Near sunset on Saturday, I snapped the above photo of Jennifer fishing off the dock trying to catch bass with no-MSG/no-nitrate hot dogs.
The kids didn’t care for them either.
What the photo doesn’t communicate is the sound of the portobello and yellow onions, and the lime and rosemary marinated ribs I had sizzling on the patio grill. Or the hum of tiny fans defeated and resigned to simply move hot air around from one space to the other on the deck.
In the three hours leading up to this veil of relaxation, however, there was much tripping and falling and tears and redirecting attention. Babyhood is full of firsts, and this was our first overnight trip away from home or grandma’s with walking toddlers. And one does not appreciate the conveniences of a babyproofed home until one stays in a home that isn’t. Mateo was constantly drawn to the cabinets that had household cleaners and bug killers. At least he was kind enough to bring me the stainless steel spray bottle from who knows which room. Harper was fond of the cabinets with pyrex glassware, and of hanging on and rattling the wrought iron console table. The one with fifteen photo frames and two lamps on it.
It was quickly culminating into An Early Bedtime but from 7:15 to 10:00, Harper woke up screaming no less than six times, be it the unfamiliar shadows, or her brother’s rhythmically thumping his foot to fall asleep, or who knows what. Each time, we had to go in and hold her, and she’d fall asleep and then we’d put her down and then she’d wake up screaming shortly thereafter. The kids and I have colds, so I started to think Ear Infection, but no, I think it was being overtired combined with a new environment. She’s our more sensitive sleeper.
Somewhere between cleaning up the kitchen and showers, Jennifer and I had decided we were headed back home after breakfast the next morning. Our plans had been to stay at our friend’s lakehouse through Sunday afternoon, maybe take a dip in the lake, and generally relax with our children. BUT WHO WERE WE KIDDING?
We were home by 10:30 a.m., less than twenty hours after we had left.
8 comments
Comments feed for this article
June 29, 2009 at 10:45 am
Jeff
Our little guy got night terrors around that age sleeping somewhere unfamiliar, and cried really loud, and repeatedly. He was completely inconsolable and it was terrible, but it only happened that once.
June 29, 2009 at 10:52 am
ibcheryl
We did a vacation and they did not get settled until the last night and we are STILL trying to adjust to being home. NOT FUN!
June 29, 2009 at 11:39 am
LauraC
We had one very long week in a unbabyproofed lake cabin when the boys were 15 months old. After that, we decided we were done traveling for “us” until the boys were a bit older. We picked up travel again when they were closer to 2 and it was much more of a joy. Now at 3, traveling with them is truly relaxing as long as we let them sleep with us. And honestly, I don’t mind getting a chance to cuddle my boys!
Gorgeous photos though.
(Oh and you can use painter’s tape to tape cabinets shut without leaving marks. I always bring a roll when I travel and have yet to be asked by TSA about it.)
June 29, 2009 at 2:17 pm
meg
Do love the photos! Sorry your trip was cut a bit short and yes NON babyproofed houses do seem to make a big difference EVEN at the crawling/cruising stage!
June 29, 2009 at 3:29 pm
Krissy
“Who Were We Kidding?!” I felt the same way when we took the kids cross country at 9 months old, from Pittsburgh to California. They were up at 3am, every day. There was much frustration, exhaustion, and money spent that didn’t quite seem worth it. There was a MIL with bronchitis on the couch, and as much as we wanted to see my husband’s family, I just don’t think I would do it again. The plane ride was too long, the seating arrangements awful…basically, we haven’t traveled by plane with them since.
However, oven night trips to grandparents and aunties houses have gone extreemly well, and we will do 2-3 day weekends away, as long are they are within driving distance.
The age you are in right now is very challenging from a safety perspective. All mine wanted to do last summer was fall down steps and eat concrete! This summer, at 25 months old, I have actually sat down outside while they played. Granted, it only lasts for about 3.5 minutes, but still! Amazing!
Hope you get a chance to get away again sans kids. That property looked amazing!
June 29, 2009 at 3:38 pm
ohchicken
well it sure looked all peaceful. beautiful, beautiful shots, friend. gorgeous indeed.
June 29, 2009 at 5:17 pm
Nina
Oh – I now have a new favorite picture – with sunset! Thanks so much and sorry that you did not get chance to fully enjoy your retreat…
July 11, 2009 at 10:49 pm
momsprung
Ok, there are probably a kajillion benefits of having a 2-mom household, but after looking at these pics, I’m convinced that #1 has to be that pink polo. My hubs is downright malleable about almost everything, EXCEPT pink shirts. None for him, and none for Matthew. Makes me so sad. Maybe I’ll just have to show him that picture of Mateo. I’m sure it would change his mind because he looks freaking adorable!!!!