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Okay. We've made it 18 months before having to make a big road trip and hotel stay! Ought to be fun... We're heading tomorrow to my best friend's wedding - driving from IN to MI - approx 4 - 5 hours. A has never been on a trip longer than about 2 hours - we go often to visit my family. So, we are taking my mom (Gran), and driving her "gold-car-van", as my nieces say (minivan). I'm worried about A sleeping at the hotel (but we're taking the Pack and Play, which he's used to at the grandparents' houses, and nighttime music, and blankie), behaving during the wedding Mass. (which he handles regular SUnday Mass okay now, so I shouldn't probably worry -except I'll be standing up front the whole time as an attendant.... I've been packing for 2 days. HOW MUCH STUFF DOES A TODDLER NEED???? I don't want to be unprepared. I hope my mom and hubby can handle him all day Sat while I"m doing the matron of honor thing. I won't be there to get him ready, or hold him during Mass. And the reception is adults only, so I'm especially worried how he'll act for Gran at the hotel, and at bedtime. Okay - I think it's time for this mom to work on her separation anxieties!!!!! It's just so hard right now, because he is totally in this MOMMY phase - you know? Only Mama will do if anyone else is around....... ANd I will worry about the drive. I made copies of my babysitter list of emergency numbers (which is hilarious, because we don't USE babysitters, but it's on my fridge all the same) for all our parents' numbers, our phone numbers, the pediatrician, etc to put in all the diaper bags, car, my purse...... ARGH. I think I"m at an equal stress level to the bride at this point!!!!
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Breathe in, breathe out... You will be fine! Daddies exist for a reason, he will be fine with Daddy during the wedding. (And daddy can always slip out one of the handy side doors in churches and got for a little walk if they must.) And I must confess I HATE when people have receptions and kids aren't allowed. Especially bad for out of towners. I would be tempted not to go, but since you are the matron of honor, not really an option. Gosh, I don't know what I would do. Shawn and I don't live close enough to family to bring someone along, so we would really be in a bind. (Mental note to self to address this with all friends planning to marry in the next few years...) You will be fine. Good even. Maybe even have a little fun. And give Dad strict instructions to have that cell phone. Attach it to his ear with super glue if you must so you won't have to worry about Baby A. Tell Gran to call if anything comes up and make Dad wait for the call. Then you will be free to do your matron of honor stuff! Seriously, have so much fun and I can't wait to hear how it all went!
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First...take a deep breath! You're gong to do just fine. Personally, I'm impressed you made it this long without a major trip.
We've traveled quite a bit with our twins - their first trip to Disneyland was at 22 months. Yes, sleeping in a hotel can be sketchy. We tried to keep their schedule as "normal" as possible with bedtime and their favorite sleep toys and music.
Don't be surprised if your little one gets a little out of sorts, and you may need some "recovery" time when you get home to get things back to your usual schedule.
Most of all - HAVE FUN!
I'm trying to relax! Anxious Mama helps no one! I keep thinking - it's just a day, like any day I work in the office and am away from him. HOpefully, there will be so many new things to distract him, he'll be okay. Marci - we're taking the Swim diapers and trunks! He may get to take a second dip in a hotel pool! But it won't be as fun without Cameron..... Of course, I worry about him in the pool if I'm not the one in there with him..... Oh my gosh. I have to relax!
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Oh the travel season is upon us......
I know that Dad will handle Mr. A just fine on Saturday while you do the matron thing!! As for the car, plan to stop about 2x more often then you usually do--I'm sure he'll get wiggly! Oh...and lots of snacks and more drinks, and extra clothes. I know that at this point, I pack more for M than for the two of us combined, but hey, if I'm not stressed, everyone's happy!
We haven't done a hotel since M was an infant--let me know how it goes because we have a drive from IN to NC this summer!! Yikes!
Have a great time!
Well, it was mostly a success! Here are the highlights in case it helps anyone else who'll be doing this soon: 1. The 5 hour car trip up WAS A DREAM. We stopped about halfway for lunch for an hour (Cracker Barrel - many distractions. That was it. Snacked on milk, string cheese, and cereal bars at other times. Brought some "new" toys from Gran's house instead of our old boring ones. Miracle #1. 2. Took the nighttime music. didn't figure it out right away, but the CD player wasn't playing very long (at home, we keep it on repeat all night long). THE CHILD SLEPT ANYWAY! Unexpected miracle #2. 3. Miracle #3 - THE BIGGEST. Not only was I NOT there for night #1 when babe went to bed, I ended up spending that night w/ the bride, and saw him all of only 5 minutes the next day, then Gran put him to bed that night all by herself, and he was perfect. I SURVIVED!!!!! 4. Night #1 - NOT GOOD as far as going to bed. Night #2 - just like at home. Night #1 back at home afterward, just like usual. Night #2 back at home tonight - not so great. BUT HE"S ASLEEP! I haven't figured out that pattern yet...... 5. The child hardly ate enough to keep a bird alive while we were there. (Of course, that cut down on the dirty diapers, for which he made up gladly today.) So I packed twice as much food as I needed. 6. I packed 2 outfits per day, plus one extra dress outfit, plus short sleeves to go with each outfit. (The weather was AWESOMELY warm). I was prepared. Except that I did NOT bring an extra pair of pants to the rehearsal dinner, so we left early, just after my little darling upended a large pitcher of ice water in his lap!!!! Just so you can picture it..... He made not a sound after he did it. (Probably in shock). I stripped him down and carried him out of the packed restaurant and back into the HIlton in a striped shortsleeved Polo shirt, his brown dress shoes and khaki socks, and diaper - sans pants, showing off his gorgeously chubby gams.... So when we got back to the hotel, we took a picture of him in fron tof the Hilton sign. How's that for classy, Paris? Everyone thought he was adorable, but groom's sister watched it all then told me she was so thankful she'd gotten a sitter for her 22 mo old.... Trip back - stopped for 10 minutes and let him walk around. We just wanted to get back. NOT the best idea. Next time, I will DEFINITELY stop for an h our or so. He was NOT a happy camper on the last hour...Fortunately, spring had arrived at home as well, so he was able to spend a good bit of time running around outside w/ the dogs in the yard to burn it all off. Let me just say, the bride's college buddies (I swear, EVERY one I talked to had 3 kids....) were SOOOOO nice to me Friday night. When I told them I was very nervous about leaving my 18 mo old upstairs in our room w/ my hubby and mom (not that they can't handle it, just that I hate to be separated) - they were SO understanding and supportive. No one made comments about me being overdue for cutting the apron strings. LOVE those ladies! And the guys were great too! So I think I might skip bedtime this Friday and attend another friend's Pampered Chef party - just to try to get away more so it's easier when we have to.