RV to the Rescue!

Last weekend, we traveled to a destination wedding in the beautiful mountains of North Carolina. As we prepared for our trip, Cutie Pie tried to sabotage our plans by developing yet another nasty cold. The night before we were set to leave on our marathon car ride, Cutie was stayed up coughing and crying. It soon became apparent that traveling was not in the cards.

At eight months of age it is not developmentally appropriate to take an eight hour car trip. Any parent who disagrees with me is crazy. That's right, I said it. Cutie Pie is an active little guy. He wants to be crawling and practicing his walking skills at every waking moment. He can hardly sit still to eat! We knew that trying to strap him in a car seat for a long period of time was going to be hell on wheels. When Cutie Pie added the illness to the equation, we decided the trip just wasn't meant to be.

Then Cutie Pie's Papa offered to let us use his RV for the trip. Sure gas would be expensive, but seeing our friend get married in the mountains would be priceless. Taking the RV was the perfect solution. Cutie Pie was able to interact with everyone during the trip, which meant he stayed entertained and happy, mostly.

Cutie Pie seemed to enjoy his first big road trip. It was really neat to watch him stare out at the mountains for the first time and play in the creek where I once played as a child. The wedding was great and the bride was beautiful. What a great weekend!

http://theadventuresofcutiepie.blogspot.com/

Help! I'm Buried Under a Mountain of Baby Stuff!

One of the things that has surprised me most about having a child is the mountain of stuff you have to take with you every time you leave the house. A simple trip to the ball field the other day required an hour of preparation. Now I know why people with small children don't like to leave the house. It's not worth the trouble.

We had a mat to lay on the ground so Cutie Pie can crawl. We had teething rings, toys, the mesh feeding thingy that he likes, ice, diapers, bibs and a change of clothes. Of course, no matter how much you plan and pack there is always something you forget. Cutie Pie could have used a fewer teething rings and more toys. Once again, Mommy failed to anticipate Cutie Pie's every need and want. Did you know that there are actually websites with packing checklists for baby? Apparently Mommies just don't have any excuse for forgetting anymore!

Cutie Pie seemed to enjoy himself. He loves to practice the fine art of flirting and the ball park gave him the perfect opportunity. Cutie Pie smiled and cooed at all the ladies and had them eating out of his hand. Then he got bored.

When Cutie Pie loses interest in something, Mommy's challenge begins! Here Cutie Pie, play with this teething ring. Cutie Pie drops it. Here try this toy. Cutie Pie looks away and starts making warning grunts. Would you like a piece of ice? Yum! Then I swear Cutie Pie repeated me. He said Yum, too. Except the tone was different and kind of unpleasant. I was in trouble and I knew it. The game was over. I thought fast. I had already gone through the whole mountain of baby stuff so I had to play the trump card. I scooped Cutie Pie up and took him to the car to nurse. I watched my husband win his company softball game through the back car window. By the time Cutie Pie drifted off to sleep, the game was over.

I wish that was the end of the story but it's not. Then I had to take my sleeping infant back over to my mountain of baby stuff and pack it up. By the time I got home, I was completely exhausted. It's not easy moving mountains.

http://theadventuresofcutiepie.blogspot.com