Jackson's First Road Trip!

While we likely could have picked a more exciting destination than Bartlesville, OK - it is where the heart is that settles the destination. With Jeff still living in OK Monday through Friday, and missing his son extremely (well, before we got here, more on that later)... Anyway, after our interview on Monday 2/23, we packed up (a four hour adventure in memories, as both of us had totally forgotten how much time and stuff it takes to travel with an infant)... I hate to mention how spoiled I had been wit packing in less than an hour and hitting the road. So, four hours later... we departed the house sometime after 1 pm for our 10hour drive (without stops, as previously traveled)... We were both tired already... so here we were in Jeff's truck: Jackson and I in the backseat, Jeff driving, two labs in the bed in their kennels, and we were packed in a style reminiscent of the Beverly Hill Billies (minus the rocker with Granny of course)... We were piled so high on the left I couldn't see out the left side of the truck in the back seat... and Jeff kept saying things like: oh, look at that house or did you see that, or look at that car next to us - FUNNY~ still can't see anything on the left Jeff! Anyway, we stopped in Buffalo for a feeding and diaper change... the dogs got a break in a mini dog park area at the local DQ... I also got a chocolate shake... YUM! Back on the road it was... we stopped in Allen, TX for dinner at Chipotle, which happens to be Jeff's favorite traveling food stop... not mine for sure... and really not easy to eat while holding a baby! After dinner, we really were feeling tired. The stress of the interview for the adoption process, packing up all that crap, driving and driving... anyway, we had to make a decision.... the next 5-6 hours of the drive would be boring with few places to stop... so, all things considered and Mr Fussy Pants time not yet arrived, we decided to stop... find a hotel that takes (big) dogs, and pack it in for the night... We ended up at the Best Western Suites (not a bad place actually.... we were both pleasantly surprised at how nice the place was) and they allowed the dogs... so two queen beds and 30 minutes of unpacking... followed by a couple of dogs walks for facility locating... we were set for bed. I got the awesome privilege of sleeping with my favorite little guy and the only problem that posed was when Jeff started snoring (LOUDLY) - I had to get out of my warn bed, walk across the room, and make him roll over... this happened several times through the night! Jackson had his little sleep with adults hard sided co sleeper thing (as pictured above) and he was set... and safe from his exhausted mommy rolling on top of him! The bonus of this whole set up? Mr Fussy Pants time lasted less than 30 minutes! YAY! That was a blessing.... and off to sleep went.

Then, we were happily rested in the morning to continue the drive... (doesn't Jeff look totally rested above???) Laughing... Needless to say, he went back to bed until around 10 am... then we resumed packing up (again) - missed breakfast altogether, but were back on the road by noon! YAY! And Jackson slept the entire way to OK.... with only one stop for a diaper change and bottle. He is such a great traveler... the hardest part really is the planning and packing... dang, he needs a lot of stuff! LOL! And, pictured below is my little monkey his first morning waking up in Bartlesville, OK. What a great memory.... at least Jeff is in a little house now (I mean LITTLE) and it has central heat! Way better than Dad's 19 foot travel trailer for visiting! The weather had been warm until last night when it dropped to 30 degrees (Fahrenheit)... But, i is reminiscent of our first condo together (albeit a lot smaller...laughing). Just glad to have the weekend with Jeff... glad today is Friday and he will be off work and ready to spend some time with us, without the drive to Houston!!! On a side note... I am missing Katy... I love it there... missing my friends and family and support system... I am a little like a fish out of water in this element... And there is the added bonus of getting to see my brother this weekend and he will meet his new nephew!! YAY!