Yesterday I loaded Camper into the car at about 7:30am and drove down to the beach in CT to visit my Auntie. I was a little worried about driving alone with the Bubbs for so long, but he did great. I’ve been meaning to get down to CT for a couple of weeks now, and just had to go before the PA and UT trips coming up later this month. The drive was good, a couple fussy patches, but all in all, Bubbs was very patient. I got to listen to conference talks along the way, visited with my new friend Cynthia (also known as Garmin nuvi 200) and enjoyed the sunshine.
My visit with my Auntie was great. We timed it perfectly, I arrived just in time for Bubbs to play and be awake (for the most part) we had lunch and talked, and then around 3pm I loaded him back into the car and he slept 2/3 of the way home. He must have been exhausted from a long day of firsts with Mom and Auntie. Among the new things Camper tried/did were: seeing the ocean and seagulls, biting a grinder (oh how I love a good regular grinder), swinging, playing in the sand, and playing with a dog. He’s seen dogs before (we actually brought him to a pet store once…to no avail) but this was his first time really interacting with one.
The swing was hysterical. When I first set him into it Auntie said, “Hold on tight, Little Man,” and he took her pretty seriously,white-knuckled holding onto the chains. (He takes after his mommy, who, when Auntie said, “Bring some sweatshirts” assuming it’d be a chilly day, brought 5…) We swung him gently, getting no reaction, until I thought he didn’t like it and stopped. He didn’t move his hands or change the look on his face (fierce concentration) but he kind of wiggled his butt a little as if to say, “Why did you stop? I’m just getting used to this!” Eventually he moved forward in the seat and let himself dangle a little. Then we got some smiles.
The sand was a big hit, as well. It was a breezy day, but I took off his socks anyways to let him dig his feet in. I half expected him to eat it, but he didn’t. He did get a little fussy when I picked him up, though. He wasn’t quite done yet I guess.
Spending time with Auntie is good for my soul I think. I’m pretty sure it’s good for my Camper, too. It’s fun to see the Bubbs love on her, he even gave her kisses. It’s fun for me to hear what she’s been up to, how the family is doing, and tell her my little dramas. Combine that with a good sandwich and some time outside, and yesterday was one of those go to sleep smiling days. I have lots of little snapshots in my mind from yesterday. Holding the Bubbs, asleep under a blanket while Auntie and I chatted looking out at the water, pulling Bubb’s socks off when we got back to the house and seeing the sand pour out, going to the bathroom and hearing Bubbs cracking up downstairs playing with Seppy (Auntie/Sara’s dog…I’m not really sure whose dog Seppy is, actually. Or how to spell Seppy. I do recall that it’s short for Giseppi). It was simply a good day.
The drive home was good, until Cynthia took me a way I wouldn’t normally go through a college town that added about 15 minutes to the trip. 15 minutes might not seem like a lot to you, but since that’s how long Bubbs screamed for before I pulled in the driveway, I could’ve done without it. He fussed on and off the whole time he was awake (about 45 minutes) but it was that last 15 that got me. I got into the house, tried to calm him down and get him fed (he NEVER likes to eat OR poop after a roadtrip), and had about 2 hours of running around trying to get stuff done and put him to bed that took away any remaining energy I had. I popped some chicken nuggets into the oven for dinner and then just wilted. John finally had to put Camper down for the night (he wouldn’t settle in til he had Daddy time), and then changed a monstrously poopy diaper before leaving for work. Bubbs was completely asleep and I was just checking on him when I smelled it. I didn’t know if I should wake him up or let him sleep, since he’s NEVER slept through a poop before, but John hauled him over to the changing table and took care of it. It was really cute, because when Bubbs realized what was happening he halfway opened his eyes, smiled and said sleepily, “Da da da da.” I love that kid.
Last minute I changed the sheets on my parent’s bed (just in case our friends who are moving today came to spend the night…their beds were packed) and then was asleep before John even left for work. SUPER exhausted. Bubb’s new eating at 9:30/10pm, then not again til morning thing is GREAT. He still wakes up, but I just give him his paci or wait for him to settle back in on his own, and all this means MORE SLEEP FOR MOMMA. I was still tired this morning, but spending time with John won out over sleeping more (I couldn’t get back to sleep for anything, although I probably could now…) so we just chatted and played with our baby and watched some TV together. Now he’s sleeping, and I’m just waiting for the Bubbs to wake up so we can figure out what to do with ourselves.
Oh, and by the way, the flowers are in bloom in CT. Just thought you should know.
