The drive started off fine. The baby was happy listening to my music and my daughter had her earbuds in jamming away. I knew the way well so far all was good . That was the first half hour.
Then suddenly, I heard a very loud cry. The baby had lost the coveted binky. I turned the music down and tried to reach over the seat to comfort the little thing. Binky in place again, peace restored.
For about 5 minutes.
The cry started again. The binky had been lost again. Repeat and all was well. Then suddenly the binky comes flying over the seat into Momma’s lap.
Hadn’t even made it out of the state and we were pulling over at a rest stop. A quick bottle seemed to appease the little one.
Back on the road, we went. It was fine for a little while. But the baby started getting upset again. This time, though there was nowhere safe to pull over.
Now, let me tell you. This baby has impressive set of lungs. We tried everything we could. But nothing worked.
Finally desperate to keep eating up the miles and keep the baby happy. I told my daughter to do one thing I’d been dreading.
Turn on veggie techno
And just like that, silence. Peace. The baby drifted off to sleep.
After almost an hour, I couldn’t take it anymore. We found a gas station and pulled over. Everyone needed a stretch and walk around.
Once we loaded back up, all was calm again. The baby was failing back a sleep. The daughter was relaxed. I was calmer so I turned on ZZ Top’s Cheap sunglasses. Slide my sun glasses back on and back on the highway.
Maybe the rest of the trip today would be okay. It was nice having all three of us together on a little road trip. I hated to admit.
For a brief moment, it felt almost like The Great Outdoors movie moment. Everyone happy, having fun at the beginning. If you know, you know. You know the scene right before it goes impressively wrong.
Then came the great state of North Carolina beautiful, green, and full of some of the friendliest people I’ve ever met.
The interstate system, however is another story entirely. A nightmare, to put it kindly. I’ve driven through this state more times than I can count. And every single time I end up crawling through the traffic at 20 miles per hour for ten or more miles.
The goal was to get to the middle of North Carolina before night fall and spend the night at a hotel. By this point, I was actually feeling a little better about the trip. Just cruising and listening to music.
Then Pitbull came on. What can I say my music taste is diverse.
The baby immediately woke up. Not crying, just clearly unimpressed. We hit skip probably fifteen times, before we finally landed on a song that met the baby’s mysterious approval. I couldn’t tell you what it was, but I can tell you this. Anything was better than Hey Bear.
Then the binky tossing started again, we played the game for a little bit. Ahhh, a rest stop. Yes, let’s pull over and walk it off!
One thing about the baby: highly fascinated with everyone and everything. It didn’t matter where we stopped or what we saw. The baby loved it. People, a rock, a colorful sign. It didn’t matter. Always happy, always smiling.
I got to listen to a few more songs before the veggies had to be turned back on. All the stopping had added hours to our drive. But each time I got to cuddle my grand baby and walk around proudly. I was reaching professional level at working the car seat.
This was my life now.
Wow, just wow!
Amazing is the only word for it.
By this point, the day had melted into early evening and Hey Bear was still going strong. But much like me and my daughter, the baby was over the road tripping for the day. Unfortunately, we were stuck smack dab in a traffic jam. With out hotel less than half hour away.
We crept along for another hour before finally reaching the hotel.
As so as we got inside, the baby calmed down instantly. All of us were just grateful to out of the car. We ordered some foo, stretched our legs and finally relaxed.
We got a later start then we would’ve liked the next morning. We were excited to get home but also quietly dreading the rest of the drive.
The baby was being a little champ and even let me listen to my music for a while. But in the spirit of keeping the peace, I begrudgingly turned on Hey Bear back on preemptively, of course.
Soon my daughter and the baby were fast asleep. We had just crossed into South Carolina when Maps cheerfully announced there was a quicker route. “Save an hour!” it said.
Without a second thought, I hit yes. Because I’ll worry about it later!
The final part coming Sunday! Thanks for reading! Have a great week!
