Roadtrip

We did it. We left the state. And it was enjoyable. Whew.

Let me be clear, I know I worry too much about things. I know that I am an over-planner. I know that I tend to be a perfectionist. I know that these things don't necessarily coincide with effective parenting.

After being back from Korea for three months, we decided to take Jaden on a five-hour drive to see my parents and stay for two nights. My sister and her family were going to come as well. It had potential to be very fun for all involved.

But, here was my vision: A car ride full of screaming, crying, and despair on Jaden's part which would have translated into me pulling off the road in the middle of Iowa to let him play with pigs every ten minutes to satiate his need to see SOMETHING besides open prairie and semi trucks. I was anticipating two nights of sleeplessness akin to what we experienced upon first arriving back home. I was convinced that Jaden would have an episode of massive sleep regression. I was fully prepared to survive on 3 hours of sleep. I envisioned surviving the weekend, enjoying seeing my parents and sister's family, and then getting home and collapsing for 48 hours. I went so far as to clear my pathetic social calendar on Monday to allow for recovery time.

In reality, everything was fine. I know this is shocking. It did take an extra hour to get to our destination, because fast food isn't so fast with an 11-month old. But Jaden was perfectly content in the car. He slept, he played, he "talked"...kind of like he does everyday. He slept fine both nights in the attic bedroom. His cousins properly exhausted him, and he napped like a champ as well. He got to play outside because my parents don't live in the frozen tundra like we do. It was in the mid-60s on Saturday and Jaden went outside for the first time without a coat and hat. He was mesmerized by this thing on the ground...grass. Honestly, are we damaging him by living so far north? That is beside the point. He was fine.
Have I learned my lesson? We'll see. The next challenge is getting the nerve to leave the house for *gasp*date night (or afternoon coffee?) with my husband...alone.