Christmas is over... Christmas decorations are packed up for the year, Mr. Elf is back in the North Pole with Santa and we headed to Pittsburgh to see Aunt Kimmie, Uncle Marc, Angelina, & Gabriella ("
lina" and "
bella" as Owen calls his cousins)... to bring in the new year! With the car packed, we left Charlotte around 4pm. An hour later, we finally made it to Lake Norman (just north of Charlotte). Erik had already taken his "car nap" and asked if we were still on I77 when he woke (his nap must have been really good). About 1 1/2 hours after leaving (6 1/2 to go), exit 36 and we stopped for dinner. Anyone driving on a 7-8 hour car ride with two small kids knows that you prefer to actually make it down the road several hours (and miles) before having to stop. We stopped for dinner (in
Mooresville)... eager to get
back on the road, I squeezed between two car seats and fed the kids. About 20 minutes later, Camden was not happy... we stopped for diaper changes. At this point, it feels like we have been on the road for hours but only traveled 60 miles. Once we got settled back in the car and the kids got comfortable (around 9pm)... they slept (I slept) and we still managed to make it to Pittsburgh in 8 hours. Owen & Camden didn't go to bed until 1:30am and we followed shortly after. With Erik & I in the bed, Camden in a pack-n-play on my side and Owen in a pack-n-play on the opposite side of the room... we absolutely do not want either to make a sound when sleeping. 3am, Owen is screaming and staring at us and shortly after, Camden starts. I'll spare you the details, but let's say that sleeping with a 2 yr old and a 7 month old does not give YOU (the parents) a peaceful night sleep. We made it work and had a
great time, but bedtime was tricky every night (especially when Camden goes to bed 1 1/2 hours earlier than Owen). We spent a day at Erik's Aunt Betsy's house, Erik was able to freeze outside but enjoyed riding the dirt bike. Owen enjoyed watching daddy come and go and loved sitting on the bike. We stopped at Aunt Helene's & Uncle John's house to see their trains and other collections. The best part of the trip was seeing SNOW and letting Owen play outside! It was time to head back to Charlotte. We packed up the car, Owen and the girls played outside (hopes of exhausting him). We got to start the car and it won't start! Battery is completely dead and the jumper cables are packed in the back under toys and suitcases. Car starts, Owen & Camden fall asleep immediat
ely, the trip was great. Owen slept for 3 1/2 hours and Camden slept, ate, and played quietly. We were on the home stretch, 2 hours to go (the drive totally only 7 hours... what great time we were making) and then it happened. Owen threw up all over himself and his car seat. A stop at a the travel center, a bucket and rag purchase, change of clothes, and a soaking wet (and smelly) car seat... 45 minutes later we were back on the road. Owen seemed fine and loved that he got to sit in daddy's seat in the car while mommy cleaned the mess. Almost home, a quick stop at
Bubba's house completed our trip.
Christmas is over... Christmas decorations are packed up for the year, Mr. Elf is back in the North Pole with Santa and we headed to Pittsburgh to see Aunt Kimmie, Uncle Marc, Angelina, & Gabriella ("lina" and "bella" as Owen calls his cousins)... to bring in the new year! With the car packed, we left Charlotte around 4pm. An hour later, we finally made it to Lake Norman (just north of Charlotte). Erik had already taken his "car nap" and asked if we were still on I77 when he woke (his nap must have been really good). About 1 1/2 hours after leaving (6 1/2 to go), exit 36 and we stopped for dinner. Anyone driving on a 7-8 hour car ride with two small kids knows that you prefer to actually make it down the road several hours (and miles) before having to stop. We stopped for dinner (in Mooresville)... eager to get
back on the road, I squeezed between two car seats and fed the kids. About 20 minutes later, Camden was not happy... we stopped for diaper changes. At this point, it feels like we have been on the road for hours but only traveled 60 miles. Once we got settled back in the car and the kids got comfortable (around 9pm)... they slept (I slept) and we still managed to make it to Pittsburgh in 8 hours. Owen & Camden didn't go to bed until 1:30am and we followed shortly after. With Erik & I in the bed, Camden in a pack-n-play on my side and Owen in a pack-n-play on the opposite side of the room... we absolutely do not want either to make a sound when sleeping. 3am, Owen is screaming and staring at us and shortly after, Camden starts. I'll spare you the details, but let's say that sleeping with a 2 yr old and a 7 month old does not give YOU (the parents) a peaceful night sleep. We made it work and had a
great time, but bedtime was tricky every night (especially when Camden goes to bed 1 1/2 hours earlier than Owen). We spent a day at Erik's Aunt Betsy's house, Erik was able to freeze outside but enjoyed riding the dirt bike. Owen enjoyed watching daddy come and go and loved sitting on the bike. We stopped at Aunt Helene's & Uncle John's house to see their trains and other collections. The best part of the trip was seeing SNOW and letting Owen play outside! It was time to head back to Charlotte. We packed up the car, Owen and the girls played outside (hopes of exhausting him). We got to start the car and it won't start! Battery is completely dead and the jumper cables are packed in the back under toys and suitcases. Car starts, Owen & Camden fall asleep immediat
ely, the trip was great. Owen slept for 3 1/2 hours and Camden slept, ate, and played quietly. We were on the home stretch, 2 hours to go (the drive totally only 7 hours... what great time we were making) and then it happened. Owen threw up all over himself and his car seat. A stop at a the travel center, a bucket and rag purchase, change of clothes, and a soaking wet (and smelly) car seat... 45 minutes later we were back on the road. Owen seemed fine and loved that he got to sit in daddy's seat in the car while mommy cleaned the mess. Almost home, a quick stop at Bubba's house completed our trip.
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