Because Mommy wanted to create more memories with Grandma Hillins while she is alive, she decided to fly out with Trevor early Friday morning. Mommy and Trevor make great travel buddies! All went really well!
In Cleveland during our layover Trevor picked out a granola bar, paid for it, waited for his change and then found a place to devour it while being able to look at airplanes. So many people commented on how cute he was and he wasn't afraid to put on a show giving out high fives and big smiles!
The flight from Cleveland to Syracuse Trevor fell asleep during take-off and stayed asleep the entire 90 minute or so flight. If only Mommy could have taken a nap too. Ugh!
When we landed Trevor was so excited to check out the plane he was on. He kept saying "Mom - look!"
Our first step after landing was to go and see Grandma Hillins. At first Trevor was pretty quiet as he took in the situation. Because of that, he went with Grandma Pauline and Grandpa John to the courtyard to see the fishies so Mommy and Daddy could talk with Grandma Hillins privately.
They also had a statue of Jesus's Mommy which Trevor was fascinated with. He kept repeating "Jesus Mama" :)
When it was time to go back up and see Grandma, Trevor was all about it. They picked up like no time had passed. Giving kisses (PRECIOUS)...
...and playing peek-a-boo!
We had a nice time talking with Grandma who still is reciting her limericks/poems, cracking jokes, and giving advice. Some of the funnier moments:
- Grandma asked Jeff to put her glasses on. After doing so, he asked if she could see better and she said "No, but I look better!"
- Brian and Sara said we were going to leave so that she could talk to Jeff alone and she said "Why? There's nothing I would say to Jeff that I wouldn't say to Brian."
Grandma who isn't so sure about all of the pictures, actually asked Sara to take her picture eating a donut hole that Jeff and Brian brought her. Not only did one of her nurses comment that Sara looks like Grandma Kay, but they also have in common their love of donuts!
We also were able to snap a quick picture of four generations of Hillins - and per Jeff the only one who is going to carry on the Hillins name. Sara was quick to remind him that one of his girls may buck the tradition of taking the guy's name when she gets married though :)
Brian's cousin Sarah and her daughter Adeline also came back to see Grandma so we got a picture of the four of us (too bad we missed one with Jeff and Emily too)!
And here is Sarah's daughter Adeline. She was very good at sharing her pretzels with our hungry boy!
And here's one of Uncle Bob, Adeline, Trevor, and Papa (Trevor was all about Papa - often calling for him and asking for him to come sit by him).
Before Sara and Trevor needed to head to the airport we got to say goodbye to Grandma Hillins. Sara and Brian had a 30+ minute conversation with Grandma - such special memories - and Grandma even asked Sara to pray with her. So we read the Prayer for Illness and the Prayer for Health. Trevor too got in some more kisses and peek-a-boo!
While we waited for Papa to get the car, Trevor enjoyed a special treat - a strawberry donut! Donuts will always connect us to Grandma Hillins :)
On the way to the airport we stopped quick at Grandma and Grandpa Stepien's gravesite. The pinwheel that Trevor left there a year ago was still there. Trevor liked blowing on it to make it spin!
At the airport we learned that Sara and Trevor's flight to Chicago was delayed to the point that we would miss our connecting flight to Cedar Rapids to meet up with Grandma Jeanne, Grandpa Steve, Annie, Jim, Sam and Sara's Aunt Faye and Uncle Francis. Boo!!!!!!! And then we learned that the flight from Chicago to Cedar Rapids was cancelled because of weather in Chicago. Double boo!!! Mommy was very sad but Papa and Brian (and the best Delta rep ever - Tina R) did great work at least getting United to change her flight to MSP since the flights on Sunday into Iowa wouldn't get Trevor and her there until well after everyone had left. Delta even took over the flight and got Daddy's flight time changed to earlier in the day so the three of us could fly home together. Thank you Tina R! And thank you to Papa and Grandma who kept Trevor entertained at the Syracuse airport for two hours while we got that all squared away.
Thank goodness the airport is kid-friendly with an entire area built for kids. Trevor loved pressing all of the buttons and making the plane fly!
And pretending to drive the helicopter:
After the flight situation was all squared away Mommy wanted in on the action and crunched herself into the helicopter so she and T could play!
Backing up a bit - on Friday afternoon after lunch, Jeff and Papa went back to see Grandma Hillins and Brian, Sara, and Trevor went to see Aunt Lorraine and Uncle Roman. Trevor put on a good show and even gave Aunt Lorraine squeezes and kisses!
Uncle Roman brought out a huge gorilla for T to play with and he loved it (ignore the naked baby - we had to change his clothes since big boy won't wear a bib while eating any more and had his lunch all over his outfit)
Aunt Carolyn stopped by too so we used the opportunity to snap a picture (did you expect anything else?)
And once again, Trevor gave squeezes and kisses!
Back to after the airport....we had lunch at Heid's (an institution in Syracuse for coney dogs) and ice cream next door at Sweet Treats (which Trevor discovered all on his own!). After that we went back to the hotel and Grandma and Trevor took 2+ hour naps! They wore each other out with all of the playing at the airport!
After that we headed to Aunt Barbara's house and although Trevor wasn't sure at first, once he got outside he was his normal happy, playful self. He took out most of the balls they had in their garage and played away!
Ready for winter?!?!?
Picture with cousins Craig and Brad (also known as wonder-workers for fixing our Internet issue!)
Being silly with Aunt Barbara!
And a picture with Grandma Pauline's other sister so no one feels left out :)
Brian squeezed in one last visit with Grandma Hillins :) She's still eating, drinking, and talking. She even recited the 'pramulator' limerick that she first told us when we told her we were expecting a baby! Oh Grandma Hillins, we love you so much!! We are so blessed to have you in our lives and whatever happens we know you will watch over us whenever it is your time to go up to Heaven. Don't get frustrated in the interim!
After that we headed to Uncle Bob and Aunt Kathy's to say a quick goodbye and snap one last pic!
And so that the cousins could have one last squeeze. It was cute up until the point that Trevor and Adeline toppled to the ground. Who knew that one hug could be so forceful?!?
We had a late dinner at 'Steak and Sundae' - two of Mommy's favorite foods and a favorite restaurant of Grandma Stepien's. As usual, Trevor put on quite a show and all of the patron's at the restaurant soon had Trevor wrapped around their fingers. When we left, everyone said 'Bye Trevor!' Not exaggerating one bit. Crazy!
