Visit with Carrie

Our family spent an extra long Memorial Day weekend with my sister from Saturday through Tuesday. We headed out after lunch Saturday and made it amazingly in about 5 1/2 hours. Darrin borrowed a GPS from work, and it took us off the interstate much earlier than we should have, and we detoured through some back highways. It took about the same amount of time or a little longer, but the better route is taking the interstate as far as possible. Come to find out, GPS systems can be a blessing or a curse. In this case, it was both. When we got into some strange places we were glad it could get us to where we needed to be, but it took us a route none of my family had ever taken before.

We had a very enjoyable weekend with Daniel, Carrie, Taylor, and Katelyn. Rebekah and Taylor had a blast playing together. Rebekah would occasionally grab Taylor's arm and tell her to "come on" so they could play in Taylor's room. Taylor also spent some time following Rebekah around. Surprisingly, Joshua and Taylor didn't really click. He just did his own thing while the girls played, although occasionally he would hang around them or give Taylor a kiss. (I was hoping to get a kissy pic, but I never had the camera on hand when he kissed her.)

Rebekah was very much interested in Katelyn, and she seemed so grown up all of a sudden. It's amazing how much difference two years can make from the time Rebekah got a new cousin in Taylor and a new baby brother Joshua until now. She was proud to hold Katelyn, unlike two years ago, and she always made comments like: "She's so cute!" or "Does she like me?"

Joshua, on the other hand, kept his distance. One time he was sort of interested in Katelyn, and he tried to touch her eye, but after that he just wanted to watch from afar. He also became jealous of his cousins as our visit continued. Sunday when Taylor woke from her nap she was crying. Carrie and Daniel were both indisposed at the moment, so I got her out of her crib. As I held her Joshua came in the room behind me and got upset. He did not like that I was holding Taylor. I crouched down, put Taylor down, and reached for Joshua, then Taylor started crying. I would have picked them both up, but Joshua would not have anything to do with it. Thankfully, Daniel entered the room at that time and took his daughter.

Then on Monday we went to Daniel's mom and step-dad's house for a cook-out to celebrate Memorial Day. After we had eaten dinner and Katelyn had nursed I was holding her. Joshua was happily playing, and then all of a sudden he realized I was holding the baby. He got so upset! I was a little concerned he would try to hit Katelyn, although he didn't, but he did throw a big tantrum. At first I felt like he needed to try to adjust and deal with me holding another child, but in the end I gave her up and took Joshua and comforted him. After that he did not want to leave me although Darrin tried to take him outside for a while. He wanted to be outside, but not without me. Daniel finally convinced him to go on a walk with him to see the vegetable garden. Joshua was fine after that, but I didn't try to hold anyone else after such a meltdown.

During our visit we attended church with Daniel and Carrie. Joshua went in the same room as Taylor, but I heard that she didn't have much to do with him. Yet, Taylor did tell Carrie, "I fun Joshua." She also said, "I fun diaper change." LOL! I was surprised that Rebekah struggled visiting a new class having been in preschool and our church nursery. I guess not knowing anyone was really hard for her, but the class only had four other children. I stayed with her for a little while then left after they sang a couple of songs and prepared to start the lesson. After we got out of Sunday school I went to check on the kids. Both were doing great, and Rebekah was happily playing with her new girlfriends.

Due to the many photos I have from our trip you can view my Facebook album. In addition, here is a progression of funny faces Rebekah gave for a family photo on Memorial Day.

Notice the devilish expression. Actually, we think she was looking at Daniel's step-dad, but it's still funny.


Then Rebekah thought it would be fun to squat during the picture taking...


Then a cheesy grin...


And the ultimate facial expression...


Sometimes the first picture turns out the best.