We helped our friends move from Alaska to Colorado. It was eye-opening, fun and a lot of work all in one two-week stint.
In Alaska, we helped Sarah and Cody pack up, met Cody’s parents, kept Teresa entertained, took a couple turns changing diapers (a first for Ryan!) and spent hours just catching up. We spent a little time being tourists: we took a day trip to Seward, where we went to the Sea Life Center and ate great food at a cute little restaurant right on the inlet. Ryan and Cody also got to take Teresa to the zoo (I’m a tad jealous). Ryan and Alistair tied for most comedic moments in Alaska: Ryan gave himself a giant hickey on the middle of his forehead (the size of a golf ball) by using a Ziploc vacuum sealer pump on his forehead, while Alistair performed big with a perfectly timed blowout. Ryan and Cody were reading a “talking” card in Target for Father’s Day with Peter Griffith trying decide whether or not it was safe to fart. Right as Peter lets it loose in the card, Alistair blows out his diaper.
While getting through the airport to get to Colorado was a big challenge (fussy toddler), we made it safe and had some great time with the kids before the boys arrived safely. Teresa had her best comedic moment as we loaded up the rental car. As we were getting ready to go, poor little Teresa starts freaking out (but not crying) in the back seat saying, “Sticky! Sticky! Sticky! Sticky Mommy! Wash Hands! Sticky! Sticky! Sticky!” We look at the back seat to find Teresa strapped into her car seat with her legs straight up in the air, spread-eagle above her head and waving her strawberry cereal bar covered hands around with her legs. She managed to get the nutrigrain bar we gave her all over the inside of her legs, all over her diaper and all over her hands. Best I can figure is that she dropped the cereal bar in her lap and then mashed it into her legs in an attempt to pick it up with her little fingers. I laughed so hard I cried when I cleaned her up!
The Denver portion of our trip involved a lot of hanging out at the hotel, some time at the pool, moving them into their (GREAT) apartment and (PERFECT) neighborhood. Sarah and I took the kids to the Children’s Museum (I think Teresa has an OCD level obsession with carrots from the play garden) and Ryan and I spent a day wandering Downtown. Overall, it was an amazing two weeks.
Even more than the fun, the trip gave me a lot to reflect on. While I really enjoyed playing with Teresa (I miss her already! I love being Auntie Rachel!), I’m not ready to be a mom myself. I enjoy being just a couple. Sarah is an amazing mother. Her daughter is incredibly intelligent (at two!) and her son is so sweet. I think she could give her husband a bit of a break, he’s doing just fine, and he’s still learning to be a dad. His instincts may not be as strong as hers, but I think he’s doing his best, and that makes him a great dad. He clearly loves his kids (and her). I wish they fought less, but I know they still love each other and that circumstances are a bit tough right now. He’s gone so much, and they have a lot to worry about with a new baby and a two-year old. We definitely saw the good and the bad of having kids, but we still think they’re doing great.
I also know Ryan will be a great dad. He was so involved with Teresa, and he loved every second. He also enjoyed the peacefulness of holding a sleeping baby (and he didn’t freak out immediately when Alistair made a fussy face). It was endearing to see him with the kids, and knowing that he was enjoying their time together just as much as they were.
It was also great to have a girlfriend, talk about life, feel close and have someone who calls just to chat. It’s nice to have “close” girlfriends. (I’m beginning to think two seems to be my consistent, magic number of close girlfriends–not to say that I wouldn’t mind having more!)
