We did it!! That's right folks, Kylie and I made the trip from Craig's parents house all the way back home, just the two of us. Why is this a big deal? Because, until now, every time we take a long car ride (at some point) I find myself stretched out over her car seat trying desperately to get my little boob to make it to her mouth while I tell Craig "drive extra safe, my seat belt is on a little loose." She has been getting better about being in her car seat, but still has a hard time falling asleep without nursing. So this morning I had a very specific plan, wake up, eat, play and right when Kylie was getting ready for her morning nap we put her in the car and be on our way. My plan had us leaving at about 11 am, so I thought. Instead Kylie decided to wake up about an hour earlier then usual, she also woke up a little crankier then usual. She didn't eat much breakfast and only played a little until she was clearly ready for a nap, at about 9:30. I had not packed us up and was not ready to walk out the door so I did what many parents do, forget I ever tried to have a plan and went on Kylie time. So that meant we waited until she had finished her nap, ate a big lunch, and had lots of play time with her aunties and grandma, then it was time to hit the road, at 1:15pm.
Kylie was defiantly worn out when we got in the car, she just sat there relaxed in her car seat. She looked at a few little toys and soon just rested her head to the side and listened to the Raffi songs I had playing. Within about 20 minutes she was fast asleep, no crying, no fussing, nothing, she just blinked a few times and then shut her eyes. I couldn't believe it, I was so excited. I kept expecting her to wake up screaming any second, but she didn't. And when she did wake up, about an hour and a half later, she was happy as can be. She cooed and talked, played with her toys and enjoyed her sliced apple in a bag (it's the best invention, a little mesh bag with a handle, you put fruit or whatever you want in it for them to chew on, but they can't get pieces off). About 40 min later we stopped at a rest stop and stretched out legs, nursed, ate and changed her diaper. Then we were back on the road and still happy! Our next stop was in Victorville, I called up my friend Amanda and she met us for a quick visit while we repeated the pattern, stretch, nursed, ate, changed diaper. This time getting back in the car was not as fun, Kylie started to fuss. We only had 40 minutes left and dinner and family eagerly waiting for us, so we powered through. We played Raffi, I sang songs, and handed her anything I could think of for her to play with (at one point this even included our ipad, I put it on the photo album and watched as she scrolled through the pictures by haphazardly touching the screen). We made it to within about 7 minutes before the fussing turned to crying, and even then I could distract her if I sang and clapped energetically enough.
When we pulled up to my parents house, I took her out of her car seat, she laid her head on my shoulder and took a deep breath, she was so sleepy. But we made it only 5.5 hours from when we left. Then her little head popped right up and she started looking around, she saw the front of my parents house, she looked at me and smiled. This is the first time she has recognized their house. She started kicking her little feet, getting excited for what was waiting inside. When we opened the door we were greeted by my sister and parents, Kylie smiled and clapped her hands. Upset? Not any more. Tired? Nope, not when there are people to play with. We sat her down on the floor and she said what sounded like "Dada" and sure enough Craig walked through the door not a moment later. She was so happy to see him. We had a wonderful dinner and play time, although Kylie kept looking around as if she expected more people to show up (she got used to having a big audience), then headed home. It took Kylie a little while to wind down, she seemed excited to be back home.
We enjoyed our visit with the Johnson family, I am so glad we got to stay an extra couple days. It is hard not being able to see them more often, but we are excited to already have the next trip on the calendar, just about one month away.
Now I am in bed typing, Craig asleep on one side, Kylie asleep on the other, it doesn't get much better then this.
More to come soon,
Natalie
No comments:
Post a Comment