"Hey, you. Ray starting his new job on Monday sounds beyond-boring, why don't you kick things up to regular-boring by flying across the country with a toddler and a newborn by yourself?"
So, I did. I could bore you with all the details (cue stories of a 3 hour airport delay, a 1 hour in-plane delay for "mechanical issues", the 72 year old man who lugged Roscoe's car seat across O'Hare for me (shout out to Ron and Arleen!), the double blow out (one each) right before boarding our plane home, a travel day with no toddler nap and no toddler sleep till 11:30pm, the flight attendant who brought Rocs a warm chocolate chip cookie from first class, an inconsolably crying duet till 4:30am, me wondering (while biting my nails) when I ate mustard because of the yellow under my thumb nail and realizing I hadn't but I had recently changed Luka's diaper *yak*...) but really, who wants to hear all that crap (pun intended)? Instead I will tell you that it was worth all of it to spend a few days with my brother.
I loved just hanging out with him (and his roommate Mick by default) and whoever else happened to be visiting. I loved getting to see the gym where he has been working out and learning his "new tricks" as Heather likes to call them. I especially loved seeing him hold newborn Luka and interact with Roscoe.
This was such a different trip to Chicago for me. I normally run around a lot more seeing friends and family. I also always have pizza. And NEVER visit Mom without a haircut or color or highlight. But I didn't do any of that. I saw my parents (some), but really I just took care of Luka (and Roscoe when he wasn't entertained by Ahmoo or his cousins) and hung out at the hospital. It was exactly what I needed and I was not ready to leave him. Nothing like cornering your brother while he is stuck in a bed/wheelchair in the hospital and subjecting him to whatever thoughts popped in your head to deepen that sibling bond. I will always treasure the memory of the look on his face when he saw me walk in the room. First shock, then confusion, then understanding and tears (all around). When I booked my tickets I didn't know where Mitchel would be or what a visit might look like. And I definitely knew I wouldn't be much help with little ones in tow. My only mission for this trip (besides the selfish one of seeing him myself) was to show Mitchel how crazy much I love him. I hope he felt it. Because it is SO TRUE.
He wouldn't even take his jacket off or eat lunch at Ahmoo's - he was mesmerized by that toy box. And Skokie-Cat:
Hogging Uncle Mitch's hospital bed. Better than what Roscoe did pushing all the buttons and sending Mitchel up and down and then unlocking the bed so it slid across the room. Oops.:
Thankfully Ahmoo did trim the mullet (and Roscoe loved it!):
Someone found Ahmoo's brush stash and figured out how to turn on her mirror... got to look GOOD for the cousins!:
Not in my arms and not crying - this is exciting people:
Cousins!:
Proud Uncle of a burrito Luka:
One of his therapist's challenges - playing Jenga while balancing on one leg:
Cousin Kyle is a pro at baby-holding:
Date night (with me and Luka as third and fourth wheel):
Auntie Heather sure knows how to win over kids:
Brynn chatting with Luka:
The Little Ladies in their Jammies:
Rocs and Troy. And yes, this was the best of the four I took:
Loving Uncle Mitch's chair:
Grandpa meeting Luka:
Heather surprised Mitchel and brought the kids to visit:
Luka and Jayce hogging Mitchel's bed. My bet is that Jayce will grow into that head about the same time as Luka grows into that hairdo:
No comments:
Post a Comment