Special Report – Seth’s Visit!

Gosh, I can’t believe it’s already been 3 weeks since they were here. I’m starting to forget the details so I better get something down. I’m positive when you read this as an adult you’ll know who these people are. They aren’t going to be people in photo albums of whom you have no recollection. How do I know that? Because Seth’s Momma and I have been friends for 30 years already. Even though we rarely see each other anymore, we’ll always be friends. Distance has never stopped us. I think it was a little surreal getting together for the first time after having our firsts kids – you, of course, and Seth.

I don’t have a lot of friends with kids your age right now, baby. You hang out with other kids, but they’re usually older than you and, therefore, usually defer to you. Putting 2 two-year-olds together is quite a different experience, and I wasn’t sure what to expect. I waited with bated breath to see how you handled this kid who you didn’t know coming in your home, into your playroom, and using your stuff. And I couldn’t have been more proud of you. You had the same giving, sweet spirit with him that we see in you all the time. And Seth did a really great job of coming into a new toy wonderland and coming to grips with the fact that they did not all belong to him. I think you grabbed things from each other maybe a couple of times the entire week, and it was always resolved quickly with minimal parental interaction. I think we’ve all done a pretty great job as parents, if I do say so myself. You are a couple of awesome kids.

We spent the first afternoon at home where you guys rocked out with Elmo, rode stick ponies, do-a-dotted, and I got to read bedtime stories to the two of you together. Such a sweet experience for me as a Mom and as a longtime friend of an awesome girl. Really feeling sentimental as I write this. It was really just so cool that they were willing to come out and visit us like this. I loved every minute of it. And so did you. Every time you see these photos you point and say “Ses, Ses, Ses” excitedly over and over again.

Anyway, days 2 and 3 we spent in Disneyland.

I think it’s where Seth fell a little bit in love with you. Can you blame him? In the happiest place on earth, with a super cute chick? This was when the hugging truly began. And there was a lot of it. A lot of spontaneous affection from your new friend. And you guys would hold onto each other for 5-10 seconds at a time. So sweet. 🙂 And you guys held hands with each other at our request, pretty much every time we asked. You guys held onto each other your whole Trazan’s Tree House experience, up and down the stairs, across the bridge. Seth was very protective of you during that little walk, and really patient with you when you took longer than him to go down those scary, steep stairs.  Let me tell you, Disneyland is such a different experience with little ones like you guys. It’s awesome to get to watch you guys experience it, even cooler than experiencing it myself. We were 4 googly-eyed parents watching on with grins on our faces. At least I was. I guess I can’t speak for everyone else. I was definitely busy watching you two little ones in all your adorableness.

You were both fascinated by the Finding Nemo Submarine ride.

Seth conked out first. You’re much too stubborn for that. You didn’t fall asleep until the last minute of the second day.

One of my favorite memories is of the two of you dancing around together while we sat on the sidelines waiting for the parade.

Our second day in Disney began with a quest to get a photo with Mickey, but we ended up having an opportunity to meet Pluto first. We got in the park before it opened with our Character Breakfast passes and we happened to walk in right as Pluto appeared, so there was no line. I truly had no idea how you would respond. The last time we did the character breakfast you weren’t scared, you were pretty enthralled, but you were also pretty much a statue whenever one of the characters would come near you. You just didn’t quite know what to think. This time you were all about it. You went right up to him, holding onto Seth’s hand, and both of you gave him a gigantic hug. And then, it all went wrong. 🙂 Pluto, trying to be helpful to the camera-toting parents turned you both around so that your faces were no longer buried in his fur. You went with it and readjusted, hugging Pluto’s arm. Seth wailed and ran for it. HAHA. It was pretty funny. This photo was right before he decided the Pluto had gone too far. Seth (who has excellent verbal skills!) made sure we knew the rest of the week that he “don’t like Pluto”, “don’t want Pluto” (except Pluto sounds like Peeto, which makes it even more adorable) and he wouldn’t go near another character the rest of our time there. Yay for funny memories. I’m bummed I didn’t take any pictures of his meltdown. But I’m so trained as a photographer not to take pictures of crying toddlers (because it makes it worse!) that I automatically respected his tears and let him be. Regardless, I don’t think it’ll be something we forget. And I’m sure it’s a story that Seth will hear when he’s older. The day Pluto made him cry. I’m still giggling. Poor guy.

Your other 2 character highlights were definitely Minnie (since you watch so much Mickey’s clubhouse and most definitely know who she is), and Ariel (because she’s a beautiful princess and you’re all about beautiful princesses!) Seth pretty much steered clear of everybody after the Pluto fiasco, but even he couldn’t take his eyes of Minnie. She was the only one who could get within 5 feet or so. I think given another day, Seth probably would have come around – at least for pretty Minnie.

We relaxed on day #4, hitting up Mima’s pool, playing in our backyard (on the playset and on the cool tractor Granny and Grandpa got you), and grilling up some burgers. A really awesome normal day at home that made me really, really wish that these people lived slightly closer to us! 🙂

Day 5, we went for a hike in the desert. It was hot and deserty and gave them a true idea of what this place that has become our home is like. Hot, DRY, big and barren in its beauty. And it is beautiful. They were troopers, especially for not being acclimated to the heat. We climbed rocks and scraped knees and guzzled water and hunted desert wildlife. We tried really, really hard to find a bunny for poor Seth (since I think I told him that there were bunnies in the desert). He really wanted to see one. We never did (I felt so bad!), but at least we did multiple very cool lizards.

Your baby brother or sister is due 1 week after Seth’s new brother or sister. Cool, huh? Our baby is due on Daddy’s birthday. Theirs is due on my birthday, 7 days earlier. The parallels never end. We grew up in the same town, went to the same churches, were roommates at the same college, met our husbands (your Daddies) at the same place, married within a couple weeks of each other, had our first babies within a month of each other (you’re about a month older than Seth) and are now about to have your siblings at the same time!

We both think we’re having boys. We shall see. Have to wait a couple more weeks to find out. But the next time we all get together there will be 8 of us, rather than 6.

Something to look forward to. 🙂

Here we are at about 16 weeks, at the airport right before we said goodbye until next time. Love you guys! Thank you so much for taking the time to come visit us. It was truly wonderful and you are welcome any time. Hugs!!