Trip home was lovely :-)

The green light from the MRI allowed us to travel up north to stay at my parents' home while Mike flew off to the UK. We took 2 days to get there staying in Pismo Beach on the way. It was a nice time. In the morning we drove onto the beach (the novelty of Pismo) and parked to play in the sand. Ian and I stayed primarily in the shade tent while Mike and Lila build sand castles. Ian likes the sand to a point but is much happier with his books and toys on a blanket at this point.

It's so beautiful up there! My parents live in a forest of redwoods. And time with family is always wonderful. Over the 2 weeks, we were able to see my 3 sisters and their families, as well as a few friends of mine with their kids. I snuck in a wine tasting afternoon with the girls and Mike and I were able to sleep in my parents "cottage in the woods" (their RV in their wooded front yard) for the few nights he was there with us. My parents loved having Ian at the house, and of course Lila and I too ;-) And Ian loves being outside with the trees! He just stares up at them in awe.

Only a couple bumps in the road up there. The night after I had dropped Mike at the airport, Ian woke up with 105.1 temp. I'd never even seen that number on a thermometer! My parents helped me get it down but it crept up the next day so I took him to Urgent Care, who then sent me to the ER. After a dose of Ibuprofen and Acetametaphen his temp came down a bit. They drew blood and my adorable niece (who is studying to be an x-ray tech) happened to be working in the ER and did an x-ray. Findings were possible bronchitis or bronchopneumonia although he wasn't sounding congested yet. The doc put him on antibiotic for a possible beginning ear infection.

That seemed up but the next week he ended up with some congestion. Maybe as a result of the initial illness, who knows. I pumped up his Wellness Formula and probiotic doses and it didn't get out of hand.

I got to spend quite a bit of time with Lila as well. Which is nice because I never feel I get enough of that. Although it seems the more I give her, the more she wants. Maybe she begins to remember what life used to be like with her as my primary focus and likes the feel of it. I brought her up to SF to pick up Mike from the airport and we took her to ride the cable cars. Someone asked if we wanted a picture together and it was cute but strange with just the three of us. It's a rare occasion that just we three are together like that.

I also was able to have a bit of time on my own. My Mom was on me to get more but it's hard to leave Lila especially when I don't get much one-on-one with her anymore.

We stopped in Cambria on the way back. Wow! What a gem of a place. So beautiful!

And again in Santa Barbara just to have a breather. We ended up renting one of these bike contraptions that the kids could sit in front while Mike and I pedaled. (of course when we were actually riding they had their helmets on)