I just got back from my first road trip alone with the kids. My girlfriend, Beth, lives down in Coral Springs and she and I have been doing girls weekend for as long as I can remember. We have great meals, relax by the pool, and snack in front of the TV. How can I resist? I packed us up, which was no easy feat. When you travel with children, you end up taking everything you possibly can. Somehow, we squeezed in my suitcase, play pen, stroller, swing, bouncer seat, baby carrier, breast pump, baby bag, Jayden’s toy bag, my purse, nursing pillow and a cooler into my tiny Toyota Corolla. (Getting a mini-van is starting to sound like a good idea.)
I decided to wait until Esteban left for work to go so that he can spend time with the kids and the timing couldn’t have been better. I fed Maya and left right at the time I would normally put Jayden down for a nap. I didn’t have to stop once! It was great. Jayden slept for an hour, woke up for 30 minutes and slept for 45 more. He didn’t get fussy at all. And Maya slept the entire ride. She woke up as I exited the turnpike and started to cry just when I turned on to my girlfriend’s street.
We got there Sunday night and had a nice dinner at home. Jayden had a rough time falling asleep and although I originally brought the playpen for Maya, I decided to put him in it instead. He was a little tight in there, but at least he wasn’t wondering around the house fighting sleep like he usually does. At home, I use the baby gate to keep him in his room, but I didn’t have that. (Could I have squeezed that into my car too? Never mind.)
Monday, we had a nice lazy day by the pool. I don't know how it was possible, but I forgot my camera home, but here is a picture I managed to get with my phone.
It felt so great not to rush from one place to the other to get things done. No keeping kids quiet so Daddy can get his rest. No making breakfast, no cleaning kitchen, no folding laundry, no picking up toys and food off the floor and no chasing after Rio to eat and do his business outside with the potential of being locked out of my home by my two year old son. I actually had time to drink three cups of coffee without stopping to reheat the cup 3 or 4 times. We went out for dinner and went home for TV and chit chat. It was so great to have someone entertain Jayden for a change. He loved spending time with Beth’s daughter, Sinclaire. They played in the pool, on the trampoline, on the swings, in her play kitchen, with cars and trucks and Barbie and Ken. Do kids ever get tired?
Tuesday, we went to the zoo. This was Jayden’s first time at the zoo. It was pretty hot out so I didn’t stay very long. We did walk around some and Jayden was entertained by the otters, monkeys, birds and ducks. He loved walking around on his own and so did I. I was able to move Maya from the baby carrier into the stroller. We packed a lunch and had it there and afterwards we headed to the entrance. They had a huge interactive water fountain and we let the kids run around and cool off.
Jayden loved the fountain and wanted me to stay with him, but I couldn't with Maya so he didn't play very long. He didn't seem bothered by that. I think he was tired. It was close to nap time. I gave him a snack and fed Maya and hit the road.
The drive back was even better. No traffic or rain. Jayden slept even longer on the way home and Maya slept the entire way. She even stayed nice and calm while I unpacked the car and fixed Jayden’s dinner. It was so great to get away and relax. I loved spending time with my girlfriend and her daughter. The weather was awesome too. Even the kids seemed easier to handle while I was away. Nothing like recharging the batteries.
I decided to wait until Esteban left for work to go so that he can spend time with the kids and the timing couldn’t have been better. I fed Maya and left right at the time I would normally put Jayden down for a nap. I didn’t have to stop once! It was great. Jayden slept for an hour, woke up for 30 minutes and slept for 45 more. He didn’t get fussy at all. And Maya slept the entire ride. She woke up as I exited the turnpike and started to cry just when I turned on to my girlfriend’s street.
We got there Sunday night and had a nice dinner at home. Jayden had a rough time falling asleep and although I originally brought the playpen for Maya, I decided to put him in it instead. He was a little tight in there, but at least he wasn’t wondering around the house fighting sleep like he usually does. At home, I use the baby gate to keep him in his room, but I didn’t have that. (Could I have squeezed that into my car too? Never mind.)
Monday, we had a nice lazy day by the pool. I don't know how it was possible, but I forgot my camera home, but here is a picture I managed to get with my phone.
It felt so great not to rush from one place to the other to get things done. No keeping kids quiet so Daddy can get his rest. No making breakfast, no cleaning kitchen, no folding laundry, no picking up toys and food off the floor and no chasing after Rio to eat and do his business outside with the potential of being locked out of my home by my two year old son. I actually had time to drink three cups of coffee without stopping to reheat the cup 3 or 4 times. We went out for dinner and went home for TV and chit chat. It was so great to have someone entertain Jayden for a change. He loved spending time with Beth’s daughter, Sinclaire. They played in the pool, on the trampoline, on the swings, in her play kitchen, with cars and trucks and Barbie and Ken. Do kids ever get tired?Tuesday, we went to the zoo. This was Jayden’s first time at the zoo. It was pretty hot out so I didn’t stay very long. We did walk around some and Jayden was entertained by the otters, monkeys, birds and ducks. He loved walking around on his own and so did I. I was able to move Maya from the baby carrier into the stroller. We packed a lunch and had it there and afterwards we headed to the entrance. They had a huge interactive water fountain and we let the kids run around and cool off.
Jayden loved the fountain and wanted me to stay with him, but I couldn't with Maya so he didn't play very long. He didn't seem bothered by that. I think he was tired. It was close to nap time. I gave him a snack and fed Maya and hit the road.The drive back was even better. No traffic or rain. Jayden slept even longer on the way home and Maya slept the entire way. She even stayed nice and calm while I unpacked the car and fixed Jayden’s dinner. It was so great to get away and relax. I loved spending time with my girlfriend and her daughter. The weather was awesome too. Even the kids seemed easier to handle while I was away. Nothing like recharging the batteries.
