WOW! What a whirlwind the last 12 days were... There is just something about going "home" that I love so much. Not our home now, but the home I knew for 18+ years... The home that I grew up in that small, West Texas town. Nothing like going home to relax and recharge your mind, body and spirit. We had sooooo much fun in Texas and Ledger got to meet a plethora of family and friends for the first time.
I'll let all the pictures do the talking. I apologize right now for the extreme obnoxiousness of the amount of pictures. I did as many collages as possible:)
I cannot even tell you what an AMAZING flyer this one was. I was freaking out at the thought of traveling ALONE w this little dude having an epic meltdown or experiencing his first bout of explosive diarrhea on the flight, but boy was I wrong! TOTAL ROCKSTAR!
When we got to my parents' home, Cody, Christy and Marlowe were there. MJ went nuts over her little cousin! Couldn't get enough.
HELP ME MOM!....
Sunday after church. Bebo aka Johnny Cash always looks so jubilant. Pictures were cutting into his nap time I was told!:)
So, Dad decided it was time to have his outdoor kitchen! SO it was a gift: to Steve from Steve! And you know my Dad, this is his DREAM and he will live outside cooking, relaxing and watching an eclectic variety of ESPN, Swamp People or any show about Alaska. I made the mistake of watching "The Last Alaskans" with Dad this week. Some Alaskan woman skinned and gutted a caribou and then was playing with the caribou's four-chambered stomach in her HANDS. That's it on Alaskan shows. I'm out. Disgusting...
It's coming along! Cannot wait to see the finished project over Thanksgiving!
Ledger's other best friend... Bob. Bob and DeDe are definitely his top two peeps.
Ledger, his Bob and Great-Grandma, Meme. Meme didn't know what to think when he immediately grabbed for her finger to suck and slobber on. #teethingissues.
Monday we went to Lubbock to see some of my girls! Ledger got passed around like nobody's business. I think he was a litle intimidated by all the pretty ladies!
"Mom, these chicks are CRAZY!"
I knew the Miracle Blanket days were over when I went to get Ledger and he looked like this. Both arms out, one leg hanging out and doing a fist pump. So long MB. It's been fun! Sooooooo....
The Merlin it was. The Sumo Suit, the Michelin Man, or the little boy from "The Christmas Story... I was putting all my faith into this $40 internet purchase.
Tried this gem about two months ago with ZERO success. Notta. I have to admit, the first two night in the MM (Magic Merlin) were complete HELL. I mean excruciating....
But after implementing the MM again last week in Hereford, this little dude LOVES it now. (Well, maybe love is a strong word - Like is a better choice.) Last night, our first night back in LA, this little boy slept 7 hours with not one wake up. Can I get an HALLELUJAH! I almost cried...
Started rice cereal. He was less than impressed. Not having it.
Day Two. Nope, still not.
On Wedndesday we went to see Miss Cassie, Wyatt and Cole. Ledger was enamored with these little boys. He couldn't stop watching them play and run around!
Thursday we left for Wichita Falls to see Uncle Slade, Aunt Lindsey, and all of the cousins. This was Ledger's first time to meet Knox, Briggs and both of ours to meet sweet Ellis. It was so much fun to see them all toegther...
An instant connection with Knox...
Fun in the backyard! Knox had to get in "full" uniform to play with his pitcher Bob:)
Ledger's wonderful cousins. These kids are going to have so much fun in the future. Best.cousins.ever....
These two lovebugs are 5 weeks apart. They pretty much just stared at each other for now, but being so close in age, I hope they will become good buddies. Ellis is just gorgeous and she has a closet that a girl would DIE FOR. The most precious thing ever.
My Starbuck's date on Friday morning. Love this little dude. The funniest and wittiest kid I know, but yet so mannerly and kind-hearted to all.
Take 20....
This picture makes me laugh. I am just dying to know what Briggs is thinking (Probably, "I am so over this!"... and Marlowe patting him sympathetically on the back with Ledger looking on wondering what the problem is.
On the other hand, photogenic Ellis and Knox nailed the smile.
Take 83....
AND here is the gang... SO SO SO much personality in these 5 little bodies. And least we represented the Red Raiders:) Guns up!
The drive home. Just a smidge different than Southeast Louisiana...
We celebrated Meme's 89th Birthday on Saturday. What a fun time it was. And she had a great turnout with all her friends at the Manor. Sweet, sweet...
Meme needs to turn 89 more often... Bebo is SMILING!
(And I am sitting here wondering why Bebo has a pen in his shirt in BOTH pictures?)
4 generations...
Aunt Paulette aka Boppy, Bob and Meme...
Brad told me that we would NEVER be gone this long again. (I am going to go ahead and be honest and say it was MOSTLY Ledger he was missing and maybe me just a tad.) Soooo, we sent a lot of pics and Facetimed throughout the 11 days away.
Got to have dinner with these ladies on Monday night! What a fun time... Miss these girls so much.
And I got to see Miss Tess. She loved me...obviously!
Trying to get away as fast as she could. Sweet girl!
AND THEN.......
Finally at 2:05 pm, Wednesday the 10th of June... This happened.
Reunited at last. (I can't type reunited and not sing in my head - "Reunited and it feels so good."
There were tears of happiness from two of us. Someone just wanted out of his carseat. He had had enough.
One last fist pump:
YIPPEE - We are home!
SO thankful for our wonderful trip to Texas. Always, always sad to leave. I am sure people at the airport yesterday morning were staring wondering... "Isn't the baby supposed to be crying and not the adult taking care of the baby?" It was U-g-l-y... Oh well. I am sure it wasn't the first time they have seen such a scene.
Mom will be here in 5 short weeks to have a 4-day slumber party with Ledger while Mommy and Daddy escape away for 4 luxurious days of adult time.. Cannot.wait. But then I will be crying because I miss my child. Man, this mom stuff is hard. You can't win... :)
Love,
~H
