing his playmates a bit more often when the rain lets up. 
