Lessons from Joshua’s first real road trip

So we learned a lot from Joshua’s first vacation trip.  I can’t count Pennsylvania Amish Country as Joshua was still an infant and did not recognize many people, plus it was only one night.  Still, this trip was useful in many ways.

First, we learned Joshua is now at an age where he has trouble napping in the car.  This became a problem, especially on the return trip and especially as we were trying to cross the Bay Bridge.  Joshua was very upset, which made driving for me and calming down tasks for Liz very difficult.  At home it’s easy:  put Joshua in the crib and he will fall asleep.  It also didn’t help that Joshua could not watch his TV shows.  A portable DVD player will help on the next long trip…

Second, we learned Joshua can sleep in his pack and play and in a hotel.  It may not be the best sleeping conditions, but he could sleep through the night.  It also probably helped that he knew Mommy and Daddy were nearby.  This was a great fear of ours considering Joshua has never really slept in the pack and play before.

Third, Joshua hates very hot weather.  The fact that Maryland was having a triple-digit heat wave made us all miserable from 10 am to 6 pm each day.  But Joshua really hated it.  Most times we got him out of the car before we turned off the car and A/C.

Finally, Joshua is now at an age where he wants to move.  Extended times in his car seat and staying in a cramped hotel room made Joshua fussy.  Even when we went out, there was little for Joshua to move around.  By the time our next road trip commences, there is a good chance that Joshua will be walking, so restricted movement will be a problem.

It’s a good thing our next road trip will be in September, when the weather will be a little cooler.  The bad news:  the next trip, which will be in September to Atlanta, takes 12 hours.  Honey, we made need a lot of DVDs on this trip…