Have Schmoo Will Travel

So, it's been a while...we know. Life got in the way. This blog is a continuation of the Schmoo's travels over the last few weeks. You've already read about his roadtrip to Michigan.

Phoenix
Well, the following weekend, we flew our little one to Phoenix. All we can say is that he handled the plane trip like a champ. As the paranoid parents that we (I) are (am), we had lydicane drops for his ears should they hurt, Mylicon drops for gas, and baby Benadryl (to make him very sleepy...as a last resort of course). Alas, the joke was on us. Schmoo slept on my lap in the Baby Bjorn for the duration of the flight despite my attempts to breastfeed him during take off and landing (as recommended by the Pediatrician). When he did fuss during the flight (no doubt due to a wet diaper, dry air, or overheating in the cramped quarters) he was quickly satiated by a little milk.

Aside from the fact that Phoenix represents Schmoo's first exposure to real sunshine, what he enjoyed most was meeting his Phoenix family. Schmoo's daily ritual in Tita Anne and Tito Jonboy's spacious and welcoming home, included schmoodling with Tito Jon in the morning, watching the palm trees sway on the green in the backyard, strolling with Daddy through the neighborhood, batting at objects on the interstellar playmat borrowed from Tita Anne's co-worker, and being nuzzled and hugged by everyone who could get their hands on him.


On Saturday, Schmoo was greeted by the Leonard-Lewenstein family. He was extremely impressed by Elliot's train drawings and Natalia's pigtails and dazzling smile. On Sunday, Schmoo was treated to a spa day with the ladies. Our Schmoo was spoiled by love, kisses and chocolate while his Momma treated herself to a massage. On Monday, Schmoo met his Grandma Carol and Grandpa Charles. You can tell by the photos that he was instantly charmed by them, and promptly fell asleep after some schmoodling with Grandma Carol.


We three had a wonderful trip to Phoenix filled with good people, great food, and lots and lots of laughter.

View more photos Schmoo's trip to Phoenix

North Carolina
The following weekend, we packed the Subaru with our luggage, Scott's bike, the dog, and our little bundle of goodness and headed down to see G-Ma and G-Pa in Sunset Beach, North Carolina. The trip itself is a 17 hour drive (1000 miles) each way through Indiana, Kentucky, West Virginia, and clear through North Carolina to Sunset Beach close to the border of South Carolina.

You would think that a 4 hour plane ride was enough to ask of a 3 month old...but a 17 hour road trip? The little monkey is a born traveller, for sure! He endured hours in his car seat with nothing more than a Schmoodle and a giggle. We were able to average 150 to 200 mile stretches before needing to stop for a diaper change and quick feeding. Then he'd let us get back on the road. Most of the diaper changes happened in the back of the Subaru, and the breastfeeding was conducted covertly at rest areas along the highway. Overall, the drive taught us that the Appalachians are lovely, Red Roof Inns beat Days Inn hands down, the KFCs in Kentucky have buffets, and one should avoid Shoneys on Sundays.


Just as Phoenix offered Schmoo a glimpse of sunshine and palm trees, North Carolina offered a very important new resource...the beach. Although the temperatures were in the 60s and a light wind graced us, Schmoo thoroughly enjoyed a long walk on the sand and even experienced an oceanside diaper change.

While there, we had an opportunity to take in the figurative sculptures at the renown Brookgreen Gardens (South Carolina). We also delighted in some wonderful seafood and even got in a round of golf. However, I think the most exciting part of the trip for the Schmoo family was deepening our understanding of Bridge. Many a happy hour with G-Ma, G-Pa, and little Schmoo around the card table discussing the logic of bidding and the rationale behind a No Trump call.


View more photos of Schmoo's trip to North Carolina

As always, our little one continues to show us how this "life stuff" is done. Cool as a cucumber. We have so much more to learn from him.