Mom's Trip to Utah to Meet Charlie and Help the New Parents

November 18, Monday

It was a nice flight to Provo. Emily picked me up at the airport. She asked if I wanted to go to lunch because Nathaniel and Audrey were at the pediatric dentist so we went to Don Joaquin's for tacos. I got ahold of Nathaniel and told him we could bring them some. They actually really wanted us to because they were going to be going from appointment to appointment all afternoon. Charlie's lip and tongue were both tied so they had to do a procedure to fix it. He was a trooper and didn't fuss at all! We got there just as their appointment was ending and Audrey was able to eat some food on the way back. I got to sit in the back seat with Charlie and look at his pretty little face. She gave me a bottle to feed him and he gobbled it up. It wasn't a lot, but it was great that he was already eating so well. 

We got back to their house and Audrey had to go to the doctor. I held Charlie for a little bit and then Emily held him for a little bit. 

Once Audrey got back, they went to the pediatrician appointment and I took Emily to campus. Nathaniel and Audrey had asked if I would pick up Audrey's prescription at Smith's and some baby Tylenol for Charlie, so I went and did that. While I was there, I bought some ingredients for a Philly cheesesteak braid with crescent roll dough. I got a few more sides and things. After that, I headed back to campus. I went to the Wilk because I wanted to buy Andrew the BYU Cougars Christmas stocking. I asked multiple people and looked everywhere but they couldn't find it. 

Then something amazing happened! As I was looking around, I saw Lynette Mitchell from Naperville, Illinois. I couldn't believe it! I had thought maybe I could go to the Chicagoland luncheon that they had today. It was on my calendar and I had asked Barbara Gibson about it ahead of time. They were meeting at 11:30 AM in Lehi at Chuck A Rama. But when Emily came to get me, it didn't seem feasible because it was 20 minutes away and I wanted to be able to help Nathaniel and Audrey so it just didn't work out. So, the fact that I ran into them at the BYU bookstore was an absolute miracle. I called out, "Sister Mitchell!" I could tell she immediately recognized me but she wasn't sure of my name and when I told her she was so happy. She said she couldn't believe I recognized her. I told her it's because I see her picture on Facebook when Lindsey posts it. That's her daughter who is my age. I talked to her for a few minutes and she said she was there with her husband and her daughter Karrie and her daughter Lila. They went on a tour of BYU Campus and are trying to convince her to go there. It was fun to see Karrie, as well. She was just a little younger than me but she remembered me. They asked a little about what I had going on. I talked about how I'd like my son Daniel to go to BYU just like she wants her granddaughter to go to BYU. We talked about what a blessing the Naperville 1st Ward was and how we have such fond memories of it. I remember all the same things they remembered. In fact, Brother Mitchell said he remembers my mom being in some plays with him. I mentioned Broadway by the river and they said that it was just our ward and that the hatches were mostly responsible for it and Nadine somebody I can't remember her last name. He also mentioned Hello Dolly and I definitely remember that. He mentioned Vivian Adams and I remembered that Mom always said her dad is Bruce R. McConkie and how as a kid I didn't appreciate it, but I do now. And how as a kid I didn't appreciate how special our ward was but I do now. I had so much fun talking to them! I told them how much I appreciate them and I'm so grateful for how they took care of me and helped my mom so much when we lived there. We were new converts and they taught us how to be members of the church. I didn't know that Dick Mitchell was also a convert. I probably knew that but I forgot. I hugged them both and we said goodbye. He said, "I feel like we should exchange numbers," but I told him that I'm on Facebook and they can message me anytime. Maybe I should've exchanged numbers. I don't know. But I promised that the next time I was able to go to the Chicagoland luncheon I would let them know. The Lord is magnificent, the way he guides us to be in the right place at the right time. There are no coincidences. As I was heading back to the car, I realized Nathaniel texted half an hour ago saying they were on their way back from the pediatrician so I went back to my car and drove over there. I stayed for a little while and then it was time to go pick up Emily at campus. We drove over so I could check into the hotel. We drove back over to Nathaniel and Audrey's house and Emily and I made dinner. The Walmart order arrived while we were gone so that was good. Charlie hasn't been eating well today. This evening, he finally ate really well and Audrey was so relieved and so am I. I made them a Philly cheesesteak braid, some strawberries and blueberries, and angel hair Pasta Roni. Emily helped with everything and we washed the dishes and all that. We watched an episode of Cobra Kai. I took Emily home at about 9:30 PM. I came back and so I could help. I offered to stay for the night but they decided they would be fine and that I didn't need to stay and they would handle it.  

November 19, Tuesday

It's been a wonderful day! I picked up Emily from campus and we went over to Nathaniel and Audrey's. 

I made some lunch. I defrosted two small bags of frozen shrimp which ended up being quite a bit together and I made a salad kit of southwest salad which I know Audrey likes. I felt so stupid because I forgot that she doesn't like shrimp but Nathaniel sure loved it. I also had blueberries, cut up strawberries, and apple slices. Everyone seemed to enjoy the lunch. I held Charlie while Nathaniel and Audrey were busy. Audrey was on a phone call with HR trying to get the insurance worked out. I showed Emily how to change his diaper. 

Nathaniel was glad to receive the movie set he asked for as an early Christmas present.

I put the ham in the crockpot. Actually, it's not a crockpot, it's an instant pot with a slow cook setting. I thought I could buy a programmable crockpot and have it delivered today but it just didn't work out because I couldn't find the right one. This worked out OK and the ham was really good. At around 2 PM, I took Emily to campus. Later, Nathaniel and Audrey took Charlie for a walk. 

I stayed behind and folded some laundry. Andrew called us at 4:45 PM because he had a p-day so we talked to him for a little while. Audrey was feeding the baby at that time so I didn't get to show the baby to Andrew. I put the glaze on the ham and went to get Emily and came back and we made dinner. I had a side of mashed potatoes and corn and Emily also wanted rice so we made that up too. We had dinner together and everyone was grateful. And even Emily mentioned how grateful she was because she enjoys getting a home-cooked meal and especially one she didn't have to pay for. I told her, "Mommy's here," and we laughed. Emily and I got dinner all cleaned up.  

Andrew called us again at 7:55 PM when we talked to him for a little bit. This time we were able to show him the baby. He was pretty glad to see him. He said, "Aw, my nephew!" We talked with him for a while. Nathaniel and Audrey didn't get on but I was holding Charlie so we could show everybody how cute he is. Emily was excited to watch Dancing with the Stars with me tonight. Nathaniel and Audrey seemed to be doing well and so I mentioned it to them and they said that was fine and I thought it was a good idea for them to have a little quiet time to themselves and maybe sit with the baby and watch a movie or something. So, Emily and I left and headed over to the hotel. On the way, I told her we should get a treat and she was thinking the same thing so she drove us over to Cold Stone near the hotel. Then we brought it back to the hotel and ate it while we watched Dancing with the Stars and had a fun night. I had told Nathaniel and Audrey that I'd be happy to come over after the show but they said Charlie was doing well and that they would be fine and I could come over in the morning. When Emily and I finished watching, I took her home and then came back to the hotel and got ready for bed. 

November 20, Wednesday

I went over to Nathaniel and Audrey's and made them breakfast. I'm keeping up on all the dishes and I wash Audrey's breast pump pieces and all those things. I've been helping take out the trash and helping with laundry and whatever else they need. 

I made them a chopped Caesar salad with chicken for lunch. I held Charlie while they ate and then we left at about 1:50 PM to go get baby pictures done for Charlie at the JCPenney in South Jordan. Not very many JCPenney's have a portrait studio anymore. They got some really cute pictures of him in a pretty white crocheted blanket that her grandma made that was important to her. 

We headed back to Provo and I had them order Costa Vida for dinner. We picked that up and took them home and then I went and picked up Emily and we got her some Costa Vida. I also stopped at CVS to get a pacifier for the baby. I couldn't decide so I got two different packages of pacifiers. Then I came home and we ate dinner.

I changed the baby and held him while they ate and then I had my tacos. I boiled the pacifiers for them. Audrey went to bed and Nathaniel worked on his homework while Emily and I watched the Masked Singer, an episode of Designing Women, and an episode of Frasier. Audrey got up to feed the baby at about the time we started watching Frasier and after it was over Emily wanted to go to her apartment so I took her there and came back. I told Nathaniel I wanted to stay late tonight and help with the baby because it was my last chance. He was hesitant but he said if I could if I wanted to so I did. I slept on the couch. I woke up a little after 2 AM because Charlie was crying and my legs were hurting. They said that they were doing well so I went to the hotel to get some better sleep.

November 21, Thursday

I got up and ready and packed up and left the hotel by about 9 AM. When I got to Nathaniel and Audrey's, the Walmart order was just arriving so I took it from the lady and brought it downstairs to them. I got it all put away and was doing a couple chores when Audrey came out because she was done feeding the baby and she told Nathaniel that they should give me a turn holding him since they knew I had to leave soon. I think it was about 9:30 AM when I sat down with him and I sat there for an hour straight just holding him and enjoying him and soaking it in. I was planning to leave to get Emily at about 10:45 AM so I could get to the Provo airport. I sat there thinking, "Man, I have to leave in about 20 minutes and I have to give up this baby,” and I was thinking how that was going to make me sad and I wished I could hold him for longer. A few minutes after I thought that to myself, I got a text from Allegiant. First it told me how they know "travel disruptions can be challenging..." Then the next text is when they told me that the flight was delayed from 12:33 PM to 7:23 PM. I told Nathaniel and Audrey about it and they were really sweet about it. I know they appreciate my help but also, I'm sure they would appreciate a quiet day at home just the three of them. 

They told me whatever I wanted to do was fine and that I was welcome to hang out there. I figured I may as well be useful so I asked Audrey what she wanted done. I remember she mentioned yesterday she might do some vacuuming today so I offered to do that for her. She wanted to vacuum, sweep, and mop. I spent about an hour and 20 minutes doing all that for her. We also fixed the rug in the family room. When I mentioned to Emily that my flight was delayed, she asked what we were doing for lunch. I said I didn't know because I had just found out. She acted like she wanted me to take her to lunch so I said OK well maybe we can do that and then bring home food for Nathaniel and Audrey and everybody liked that idea so that's what we did. I picked her up on campus a little before 12:30 PM and we went to lunch at Denny's. We brought Canes home for them and Emily and I held the baby while they ate and we watched an episode of Big Bang Theory. After that, Emily went to campus to pick up her camera equipment. It was about that time that I got another text from Allegiant saying the flight was delayed till 8:50 PM. That was a bummer but still manageable. I cleaned the kitchen for them one last time. They took Charlie on a walk for a little while. At about 3:15 PM, I got another text that the flight was now delayed until 12:15 AM. I knew it could only get worse from there so I looked at Southwest and American and American had the best option to leave at 7 PM. I talked to Michael and Emily and I looked online and decided that that's what I should get. Nathaniel and Audrey took Charlie for a walk, and then they let me hold the baby one more time and then by 4:30 PM, I had to say my goodbyes so that Emily could drive me to the airport. It was so hard to say goodbye to that sweet little baby. I hugged everyone. I hugged the baby, then I hugged Audrey, then I hugged Nathaniel and had to say goodbye. Then when I walked out the door, I had to have Emily hug me because I felt so sad about leaving. I had a nice drive up with Emily.  We landed at about 9:15 PM. Michael picked me up and took me home. Jonny gave me a long hug. I guess he actually missed me. Daniel said he did as well. We had a prayer together and then we got ready for bed.