Last week I had an opportunity. Originally, we weren't going to be able to make it to Southern California for my step brothers wedding because a) we couldn't afford it and b) Eric couldn't get the time off work. So, I just figured we wouldn't be going. Then, my dad offered to pay for mine and Brandon flights down so we could go. Well, so I could go and Brandon can visit with everybody. So, we did just that.
We left on Friday late morning and got there an hour or so later. I am not going to lie, I was nervous about taking a flight all by myself with Brandon and a carseat and stroller. It was nerve racking. I was lucky enough to have the help of my mother in law. She was able to get a guest pass to help me through security and to the gate until we boarded. Problem was, trying to push the stroller and carry the carseat at the same time after that point. Luckily, the people with the airline helped me out and carried the carseat down to the plane for me. Then passed it off to the flight attendant to put it in the seat for me. As we boarded the plane, Brandon started to have a fit. He was afraid. He wouldn't even get in his carseat in his own seat. I finally sat him on my lap and let him play with the literature and the setback tray. He was then happy and stayed happy the whole trip. I couldn't even get his special toys out for him. Getting off the plane the flight attendant helped again with the carseat, then a pilot helped me get the carseat to the baggage claim area. What amazing people I had around me to help.
My dad was already there to pick us up and took us to his house. Although, he had to get back to work. So, Brandon and I explored his backyard and played with some of the toys he has for his grandkids. Brandon FINALLY took a nap about 2:30 or 3pm until 4:30pm. Just in time for grandpa to get home from work. His friend Linda was there and made an amazing dinner for all of us. Brandon played some more and explored the backyard with grandpa again. Then it was bath time and time to get ready for bed. Of course, that was a little hard. Brandon was in a new place and did not want to settle down. Finally he did and we watched one of his favorite movies, SING, and he settled in for the night and fell asleep.
The next morning my dad, Brandon and myself all went to a park I grew up going to that had been remodeled. We call it the Airplane Park because there is an airplane statue there. And now, the play structure is tailored around the airplane. Brandon had a blast and really loved the swings. Of course, the most boring for the parents. After about an hour at the park, we went down to the beach. To Long Beach where my brothers and I all did Junior Lifeguards. Last time we went there was back in January and Brandon wanted to jump in the water. This time, not so much. He wanted nothing to do with the water. So much so that he started to run away up the beach back towards the car. So we decided to try the bay side. Still, wanted nothing to do with the water. He was like that all summer too from what I heard at day care. He didn't want anything to do with the little pool and pool slide. So weird since back in January he loved it. After the beach we headed home and got something to eat and relaxed until it was time to get ready for the wedding. My aunt Valerie (dad's sister) came to watch Brandon for us since he couldn't go.
It was hard leaving because Brandon didn't want me to leave, but we got out the door and took the 45 minute drive to the wedding location. Once there we met up with the rest of the family and got settled in for the ceremony. It was a nice and quick ceremony, which is always nice. The bride, Anna's father officiated. After the ceremony they had a cocktail hour while the reception was getting set up for dinner and they did pictures. They had 2 signature drinks, beers, water and soda. We visited with everybody while the bride and groom made their rounds and enjoyed their time. Dinner was delicious. It was a BBQ of chicken and ribs with potato salad and mac and cheese and green salad and rolls. It was SO good. After dinner were the toasts from the best man (my step brother Christopher) and the maid of honor. I have got to say, the best man speech was the best I have heard in a while. Maybe because I know so much of what he was talking about. It was almost like a roast. Ok, maybe it was a roast. It was great! Then we had dessert which instead of cake or cupcakes, we had pie. I believe it was a lemon pie. And it too was really good. After pie my dad, Linda and I all left. We were tired and ready for bed. I was ready to see Brandon again. It's very easy to miss that boy.
The next day was a FULL day. We started off at the Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific. Brandon was hit and miss with a lot of the attractions, but I am so proud of him for touching the sea stars, sea urchin and sea anemone. He kind of touched the sting rays. Although he had his hands in the water, they would dip under as they got to him. So, it was an A for effort. When we left there we went to visit with grandma Susan. We were there for maybe an hour while we visit and she got to spend some time with him. Then it was off to uncle Lukes house in Riverside. When we got there Brandon and his cousin Quinn (they are only 2 weeks apart) played for a while in her bedroom and then we decided it was time for food. We were all starving. At linner, because it was so late, the little ones played and chatted while we all talked. Food came and mine was forgotten. Everybody was almost done when my food finally came. Not happy about that, but what can you do? Right? After eating it was back to my brothers house to go swimming. Brandon wasn't sure at first, as was I because it was SO COLD! But we finally warmed up and Brandon had a blast. Even went around a little with uncle Luke. After the pool, we all warmed up and then explored the backyard. Brandon had a blast in the sand box and then playing with a ball. We got some cute pictures of the cousins in the bath together. After the bath my brother gave them an oreo and Brandon made it look like icing coming out of his mouth. I with I had gotten a picture. It was oozing black out of his mouth. There was a little play time outside again before we left to go home.
Monday was a day to catch up on resting. We didn't go anywhere and Brandon and I took a short walk while he had his peanut butter sandwich down the street a bit. He loved sitting on my dads porch swing too. Linda made another delicious dinner of beef tacos. Then, it was off to bed. Brandon fell asleep an hour earlier than usual...which made him wake up at 1am. He was up from 1am until almost 5am when he fell back to sleep for about another 2 hours. On Tuesday, we got things ready to go since we were flying out that afternoon. Brandon played while I packed. I tried to get him to nap while we waited for my friend Karen, but that was a no go. He was ready to go too by the time Karen got there. He just wanted out of the house. So, we loaded the car and off to the mall we went. We walked a little of the mall and into Target. Then we had lunch at Applebees. Brandon actually wanted to sit in a high chair this time. I think it was because he was getting tired. He had a little bit of my food, mac and cheese and chicken strips, and a juice. Karen dropped us off at the airport and I was back to being nervous about lugging everything around. But, I had a better plan this time. I wore Brandon in a carrier and pushed the carseat in the stroller. That made it much easier. As we were waiting to board Brandon fell asleep. He ended up sleeping for most of the flight. I had an airport worker help me with the carseat onto the plane. And I was luck enough to have an amazing person sitting across from us help me get the carseat off the plane.
It was nice to be home. To get back to a routine and see Eric. This is the longest I have been away from Eric in a very long time. And ever for Brandon to be away from Eric. Usually we travel all together. It was a long family embrace when we saw Eric. I miss my family and friends in Southern California, but it is nice to be back home in my own bed and back to our routines that Brandon knows. He is sleeping well again and eating, well, that's another story. We are trying to get him back to a better eating habit again. It was a great trip. Although, I can honestly say I would rather drive with a toddler than try to lug everything I need around the airport again. It might be easier when he's in a booster seat. Maybe then we will try again. Our next trip down to Southern California will be driving again. It's also nice to have your own car when you are down there.
That's the most excitement we have had in a while. My first big trip other than Disneyland in January. Nothing else new. Just chugging along with my treatment and daily life.
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