Weekend in Tennessee

We are all back from our respective hectic weekends in one piece. Dad had a great time enjoying a big Hurricanes win and seeing his cousin and new baby Kolt. Meanwhile, Mom and Caleb had a good time seeing lots of family in Tennessee. This was a tough weekend for me. This was the first time I have been away from Caleb. I missed him very much and was really excited to see him last night. Things quickly got back to normal today, but they won't stay that way for long because Poppy and TuTu will be here for a visit starting tomorrow.

There'll be more time for that later. It's time to get caught up on the weekend.

Friday, September 19, 2008

After Mom got off work, she and Caleb headed to the Fort Lauderdale airport to fly to Nashville. Caleb has been on an airplane several times in his short life. Mom said he did really well on the flights. This was especially good news as Mom was nervous to make this trip with Caleb by herself.

Caleb's arrival was greatly anticipated in Tennessee. Mom and Caleb were met by a large contingent including Granddaddy, Whatshername, Uncle S, Auntie M and Auntie M's dog Tillie. Had Granddaddy and Whatshername had a larger vehicle, I'm sure the welcoming party would have been larger.

After dropping Uncle S, Auntie M and Tillie off at their house, Granddaddy got some play time with Caleb before he went through his bedtime routine. Though it was late and I'm sure he was tired, Caleb enjoyed playing with his Granddaddy.

Before going to bed for the night, Caleb got his nightly bath in Whatshername's sink. It doesn't matter where he is, Caleb sure loves his baths.

Saturday, September 20, 2008

Caleb had a pretty busy day on Saturday. The day began with a visit from Great Grandmama and Great Granddaddy in the morning. Though you can't really see it, Caleb started the day with his UM bib on in honor of Dad's game.

I was OK with Caleb and Mom heading up to Tennessee without me, but I really have to call things in to question now. When I first met Mom way back when, she consumed a lot of caffeine and her preferred caffeine vessel was a southern soft drink known as Sun Drop. Sun Drop is kind of like Mountain Dew, but Mom would tell you it is way better. In fact whenever they visit, Granddaddy and Whatshername are sure to bring a six pack or two of the stuff to Mom. So I am a little bothered by the fact that Whatshername is pushing the stuff on Caleb at such a young age.

Then there is Granddaddy who expects Caleb to share his love of yard work. He made Caleb take a break from play time in an effort to put him to work. Caleb's not quite up to the task yet, so Granddaddy settled for taking Caleb for a ride around the yard on the lawn mower.

After his day of hard work, Caleb wound down by going out to dinner with more family and then hosting Maw Maw for some more play time. After all the playing, it was finally time for Caleb to have his bath. Because he got his bath in the sink, there was a cup nearby and Caleb felt he needed to have it. I just hope he didn't drink any soapy water.



Sunday, September 21, 2008

While in Tennessee, Mom took another shot at having Caleb sleep in Whatshername's Pack 'n Play. Last time we were in Tennessee, we tried to have Caleb sleep in the Pack 'n Play, but he was having none of it. Part of the problem was that we would disturb whenever we tried to lay him all the way down in the bottom of the crib. Mom was surprised that there was not an attachment to the Pack 'n Play that sat higher. On this trip, Mom poked around a little and sure enough, there were some additional pieces in the Pack 'n Play box. Mom attached it and it was a little easier to get Caleb in and out of the Pack 'n Play.

Also on this trip, Mom came across a quilt that turned out to be the quilt she played on when she was a little baby. Thanks to a touch of nostalgia, Mom declared that this was the quilt Caleb should lie on to play and that this should have been his play quilt all along.

Caleb had a good time going to cradle roll class in Tennesse. It is neat to see him sitting in the big boy seat actually paying attention to his surroundings as he grows more aware.

I'm not surprised that Whatshername was pushing the soda on Caleb. I'm a little more surprised at Mom. Her second favorite drink other than Sun Drop is Purity chocolate milk. Because Granddaddy and Whatshername occasionally bring some Sun Drops, I think chocolate milk may be about what Mom misses the most. Chocolate milk is usually a staple of a visit to Tennessee. But I can't believe Mom is pushing the chocolate milk on Caleb.

Mom and Caleb flew back to Fort Lauderdale in the evening and then drove to Miami International Airport to pick Dad up from his trip. We were all very excited to see each other, but we were also ready to go to bed after our long weekends.