There are so many things I want to write but so very little time (and energy) left by the time Zoe is asleep LOL. Most days, my "day" ends around 9:30pm if Zoe falls asleep cooperatively and the kitchen is already cleaned. Tonight, the kitchen is not completely cleaned, but here I am ignoring that and attempting to write.
It has been a busy summer - we managed to squeeze in a couple of trips to New York and got to see both sides of the family 4 weeks apart. We went to NYC on the 4th of July weekend and hung out with Z's side of the family (minus the family in Seattle). This was a fun, but very different experience, with a toddler with us; I hope to type up a little travel recap of what we did, where we stayed, and what we learned from traveling with a toddler in NYC. This past week, Zoe and I completed our first mother-daughter trip to Upstate New York (Buffalo area) to see my parents. We had not seen them since last September to attend the Buddhist ceremony of my grandma's passing. Coincidentally, our recent visit was 1 year anniversary of my grandma's passing.
Knowing that I was traveling solo with a high-energy toddler, I tried to keep everything simple. I did not check in a car seat as my dad went ahead and bought one to be kept there. I checked all my luggage so all I had was the stroller, a backpack, and Zoe. Zoe is a veteran traveler by now so she knows the drill as far as how things work once we get to the airport, but it is still a little anxiety-inducing trying to keep her around me when every airport we went to was bustling with people. I do not know how parents travel with multiple kids...lol. Perhaps, one day I will find out.
My parents live in Lockport, a small town about 30 minutes east of Buffalo. It was such a welcoming change of scenery (and weather) from the urban setting and (awfully terrible) summer weather of DFW. If you hadn't known, we have been on the longest drought and 7th longest streak of 100+ degree weather this summer - anything below 95 degrees was considered cool for me at this point. I only had 3 objectives for this trip: 1) spend as much time with my parents + brother, 2) have the grandparents spend as much time with Zoe as humanly possible, and 3) enjoy the slower pace and cooler weather. I can confidently confirm that all 3 objectives were achieved from this trip.
There were a few things I learned from this visit:
I really did not need to bring anything. Perhaps, my mom and I should have communicated prior to our arrival, but it turned out, she had prepared everything for Zoe's arrival. All the cups, plates, her favorite snacks, (so much) toys...you name it, she had it. She still had all my old shoes (which still fit me), and I fit in most of her clothes. I literally could have and should have just shown up with just Zoe.
(For future reference) I always need to bring an extra suitcase. I thought I had brought a big enough suitcase to accommodate any gifts that Zoe might receive. I was so so wrong. While I did indulge in some rare in-person retail therapy while the grandparents kept Zoe busy around the mall, most of the new things bought back home were for Zoe. There was so much of it - the toys, clothes, books, etc; these weren't just from my parents. It's like everywhere we went (to meet friends), she was getting more gifts. This girl is so loved and so blessed; I really hope she knows that as she gets older. Z had warned me about bringing an extra suitcase...just in case. Well, he wasn't wrong. I ended up having to borrow one of their suitcases.
All the face timing paid off. Because Zoe doesn't get to see either side of her grandparents often, I am always determined to do facetime/video calls as often as possible. Last year, she had turned 2 not a while ago (and very attached to me in general), and she really struggled to bond with my parents. This time, her interaction with them was night and day. I was so so happy to see this development and the love she has for her grandparents. And, of course, you can't even imagine the excitement and the love my parents have for Zoe. These rare interactions (in person) were simply precious to them.
I was also thrilled that she got to meet the mom of my childhood best friend (who was like my second mom growing up) and my kindergarten teacher that I still keep in touch with to this day. She had a very fun pool time at my teacher's house, and it was the most surreal feeling to watch her interact with my very first teacher in life.
We came back home to TX with my cup filled and overflown with love and happiness. It was a visit that was so needed for all of us and one that I will cherish for a very long time.
Zoe is such a wonderful travel companion, and I'm so pleased to be able to have this experience as a mom. I hope she found this trip to be just as fun as I felt.
Comments