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.

Memorial Day Weekend

This weekend has been a fun weekend as a family. I just love long weekends when Darrin has an extra day off work and we can just spend extra quality time as a family. I did get to have a little while for some time away, though.

Saturday afternoon I went to a baby shower for a friend from playgroup. It was nice to have about 3 hours kid-free and be able to have adult conversation. And of course, I love the games! I am brutally competitive and had much fun playing the game where you can't say certain words. Sometimes I do well and other times I forget and slip up, but I managed to win on Saturday.

Becky, the mom-to-be again


Becky and her family - mom, sisters, and sister-in-law


Playgroup Moms who attended


Sunday morning we all made it to church for both the worship service and Bible fellowship class. It's been a while since we have been able to attend both as a family. Joshua struggled in the nursery during the first hour. He is at the age where he is dealing with separation anxiety pretty badly. He does not want to be away from me for long, and he cried every time someone opened the door to enter the room or leave. During the second hour he was the only one in his class so they moved him to the toddler 1 class, and he was much happier. I think part of it may have been because they have more fun toys in that class. The children in there are walking, but I have a feeling it won't be long before he will be able to promote to that class.

On the way home from church Joshua konked out in the car. He continued to sleep while we had lunch and when he woke and ate lunch Rebekah played with their new sand and water table. I bought a foam letters puzzle to put on the concrete and underneath the table to give Joshua a soft landing spot should he fall while playing with it, and I filled the sand side with rice. Rebekah hates having her hands dirty with sand, and I am not too crazy about the possibility of Joshua eating sand, so when someone mentioned the idea of using rice in place of sand I thought it was a brilliant idea. As you can see, Rebekah enjoyed playing in the rice.




Today we spent the afternoon outside enjoying the summer-like weather. My parents were on their way home from a mini-vacation in Townsend, TN, and stopped by for a visit. Darrin pulled out the kiddie pool for Rebekah. We had intended to let Joshua use his baby water mat, but we're not sure where it is, so Joshua enjoyed the pool with Rebekah for a little while...until he decided he had had enough. I think the water was just a little too deep for his liking. Rebekah had tons of fun playing in the water, but she relaxed so much that she pooped in the pool! I guess after a day and a half of not pooping she was bound to do so. I've learned my lesson to have a swim diaper on her in such instances in the future.