Brady and I have been traveling lately. In mid-April we went to Dubuque so I could have a few meetings at Emmaus and get some work done before Iron Sharpens Iron. We always stay at Linda's, where Amanda is my personal babysitter (and a great one!) and Cooper (the dog) is Brady's entertainment. We stayed over the weekend and my parents drove up to see us. Or, really to see Brady. It is always so fun to see them. Brady gets attention galore...and I don't change a single diaper. Not one.
Sidenote...On the way to Dubuque, I traveled from Cleveland to Minneapolis on a very crowded plane. Seated next to me and Brady was a man who was covered in bright tattoos. Brady kept trying to reach out and grab his tattoos right off his arm. I spent half that flight grabbing my son's drooly hands away from this poor man. All the Cheerios in the world couldn't distract him, he was determined to get those tattoos. Sigh.
Since we had so much fun on our flights, (that was sarcasm) Brady and I decided to go back to Dubuque just three weeks later. This time, we went for two weeks, for the final preparation of the conference and for the conference itself. We just got back on Monday (Memorial Day). It was an exhausting time for me...but still a great experience for both me and Brady. Brady was such a trooper, he adjusted to almost every situation. He took naps like a champ, smiled and waved at everyone he met, and only had one pooptastrophe...and it wasn't for me :) He spent most of his time with Amanda, but also spent a few days with my friends Grace and Jenna. These three ladies took awesome care of my son while I worked. I am so blessed by their friendship.
During our first weekend, Brady and I took a road trip to Atlantic to see my family. Well...this was another situation where Brady wasn't exactly a great traveler. My parents ended up meeting me in Des Moines and driving the last hour with me after we stopped for supper. We made it for three hours by ourselves, but Brady just couldn't take that car seat any longer. Thank goodness for Grandpa and Grandma!
Brady had a BLAST all weekend with the cousins...my brother Jeff, Erin, and their son were up for the weekend, too. Plus Nathan, Shannon, and the girls came over as often as possible. Grandma and Grandpa's house was hopping...full of sippy cups, toys everywhere, diapers that needed changing, healthy snacks from Grandma, and fun, fun, fun! I just love dropping Brady into the chaos. He handles the fray pretty well, for a child that stays home with a boring mommy most of the time! I'm pretty sure I didn't change a diaper that weekend, either. Sneaky, aren't I?
The ISI conference was held over Memorial Day weekend, and Jason drove a van full of guys to the conference. I was so excited to see him. Brady really missed his daddy, too. Every night I would hold my cell phone up to his ear so Daddy could say goodnight...whenever he heard Daddy's voice, a big smile would result! It was so cute. I think Brady was a little weirded out to see him in the flesh. He kept touching his face and staring :)
My parents also came back to Dubuque for the weekend, to take care of Brady since I usually log 14-16 hour days while working at the conference, and since Jason was attending the conference. Brady stayed three nights with them in their hotel room. Of course I missed him, but knowing that he was getting a good night's sleep and I wouldn't wake him when I got up at 6 AM was more important. Are you sensing a pattern here? I couldn't have done it without my parents. Just knowing that they were on their way was a relief. Thanks, Mom and Dad!
The Lord really blessed the ISI conference...it went so smoothly, and we had record attendance. Over 400 people came from all over North America. Our committee and planning team were amazed and thankful. I really love my job...coordinating this conference is a perk!
On our way home, during one of our late flights (we got bumped, grrrrr) Brady curled up on my lap and went to sleep. I looked down at him and was struck by what a big boy he was...in his striped t-shirt, cargo shorts, size 4 diapers, and a cheerio stuck to his leg. What happened to my miniature six pounder? It seems like he grew so much while we were in Iowa. And he officially has six round trip flights under his belt - my little frequent flier.
We've been home since Monday. Jason worked on our bathroom while Brady and I were gone. He installed a new tub, shower, and surround. It was quite the project. Now he is installing slate tile, and then there will be walls to be painted, new hardware, trim, etc. I can't wait for it to be finished! I am grateful to have a handy hubby who can do most of the work himself.
It's been great being together again. We will have a few weeks of normal before Brady and I head back to Iowa again for a week, this time just to play! We don't like to leave Daddy, and we wish he had more time off work!
Okay, if you read this whole thing, you deserve a medal. Especially since I am now going to add a gazillion pictures with the promised lame captions. I guess you'd better post a comment or else I'll be sorely disappointed.
Little Gracie at the park!
Reese's baby blues...she is gorgeous!
Daredevil Addie
Me and my little brother...since Mom doesn't take pictures of us anymore, we have to take them of ourselves!
Grandpa and Brady swinging...Brady is hoping he won't have to eat gravel as a result of this little experiment!
Grandma and Brady...someone looks handsome in his baseball hat!
Addie and Reese styling my hair...Addie sure is concentrating :)
Back to Dubuque now...me and Linda
A tired Brady looking handsome in his Easter shirt from Granny
TOO CUTE!
Jesse Lange and I have worked together for almost 10 years now...here we are with our firstborn sons! Carson and Brady are six months apart.
Cooper babysitting Brady
Brady is entertained by the musical stylings of Brandon and Stefan
Brandon teaching Brady to play piano
Brady at Red Robin
Where did he go?
Playing in Grandma and Grandpa's hotel room
Getting taller...he is 95th percentile for height!
I really should have more pictures...I was a bad camera mom; I had to get most of these pictures from Grandma. Thanks for reading this whole thing...sorry it's so long...sorry I've been a lazy blogger...come back again soon!
