If Hadley could type or even string together more than two words, she’d tell the story of our first “Mother/Daughter + the dog” road trip something like this.
My hollering worked because the next thing I knew she was making some quick turns and parking in the McDonald’s parking lot. She grabbed Teddy’s leash to put on him, and he started making these funny noises and hopping around the car which made me giggle a lot. She let me hold the leash while we walked him, but she made me put him back in the car while we went inside to change my diaper.
I like getting my diaper changed at home, but I hate getting changed in those yucky bathrooms. The part I hate the most is when mom brings me in the stall with her and she flushes the toilet. It really scares me and I scream loud! As soon as she opens the door I’m all smiles though – that is until she turns on this loud machine that she waves her hands under after she washes them. Don’t care for that one either.
Mom let me smile at some strangers and walk around for a few minutes before putting me back in the car seat. She let me watch Mickey Mouse Clubhouse on YouTube for a while, and since she had it hooked up to the bluetooth it was like watching it with surround sound. I stayed quiet the whole time I watched it except for when Mom got a call and had to answer it, interrupting my show. In order to get her off the phone though I just screamed so she couldn’t talk. It works every time! I’m genius. I also got a little frustrated because YouTube froze a few times, but all I had to do was give the phone to the hand that would magically appear over my car seat because I knew it would soon be fixed. I’ve got Mom so figured out!
Our next stop was at Chick-Fil-A. Mom got me an apple juice, some fruit, and a few bites of her chicken, but I was so distracted by the kids in the play area! I quickly drank my apple juice and that was it! It was playtime! I tried hard to climb in the play area but I’m still waiting to grow a little bit taller.
After a few minutes in the toddler area, I got my diaper changed and we went to see Teddy. He started making so many funny noises when he saw us! Mom let me help with walking him again, and then she buckled me up, we got gas, and we were off!
I don’t remember much after Chick-Fil-A because I fell asleep for a while, but I do remember my mom making a joke with her friend on the phone about me wanting to “say hi” when I woke up crying. No mom. Not saying hi. Get off the phone and give me Mickey.
She pulled over real quick and gave me a few books and toys instead, and I was okay with that. Back on the road we go. I played for a while but eventually I just got so tired that I didn’t know what to do, so I just decided to cry. Mom was on the phone again, and I heard her tell Grandma that she was just going to let me cry until I fell asleep. Noted, Mom. So I gave up and went to sleep.
Three hours later (or so I hear) my mom woke me and got me out of my car seat again. Rude! I was sleeping! After rubbing my eyes a bit, I realized we were at my Auntie Jess’s house! We played and played until way past my bedtime, and when I finally went to bed I slept great.
The next day we played again! It was so much fun! As soon as Mom put me back in that darn car seat though I fell right asleep. How does she know me so well?! A little while later I woke up and wanted Mickey. I watched for a little while, but when it froze I got so annoyed that I threw the phone across the backseat. I immediately regretted that decision and cried again. Mom told me she didn’t care and she actually just let me cry this time. I think she just wanted to listen to Sam Hunt! Rude rude rude. Why was my screaming not working anymore? I’m so glad I found a book next to me because that kept me company until we got to Grandma and Grandpa’s house.
An encore from Teddy’s POV:
In order to fulfill my role as “man of the car” and “co-pilot”, I promptly made myself comfortable on my fluffy bed on the passenger seat and sacked out the whole trip except when I took breaks to poo and eat. I raised my eyebrows a few times at the blondie in the back when she hollered, but for the most part I did my job of being a lazy chug.
Hi! I’m Erica, and I absolutely adore sharing my life on this website with you! I come here almost daily to blab about all of the things related to being a regular wife and mother in today’s ever-evolving society. I share about our new home, what’s on our kitchen table, what we’re hanging in our closets, where we’re traveling to next, my crazy 5 a.m. work outs, how I make time for girlfriends, our faith, and much more. We always have a lot of balls in the air and somewhat thrive on the chaos. I believe in the power of story-telling as a form of inspiration and entertainment, so I’m here to do both! I was born and raised in north Alabama and recently re-planted roots here again after my husband transitioned out of the Army (he is now in the Reserve and it’s going so well!) I’m a super proud mom to three little girls (ages 7, 4, and 1) who seem to be the stars of the show around here (for good reason – they’re pretty great!) I’m so glad you found me and are here reading! I hope we can get to know each other here on the blog as well as Facebook and/or Instagram. xoxo