On the road againWe have officially returned from our travels and are settled back home snug as bugs. I will, of course, update with more pictures and stories from numerous celebrations, but I just could not continue with new posts without first giving due recognition to my amazing, phenomenal, superb, stupendous, fantastic, incredible, truly terrific tot traveler, Lily. Our adventures this year included a 10-hour drive to Indiana, a subsequent 7-hour drive to St. Louis, and then for the grand finale: a 15 1/2-hour trip from St. Louis back to Baltimore. Our drive home yesterday included just about every unpleasant weather condition possible: rain, wind, snow, sleet, fog, and even occasional sun glare. Carl, the trooper that he is, drove the entire distance home, including the 50-mile stretch of blinding snow somehow coming at us horizontally and making it virtually impossible to see anything. I was a bit alarmed at one point when he commented to me, "If you see me driving off the road, let me know." We have both certainly driven in worse conditions but never with Lily in the backseat, so this was the most difficult drive we have experienced to date. But, we made it, and I am overjoyed to say that we will NEVER have to drive that route again at Christmas time!!!!! Woo-hoo!!!
Our travels began last Saturday. We had planned to leave in the evening and drive overnight as we had done in the past, but then Carl suggested that we try driving during the day to see how it goes. We were amazed at how well Lily handled it. She napped occasionally but otherwise talked, sang, played with her aquadoodle, read books, listened to music, played with her ponies and Little People, and snacked on "parrots" (pears), yogurt, apples, pretzels, and cheese. Not once during the entire trip did she cry or complain. She made a few brief moans in Pennsylvania followed by a little spitting up which we attributed to car sickness, as we were traveling on some curvy roads in higher altitudes, but that was it - she even handled car sickness well!
Again, she was perfect during our drive from Indiana to St. Louis. What amazed me even more was that we went straight from the car to my family's Christmas dinner and celebration with 16 people in attendance, and she didn't miss a beat. She ate well and had a ball opening presents with all of her cousins.
The drive from St. Louis to Baltimore was tough on even Carl and me, but she handled it like a pro. She asked to get out of her carseat a couple of times, but it happened to be at times that we were getting ready to stop anyway, so it was no problem. She remained her upbeat, spunky self the entire time. Through all of this, she also remained on schedule from beginning to end. She always napped during her normal times, going down anytime between 11:30 and 1:30 and sleeping her usual 1 1/2 hours. She tended to go to bed 1/2 hour to 1 hour later than normal, but what are vacations for! She ate really well too, especially in the car. She had a few too many treats at various family gatherings but didn't we all? :)
Overall, we spent a glorious week with our families made possible by Lily's good spirits through it all. It was a lot - probably too much - to ask of a two-year-old, but she rose to the occasion. Thank you, thank you, thank you, Lily. And many thanks to our families, especially Grandma & Grandpa Deetz and my parents for hosting us on our travels. We had a fantastic time and are forever grateful for the good food, great company, and many fond memories!!
Our travels began last Saturday. We had planned to leave in the evening and drive overnight as we had done in the past, but then Carl suggested that we try driving during the day to see how it goes. We were amazed at how well Lily handled it. She napped occasionally but otherwise talked, sang, played with her aquadoodle, read books, listened to music, played with her ponies and Little People, and snacked on "parrots" (pears), yogurt, apples, pretzels, and cheese. Not once during the entire trip did she cry or complain. She made a few brief moans in Pennsylvania followed by a little spitting up which we attributed to car sickness, as we were traveling on some curvy roads in higher altitudes, but that was it - she even handled car sickness well!
Again, she was perfect during our drive from Indiana to St. Louis. What amazed me even more was that we went straight from the car to my family's Christmas dinner and celebration with 16 people in attendance, and she didn't miss a beat. She ate well and had a ball opening presents with all of her cousins.
The drive from St. Louis to Baltimore was tough on even Carl and me, but she handled it like a pro. She asked to get out of her carseat a couple of times, but it happened to be at times that we were getting ready to stop anyway, so it was no problem. She remained her upbeat, spunky self the entire time. Through all of this, she also remained on schedule from beginning to end. She always napped during her normal times, going down anytime between 11:30 and 1:30 and sleeping her usual 1 1/2 hours. She tended to go to bed 1/2 hour to 1 hour later than normal, but what are vacations for! She ate really well too, especially in the car. She had a few too many treats at various family gatherings but didn't we all? :)
Overall, we spent a glorious week with our families made possible by Lily's good spirits through it all. It was a lot - probably too much - to ask of a two-year-old, but she rose to the occasion. Thank you, thank you, thank you, Lily. And many thanks to our families, especially Grandma & Grandpa Deetz and my parents for hosting us on our travels. We had a fantastic time and are forever grateful for the good food, great company, and many fond memories!!
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