Super Road Trip

My post begins several weeks ago when I decided to (very last minute) take a trip to Tucson to visit my family. My brother was in town from the Caribbean and he only has a few short weeks in town. So when he's there you sorta got to take advantage of it. So Jim very hesitantly let me go...with Charlie in tow on a very long road trip. The first stop went without a hitch, she started to cry 2 minutes before I was planning on exiting. But let's just say that I need more practice because I ended up in a Burger King bathroom...peeing on the toilet with Charlie breastfeeding at the same time. Not my finest moment. I would do a quick feeding and diaper change as fast as I could so we could then proceed to Phoenix without stopping. Well...not so much, we stopped at a rest stop mostly for me. Did another quick change and a bottle. Off to Phoenix. None of my siblings had seen Charlie yet, so I was going to get all of them in one trip. So great!!! We hit Phoenix with perfect time to meet Elizabeth for lunch at work.



Did another quick change and a bottle and off to Tucson. Well, we hadn't gone 10 minutes and she started to cry. I see a Sonic sign and get excited, I figure that will be a great place to pull over. I exit and drive FOREVER and can't find it. Meanwhile she has stopped crying and I get back on the road. This has taken precious minutes out of my time and wind up having to stop 30 minutes later. Do another quick change and a bottle and off to Tucson. The last HOUR she is crying for 5 minutes and then asleep for 5 minutes. It was excruciating. My arm is almost dislocating to reach her and she is squeezing my finger as hard as she can. Poor baby! We get to my house and she has calmed. My mom is outside on her way out and girlfriend is all smiles. I couldn't believe it. She was screaming her head off for the last hour and all of a sudden she sees grandma and all is well. I take her in, thinking she is dying of starvation or has a full load but no, happy as a clam as she gets held by my brother for the first time.



Later that day my sister, Jane comes over and kisses her to death...


The next day, Annie comes over...who also has a new baby.


It was so cool to have all my siblings see her before she gets too old.

I started the trip at 7am and drove in around 4:30...whew! I didn't make her get in her car seat at all the next day...or did I, I can't remember.

The trip was great, played cards, stared at our babies, went bowling,



had Eegee's, played more cards, watched my brother pack (due to weight restrictions, I watched him pack and unpack...get on the scale, pack and unpack and get back on the scale) he did this for like an hour, but we talked the whole time so it was cool, went garage sale-ing...my dad got this...


it's an ice sculpture in the shape of a basket...or hat if you're my dad, in case you don't have ice carving skills. You fill it with water, freeze, then you have to cut it open. It's a one time use item, but it was only a buck...sweet! I hope I get invited to THAT party!

had more Eegee's, played a cool word game called banana-something, visited with Crystal (my best friend from High School)

went out for Mexican,


This Mariachi band was soooooo loud, we couldn't even talk to each other and here is Charlie...

Didn't even phase her.

Patches making sure Grandpa feeds her right.

And Charlie just hangin out.




and then got some Eegee's to take home with me.

The trip back went better than the trip to. I think I shaved an hour off, so it was great!

Missing Elizabeth and the other cousins, but here is Devon...isn't he just the cutest! I can't wait for Charlie to be able to hold her head up and smile on command.

Super fun trip...although, looking back I don't see one picture of Charlie with a smile on her face, she seems totally dazed and confused...hope she had a good time.

love you all!!!!!