Heart-tugging Tuesday-First Visits With Baby Buster
We had children for 8 years before I started this blog, and pictures are the only way I have to recover those stories, or vague memories that I struggle to make whole in the absence of pictures. As I was looking back at pictures, I thought I'd write some stories from those early years because it makes my heart so happy to look back on those times, plus the children can always use a reminder of the many people who have loved them since before they were even born.
When the Buster was born in the Big Yellow House™, Buds had just started Juice with Uncle Z, we had just moved into this huge new home, my parents were both still working, and we hadn't lived in Iowa long enough to have much of a friend group, so when Buds traveled back and forth to Virginia to get the business up and running, this was my life:
My parents certainly helped a ton and Buds and I were a good team when he was home, but it was a lot. I am so thankful for the friends and family who came to visit and shared the loving load of snuggling these sweet babies.
Gina drove up here as fast as she could as soon as we let her know Buster was on the way, so we had her here and all her amazing support. She was supposed to be the Monkey support person during the home birth, but with all the grandparents around, seemed like I needed the support more.
Buddie's parents were here visiting when Buster was born. As they were when all the children were born. 😍
Pippi came to visit one of the weeks after Buds had gone back to Virginia travel.
Uncle Z and Aunt A flew out from Reston in May, saving Buds one of the trips out East, and getting in lots of time to love on Monkey and the newest family member.
We went on a train ride somewhere in Iowa, I assume in Boone.
We went to the park and had a picnic.
Once they had a break in their schedule, Aunt L and Uncle T came over from Chicago.
Their visit included the zoo.
I just realized what Tony's shirt says.
I do not remember what we did for meals. I do not remember preparing for these visits. I'm sure the house was not totally unpacked, and we probably had everyone sleeping on random futons in rooms with no curtains, but when I look back at these pictures, the love and laughter and gratitude fills my heart so deeply.
Barton, Leanne, and Sam stopped by on their way through town. Leanne is only a month out from giving birth to Abby at this point. Looks like we even put together a meal to share with them.
It wasn't until in the summer that Aunt Rebecca got to meet Buster in person, but she did send this huge homemade card.
Monkey's body is blocking the "portrait" of Buds and me in the picture above. Please make note of it in the bottom middle of the photo below.
I'm sure there were other visits from my side of the family, too. I just didn't come across pictures of them right now. As exhausting as it sometimes was, I look at these and I see so much fun and love. What a great time we had.
