It's been awhile since my last post, but for good reason...I've been busy! Really, I have been. I took the Little Miss with me to see the D.C. area family, as most of them had not yet met her. I was SO excited about this trip, and had been waiting for it for quite awhile.
But nothing ever really goes exactly the way you want it to. Just days before I arrived, I found out that an old friend from high school had been arrested for inappropriate sexual conduct with two of his middle school students (he's a teacher). That completely floored me, because I've only known him as a kind, funny and smart guy. I'm torn by the dualing notions that he could have actually done what they're saying he did, and that he's actually innocent of all charges but will be forever dogged by this accusation. Needless to say, this news has been on my mind ever since and followed me on my trip back to my childhood home.
Having said that, I had a wonderful trip. I flew into DCA and was picked up by my brother, who took me back to his house in Maryland for the weekend. Evidently, my two-year old nephew had been singing a steady chorus of "Where my Bry-ny?" the entire week prior to our arrival, and so he immediately met us at the door when we arrived home. He smiled an adorable mix of shyness and excitement when I got out of the car and retrieved the baby from her car seat. Over the weekend, his song quickly progressed to variations such as "Can I hold my Bry-ny?" and "Food for my Bry-ny!" as he tried to pass a handful of goldfish crackers to her. At one point he tried to play bongos on her head, but not in a mean way; I think he just wanted to show her the love. It was all very cute, and we were sad to leave him on Sunday. He poked him lip out and copped an attitude, but I gave him a swift kiss and promised to visit again. My brother says that his son has asked about "My Bry-ny" everyday since we've left. My heart is full.
Sunday, my mother picked up Bryony and me and took us back to Virginia to visit with her and my sister and brother-in-law. I was fortunate to visit with a couple of my best pals from high school during the week I was in town. Having my friends and family meet my new little baby was a really mind-altering thing; I kept thinking how surreal it was to be a mum, and to introduce my daughter to the people I've known longest and love most. My mum and sister absolutely adored Bryony, and basically gave me the break that I needed, because they held her and took care of her for me for the duration of the visit. Even Uncle Jake held her once! It was pretty hard to say good-bye at the airport yesterday, knowing that the next time we all see each other Bryony will no longer be a newborn. It's strange how a baby's growth is a clear indicator of the passage of time.
Adam picked us up last night, only to leave this morning for a weekend trip away with the military. I was sad to see him go, mostly because he only had a few hours with Bryony before they were separated again. He kept kissing her forehead, so I know he was a little sad, too. Once he's back in town, they'll only have a couple weeks together before Adam hits the road down to Georgia; we're not sure yet how long it will be before he comes back to help us girls move with the furry kids.
Oh yeah, Greg House ran out of the house today (normal) but hasn't come home all day (not normal). I'm starting to get a bit worried. That cat annoys me to high hell, but I don't want anything bad to happen to him...and I kinda want him to come home.
This morning I opened my Facebook account and read my e-mail. Turns out one of the volunteers who supported the Walk & Bike Lansing Complete Streets Ordinance was hit and killed by a pickup truck while riding his bike this week. I didn't know him but knew who he was and I'm feeling pretty sad. There is a memorial ride for him tonight around town. For those of us who can't ride, we'll be standing a vigilance along the road as the bikers pass. Bryony and I need to get out of the house--it's been raining and cool all day--as we've pretty much slept the entire day away. I guess our travels took more out of us than we knew.
But some things are still good...I've got a nice cup of ginger tea, a sweet old terrier, and a beautiful baby to keep me warm.
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