Having a beer for Gram

We were discharged from the hospital on 7/4 at about 4pm. Greyson had a rough few days in the hospital prior to that. His stomach was really distended and bloated. Poor little man was in pain and you could tell. He wasn't eating much, was really tired, and not really interested in anything. He wasn't very alert and was only awake for maybe an hour at a time before needing a nap. After a day or so he perked up again. He was still sore but you could tell he was starting to feel better. We got some great snuggles in and he started eating better. Still not as much as before his surgery, but more than the first few days. Once we packed up everything, loaded the car, and got Grey in his car seat, he was OUT. He fell asleep within a minute or two of leaving the parking garage and slept the entire 2.5hour drive home. Once we got home Adam took Grey inside and I unloaded the car and started to unpack. By the time I was about half way done- Grey was ready for bed. Tired little man!

It was hard being away from my family on the 4th of July. I have never spent a 4th of July away from our hometown in Michigan.. ever. Even last year during COVID and everything was cancelled, we still came home to be with some of the family. It was really hard being in Madison this year. Once we got home, Adam and I talked about me heading home to Michigan for my Grandma's memorial. I was worried about leaving Greyson and leaving Adam alone. I know Adam can handle it, but I didn't want him handling everything alone. In Grey's almost 20months of life, I have never spent a night away from him except when he was in the NICU. And that was because they wouldn't LET me sleep there. We talked and I also felt like I needed to be there with my family. My Grandma Kent was an amazing woman and I didn't have a chance to say good-bye because of COVID. She was in a nursing home and they didn't allow visitors. I knew it was something I would regret if I missed. So, Grandpa Steve offered to come down to Green Bay to help Adam so that I could go. So as I unpacked hospital things, I repacked myself to head to Michigan.

I left for Michigan early afternoon and hit two massive rain storms. I had to pull over during the second one because I couldn't see the road anymore and I was afraid of crossing the center line or going in a ditch. I only had to wait a few minutes but once I cleared I was back on the road. I pulled in and my entire side of the family was home. Ugh, that feeling of being "home". It's just missing my boys :)

My Grandma's memorial was today (7/6) and she would have loved what my Mom had set up for her today. We met at the cemetery and had a short and sweet service with the priest. She was buried next to my Grandpa who passed in 1993. Afterwards we headed to Vangos - a local restaurant with the best waffle fries ever. Then we went to the Island to take some family photos with Kelsey. Later tonight my sisters, my Mom, and I are heading to the casino to play some slots. Today would be what Gram would have picked for her memorial. She would have loved today.

My Grandma was the most vivacious, sassy, loving, kind, stubborn, and fun lady. She lived in her house for some 70 years. The same house my Mom and my Uncle grew up in. She loved going out to dinner with the family and would always ask my brother-in-law Pete if he'd have a beer with her. She would never want to drink alone, but she'd want a beer.. so she would have Pete have one with her. She walked 3 miles every day, even as she got up in age. She was independent and loved snickers ice cream bars. She loved to travel and went to the casino often. She was in church every Saturday and would eat at the Shores or Vangos. She always spoiled us Grandkids (and eventually Great-Grandkids) on Christmas. It was the best having Christmas morning at our house, then we would all pack up and head over to Grandma Kent's house for a second Christmas. She had a track suit for EVERY occasion. Her obituary is here if you'd like to read it: https://www.fassbenderswansonhansen.com/obituaries/Beverly-Anne-Kent?obId=19144639

I'm incredibly thankful that I was able to be home for this. It was hard leaving Adam and Greyson but I needed to be here. The past few weeks have been a lot. With having family over to our house for visits, work, appointments, the stress of Grey's surgery... it's been a lot. I've forgotten to post about fun things we've done so I need to upload a lot of pictures!

The ones below- Adam's sister Courtney and his Dad Steve came to visit us for Father's day weekend. We bought paint and canvases and made some with Grey's feet and hands. Adam's gift from Steve was matching Rudness Hunting Camp shirts for all 3 generations.

Then my sister Denise, her husband Pete, and their two daughters Sofia and Ella came to spend time with us and Greyson.

Then these ones are from our trip home from the hospital- and some quick shots of the sunset from the Island

And these are from today :)

Its been a whirlwind the past week, but I'm really glad I was able to swing the trip to Michigan. There is always something special about going "home". We are also celebrating my oldest niece Sofia graduating high school tonight before we head to the casino for Gram. So we are having a beer for Gram and Sofia tonight. Despite everything, it was a good day today and I know Gram would have loved it.

xoxo,

Kim