After 16 days on the road, we are all exhausted. We saw LOTS of family and had lots of fun, but it's time to be in our own home, in our own beds, with our own bathrooms.
Saturday, December 17th - Departure drive
First thing in the morning, we drove to St Louis. We got to my parents' home just before noon. That day was filled with
Christmas and
birthday celebrations.
Sunday, December 18th - Departure flight
We attended Church with my parents in O'Fallon and took naps afterwards. We left for the airport about 4:30 to start our long night. You wouldn't believe the quantity of crap we had to haul: one large suitcase, two car seats, one carry-on with wheels, one duffel bag, 4 winter coats, one boppy, one stroller... and two kids, of course. It was nuts.
First thing when we got to our gate, this old man sat down next to us and yelled at Collin to hush. I knew it was going to be a long night.
The first leg of our trip was to Salt Lake, so there were lots of families with BYU apparel on and young kids. Luckily, the grumpy old guy was in first class and nowhere near us. We were assigned two seats on one side of the aisle and one on the other. Ryan took Brennan on his lap, and I sat with Collin. It was rough. We took off at Brennan's bedtime, and my kids refuse to sleep when being held. Not a good combination when flying. He screamed a lot, and finally after nursing him twice, he fell asleep on the boppy. Collin played on Daddy's phone.
Our layover required us to switch terminals, but we had plenty of time. Unfortunately, Collin was exhausted and refused to walk. At some point during the first leg, Brennan lost both shoes, one sock and spilled baby food all down his front. He looked homeless.
By the time we took off for the second leg, they were both grouchy and fussing (11:30pm our time). Luckily, our three seats were altogether which helped a little. I nursed Brennan, and he refused to sleep. He screamed and screamed, and Collin joined in. It was by far the worst thing I've ever experienced - even worse than child birth.
After standing in the back by the bathrooms for almost an hour, Brennan collapsed in Ryan's arms. Collin watched movie after movie on the DVD player, and as we taxied to the gate (no joke), he fell asleep in my lap (1am Illinois time).
Seeing as both the kids were asleep, we took our sweet time deplaning and were the last ones off. As soon as we exited TSA, Nana and Papa were standing there ready to greet us and help carry our babies and stuff. I've never been so relieved.
Monday, December 19th - First Day
In typical-Brennan fashion, despite going to bed at 1am local time, he was up and screaming at 5am. (Up and screaming - a good summary of the last 2 weeks.) Ryan and I made a pact to alternate mornings getting up with the kids, changing their diapers, and getting them breakfast. He took the first shift. After a lazy pajama morning and nap time for everyone, we headed to the grocery store for diapers and kid-friendly food.
Tuesday, December 20th - Stardust & IKEA
We headed to the Stardust Diner for breakfast. It's the restaurant Ryan's Uncle Tracey owns. They have the best fresh-squeezed orange juice on the planet. I also love their hot chocolate, Denver omelet and country potatoes. The best! Afterwards, we headed to IKEA for a few birthday presents for the C-Man.
Wednesday, December 21st -
Collin's birthday!
Side Story: Collin did something amazing this night, and I want to make sure it's documented. Nana bought each grandchild a toddler cot, with handcrafted fleece blanket, fitted sheet and foam pad. Her plan was for all the "older" grandchildren to sleep in a room together, but I doubted Collin would do it. When we got home from Chuck E Cheese, I asked him, "Do you want to sleep downstairs with Mom, Dad and Brennan, or do you want to sleep upstairs with all the other big kids?" He quickly answered he wanted to sleep with the big kids. I got all excited... and super nervous. But we moved his cot upstairs, and he slept in there most of the rest of the nights.
Unfortunately, Collin inherited my need for sleep and my temperament when tired. It makes for a bad combination when going to bed late and wake up early on a trip.
Thursday, December 22nd - Chore Day
Ryan and I went shopping for stocking stuffers in the morning and started our
anniversary celebrations.
Side Story: Collin really enjoyed playing with his cousins, particularly James, who is about 6 months older than him.
One day they were playing good guys and bad guys, and Collin "shot" James (with an empty wrapping paper roll), and he "died."
When James got up, Collin announced, "James is resurrected!" I guess he remembers that Easter lesson.
Friday, December 23rd - Girls' Day!
All the girls headed to the salon for manicures and pedicures. Since I'm a biter, I got a set of acrylics. I haven't had nails since our wedding, and I've missed them. They're great! Afterwards, we headed to Olive Garden for unlimited soup, salad and bread sticks. Delicious! Emily had some coupons she wanted to use, so we headed to Kohl's and Target too. It was a mad-house, and we were gone for seven hours altogether. (Good thing Brennan is almost weaned.)
Saturday, December 24th -
Christmas Eve
My grumpy day. I don't really remember all that happened, but I was a grouch this day. Ryan left with his dad to scout out a place to go shooting, and Brennan was a NIGHTMARE all day. Collin's lack of sleep was starting to catch up with him, and my nails were super sore.
Side Story: Aunt Mallory asked Collin one morning how sleeping with all the big kids was going. He accurately described each night: "Weeell, there is a... craziness of talking." He sure can tell it like it is.
Sunday, December 25th -
Christmas Day
Collin was moved back into our room to sleep so he could go to bed earlier and sleep better. Unfortunately, Brennan cried all night. Not a successful night of sleeping for any of us. We also ran out of Children's Tylenol. More grouchy Mommy.
Monday, December 26th - Boys' Day
Ryan and the dads went shooting in the morning. They shot skeet, and he got 13 of 15. I never knew he was a crack shot! After crying all night, Brennan cried most of the day too. Teething? Grumpier Mom.
Tuesday, December 27th -
Our 8th Anniversary
Fabulous (almost) kid-free day.
Wednesday, December 28th - JJ Jump
That afternoon we headed to an indoor blow-up toy place (Thanks Heather for the info!). It was nap time, so Collin was pretty scared and hesitant at first, but he warmed up to all the people and noise about 30 minutes into it all.
Brennan, as usual, was super daring and willing to do everything, even though he was tired too.
There were slides and a jumping house, and it was super fun (even for Ryan and me!).
Thursday, December 29th - Drive to Seattle
We were awakened in the middle of the night to a barking cough from Brennan. Oh crap. While the cousins packed up and headed home to Idaho, we headed up to Seattle in hopes that Megan would have her baby before we had to head back home. It was a pretty pleasant drive, except that Brennan threw up 7-8 times. Yeah. We think he was just choking on his own phlegm, but it was gross and wet and bad nonetheless. We had a late lunch at Fat Burger (delicious!)
Friday, December 30th - Baby! and drive back
Baby Charlie was born! Megan was induced at 4am, and their first little girl was born at noon. We arrived at the hospital at 2:30, and she was still in the delivery room with numb legs.
We started the long drive home about 3:30pm. There was lots of traffic and rain and B screaming, but no puking so that was good.
Saturday, December 31st - Return flight to St Louis
Synopsis: Brennan screamed then napped. Collin didn't. We had quite a scare during our layover in Salt Lake. the pilot came out to the gate and announced there was a burned-out light bulb whose sealant glue would take two-hours to cure. The offered everyone food vouchers, and everyone scattered. Ryan started walking with Brennan in the stroller to get him to sleep, and I took off Collin's socks and shoes hoping he'd nap in my lap. Not 10 minutes later, the pilot returned and announced that the mechanics had decided the glue didn't need to cure and that pre-boarding would start immediately. I called Ryan, and we boarded. We had to wait for them to round up all the passengers who were all over the airport eating, but we were only delayed about an hour. Whew. My parents were super flexible and met us and all our crap at the airport with our van. We gratefully crashed at their house for the night.
Sunday, January 1st - Church & return drive to Peoria
We went to their sacrament meeting, where my dad spoke about the atonement. Great talk, Dad! Then we started the last and final leg of our long, long trip. The wind was vicious, and Ryan had the wheel turned at almost 11 o'clock just to drive straight. Before we owned our van, it looks like someone broke into the passenger door, and it whistled the WHOLE trip. I had the worst headache, and Brennan screamed a while too.
And we are home. Sixteen days is a long, long time. Thanks to all our family. It was so great to see so many of you. We had a great time, but we're ready to be home now. Love you all!
