Mini Vacation to San Angelo (Aug 5-7)

So, what better way to recover from a birthday week, than to take a road trip!! We decided to go "with" my folks to go visit my grandparents in San Angelo the first week in August. Chris was able to get some time off, so we went. We left Tuesday morning around 9ish, and arrived in time for lunch. Pawpaw's oncology appointment was at 2 that afternoon, so John stayed with Chris while I went to the appointment. I didn't really have any questions, I just wanted to be there in case others did, so that I could explain what was said. It turned out to be very interesting. The doctor was very personable, and very "hands off" as far as treatment goes. He wasn't in it for the money, but for what was best for the patient, which I really appreciated. Pawpaw's previous doctor had been prescribing things that would give him the most money. It was neat to be able to explain the lab results to Grandma and Pawpaw, and point out ones to watch for as red flags that things weren't right.

Apparently instead of a blanket for comfort, John prefers cords & strings. He was playing with the cord to his monitor when he fell asleep.
We are such safe drivers!

After the appointment, Pawpaw & Dad headed home, while I took Mom & Grandma shopping at Walmart & Sam's for food. We got home, and Chris was napping while Dad & Pawpaw were taking care of John. It was really cute.
John learned that he could mooch from his Pawpaw!!




The rest of the evening, we pretty much hung out, and of course had to get a card game of Golf in. John fell asleep fine, but didn't do so well when we transferred him into the car to go to the hotel. Not sure if it was the short drive compared to the previous place we had stayed, or he was older and more aware of things, and afraid to miss something, but it took us another 45 minutes to get him to go back to sleep after we got to the hotel. We decided that we would switch with my folks, and just stay at Pawpaw & Grandma's the next night so that we wouldn't have to transfer him.
After a delicious continental breakfast (Their Belgian waffles were to die for, unfortunately I forgot to ask what mix they used), we headed over to Grandma & Pawpaw's. Chris got dropped off at McD's, to meet some of the older gentlemen who used to have coffee with Pawpaw, and who my dad was having coffee with. Grandma & Pawpaw weren't awake yet, so mom & I took John to the park down the street. He had a blast climbing up the slides, but was still a little afraid to go down them. He also thoroughly enjoyed playing Peek-a-boo with his Grandma.

Pawpaw had an appointment to get blood later that morning, so after John woke up from his nap, we went up to visit. I wasn't as impressed with the blood nurses, as I was with his nurses from the clinic. They weren't as friendly. We stole Grandma away for some lunch (at a yummy hole in the wall diner), and then headed back to the house, after grabbing food for Chris since he stayed back to take a nap.
Later that afternoon, we decided to get out John's present that he hadn't played in yet, his swimming pool. He wasn't sure what to think at first, especially when he felt the cool water, but quickly acclamated, and loved splashing around in it, and getting his toys.





After he had been in for a while we took him out, and he enjoyed playing with Pawpaw's walker. He showed Pawpaw how to push it around the couch (which is Pawpaw's exercise) & challenged Pawpaw to beat him in how many times he could go around. John pushed it around 6 times, quite a challenger!!




That evening, my Uncle Phil came over with his new truck, so we went out to see it. John had a blast playing in the bed of his truck.
Playing with Great Aunt Helen
Checking out all the nooks and crannies!
This is fun mommy!

Telling Great Uncle Phil what he liked about the truck!

Thursday morning, we hung out, and waited for Pawpaw's hospice nurse to come by. I had heard great things about her, and I couldn't wait to meet her. She was just how they had described her, feisty, fun, and perfect for Pawpaw to get him to do what he needed to do. She had served in the military, so she knew how to talk straight with him.
We left early afternoon, after lunch to head back home, hoping that John would sleep his afternoon nap in the car. Well, he slept 20 minutes, and then filled his britches. There is nothing like changing a poopy diaper on the side of the highway. You know you are parents then!!! :o) I'm so thankful that we've been able to spend bits and pieces of time together with my grandparents. I treasure every moment.