Eden's Travels: Tuesday, 7.15.08: Headed south

[Just so you know, this is Ashley writing for the next few days. Graham is headed out to sea, literally. He's on his way to the beach and deep sea fishing for my brother's bachelor party. Let's hope those crazy guys (my brother's friends, of course) all come back in one piece.]

On Tuesday, we embarked on our first big travelling adventure with Eden. It took a few weeks of planning, discussing what we'd take with us, asking advice from friends about travelling with a baby, but by Tuesday we were ready to go. Yes, it looks like alot of stuff, and it was.

But, when you're travelling with a baby for the first time, and you're a bit anxious about how she'll react to all the change, you'll pack as much as possible to make her feel like she's still in her comfort zone.

Something must have worked, because she handled the two days of driving really well. This was my view most of the two days ...

Eden was pretty comfy in her car seat. We basically travelled on her schedule. We drove when she slept, and stopped when she woke up. Then, she'd nurse a bit, we'd walk around, and get back in the car for another stretch. I am glad to report that Graham is a much better traveller, in my opinion, now that we have a baby. For example, when we stopped at this rest stop in Kentucky, we actually rested.

Yep, we sat on the benches outside and took a little break. Of course, it was "for Eden," but it's a good thing.

Graham reported, the morning after our two days of driving, that he was old now ... his whole body hurt after sitting in the car for so long. Guess, things have a way of working out with perfect timing ... new baby = the perfect excuse not to do 12 hour drives anymore :).

Anyway, Eden hit another "milestone" during our drive. She has now started to intently examine things in front of her. We saw her checking out her duck at one point and a moment later we looked back to see it in her hand and by her face. It's fun to watch her begin to explore.

By the end of our first day of driving, we had made it to Nashville (actually to Thompson's Station just south of Music City) to the home of Jennie, Thomas, Emma, & Syler Green. Thomas has been one of Graham's friends since childhood, and we always enjoy stopping in to visit with them when we drive through.

Eden especially enjoyed her first visit at the Green home because she got to play with all of Emma and Syler's toys. She loved the jumparoo! It was her first experience, and, well, we just have something more to add to our shopping list now ;).

Once Thomas and Jennie and the kids arrived home, they had an exciting time meeting our new little one, and, of course, showered her with attention and hand-me-down clothes from Emma. It was fantastic -- I mean I got to go shopping where everything was cute and perfect for Eden and I didn't have to think about money at all. We just got to pick out everything we wanted! Woo hoo!

Even with all the toys around, Jennie said that Syler's favorite is this bottle of baby lotion (and, of course, his parents, too). Isn't that the way it always works?

After some play time, we all headed out for a yummy dinner. We made it back before 8, had bath time for all the kids, successfully put them all to bed, and then had some time to hang out (and of course the clothes shopping). All in all, a successful and fun first day of travelling with Eden. Thank you, Jennie and Thomas, for making things so easy!!

There's more to come about Eden's big adventure to meet her friends and family in the South, but she's waking up from a nap now so I'll write more later.