This summer we will spend it in the Dirty South.
On Saturday May 29, Jason, Deacon and I left for our 3-day road trip to McComb, Mississippi.
A few nights prior to leaving, Deacon had been waking up more than normal in the middle of the night, crying out in pain. He was his happy self during the days sometimes acting a little more fussy and clingy—but around 7 months we read that babies go through that stage—so didn’t think much of it. He didn’t have a temperature but Jason and I both noticed that he would tug more at his ear {he will sometimes do that when he’s tired}. So before we drove out of state I took him into the Urgent Care Saturday morning…just as suspected, the poor little guy had an ear infection.
Just Great. Not the best news with traveling.
We picked up his prescription, gave him some Tylenol, packed up the car and made our way out of Az. We drove 8 hours on day one. Luckily we only had to stop three times with the last stop being our final destination in Van Horn, Texas. We had traveled the deserts of Arizona, New Mexico and finally made our way into Texas. What a trooper that little guy was!
Sunday. May 30. Day 2.
It was a bit longer; driving the whole time through Texas, more than 9 hours but once again Deacon did great-(& only stopping 3 times) -- until that last 40-45mins. As we were heading to my aunt and uncles in Houston for the night, he just lost it. It was just like something from a movie; in a new city, searching for freeways, trying to pay attention to street signs, calming a crying baby and driving in the pouring rain. It was quite a drive.
{no pictures of New Mexico & Texas cause the camera was packed away somewhere in the car. =(--we'll have to take some on our way back...plus, in the words of my mom, "its much prettier once you get past San Antonio." ha.ha.}
Earlier that day as we were making our way to the next town, Jason and I looked at each other and knew that Deacon had a ‘pooper’. Holding our breath we finally made it to where we’d stop to eat some lunch. We pulled D out of his car seat and oh man! There was poop everywhere! Apparently ‘someone’ (I think it was me) didn’t put the diaper on straight and it made quite the mess. All over his car seat, his legs, his shorts, his little onesie. Yuck! Jason held him up while I carefully removed the layers & gave him a little bath of baby wipes right there in the parking lot. After he was all cleaned up he was sitting in the front passenger seat facing out, while I searched for a new diaper just as I was about to turn and put it on him he shot the longest, largest stream of pee. {just to give a little visual.. if there were a car parked next to us, it definitely would have hit the car door}. It was hilarious. And there our little naked D sat with a perfectly happy, content look on his face.
It took Jason a minute to find the camera, so most of it dried up. But that wet spot on the concrete, yep, that was from Deacon.
Craziest Sonic we've ever seen...an inside eating area with a playground. Strange.
Monday. May 31. Day 3.
We thought that by day three of being stuck in his car seat he throw a fit when we put him in there, but he was happy & laughing when we left the next morning. With only 6 hours of traveling {making our way out of Texas, through Louisiana and into Mississippi} before meeting up with the guys it was a great last leg of the journey. Jason and I were both antsy with it getting so close. I’ve been through Texas before, years ago, but never have driven beyond. And, Oh my gosh what a sight! Jason and I were just blown away with Louisiana. Half of the I-10 is a bridge over rivers and marshes. It was beautiful. But we both thought kind of funny-we had our eyes out on the look out for the Gators and were hoping for NO hurricanes.
To the left of that grey truck is ocean.
On the bridge over the marshes & half of Louisiana.
The Mississippi River.
That saying, ‘when it rains, it pours’ could never be more true here in the south. We were driving through Louisiana and saw a dark cloud coming our way; it was either smog or rain. A few minutes later a few raindrops hit the windshield and not more than 10 seconds later we could barely see the car in front of us. It was raining SO hard. [We prayed. At least I did.] We were a little scared. Shortly after that cloud passed over us. And we were seeing the sun once again.
After getting settled in the hotel Monday evening in McComb Mississippi, we heard sirens. Jason immediately thought, “TORNADO!” {it had been cloudy} I tried to calm his nerves with “maybe its just a drill, to make sure they are working like they do in Hawaii.” Come to find out, sure enough Jason as right—it was a Tornado warning. Thankfully it was just a warning. The storm had passed and we were safe.
Although we were both really nervous with driving for 3 days with a 7 ½ month old, Deacon did great! We had to stop about every 3 hours to let the little guy out of his car seat and stretch. He was the happiest little dude on earth when we took him out. Giving us big hugs and smiles. He even went back in his seat in pretty good spirits. He was a very good napper too—sleeping about 2 hours then just entertaining himself for an hour when he’d wake up. We are both thankful that he did so well!
Jason and I will be married for 4 years come this November, and this was our first road trip together {the hour long trips into Honolulu when we lived in Hawaii don’t count}. It was a great trip. With Jason studying like a mad man & us barely seeing each other over the past 2 months, it was so fun to be able to talk and laugh together. And just enjoy each other’s company. He was crackin' me up with his critiques of each state we'd pass through, "I don't like New Mexico, I don't like Texas, I don't like Louisiana." Due to crazy drivers, bumps on the interstate, or getting confused with directions. [I'm a pretty good navigator, but he just wouldnt trust me.] I love him. So grateful for my best friend.
So here we are. Already moved to our second hotel, the Days Inn {not the nicest, but recently renovated and with being in a little town what do you expect} and a little bit further north, Brookhaven, MS. The managers put Jason in quite the area yesterday. The guys each have a section of neighborhoods in the towns and he was working close to the projects. He said as it started to get dark with the sun setting he had a couple of older people tell him he should get out of the area. He was waiting for his ride & one told him while he was waiting “you should go hide in the field”. Luckily he made it home safe. This summer will be an adventure that’s for sure.
While he’s out during the day and until the sun sets Deacon & I get to sit in the hotel. We would enjoy some time outside, maybe pool side, but with it being the start of hurricane season for the past 2 days it has been cloudy with rain in the afternoons/evenings. Deacon and I play together and when he naps, since I didn’t bring my sewing machine, I decided it would be a great time to read, journal by way of blogging and enjoy a nap myself.
So here’s to a summer of working & hotel living in the South.
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