Fall Trip

Vi at the County Library.

Vi and went up to visit my mother and family last Wednesday, and we came back on Sunday night. It's a four hour drive each way and usually Vi sleeps for three hours of the four and fusses for one hour. She is still rear facing in her carseat even though she is greater than the one year and 20 lbs needed to turn it forward facing. There has been a rash of articles lately saying that leaving forward facing as long as possible is best. However, this new research doesn't take into account that the carseats have not been redesigned for long legs and growing bodies to be rear facing. Her legs are quite cramped. The ride up was okay; I left after half a day of work on Wednesday during her nap time. Unfortunately, I had to stop for gas at the 1.5 hour mark which woke her up resulting in her fussing and whining for the next 2.5 hours.

On the way home, I again left at nap time. She slept for almost 2 hours then woke up and started fussing. When it escalated, I gave her a ton of Cheerios in her car seat and her sippy cup which kept her occupied for almost an additional 30 minutes. Then the all out screaming started approximately 30 minutes from home. But we made it!

It was fairly cool up in Northern Michigan and rainy some days. I took Vi to my childhood Public Library and she played with the toys and books which we both enjoyed. She received loads and loads of attention from family and friends and just thrived on it. My mum and sister have found various toys at garage sales and the like for her, so she had all new toys in an all new environment. She ate well - she can feed herself a few things now. All in all - it was a nice trip. Weather could have been much better, and the ride smoother, but it was nice to get away.