Living the Dream: Travelin' Man

My dearest lil' Kirby,
I feel so bad that every time we turn around, we are strapping you in that seat of yours and driving off to our next adventure. My goodness what a good lil' travelin' man you are! It all started AGAIN with Thursday, May 26 when we began our move from Johnson City, TN where you were born, to Indianapolis. We were so fortunate to have the help of great friends. Rita helped us kickstart the process by packing the kitchen with me while Abby played with Kirby; the boys, Tom, Stephen, JB, and Darrell helped Keith load the truck; Nancy, Meghan, and Sarah Neil babysat Kirby; Sarah Neil and Jen cleaned bathrooms, swept and vacuumed. My goodness, we have wonderful friends. We couldn't have made this move without all of their help, and we are so grateful for their help and most importantly for their friendship and love.

We miss you dearly, Nancy. Thank you for all your love, guidance, and friendship. I have few spiritual role models as strong as you.

On Thursday morning, I strapped you into that chair yet again, and we headed north to Louisville where we stayed with our cousins Mandy, Rian, Noah, Brody, and Jett. You were so good on the drive, including an eventful stop at Cracker Barrel, which I have identified as the one acceptable place to stop to feed you because it ALWAYS has a changing station. I parked in the farthest away parking spot to maintain some privacy and began to nurse you. I watched the clock as I watched the storm clouds roll in. I hurried into the store with you and got you changed and then began to take my time shopping for goodies for the boys. Apparently I had forgotten about those big storm clouds. I proceeded to pay for my findings, and the cashier reminded me of the storm when she insisted that I not take you outside. She offered to watch you while I went to get the car when I told her I was by myself and had a long trip ahead of me and really needed to get on the road. Ummmm, hello, you see movies about this. I thanked her and assured her that you would be fine and let her know that my husband would kill me if I had taken her up on this offer. She insisted and pointed to IVY, the greeter, who apparently has 12 grandchildren. She insisted that Ivy would hold you while I got the car. So I did it. I handed you over - my precious first born - to Ivy, the grandmother of 12; the STRANGER. I looked at her and let her know that I wasn't running off as long as she didn't run off. As I was running away from the Barrel and toward my car, my heart stopped as I realized what I had done. Worst Mother Ever, make that Worst Drenched Mother Ever! I pulled around to the front, and there was Grandmother Ivy with YOU. I pulled into a handicap spot and went to get you. Ivy didn't think this was good enough. She told me to pull on up to the front. So there I was, wheels lined up with the rocking chairs. As soon as I picked you up and put you in the seat, the rain stopped and the sun came out. Perhaps I should have been patient with the weather and not taken the chances I took. I profusely thanked Ivy and got on the road.

Move out day. Boy were Momma and Dada tired after several long days of packing and moving, but fortunately, you slept nine house to help us out. Thank you! Now give us more of those nights. haha.

Daddy joined us after he finished packing up the truck and emptying out the condo. We had a great visit with our family. You played with the boys, Momma ate a yummy meal with Rian and Mandy and enjoyed some spirits until Daddy arrived. We are so excited to be living only 2 hours from your little BuddyBuddy. Look how cute you two are!!! I foresee lots of visits in our future.

Lil' Buddy Buddy meeting.

Then we headed further north the next morning for the closing on our new house. It is a great house and immediately felt like home. I cannot wait to see you play in the yard, ride a tricycle in the cul-de-sac, trick-or-treat from door to door, and come down the stairs in the mornings. Your furry little friend, Quillen, is loving the yard and coming and going from his dog door. He has even learned to take his toys through the door and has even chased a rabbit and a chipmunk. He's LOVIN' it. We apologize, little DooDah for all the time we have spent on the house. We're trying hard to get everything nice and comfy and still give you all the love and attention that you need, but you, little boy, do not nap very easily so it is hard to get a lot done. Fortunately for us, you love to kick - or ride your back as Grandma says - on the floor and sit in your swing or your bouncy chair. You're such a good little boy!

You immediately found the ceiling fan. I think you approve.

A happy sight from the sidewalk.

You can't see the inside of the car or the truck so you'll have to believe me when I tell you we BARELY got everything here!!!!!!

Boxes.

Boxes. And more boxes.

Then we did it again...mjust days later. Yes, we strapped you into your seat and headed south to Nashville to pickup Grandma, your weekend babysitter, on our way to Madisonville, Tennessee, to witness Uncle Darrell marry the fabulous Meghan Noble. We stayed in Sweetwater at Stephen's parents house with Tom/Jen, Heather/JB. You should have seen it. We were wall to wall bedding. Grandma in the bed against the wall, Momma and Dada on the air mattress in the center of the floor, and you in your pack-n-play against the back wall. Somehow you managed to sleep 9 hours on the last night, which was such a gift since Dada and I both stayed up late "playing" with our friends. We had such a great time. Meghan was a beautiful bride, and the wedding was perfect! Oh yeah, and we celebrated your 3 MONTH birthday on Saturday. 3 MONTHS. I can't believe it, and I can't believe that I love you a little more every day.

Handsome little wedding guest.

As the bride walked down the aisle.

Thank you, Grandma, for making the trip to come and play with me so Momma and Dada could have some fun with our friends. I had so much fun with you and cannot wait for our next visit.

Uncle Darrell. A happy groom.

Good friends are rare, and we are blessed to have crossed paths with the Bentons. We love you both and were so honored and happy to be a part of your wedding day. God bless your marriage. STAY IN TOUCH!

We had so much fun with all our friends for one last time before we headed our separate ways. It was very hard to drive away. We already miss everyone and wish them all the best of luck in their residencies and look forward to our next gathering. May it be as fun as the last. It was a good close to that chapter of our lives as we begin the next chapter of our life - Indianapolis. As for now, our plan is to enjoy this guy as much as we can before he dawns his white coat and enters the halls of IU hospitals as a General Surgeon intern.