We geared up for this trip (a work-related trip back to our old stomping grounds in central New York) with no small amount of trepidation. How would Jonah handle so many hours in the car? Where would we stop, and how should we schedule our time in each place? Should we continue to use cloth diapers on the road, or would it be worthwhile to switch to disposables for a short duration? How much should we pack in the way of baby clothes? Entertainment? The big stroller or the small? So many uncertainties. Maybe Mom and Baby should just stay home, we wondered.
In the end, though, car packed with what seemed like half of Jonah's belongings (plus one small bag for Mom and Dad), we hit the road. And here's the good news: Jonah was fabulous. He slept through most of the car ride, only fussing occasionally for diaper changes and feedings. We did our best to stop when and where we could, sometimes in places of Jonah's choosing, sometimes our own. No major disasters. No major emotional crises or backlash, thank goodness.
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| Jonah, snug in his car seat, ready to go! |
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| First time behind the wheel (taking a break at a rest stop). |
Along the way, we took advantage of a few particularly convenient resting points, where Jonah finally made the acquaintance of several more veteran members of his family: aunts, uncles, cousins, and, perhaps most notably, his great grandma:
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| Great Grandma gave us a place to stay overnight (and also made a cake to help us celebrate Dad's birthday). |
At our destination, Dad had to spend most of his time working, but Jonah and I got to enjoy the company of a few old friends. We spent a wonderful, sunny afternoon lazing about our the yard of our dear friends, Nate, Jen, and their adorable little spitfire, Cora. Jonah spent much of that time napping, while Mom enjoyed the view of the farms and hills behind the house.
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| Nate, Jen, and Cora let us laze about their charming home and yard with beautiful scenic views. |
The last leg of our trip was, of course, the return home. It was a pleasure to make a few stops again. We enjoyed breakfast with Papa and Uncle Steve, a mid-morning break with our favorite Auntie Katie Dear and Uncle Kevin (at whose home Jonah practiced his ever more frequent smile), and stopped for a quick brunch/lunch with an old friend at yummy Betty's (where a quiet, pleasant Jonah seemed to receive a lot of admiring attention from our servers and neighboring diners).
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| At the cafe with Papa and Uncle Steve. |
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| Jonah practice's smiling at his aunt and uncle's home. |
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| Daddy sporting Jonah in the sling while we wait for our table at Betty's. |
All in all it was a great trip. In fact, our only regret might be that we didn't take more photos!
Much thanks goes to our friends, John and Annie, who hosted us at our destination (and who didn't complain an iota when Jonah had a rough night!). To Nate and Jen, in particular among many other things for letting us use their laundry facilities to wash our cloth diapers. And, of course, to the long list of other friends, aunts, uncles, and cousins who met us and fed us along the way. Love you guys!
