Sydney and her doting parents visited us this past weekend, and we enjoyed every minute of it. I thought it would be fitting to document the preparation for Sydney's first visit to McMurray, PA from Nana Laura's view.
First of all, this was a surprise visit for Sydney's Papaw Mike for Father's Day. And so, my part was a little difficult. I had about three weeks or so to prepare, and was very concerned that I would make a slip and spill the beans just from my own excitement. I said, "Yes! Book the flight!" when Michael asked if I could pick them up at the airport on Saturday, June 20th
. What I didn't tell them was that I had a bit of a phobia about driving in the traffic to the airport alone to pick them up 
I managed to get past that by doing a dry run soon after to make sure I knew where I was going. Once I had convinced myself that I could do it, I was okay. Then the preparation for the little gal began.I was intending to buy a Pack 'n Play or to buy bed railings or something so that Sydney would have a safe place to sleep. I had priced them and knew where I could buy them locally once they arrived. Meghan, however, located a Pack 'n Play (which for those of you who haven't been around little ones lately, is a combination play pen, bed and changing table) on Craig's List that a woman was selling in this area, and we made arrangements for me to pick it up at her home on the Thursday afternoon before they arrived. As it turns out, the woman lives just 3 miles from me, so it was very convenient to go pick it up. It is large enough that there would have been nowhere to hide it at the house without Mike seeing it, so my boss agreed I could stash it in his garage from Thursday to Saturday afternoon. I unpacked Michael's old baby blankets (and a quilt that had actually been mine) from the cedar chest and gave them a good washing, so that Meghan wouldn't have to pack any bedding. I bought baby food, diapers and wipes, a baby spoon, bib and a few toys. Cleaned out a couple of dresser drawers in the spare room, and they became the Sydney drawers. What fun it was to shop in the baby department at K-Mart and to see Michael's baby blankets all clean and folded in the Sydney drawers. This grandma stuff is just so great.
Anyway, the plan was in the works. Items were purchased and stored, and Mike was not aware of his surprise. I made up a story that I just had to go shopping on Saturday to catch that Bon-Ton sale before 1:00. I placed the sale ad where he could see it and made sure I cut out the coupon and put it in my purse. As I was to pick them up at the airport at noon, the plan was to shop at Robinson Town Mall, which is about a 6 minute drive from the airport. Then, Michael would call me when they were read to be picked up. Oh, the best laid plans...as they say. Well, their flight got cancelled!
Michael sent me a text message that it was cancelled and that they were on standby for the next flight to leave at 1:00. So, I had already left the house at 11:00 and had a lot of time on my hands. I detoured my plans and actually did go to the Bon-Ton (not at the Robinson Mall) and bought Mike a shirt and Sydney a toy. Then went to the food court and was eating a sandwich when Michael sent another text to say they got on the flight. I was relieved and excited and drove to the Robinson Town Mall to wait for another call or text. While shopping, Sydney ended up with another toy that her grandma couldn't resist, and then I got the call around 2:40 to pick them up. Finally! I really didn't think they would bring a whole lot of stuff. Typically (before baby) Michael and Meghan traveled with backpacks only. No checked baggage for them. Guess what they had? A huge suitcase, two (or maybe 3) backpacks, a stroller and a car seat. Amazing how the addition of a wee baby into ones lives dramatically changes our travel needs. So, Michael loaded everything into the SUV, Meghan secured Sydney in her car seat, and we headed for home.
When we pulled into the driveway, Mike was outside pruning the trees and shrubs. He was so engrossed in his work, that he didn't notice that I had passengers in the car with me. I pulled in and they stayed in the car until I got out and excitedly said, "You will never guess what I got you for Father's Day. You won't believe it!" He said very cautiously, "What?" At that point I opened the back door to show the sleeping baby and then Michael and Meghan stepped out of the car. Mike was totally and completely surprised.
It was so great! The weekend was short but very special. It was worth the anxiety of the airport drive; the anxiety of meeting a stranger to get the Pack 'n Play; my frustration with myself at being a novice texter, and the many little white lies I had to tell to pull off the surprise. It is a visit that Mike and I will always remember.
Thank you, Michael, Meghan and Sydney for helping me get over a couple of my phobias and forcing me to learn to text, and a huge thank you from Dad, whose surprised look we will not soon forget. I'll leave it up to you to write about the weekend. We had a great time with you. It was wonderful! I hope you had as much fun as we did.
Love,
Mom (and Dad, too)