Surviving Vacation

We took Mallory on her first vacation this month and...we survived! I was not sure how this trip would go with a teething baby who still doesn't sleep through the night and a husband who gets crabby if he is too tired, too hot, or spends too much time trapped in a car with a woman who talks too much.

The 9 hour drive was a total success, as Mallory slept through the night for the first time EVER! I owe a huge thank you to the makers of the Britax Marathon because I believe they are entirely responsible for our peace and quiet. She never slept more than 30 minutes at a time in her old car seat.

We went by my cousin Ashleigh's house first. She lives in Hubert, NC with her hubby Casey (who is a Marine and away for the summer) and their almost 1 year old Cayman. Mallory & Cayman had a good time going for walks together each night and playing with Cayman's jumperoo.

We brought Ashleigh a peach pie from Kroger since she doesn't have Kroger in Hubert. I tried a little slice and it was yummy. More to follow on the pie.

After a few days, we went on to Myrtle Beach to meet up with our families. What a week. I saw the beach a total of 4 hours I think. Little did I know that Mallory's first tooth would be making its debut a day or two after vacation and would torment her the entire trip. She didn't sleep, refused to eat solid food, pooped every 2 hours, and screamed like a banshee every time I tried to put a bathing suit on her. So while Brian had a relaxing week of golf, fishing, and Bud Light, I had a nice view of the condo walls. Luckily, my mother-in-law took pity on me and tried to help when she could.

Did I mention I had a final exam during this week?

The highlight of the week was my quest for a peach pie like I had delivered to Ashleigh a few days earlier. On our first night at the beach, I picked up a pie labeled "peach" at Kroger. I got back to the condo and attacked that pie like I had never eaten. After shoving it violently in my mouth, I realized it was apple pie. This may not sound like a problem. However, when I have a craving I don't settle for something else. And apple is like my 2nd to least favorite pie behind pecan. I made sure everyone knew about my disappointment.

The next day, Brian and my dad went to Kroger for groceries. I told Brian to get a peach pie, and I stressed "make sure it's not APPLE." When he got back, I ripped the pie out of his hand and sniffed it...apple again. Not one but TWO labels on the container mocked me by clearly stating "peach pie."

For the rest of the week, I heard comments such as "I think I'll go have a piece of peach pie" or "What would YOU like for dessert Erin?" Good thing I have a sense of humor. By the time I got home, I was obsessed with peach pie. I finally got my long awaited peach pie this week, and I was not let down. It is delicious, and it makes up for every bit of the struggle.

All in all, the first vacation with baby was a lot of work when I add up all the hours I spent packing, unpacking, washing her clothes, cleaning up poop & puke, lathering her in sunscreen, squeezing her immense fat rolls into teeny swimsuits, and trying to convince her in a frantic whisper to "please go to sleep before you wake the entire condo." It was still a GOOD vacation though. Yes my husband is grouchy & doesn't always recognize that I need help with the baby, and yes the baby makes me exhausted and bonkers when she gets in these moods. Each of us were healthy enough to make the trip, we got to spend the week with our families, and Mallory got to see the beach for the first time. Pain in the butt or not, the time together is precious. Can't wait to go again next year.