Monday, Mom, Hayleigh, and I went to Effingham around noon. We decided to go ahead and go in the middle of the rain. We ate lunch at Cracker Barrel, shopped in the store for a few minutes. Mom picked Hayleigh up a doll swing- she loved it. We then went to Menard's, and I waddled all around that place. I started to get the hurt crotch feeling in Cracker Barrel- safe to say I'm ready for it to be gone! After Mom picking up a huge pumpkin at Menard's, we went over to K-Mart- nothing there, then picked up a lamp at the Goodwill next door for the ambulance garage, and headed back towards Newton just in time to browse Ardnt's and pick up some fudge. We headed back to O-town, stopped by the video store, and I ran in to pick out a few movies. Then, headed out to say goodbye to Allen's great Aunt and Uncle, and set up Allen's grandma's router. We headed back to Mom's and watched movies for the rest of the night- What to Expect When You're Expecting, and 21 Jump Street.
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| Granmaw Sue and Hayleigh at Cracker Barrel |
Tuesday, Mom, Hayleigh, and I ran boxes up to UPS to ship out- they will be here tomorrow. We had 2 we managed to ship out, then visited with my old co-workers, and left to go get lunch at El Rancherito, then back to Walmart again to get a few groceries, and antacids for me. We left there, made it back to Mom's and I headed out to Allen's grandparents to get their modem going- we were worn out! Got that done, and Mom went on call at 5pm, made it back for us to run up to McD's for supper and to steal their internet, booking our motel room for Thursday night. We ended up watching tv, and Mom gave Hayleigh a bath, we all went to bed early that night.
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| In the waiting room at the hospital |
Wednesday, Mom had to work. Hayleigh and I managed to get up, we had to run errands, and eat lunch with my Dad- saying goodbye. Before that, we went past the hospital to take the pee pee tee pees there, but Mom was just called out on a run, so we went by one of our friend's house before we went to lunch with Dad. Had a good visit, then went to eat with Dad, same lady from Olde Thyme was in there once again... We had pizza burgers and fries- yummy!!! Dad walked us out, and teared up a bit saying good bye. I know he probably won't get to see us until next Spring when/if we get to come back then. After that, we returned to the hospital, met up with Mom for a few minutes after waiting in the waiting room, then headed out to my Grandma and Grandpa's to visit with them and Uncle Dale. We ended up spending a good few hours out there, Hayleigh walking around with Grandpa, Grandma and I visiting. Hayleigh managed to pick all of their dandy lions, and Grandpa pushed her on the tire swing. We said our goodbyes, and headed out to Allen's grandparents to go to Subfast/Pizzafast in town to eat with Aunt Brittney, Bob, and cousin Xena, and to say goodbye to them too. Dinner was great, and we said goodbye, knowing it will be a while until we see each other again. That night I visited one last friend, and dropped off a few gifts for future babies, then headed back to Mom's.
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| giving hugs and saying goodbye |
Thursday morning, Mom got in after running all night. She tried to sleep on the couch while I started packing our bags, and getting everything rounded up. We ate lunch with Allen's grandparents in the backyard before saying goodbye to them, while Mom ran errands. I ended up having to take another box up to UPS after Mom got back- I would have been over the weight limit come to find out, and the bags were stuffed. I said bye to everyone at work, then ran to CVS to fill a prescription that I had lost, then to Hallmark to get Magen her birthday stuff. I made it back in time to Mom's house after dropping the movies off, to Mom being ready to head out. She had packed the hummer up with everything, and Hayleigh was taking a nap. We got gas, and I said goodbye to Olney once again. I did cry leaving- Mom didn't see because I had my sunglasses on, and didn't want to upset her too. I watched everything go by outside the window, feeling like crap. Nothing had changed, but I certainly had. It's sad that we are not a short drive away from our family and friends. I didn't get to visit with everyone as much as I had hoped for. We made small talk on the drive back to St. Louis, finding our motel pretty easy. We got settled into the motel, and met up with Magen and her boyfriend for a birthday dinner for Magen, and to say goodbye. That night was so short. We made it back from Outback Steakhouse, and it was already time for bed, since we had to get up at 3:30 in the morning to get ready to leave on our flight.
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| Granmaw and Hayleigh getting in one last snuggle the morning we left the motel |
Friday, after a night fighting for space on the queen sized bed Hayleigh and I shared, I was up at 3am. I went around the room, getting ready, and packing everything up. We got Hayleigh up and ready, and the shuttle guy was calling up to our room wanting to leave then- 15 minutes early! So, Mom and I hurried down, I took all of the bags, and she took Hayleigh. We no more than got the car seat out of the hummer, strapped it to the wheel carrier, and hurried to the shuttle van, to where Mom hugged and handed me Hayleigh, we gave her a hug, and said a quick goodbye. I hated that shuttle driver. He did not hardly load our bags, and drove the van like a bat out of hell. We saw Mom getting ready to drive off from the motel when we got back out on the interstate, and I lost it. I cried the whole way to the airport, while Hayleigh was asking for Granmaw. We made it to the airport, the shuttle driver did not unload any of our stuff, so I got everything along with Hayleigh to the curbside and rearranged it all, putting her in her car seat, so I could push her. We checked in- it was confusing, and managed to get my checked bag to the right place in all of the construction after riding the elevator a few times. Made it through security in about a half hour, settled down, got a drink, and called Mom to let her know we were waiting for the flight by our gate. I talked to Allen, then they let Hayleigh and I board early.
We got on the plane, Hayleigh was tired, and cried. The guy who come up to us that sat next to us was a grumpy old guy that gave me a look. The stuartist gave me an inflatable infant floatation device for Hayleigh- first time that has ever happened. Freaked me out!!! We had to fly around the thunderstorms that surrounded us, going down to Tulsa, OK. Hayleigh slept the whole time, I was a little worried, and Reid was pushing hard. We finally made it to Denver, and of course the jerk guy sitting next to me, jumps up, and runs off the plane. I had other people help me get my bags out of the overhead storage, and then we got Hayleigh's car seat. We were over a half hour late, and I had to run us across the airport for our connecting flight. We made it to the gate with 20 minutes to spare, and THANK GOD there was a bathroom right next to our gate. I changed Hayleigh and got us ready to go. Our flight left 10 minutes late, but we had 1/2 of the plane empty, so Hayleigh got her own seat next to me. The flight was good- hardly any turbulence. I managed to get sick on our decent into Grand Junction. I hadn't eaten since 8pm the night before, plus the few grapes we had in our bag. I could have snacked more, but our bags had to stay up in the overhead storage for both flights. We landed, and it was bittersweet. I felt better, and had our friend here to pick us up. It felt lonely here. On the drive back home, I felt empty- this was not like home where we just come from, and I missed everyone bad. We got back to our house, and I got the mail, went through it, and got the laundry done, unpacked our suitcases, and Hayleigh got to have a nice play date with our friend's little girl. I called everyone, letting them know we made it in, and was pretty emotional. After Hayleigh's play date, I fixed a small supper, and Hayleigh fell asleep on the couch. I put Hayleigh to bed, then I went to bed shortly after. I wished I would have made our trip back here a few days later- still do.
Saturday, I had jet lag. Yuck! We stayed in the house- it was cool, but sunny outside, and I managed to get a few things done, and fixed us spaghetti for supper. Hayleigh played outside for a minute, then come in to take a bath, and got ready for bed.
I learned a few things from our trip- makes me cry now. Every trip we take back home is going to get worse than this. They will be harder to leave everyone. Holidays will be tough, but we have to be strong- this wasn't a choice to move here- it was a must for Allen's job. I know now I miss and love our family and friends more than I thought I did. I am excited that my mom will be here a month from today- about like waiting for Christmas. Because out of everyone back home, I know that my relationship with my mom is now healed. I miss her more than I thought I would, and just wish she was close to us now. Time and distance can heal all wounds, or break relationships- that is the big lesson I've learned with this trip. I experienced both while back in Olney, but everything works out for the best.
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