Going Home

When Conor somewhat unexpectedly had two long work trips on back to back weeks, I decided to take the boys up to Washington to stay with my parents.  While lately, I've done much better being alone when Conor travels, two weeks is a l o n g time.  And I always miss my parents!  So we jumped at the opportunity.  We quickly fell into a nice routine during our stay.  My mom always hits the gym early in the morning, so during that time the boys & I would have slow lazy mornings.  I'd actually read the paper, the real newspaper, not just an app on my phone.  I'd make my way through the crossword & anxiously wait for my coffee to arrive, hand delivered by my mom each morning, along with bagels for the boys.  It was nice not to ever be rushing out of the house to this or that.  We explored many of the parks near my parents, just enjoying being outside.  And come naptime, I got to take some glorious 3 year hour naps with Finn while Liam and my mom had their special time together.

I know Liam so treasured their nap time adventures, whether it be gardening, games, or simply running errands together.  On one of our last nights together, as Liam was falling asleep he told me: "I don't want to leave.  I love Nana.  I wish I was born here."  Break my whole heart.  Me too, buddy!  Me too!  It is so so hard living away from family, so it's always incredibly difficult when our visits come to an end.  Each time Conor travels internationally, he gets this huge to desire to live abroad for a couple years.  And each time I go home, my longing to move back gets stronger & stronger.  Our hearts are all over the place!

It also just so happened that my best friend was in town also visiting for the week!  She joined us for many a coffee morning and park playdate.  This was the first time we got to meet her 8 week old son, which has us all itching for the arrival of our baby boy.  Liam was obsessed and couldn't get enough.  My heart seriously swelled seeing him with a baby.  It was also so sweet to see my best friend as a new mom!  A new stage of life for her that we are both in together.  Somehow we have managed to make our phone calls even more frequent during this busy stage of life; love being on this motherhood journey with her.  Especially the boy mom journey!   

Fortunately, Conor was able to meet us at the lake house over the weekend.  Finn especially has a really difficult time when Conor travels.  Some evenings as he was falling asleep he would tell me: "Daddy.  Work trip.  Go see him!"  So these few days were oh so needed.  The lake house is always so good for the soul.  We spend most of our time outside, with this visit involving lots of worm digging & fishing!  Still not a single fish caught this year though.  I swear my children will lose interest soon.  Where are the fish?!  The treehouse and sandbox saw plenty of action, and many a maple bar were eaten.  Way too many treats at Nana & Pops house!  And while I apparently didn't capture any pictures (how did that even happen?!), there was lots & lots of cousin time!  A couple dinners together as well as a night at the lake house.  We may have even found some fireworks leftover from last summer and had a little mini show from the deck before bed.

In the evenings the boys anxiously waited for Pops to arrive home (again, how did he not make it any pictures?!), and closely watched the news every night, sitting right on his lap.  Liam has a newfound love for the weather as well as breaking news.  So.  Many.  Questions.  I don't like to shelter him too much, but wow does he absorb it all in.  The backyard was a mini oasis, with the temps finally being warm enough for some sprinkler action.  There were late night icecream runs, & lunch dates with Pops.  I also got to visit with my Grandpa who is 97 years old!  Love seeing him and taking the boys to his house!

A seriously wonderful visit that I am so so thankful for.  Our time together is never enough, but memories are constantly being made.  I know the boys already do, and will continue to, look back on these visits so fondly.  I want their childhood to full of some of the same things that made mine.  Somehow Nana & Pops give better baths & read better stories.  And this pregnant mama couldn't appreciate the help more!  And lucky for us, we'll be back again in early July for another visit!  Cannot wait 'til then!

 On another note, my children were the absolute best travelers.  Which was a complete relief since I was doing it all solo.  I'm not sure how I'll do this when there are three of them, but I'm sure I'll find my groove.  Because goodness, a newborn is so so worth it!