Texas 2012

We left Mid-Missouri Friday June 29th after Hunter was fed and ready for bed...only to find out he was not going to sleep in the car!!! It started off fine, he would play for a little bit, get fussy and then start screaming. He never cry's so I knew something was not right. Nothing would calm him not even the ABC's which he loves. Finally after a couple hours of fussing and crying, I take him out of his car seat (I know I loose the "mom of the year award") and hold him for a min. He then proceeds to get rid of all the gas that he has built up in his little tummy and falls right to sleep. We still have him in the infant "pumpkin" seat, which is a little small for his shoulders and he has to sit leaning back, and in an awkward position. He has never like the car seat very much and somedays I dread the drive home knowing I will sing to him the entire drive trying to calm him down. So anyway we are a few hours from home by now, and every time I put him back in his car seat he last maybe 30 min and starts screaming! I felt terrible for him, because their was nothing anyone could do (we weren't turning around and going home). We would stop every few hours to get out and stretch and let him breathe for a little bit and play. Around 2 am we were driving though Oklahoma and I think it might be a good idea to give him Tylenol so he may be able to get some sleep. So we stop and I get in the back of the pickup to get it out of his bag, and when I jumped down I landed on a curb and hurt my foot (I mean to the point I was going to throw up!) It was awful! Throbbing I stood there thinking "REALLY?" my baby is in pain, screaming and won't sleep and now I hurt myself and feel useless! I know God has a plan, but man these are the times its hard to see it all working out. Of course I felt like a bad mom and still feel guilty for taking him out of his car seat, but the lord protected us, and for that I am thankful! Everything did end up working out... the sun came up a few hours later and after not much sleep we pulled into my Uncles house 12 hours from starting our trip. We were all of course exhausted especially Hunter (he usually sleeps 10-12 hours) only getting about 3 hours that night. 

Hunter in the car bright eyed and ready to go!

We truly had a great time, although no vacation is long enough (this one no different) we did a lot of fun things and had a wonderful time with family. The most exciting part of the trip was, my cousin who hadn't been home in 3 years (Airforce based in Italy and traveling everywhere) came home on leave for 2 weeks! I don't think I had seen him for 7-8 years. It was so good to see him and catch up a little on life! 

Hunter with Cousins, Lane & Logan

Hunter and I swimming

I learn Hunter is my little water bug... He absolutely loves the water, splashing, and even going under he would  just smile and laugh! I loved every minuet of watching him in the water and with family though the weekend. Its such a joy to spend time with family! 

Hunter going under for the first time... Love it!

Hangin out in the fountain with My Mom

 Hunter was able to play with Aubri, and of course can't keep up with her yet, but will by Christmas! When they were home for Christmas last year Aubri seemed so much older and more advanced then Hunter (they are 3 months apart), but during this trip I see those 4 months not seeming so far apart.

Aubri wearing Hunter's hat and Hunter playing

Aubri not sure what to think of Hunter touching her

We hung out at the pool the majority of the time and did some tye dye! Tye Dye is my mom's newest hobby, and boy is it addicting! I don't think there was one piece of white fabric left in the county when we were done! 

All of us in our Tye Dye

My Mom, Hunter, and I just before leaving to head home

Praying the entire time the trip home would be less eventful the the trip there. Unfortunately I think it was worse. After eating my uncles rich, spicy, and fatty foods all weekend and then feeding Hunter my milk made for an extremely uncomfortable trip home. Again I felt terrible, because this time I knew I had been the one that caused him the pain (knowing he gets gas easily and I have to watch what I eat... I tried but did not succeed)! We set out in the evening thinking he would sleep... and again we were wrong! We got about half way (6 hours) and couldn't take it any longer and stop at a hotel to get some sleep. After a few hours sleep and a happy baby we set out again the next morning. Daylight traveling may have been a little better but not any less crying thats for sure! I think it only seemed better because we had had some sleep and could coupe with the crying, and I had just about given up on his car seat and attempting to make it comfortable. I feel like I am the only mom that doesn't have a perfect angel child to travel with. Anyone I ve told this story to just rolls their eyes and tells me that their child "just sleeps" in the car.... WELL NOT MINE! 

I had to post this next picture to show what a great big sister Aspen is....

After being gone for 5 days, Aspen is guarding Hunter while he sleeps I think to make sure we don't leave again.

We leave for Florida in 3 weeks, this is a longer drive and with my inpatient husband (that hates stopping even to pee on road trips) I am very apprehensive about taking Hunter! I am in search of any and all tips anyone has to calm or distract a 8 month old in the car for 16 hours! I am also in search of a new car seat... one that allows him to sit up and move a little more.