The Daily Hailey

This is our second time in Winnipeg in just over two months. I will be honest and say I was apprehensive about this visit. If you remember the last time we came out this far, it was over May long. Dekker cut four molars and his eyes started crossing over that weekend. No, I don’t think its Winnipegs fault 🙂 But it was a stressful trip anyway. I also remember that he was crying less than ten minutes into the drive, and it never really improved. I was very nervous about the drive this morning.

We packed almost everything this morning since we baked late into yesterday evening. Then while Brady loaded up the car, I got Dekker who had been lulled awake by our movement and seemed happy to be up. I changed his bum and his clothes and we piled him in the car, having packed him a full breakfast of special treats. Extra fruit, and a new cereal. Lucky boy.

Another thing we packed was toys. Of course we always have some toys along, but I was determined to have him enjoy the trip as much as possible, and even though there are more than enough toys here at my sister and brother in laws to entertain him, he needed the fun in the car. I walked through our home with a large lululemon bag this morning and picked out all his favorites to bring. Yup, even the annoying ones. The singing dog, about five or six books, pans, hammers, a firetruck, etc. LOTS! And you know what. It worked!!

Dekker had one meltdown the entire trip. Right outside of Brandon. We thought maybe he had pooped and while we weren’t planning on stopping, we decided to anyway, to check his diaper. He hadn’t pooped, but the break was exactly what he needed, and he was positive the rest of the drive. For only napping 20 minutes all day long, he surprised Brady and I. I should expect these kinds of things by now. Dekker truly is extraordinary.

We arrived at my sisters place in better time than we thought we would! They had a nice hot supper waiting for us, which was perfect after a day of driving. Dekker wouldn’t have it though, and we didn’t really give him too much heck about it. He had been confined all day. No wonder he just wanted to run around and play toys. So instead of rice and curry, he ran free and came to the table occasionally for grapes and crackers. I felt like his emotional health was more important than forcing him to sit strapped into a seat for yet more time when he had just been chasing a ball around the living room.

He ran out of steam at his usual bedtime, which was perfect. He went down easily while the rest of us stayed up for snacks and a movie. Now Brady and I cuddled into bed, anticipating an episode or two of our latest show on Netflix, and then hopefully a nice sleep in (please Dekker?).

Tomorrow we will celebrate a life well lived and well loved, cut much too short. If only we could understand why things happen. But I’m relieved to finally be able to be near my friends and support them in person.

God is greater.