AND WE SURVIVED!

Apparently the difference between a 6 hour trip and an 8.5 hour one is enough to make it successful.  Who knew?

On the way there we stopped twice and only added an additional hour and a half between lunch, nursing and diaper changes.  On the way back we only stopped ONCE.

Totally worth it.

I decided last minute (like last Monday) that I was going to take the girls to my in-laws in Missouri for my sister-in-law's baby shower on Sunday.  So off we went early (but still two hours later than I had originally planned and told everyone...) Saturday morning.  We got there mid-afternoon and Brooke was immediately overwhelmed by everyone.  Poor child, did not know what was coming at her.  Grace on the other hand took all of 10 minutes to realize where she was and off she went to see the "whor-seys", get dirty in the yard and drag out every baby doll and fake food related item from the toy stash.

This was the first time Brooke got to meet everyone.  So she went from arms to arms and eventually warmed up and started dishing out her smiles, as she does.  After the longest (and coldest) dinner ever (which is what happens when NINETEEN people go out to eat..)... we called it a night.

On this road trip I learned Brooke does not sleep well in a pack and play.  It is not as wide as her crib and does not in any way accommodate her laying the wrong way.  So she ended up "sleeping" in my arms.  Which was fine Saturday night... but Sunday night was a mess.  Like seriously.  Ugh.  I am SO looking forward to how ever long we are without our stuff here shortly.  And I'm rolling my eyes SO HARD.


Sunday morning my SIL Courtney helped me get my rug rats all dolled up.  And off we went to the baby shower.  My MIL's sister was hosting it at her house and she has a little sweetie about the same age as Grace so she was very entertained (and tired, by the time we left!) with all sorts of toys that aren't hers.  She eventually got super attached to a dog that has a leash and walks and barks.  Typical for my little animal lover.  Brooke again got passed around.  But didn't mind one bit until it was about 4 pm and the baby shower was winding down and girlfriend was not waiting one more second for a snack and a nap.  So we snuck a quick one in while things were cleaned up.  The baby shower was tons of fun with some crazy games my MIL (thankfully not the stick your nose in the diaper game and tell me what candy it is - WHO CAME UP WITH THAT GAME?!) came up with and loads of good food.  I ate lunch before we went.  Then ate at the party.  Then ate dinner too.  Not that I'm counting or anything.

Alyssa and James are expecting my nephew shortly after (or on?!) Christmas.  And they made out like bandits.  I'm pretty sure they are going to need to change his clothes like 5 times a day to get through his newborn wardrobe.  We can't wait to meet another one of our nephews when he gets here!  And I am so so so glad we were able to be there to help celebrate Alyssa and baby B!!

At last check Grace was still bouncing off of the walls in our bedroom.  She's accustomed to getting cake or candy about this time after two nights at Grandpa and Grammy's house.  Not happening girlfriend.  That's what grandparents are for.  NAUGHTY things.

But we survived another road trip.  Thank heavens for napping children, new vehicles that are reliable and in-laws that open up their house last minute for you and your beautiful, yet crazy, children.  Our next road trip will be here far too quickly.  And I'm looking forward to our road trip distances never going longer than 3 hours after that.  Hallelujah!



always,
amanda