Have Toddler, Will Travel: Step One.

Whoever said a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step did not have a toddler. I ran away this weekend. We went on a three hour drive to visit a family friend up north. I thought it would be relaxing, but in general I didn't think too much, logistically or in general.

I got help to straighten up the house this morning because Mike was sick in bed. These are the worst days for me since my back surgery. Even if Mike isn't being helpful there is the potential that at some point in the day he will be. It's worse than the days he works at the office because at least I can plan ahead for those. When all the sudden I'm on my own I have alot of anxiety. The house was of course was wrecked.

I put up the Bat Signal and I was soon delegating tasks from the couch. The floor got picked up and vacuumed, the garbage went out, lunch got made and Riley went down for a nap. It was an amazingly productive few hours. When Riley woke up we were headed to a play date where we were promised brownies.

It was when I was on the way there (an hour later thank you, toddler time) that I was invited to get out of Dodge with Miss Roo. I came home from the play date hours later and rushed around getting us packed. I know a weekend is no big deal when you're single, but taking a 1yr old to house that doesn't have one requires extra packing. I was worried about her having a place to sleep. She could eat in my lap all weekend if it came to it,but she's long since passed the days of sleeping with mommy. She needs her own space to flail and roll. Our pack and play was a must.

When my mom was ready to hit the road our dinner was almost done cooking. It was already dark so we opted to go, leaving behind a home cooked meal for some fast food  on the way. This also meant squishing me in next to the car seat in the back to feed Riley. This as it turns out was unbelievably uncomfortable undertaking.

We hit the golden arches before we got on the highway. I have gotten Riley Happy Meals before and usually chicken nuggets are the best bet, but lately whenever we feed her something different and Mom or Dad has a burger she goes nuts until we give her a bite. She's been eating like a lumberjack lately. I suspect another growth spurt. I ordered her a cheeseburger with apples instead of fries. Low and behold, they actually gave me apples for the first time ever (I've been requesting them for big brother for years and the ONLY time I make it home with apples is when I've had the wherewithal to check and swap).

There I sat  feeling regretful about my busy day, my squished position and the fast food I had just ingested when my back decided to inform me it had had quite enough today. I was busy trying to get my body to relax a bit and save the new car seat from Riley's chocolate milk and there wasn't much I could do. My first tip for a car trip with a toddler bring extra sippys I wish I had thought to bring some of our take and toss cups. She was doing beautifully and I was swelling with pride that she was such a good girl.

Just like Boston weather the toddler is a changeable creature. I think that the novelty of a Happy Meal in the back seat wore off and the burger's excessive rather than absent onions become a problem. I also think fatigue was getting the better off both of us. I supplemented the over-onioned burger with some chicken and apples. She ate well and by the time she flailed and spilled a significant amount of chocolate milk on the side of her body I couldn't reach (of course) we were both ready for bed.

At that point my pain was unbearable and I was biting my lip to keep myself from tears. We stopped at a gas station so we could get the baby situated and I could move up front. More tips: put the baby in pajamas before you put her in the car seat and only stay in the back seat for brief periods. It was much easier and more comfortable to entertain her from the passenger seat and it's too exciting to sleep with Mommy right there.

Once my pajama-ed Riley-pie was settled and I was in the front knocking back more Advil things calmed down alot. Of course I had no idea that while she slept her white pajamas where soaking up chocolate milk. It was dark so I had no idea how bad the spill was. Mother of the year, I know. I was in the front seat shallowly breathing through the horrific spasms my back seat time had wrought and wondering when I became one of those "I don't sleep on the floor/sit  in the backseat" people .

We were winding back through the dark woods when Riley started wailing. Not whimpering or fussing, but wailing like a Banshee. It was impossible to tell whether she was really awake or sleep crying. I talked to her, squeezed her foot, sang a song and adjusted her piggy pillow to no avail. True to some baby union bylaw Riley screamed until we got the end of the driveway and then as soon as we were no long looking for street signs in the dark woods she resumed soundly sleeping.

Somehow the sleeping baby and pack and play made it inside, but more incredibly I was able under my own power, barely, to get to the bed. At which point I discovered it was a foot taller than I was and sent everyone searching for a stool. Once I was in (and knew I could get out) I held back tears of pain and overwhelming fatigue long enough to call Mike and tell him we made it. After I hang up the phone I rolled over to turn off the lamp discovered some books that belong to my honorary aunt's 8yr old granddaughter. I had no choice but to read the Amelia Bedilia book (don't you love her?) cover to cover. Ah, memories. I was out cold by 10:30.

For those of you who were brave enough to try, what are you're best car trip tips?