Last Friday, I got a case of the blues... the kind of blues you get when you feel completely left out of something. The kind of blues you get when the weather is absolutely dreadful and there's nothing but rain in sight. The kind of blues you can only get when you live 11 hours from home and have to miss out on more than a few celebrations. Case in point. Jessica had just given birth to baby Sam and my friend Georganne was planned to be married the next day and I so badly wanted to be there for both joyous events. I did the complete unexpected. I surfed over to cheaptickets and bought a plane ticket for RDU the next day departing at 6am. Unexpected? Yes, completely exhilirating, yes! I scurried around the house for the next few hours trying desperately to prepare for this impromptu trip and keep in mind everything you need while traveling with an infant. The next morning I awoke at 3:30am to depart at 4am for Pensacola airport with my precious husband in tow who gladly let me take this trip with his baby. I took Grant straight from his crib to the car where he continued to sleep until we reached the airport at 5am. My poor child has already flown four times in his short eight months of life. Every time we do fly we are always greeted with warm smiles and adoring grandmother types that always ask, "Oh, is this is first trip on an airplane?!" Grant has become much more difficult to travel with as he gets older and more mobile. We were lucky enough to have an empty seat next to mine on all but one of our flights. So, he was able to sit in his on seat and entertain himself for the most part and by entertain himself I mean dropping his toys in the aisles for all of the friendly people around us to pick up and hand back to him.
We were greeted at RDU by Grant's adoring grandparents. Grant and I sneaked up on them while they were waiting for the two of us to come down the escalator. This I still don't understand... how could I have gotten Grant's stroller and all of our stuff down the escalator by myself and why didn't this occur to them? hehe.This picture shows they have already forgotten about their beloved daughter and are mainly focused on their only grandchild.
The expression on my Mom's face here says it all! I wish I had a dollar for everytime she introduced Grant as her, "Grandbaby from Alabama!" Pure Bliss.
After the airport, it was straight to the hospital to meet baby Sam for the first time and check up on his Mommy. I casually knocked on Jessica's unsuspecting door at the hospital. When I opened the door she exclaimed, "You're here?! What are you doing here?!" It was the most fun suprising her and her family. Grant and Sam both slept through their first introduction but I'm sure these two will have some wild times in the near future!
He is just the sweetest little thing in the world!
Grant couldn't take his eyes off of his new little friend. He kept peering over my shoulder to check up on him.
After a wonderful visit with Sam and his parents we decided Mommy and baby needed some much needed rest. On to Clinton we went just in time for Georganne and Matthew's "I do's!"
My Mom stayed at home with Grant during the ceremony but we picked them both up for the reception. Grant enjoyed meeting many of his Mommy's high school buddies and Grandmama loved showing him off!
Meagan was there, (yay!) Grant couldn't resist playing with my necklace all night, therefore his face is turned in every photo! Grant didn't stay too long, he was pretty tired after such a long day of traveling. My parents took him home and put him to bed and let me stay and have fun!
The blushing bride and I
Here I am with my great friend, Kalin and Jill. Jill is Jessica's sister and Baby Sam's Aunt!
The rest of our trip flew by which they always do. We had a great time just being together and playing with Grant.
One of my favorite aspects of my childhood home is the location. My parents live on a lake and growing up I loved feeding the ducks, fishing in the pond, catching tadpoles, swimming, we used to have the most fun. I spotted these little duckies on Sunday and ran out into the yard to try and snap their photo. I love all that spring represents-new life, but it sure does wreak havoc on my allergies!
A trip to NC just wouldn't be complete without seeing Mimi and Poppy! We met them for a quick dinner Monday evening at good 'ole Cracker Barrel off of the interstate. Grant was delighted to see his Grandparents!
We enjoyed our home cookin' and after a quick changeroo into Grant's PJ's in the car we were ready to head back to Clinton for the night.
The next day my little man and I flew home to our awaiting Husband/Daddy. Our spur of the moment trip was a blast and I was so thankful we were able to pack in so much into just a few days. Grant did fabulously on the plane with the exception of pulling the man beside him's arm hair continuously for an hour. That made for an interesting flight and yes, I'm a true believer in babies flying in their jammies. It's just easier.
The expression on my Mom's face here says it all! I wish I had a dollar for everytime she introduced Grant as her, "Grandbaby from Alabama!" Pure Bliss.
After the airport, it was straight to the hospital to meet baby Sam for the first time and check up on his Mommy. I casually knocked on Jessica's unsuspecting door at the hospital. When I opened the door she exclaimed, "You're here?! What are you doing here?!" It was the most fun suprising her and her family. Grant and Sam both slept through their first introduction but I'm sure these two will have some wild times in the near future!
He is just the sweetest little thing in the world!
Grant couldn't take his eyes off of his new little friend. He kept peering over my shoulder to check up on him.
After a wonderful visit with Sam and his parents we decided Mommy and baby needed some much needed rest. On to Clinton we went just in time for Georganne and Matthew's "I do's!"
My Mom stayed at home with Grant during the ceremony but we picked them both up for the reception. Grant enjoyed meeting many of his Mommy's high school buddies and Grandmama loved showing him off!
Meagan was there, (yay!) Grant couldn't resist playing with my necklace all night, therefore his face is turned in every photo! Grant didn't stay too long, he was pretty tired after such a long day of traveling. My parents took him home and put him to bed and let me stay and have fun!
The blushing bride and I
Here I am with my great friend, Kalin and Jill. Jill is Jessica's sister and Baby Sam's Aunt!
The rest of our trip flew by which they always do. We had a great time just being together and playing with Grant.
One of my favorite aspects of my childhood home is the location. My parents live on a lake and growing up I loved feeding the ducks, fishing in the pond, catching tadpoles, swimming, we used to have the most fun. I spotted these little duckies on Sunday and ran out into the yard to try and snap their photo. I love all that spring represents-new life, but it sure does wreak havoc on my allergies!
A trip to NC just wouldn't be complete without seeing Mimi and Poppy! We met them for a quick dinner Monday evening at good 'ole Cracker Barrel off of the interstate. Grant was delighted to see his Grandparents!
We enjoyed our home cookin' and after a quick changeroo into Grant's PJ's in the car we were ready to head back to Clinton for the night.
The next day my little man and I flew home to our awaiting Husband/Daddy. Our spur of the moment trip was a blast and I was so thankful we were able to pack in so much into just a few days. Grant did fabulously on the plane with the exception of pulling the man beside him's arm hair continuously for an hour. That made for an interesting flight and yes, I'm a true believer in babies flying in their jammies. It's just easier.
