I can't wait until we get our computer set back up so I can show some pictures of our newly painted room! It looks SO much better now that the paneling is painted. Much less 70's and so much brighter in there.
Good things that happened this weekend:
-The Colts won!
-I finished a new sweater for Madeleine. It fits her perfectly and looks really cute. Again, I need the computer back up so I can post pictures.
-We got our usual Barnes and Nobles and Borders dates on Saturday and Sunday morning, and M. took good naps so we could read.
-We made it to 8am mass on Saturday AND Sunday. Madeleine has decided that she likes to chatter during mass. On Sunday we sat in front of the Nuns. She kept chattering and making her raspberry sounds and looking at them. They kept giggling the whole time - it was hilarious. At the sign of peace they said, "Well, she's a little charismatic, isn't she?" We also got to go to Confession on Saturday and did not even have to wait in line very long.
-The 3 kids in front of us could not keep from staring at Madeleine the whole time. They kept pointing her out to their mom and saying how cute she was. Of course she was smiling and laughing at them. After mass, the little girl came over and gave her a big hug. It was so cute - it was like she just couldn't help but give her a hug. Then I took her in the bathroom to change her. When we got in, there was a mom waiting by the sinks for her little girl. She came out and saw Madeleine on the changing table. She went over to wash her hands and whispered very loudly, "Mom! That's the cutest baby girl I ever saw!"
-We must have worn the poor kid out yesterday because last night she slept from 6:30pm to 4:30pm - the longest stretch ever. Then she ate and went back to sleep until 6:45 or so.
We're getting ready for our drive down to Alabama on Wednesday. Mom, Madeleine and I are going down on Wednesday, and Ken, my dad, my brother and my sister in law are coming on Thursday b/c they have to work on Wednesday. We're thinking of leaving around 4:30 am. Madeleine usually wakes up around 4 to nurse, so I figured I'd get up and take a shower and get the car packed, then nurse her, change her diaper and put her in the car. Maybe she'll sleep til her usual time of 6:30 or 7:00 that way. What do you think, is that a good idea? Or should we leave when she wakes up around 6:30 or 7:00?
I'm thinking I won't have internet access down there, since we're staying at a monastery. But it should be beautiful - it's supposed to be 70 and sunny the whole time. Here on Thanksgiving it's supposed to be a high of 37 and snowy.
Anyway, you'd think we were going to be gone for a month with all the stuff we're taking. We need a pack and play, a stroller, a booster seat, and we're going to try to fit an exersaucer in too. Plus Mom is bringing all the paper cups, plates, bowls, napkins and silverware. For every meal. Have I mentioned is the oldest of 8 kids, and they all have LOTS of kids. I think almost everyone is coming, too. Should be a great time. Then of course, all of our suitcases, all her baby food, diapers, etc. (I'm not attempting cloth diapers on this trip - who knows if we'll have access to a washing machine.) We're taking the back row of seats out of the van, that's for sure.
I really hope she does ok on this long drive. The longest we've attempted before this was about 5 hours. She did fine, although she was a little fussy on the way home. We came back the next day though so that was a lot of car time in two days. This time it's about an 8 hour trip and we're staying till Saturday. I expect it will take a lot longer than 8 hours this time though.
Any tips for all this would be greatly appreciated! Also, Madeleine is kind of scared around big crowds, especially if "strangers" try to hold her. I hope she does ok! Plus, her two bottom teeth look like they're going to pop through any second.
I think the plan on Friday is to go visit Our Lady Of The Angels. And also maybe do some Christmas shopping.... although isn't that the worst day ever to go shopping? I think so.
12 comments:
We drove with Zach to Washington DC when he was 2 months old and to MN when he was 3 months old. It would be a lot different now that he is almost 8 months I guess. I'll think of some tips and send you an email
I recommend bringing her sling. My Isaac was always afraid of big crowds when he was little. Keeping him in the sling was very helpful for him until he warmed up to the crowd.
Good luck on the long ride, I really don't have a lot of tips...I'm lucky in that my kids are usually good on long trips. They seem to mellow out so long as I change their diapers frequently and keep them busy with little snacks and each time we stop a chance to stretch.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
I took my niece to Northern Ireland when she was 16 months (when my sister was ill) - older than Madeleine, but she still wasn't walking. It was about a seven hour drive each way to the ferry port.
On the way there, I drove mostly at night, and she slept beautifully. I think trying to get the first part of the journey under your belts before her night is over is a good idea, if Madeleine's reasonably good at sleeping in her car seat. I actually had to wake my niece three times in one night (to get out of the car when we got on the ferry, to get back in the car and get off the ferry, and to get out of the car and into a motel room after I was too tired to drive any further), and each time she went back to sleep really well - I think the dark helped.
Coming back, I tried to stick as much as possible to her regular schedule, stopping at the times she would normally have a drink or a meal and letting her crawl around a bit while we were stopped. She needed to stretch her legs as much as I did, and I didn't worry too much about her getting a bit dirty (I just made sure her hands were clean before I put her back in the car).
While I was driving, I made sure I had a good supply of her favourite toys and books where I could reach them, so every time she got bored of one or dropped it somewhere out of reach, I had something else to offer her.
People told me I was either very brave or completely stupid to plan a trip like that with her - but because I was too stupid to worry about any potential problems, I was pretty relaxed about the whole thing, and so was she. I do think babies pick up on tension and wonder what they're supposed to be getting worked up about.
Good luck with the journey, and have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family.
PS 6:30 pm to 4:30 pm - that really is a long sleep! :¬)
Do you have Valium?
;)
I would say leave early. Our drive from NC is about 11-12hours. And that is driving by myself!! But I try to drive more at night so she sleeps more. But at least with 2 of you there will be someone to entertain her.
When Quinn was about 8 months old we were driving to Minnesota from Indy and we drove during the day so we put a DVD player in so she could watch some baby movies....and it helped pass some of the time.
I hope all goes well!!! You just maybe making a few extra pit stops to get her out of her seat and stretch.
Thanks for the suggestions everyone!
Megan, thanks for the email!
Kathryn, I washed all of our baby slings/carriers and they are packed and ready to go!
NHNJ, you are brave to do that trip by yourself, but it sounds like it went really well.
Ma, do you mean for me or her? :) I still think someone needs to invent Baby Tylenol PM.
Megan, good thinking about the DVDs - unfortunately, no dvd player in my van. We'll get together when we get back!
Lots of toys and books. Lots of snacks. Does she do Cheerios? Lots of random objects for her to hold and check out (ooh, a Kleenex!). And lots of singing. She'll do great. I can't wait to hear all the stories! Have a good trip. We're hosting T-day here, God help me ;-)
I'm the anonymous one. It didn't put my name in! Ashley
Oh Schlee! I was wondering what you guys were doing. Are you brining your turkey? We're hosting Tgiving next year. I'll learn from you!
Gerber makes this "Cheerio-type" snack in flavors like strawberry-banana that comes in a little can that, unlike Cheerios, melts in the baby's mouth, so they can't choke.
We've just discovered them, and Mary loves 'em.
Good diversion food - fun because they stick on baby's fingers for up-close examination.
:)
Oh yes, we have the Puffs :) In banana and peach! She loves them too. I never knew such a small thing could create such a big mess!
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