So Theta Moms, my planned time for this past week actually has been planned since the beginning of the summer. My husband and I reserved two nights down in Atlantic City, NJ.
The master plan was to drop the kids at my parents’ house since they live within an hour of AC (so in the event of an emergency, this would be an adequate driving distance). My husband and I needed this getaway more than ever before. You know the deal…when you need to re-group, re-energize and just get some quality alone time. Staying at a posh hotel with a pool was certainly an added bonus! So here’s what we encountered as we embarked on this magical journey…
We were running so late. Trying to pack for a couple of nights for two children (one of whom is a baby) is like packing for 5 weeks for 5 children. Seriously! I needed two gates, the bouncy, the portable high chair, the stroller, the entire crib ensemble, diapers, formula, bottles, and the list goes on and on…As we finally packed the car, we buckled the kids in and we were off. And yes, that’s just about the exact time when the rain began to fall. It was beyond ridiculous how hard it was raining.
My parents’ home is about an hour away from ours, and although we were already 45 minutes into the trip, we were nowhere near their house. The traffic that evening on the Garden Sate Parkway was horrendous. This typical one hour drive was about to easily turn into three…
And then it happened.
My little baby girl, all comfy in her car seat (still facing backwards)…vomited.
Everywhere.
More than once.
Her entire lunch of sweet potatoes and green beans now decorated her shirt and piles of it could be found from her neck down to her toes.
We immediately pulled over to the side of the highway. Frantically, I opened the door to make sure she was alright. In doing so, I was instantly soaked from the heavy rain that was falling. She appeared to be ok, but was obviously shaken and upset. I ran to the trunk to find some wipes or anything that I could find to try and clean her up. My feet were surrounded in puddles of water and at this point, I was completely drenched. Aside from the rain hitting the car, the only other sound I could hear was coming from the harsh cries of my daughter.
I finally found some wipes through the mountains of baggage shoved in the back and I did the best job I could to clean her up under those lovely conditions. As I was wiping her down, cars were slowly driving past and the rain continued to beat down my neck and back. This was the moment that I thought, even when you have a “perfect” plan, children seem to have another plan for you…
Needless to say, we eventually made it to my parents’ house, but I wasn’t comfortable leaving my baby girl. I had to be sure the vomiting incident was just a moment of car sickness and not something more….So, we ended up forgoing our first night of paradise.
We were so disappointed.
But I knew if we had gone, I wouldn’t have enjoyed myself because I would have been preoccupied and worried about her…so what fun would that be?
Luckily, she slept through the night and she woke up happy as a clam, looking just perfect! My husband and I quickly packed up shop and darted out the door, knowing everything was a-ok.
Upon arrival to Atlantic City right down to the time we left, we soaked it all in and had the BEST time. We spent quality time together away from the kids. It felt like we were back on our honeymoon, it was that good…So, aside from the hiccup we experienced the day before, the time spent away together was totally worth it!
So, how did you spend your ONE hour? If you didn’t get to it this week, what do you plan to do for next week? If that’s too much to think about, have you ever experienced this craziness with your own kids when you’ve tried to plan a fun night out?
What a nightmare start but I'm so glad it all ended up so wonderfully!
We used to live in New Jersey and driving down to Atlantic City was one of my favorite things to do. I just loved it there.
I only lived out east for 9 months but I have to say that I feel we took advantage of the location while there. We went all over the place!
I would love to have a weekend away but i'm not sure I could leave my little one yet.
Sorry to hear your trip got off to a rough start. At least it worked out in the end. Glad your baby girl is OK!
I remember having to travel with all that stuff. Now that my youngest is 3, we are down to two kids suitcases, a duffel bag and a booster seat. Oh and a shoe box full of matchbox cars
"The traffic that evening on the Garden Sate Parkway was horrendous." Doesn't that go without saying?!
Kids always seem to make the biggest messes at the worst possible times. I'm glad that she was okay and the rest of your getaway was terrific!
Oh wow! I'm so glad you made it to your destination ok and had a great time! I know what you mean about packing being such an effort as I have 6 of us to pack for! No fun! We don't go away over night often! I'm glad your little one was ok though. I probably would have stayed with her that first night as well.
Oh I so would love to visit Jersey this time of year!! I hear it is magnificent!! So glad the "sick" car ride turned out okay. I know how the packing is…twins is like packing for Safari with all of their gear! You are amazing sister!! Enjoy your Theta Mom Thursday!!
MUWAH!!
Thanks for the award!
Well, I don't think I'll get my hour this week, but your story reminds of when my husband and I planned our first trip away from our (at the time) only child…. We went to las Vegas (many hundred miles from where we live) only to get a phone call two days into the vacation that our son had been admitted to the hospital with a severe case of rotavirus. To make matters worse, we could not catch a flight out until the next day. Even then the flight we COULD get was flying into a town over 400 miles from our home so we had to rent a car from there and drive the rest of the way home. Needless to say it was a while before we went that far again!
I'm so glad you were able to get away with your hubby!! Kids do have a way of altering "your best laid plans"! My 1 hour this week is kind of a cheat – my hubby has been traveling for work so hasn't been home this week – so I stayed up extra late the other night and finished the book I was reading – although I was tired the next day, it was so relaxing to read in my bed w/o him snoring next to me – lol!
Oh, you poor Mama. Just know you were not alone. I was headed to CT w. my family to get dropped off for a girls' weekend, and my daughter threw up like 3-4x on the ride North. I didn't want to leave her, but as she was with my hubby and headed to my parents' house, I caved and did what my husband suggested, and I went! I had a great weekend, and I'm glad in the end you did, too. It sooo sucks when they are sick, and most especially in the car. Awful. Poor them, and poor us!
So glad you got to finally enjoy some time together. It is always worth it. Hubby and I share a movie together every night.
I'm glad you still got to go, even if it wasn't for as long as you hoped. Kids have amazing resilience – something upsets them, they vomit it up and an hour later they're fine! Of course, it doesn't make you feel OK!
That is so sad! I hate when something like that happens. So many moms probably wouldn't have stayed with their babies.
My mom and dad had my boys over tonight for a "slumber party."
You know what me and my husband did?
Sat at home, ate Cheerios for dinner and wondered what the kids were up to. Sad, huh? We just didn't have the energy for anything more creative.
Macey
i am so glad baby is ok.. I absolutely love A.C. Hubby and I are taking an alone trip in Oct..(our first one)..I am really happy you had a great time….i just want you to know your blog is amazing!!!
natalee http://totmama.blogspot.com/
Awww…so sorry to hear about that! What a bummer. Those getaways are definitely important. Hope your daughter feels better.
OH My…..always happens! Glad you had fun in the end. My hubby and I are planning a trip to Vegas in November with baby in tow lets see what happens.
What a great ending to a horrific start. My hubby and I need to do a getaway with just the two of us. It's a great way to recharge.
Thanks for stopping by my blog, I am so glad you like, and excited that you have joined in on the SWAP too!
I'm glad your daughter wasn't too sick and that you and your husband got to spend some alone time together. I look forward to getting to know you! 
Glad things worked out. Thanks for stopping by my blog. I'll be back to visit soon.
Wow, what a way to begin a get-a-way. Glad it all worked out for everyone. My hubby and I packed up and headed out for 4 nights this summer, no kids in tow. I felt guilty at first, but it was SO wonderful that guilt flew out the window quickly. We all need that time for two.
Thanks for stopping by my blog. Your's is lots of fun! I'm be back!
My son occasionally does the same thing. It never lasts, but he just empties his tummy in the car. It is so nice!
I am glad you were able to enjoy the next day!
for you…
http://theredheadriter.blogspot.com/2009/08/secrets-friends-and-sharing.html
The idea of a baby in my backseat facing away from me is just terrifying for exactly that reason. I'm so glad she was ok.
Stopping by from SITS rollcall to say hello!
Your poor baby. Glad she felt better quickly.
Tania (via SITS)
Your poor baby. Glad she felt better quickly.
Tania (via SITS)
Hi there!!I remember those random vomit incidents. I always felt to so bad for them, and plus the smell of it too!! I'm glad she ended up being okay, and that you and your hubby were able to at least spend one day there together!!
Thank you for stopping by my blog! I love meeting new bloggy gals!!
Glad you guys finally made it to AC and that you had such a great time. It is amazing what a night away can do for you!
Next weekend the hubby and I are heading to NYC for a Yankee game and dinner/stay in the city. We so need it.
I'm so glad to see that things worked out..she's a cutie!!
You've been award! Come by and grab them!
It's ridiculous the amount of stuff you have to schlep along with you when you take a baby somewhere over night.
Sorry your weekend got off to such a rough start, but glad it ended well.
Thanks for stopping by my blog and leaving such a nice comment.
So glad you were able to salvage your one-on-one time and you had fun!
We all can relate to feeling that you couldn't leave a sick child, but glad it didn't turn out to be serious.
Sounds like you had a wonderful time. I am glad that the baby is ok. Maybe it was just a fluke thing. I was just saying to my hubby tonight. I really NEED a vacation. Hmmm my one hour by myself… I am sitting here trying to think if I had that or not? I can't honestly remember. I did get a break from two of the kids and my oldest and I went shopping. Hmmm I think I need some me time…
Sorry, I haven't been by in the last few days. Since my surgery last Thursday, both my kids, my husband and myself have had the stomach virus! Thank goodness your little girl didn't have that. It is horrible when our little ones are sick. I am so happy your little girl turned out to be ok and that you got to have a wonderful trip with your hubby! Everybody needs that, I just wish I would take your advice. Hope to talk again soon