At any rate...this will be a long post...but that's okay.
Day 1:
Landed in Des Moines and arrived at my Grandma's house, Carly's Mimi, where she had an entire lunch spread out for our hungry bellies! The trip there went as smooth as it could have gone! Carly woke up right as we were ready to get her into the car, had a bottle on the way to the airport, napped on both flights and was happy as a clam to be hanging with mommy and daddy for a 9-hour en route trip. She rode on her 3rd and 4th planes.
Carly got lots of loving upon her arrival. She was bit caught off guard but went with the flow fairly well.
Wednesday evening Mimi prepared a delicious dinner for the Stubbs family, we met my brother's girlfriend, Mia, for the first time and Carly ate watermelon in a high chair for the first time.
Day 2:
Got up and had a delicious breakfast of eggs and sausage made by Mimi, headed to Ankeny for an eye exam and a walk with my friend, Carley, in the freezing 60 degree weather. My eyes have actually improved this year, which is fairly common with pregnancy. Since getting my new prescription I've had less headaches and can read street signs! Yay!
Lindsay and her son, Eli, joined us for an afternoon play date. Eli is a joy to be around and Carly couldn't keep her eyes off him! Lindsay is "super-mom" in my book and we are excited to meet Eli's little brother the next time we are in town.
After the Gerbers left, we met Brian's family in Ankeny for some delicious HuHot, but first stopped to play at a park. I think it's safe to say Carly loves the park! Check out her first slide ride, as well!
Day 3:
Monkey bread for breakfast...one of my favorite treats!! I decided before heading to Iowa that I wasn't going to even try being on a diet for those six days so I went all out! After filling my belly with deliciousness, we arrived at my Nana's house for some 5 generation quality time.
What an absolute blessing for Carly to get to spend time with her great, great grandma. I think they are 97 years a part.
We had pizza with Nana, Grandma, my parents and Anna, then headed back to Grandma's house where we were joined by Trey, and later by my uncle Dave and his family. It was nice to just hang low with family and friends.
Day 4:
If you know Brian and I, you know we are huge sports fans and very loyal Iowa State fans at that! Saturday Brian was in a wedding, so he didn't get to partake in all the festivities of tailgating like I did, but at least he got to catch the second half of the game! We spent the morning at Mimi's house where Carly got to wake up Uncle Trey in the wee hours of the morning...
...and were visited by Shayla and her kids, JT, Emmie and baby Zola! The girls really loved exploring one another. Shayla's 4th baby is due in just two weeks, so Carly will grow up having two second cousins born in the same year as her!
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| Sisters? ;) |
We said our goodbyes and headed to Ames for some tailgating! It was fun seeing many friends and walking my daughter around my old stomping grounds! I look forward to a day that Brian and I can buy season tickets again!
Carly went to her very first football game and then went with Grandpa and Nana to she could go to sleep. Her first time being put to bed by someone other than us was a success! However, we were up all night taking care of a very sick little girl...and so began a very long week. More on that later.
My favorite picture of the trip!
Day 5:
Church at E.Free in the morning and off to Grandpa and Grandma Weiss' house for lunch with them and Uncle Nathan. We were joined in the afternoon by Brian's Aunt Paula and her son Jacob, who is a freshman at ISU. Grandpa and Grandma put up their swing in the backyard for Carly's enjoyment.
I escaped for a couple of hours to see a group of dear girlfriends, two of which had JUST had babies the week before. This group of girls I've been friends with since college, and in 4 years we have added EIGHT littles to the picture. I don't think there will ever be a trip where I don't see these ladies for at least a few hours and look forward to a day we can re-integrate ourselves into their lives again.
Carly's godparents, Chris and Nikki came to visit us in the evening and we had a marvelous time catching up with them. I think they need to give Carly a little godsister or godbrother in the very near future? ;)
Great Planes for dinner, a walk with the G'parents and some snuggles in the evening completed that day.
Day 6:
Another rough night, but joy always comes in the morning. It's so hard having a sick babe. We took a walk on campus with Uncle Trey in the morning and got our "classic" family pic by Campanile!
Picked up Jimmy Johns for lunch and headed to the Loecke's to see our friends, Jessica, Zachary and Mae. We were so sad we missed Eliza, but 6 days is just too short to see everyone. I started babysitting Eliza before Zachary was even born...so it's strange to see him as a preschooler! Jessica has been a big blessing in my life and always gives me great wisdom and support when I have questions about Carly.
Grandma came home early from school to get extra play time with Carly who decided to take a record-breaking two and a half hour nap! But soon enough she was awake and got lots of play time before heading in for the night, and for the trip.
Day 7:
TRAVEL DAY. We went to Des Moines to see my parents "new place" and then it was to Walgreens to get Saline and Tylenol for Carly and off on a very long endeavor home full of little delays along the way...finally reaching our front door after 2am. At least Carly slept most of the second plane ride since we were delayed so late into the evening. Carly rode on her 5th and 6th planes (can you tell I'm keeping track of how many planes our little traveler has been on?)
Another trip to Iowa complete. Next time we visit Carly will be 13 months old!
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