First In Flight

Brooks took his first trip to the Carolinas at the end of May, and to get there he and Mommy boarded a US Airways flight from Providence directly to Charlotte.Mommy was nervous and had never put so much thought into which seat to pick, aisle or window. The aisle won. Everyone told Mom to nurse during takeoff and landing for the little ears. Luckily we sat next to a very nice lady who wasn't at all weirded out by me nursing practically in her lap, and after takeoff Brooks fell fast asleep for the majority of the short flight.

Grammy Sue and Victor met us at the airport and drove us to the house where Brooks became acquainted with new surroundings, extremely warm weather, and a spunky dog named Amelia.After two nights at Grammy's, Brooks and Mom moved over to the rambunctious Belanger household, which frightened Brooks tremendously that first night. He wasn't used to so many people and energetic little kids, he cried and cried. But soon he calmed down and came to love his sweet and terrorizing cousin, Levi. Brooks got to share the activity gym with his other new cousin, Owen, who Mommy met for the first time too! For the next couple of days Brooks enjoyed lounging at the pool, grabbing yummy treats from the Flat Rock Bakery, and hanging with his peeps. Uncle Mattie met Brooks for the first time and Aunt Laura (Goosey) marvelled at how BIG Brooks was, as she hadn't seen him since right after he was born.

Mommy and Goosey rented a van since no one's car could fit three car seats, and looking like the soccer Mom she might become, Mommy drove the kids and Goosey to Columbia so that Laura and Owen could watch cousin Ali graduate high school, and Brooks could meet his great grandmother, Nenie, and his great Aunt's and Uncle. Mommy got to experience what life would be like with two kids for a couple of hours, as she watched Brooks and Levi during the graduation.Mommy decided one was plenty for now.

Back in the van, the A-team continued the journey down to Charleston to spend some time with Big E and Paula. Big E basked in the glory of having three grandsons together at once! Everyone got a tour of Big E's company, Terressentia, and got to see the newest employee and recent college grad, Uncle Daniel.After two nights at Big E's, which included an evening celebrating Paula's birthday, the crew headed over to Mimi's for a fabulous brunch. Uncle James was there to meet the herd, as well as Daniel. Sadly, we all missed Uncle Paul and Aunt Ann. With belly's filled we loaded back up for the long drive back to NC, 4 hours total. In all of our driving, the children to remarkably well together, despite the occasional screaming episodes from Levi and Owen, crying of Brooks, chucking of rainbow colored goldfish by Levi, projectile vomiting from Brooks, and a dumped out crumbled up scone in a lap! 

Back in NC, Brooks continued to enjoy his cousins, the pool, shopping with Mom and Grammy Sue. After ten days of family we headed home, another successful flight and the warmest of welcomes from Dad who missed us SOOO much! Brooks even brought home a souvenir - the new sound of Baa!