Just, You Know, Don’t Expect Us to be Moving Very Fast

By Megan

You know what may turn out to be the best thing about my family’s little trip down South last month? Not the sun, or the sand, or the visiting with family, or even the pound after pound of fresh, delicious seafood, but this: Long about mid-trip, I looked over at Al, and he met my gaze across the cluttered chasm between his seat and mine in our rental van, and I exclaimed in a slightly breathless-with-epiphany tone, “Honey. We can do stuff again!”

And yes! We can! Because we survived 32 hours worth of hard-core driving, sleeping in hotel rooms, and schlepping 500 lbs. worth of baby- and kid-related paraphenalia in and out of every Cracker Barrel between here and Asheville, North Carolina, and you know what? It wasn’t even THAT bad. Cross-country traveling with a four year old and a seven month old? Definitely doable with the right attitude and plenty of planning. A little day or weekend trip? Heh! Piece of cake.

We’re a family of four, people, and look out, because we’re mobile again.

So this Saturday, when Al and I woke up to the trippy-trapping of Bean’s feet sneaking into our bedroom and took a look out the window to see blue skies and the promise of a beautiful early spring day, I suggested a day trip up to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, a pretty little town cozied up next to a big lake, the quaint streets lined with shops and restaurants, its atmosphere relaxed but upbeat, as you’d expect of a resort town. We had ourselves ready and the kids breakfasted and dressed and buckled into their seats in time to make the quick little drive across the state border and around and down into the lake’s peaceful basin in time for an early lunch at a bustling restaurant overlooking the water.

After lunch, we ambled around town pushing the kids in the stroller, checking out the shops, making a small, fun, impulsive purchase or two. In one store, I found some inexpensive hand-beaded bracelets and bought a matching set for Bean and me. I presented hers to her as we sat on a bench in the sun, and she gave me this huge, happy hug. I know I’ll think of that sweet hug every time I wear my own bracelet. Well worth the few dollars spent.

After a little while, Peabody nodded off in the stroller for his afternoon nap, those sweet little blue eyes just drooping, and drooping, and finally, plop! They fell shut, and he was in dreamland. Al, Bean and I carried on with our walking and talking and looking around until we came across a coffee shop and decided to sit for awhile at a table in the warm sun. Peabody awoke as I was finishing my coffee and I was able to nurse him blissfully al fresco as a gentle breeze stirred the soft little curls on the top of his head.

As the afternoon became early evening, we lazily climbed back into the car and made the short drive home holding hands but quiet in the front seat, as the kids both grabbed short naps. I looked across at Al once more and smiled. “We can do stuff again,” I murmured happily, as my mind wandered on into spring and summer, planning trips to the zoo, and the botanic gardens, and beautiful downtown Chicago, and on and on. Al just nodded and patted my hand.

We’re a family of four, y’all. See you around town.

Megan also blogs at FriedOkra.

12 Responses to Just, You Know, Don’t Expect Us to be Moving Very Fast
  1. Tracey
    March 23, 2009 | 9:33 am

    Congratulations! Now that our girls are eight and six, we can do a whole lot – and love it!! See you around town!

  2. Kelly
    March 23, 2009 | 10:37 am

    That’s an exhilarating feeling, isn’t it? Especially after the cloistered months of mothering a newborn.

    Welcome back to the outside world! It’s almost spring. You couldn’t have picked a better time to return.

  3. Courtney
    March 23, 2009 | 3:30 pm

    my husband and I always talk about how we can travel and do stuff with our little man now. but recently we have also been discussing #2, so this maybe short lived for us. But many congrats to you. enjoy it!

  4. edj
    March 23, 2009 | 3:41 pm

    YAAY! Feels good, doesn’t it?

  5. Megan
    March 23, 2009 | 11:12 pm

    Sounds GORGEOUS. I’m glad y’all went. Can’t wait to hear more adventures soon!

  6. megryansmom
    March 25, 2009 | 11:08 am

    Maybe we’ll bump into you at Brookfield Zoo someday, I highly recommend purchasing the members package, well worth it 🙂

  7. Valerie
    March 26, 2009 | 8:05 pm

    Loved this post!! It is great when you can feel mobile again. Glad you all had a great family weekend. I am looking forward to getting out with the family now that spring is finally here!!

  8. Jennifer
    March 29, 2009 | 10:58 pm

    I remember the day I “turned the corner” after my 3rd was born. I have a picture of it in my scrapbook.

    And now he’s 7. Blink – of – an – eye.

    Now it gets fun, Megan! Enjoy.

    Jen

  9. Anna K.
    March 30, 2009 | 6:40 pm

    We JUST had (as in last Saturday) our second child and we’re having fun adjusting to getting two children out the door. It’s not as daunting as I thought it would be. Of course, this is with the Hubby helping me…we’ll see how it goes when I’m alone. *nervous giggle*

  10. Carrie
    April 2, 2009 | 4:33 pm

    Megan, that’s wonderful. I’m glad your family is adjusting to being a family of four. I totally know exactly what you mean – my little one is 15 months, and every time he enters a new stage, it’s like, “Okay, we can do MORE stuff now…” 🙂

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