Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Have We Lost Our Ever-Living Minds?

DaddyBoy is having a birthday on Friday. So, in his honor we have lost our minds. I'm sure it will be good blogging material but in the process I may go bonkers {or lose the wonderful relationship I have with my sister & her husband... who have NO children}. Just to give you a little hint here's what is coming up later this week (it involves the following)...


2 dogs
+
Chance & Morgan


+
Justin's mother's suburban


{no, this is not actually hers... hers doesn't have the pimped rims}


+
Justin & Raiger


+


4 week-old John Martin


+
me


{which Chance has already mentioned that he wishes JM was still in utero}



+


MommaSissy
{who will be making this face the whole 12 hour trip... can we get her some Xanax PLEASE?}


Oh and we're pulling one of these... {b/c DaddyBoy wants to borrow it... apparently you can't find trailers in Illinois?}
So, yes that makes 7 human beings, 2 dogs, 1 trailer, Suburban and a 600+ mile road trip for the WEEKEND! Should be interesting! I'm already praying that John Martin will sleep the whole way! And that once we get there Erika and Chance will still speak to us!

39 comments:

Anonymous said...

That's the best picture of me I have EVER seen!

Household6 said...

Joel's birthday is Friday too!! What a great day.

Have you tried nursing while driving...as in baby stays in car seat you lean boobie over....I've heard it can be done, but I cannot imagine doing it.

GOOD LUCK!!!

Hillary @ The Other Mama said...

Good luck! I've survived that sort of trip before and I'm sure you'll survive it, too! And I'm sure your dad will be thrilled to see you all. I love the old picture of your dad sporting the 'stache- very 80s and Magnum PI. Have a Great time!

Darby said...

Yes, I HAVE nursed just like you explained, it can be done! Did I really just admit to that????????

Shireen said...

Oh, gosh...nursing and driving...y'all are crazy! I couldn't EVER! :)

Have a great, safe trip. Plan to REST as much as possible when you get home, girl. You're gonna be exhausted after this trip.

But have fun! :) :) :) BIG SMILE!!!

kkd said...

Darby, you are cracking me up!!! Safe travels and looking forward to reading all about it. BTW, that is one precious, little angel baby! kristee

Kendra White said...

at least there will be fun stories to share... I am seeing lots of Miss Patty Cake and lots snacks:)

Household6 said...

Just to clarify....I don't mean nursing while you are actually driving....I guess it's more nursing while riding...wouldn't want anyone to get arrested!

Heather

Anonymous said...

Found you through your sister's blog, which I love. The difference between a vacation and a trip is children (I have 3 of my own and have not had a vacation in 8 yrs!) Hope you have a wonderful trip!!

Marla said...

You guys are going to have quite the ride! I can't wait to hear about it and see the wide angle pics!

becky said...

we are headed down to dothan in a few weeks and our trip will take about 6 hours. i am (am not) looking forward to it with little miss b/c she HATES her car seat. but i'm gonna sit in the back with her so she can be fed as well!! good luck! i am LOVIN whoever invented the DVD player for the cars. GENIUS!!

Ashley said...

oh to be a fly on the wall in that suburban! at least erika has been forewarned! :) that is too funny! (especially when you add on the fact that y'all will be pulling a big trailer)! Can I come too??
Happy Birthday, Daddy Boy!

Abby Maddox said...

Yes, you have definitely lost your minds. Can I just tell you, that I think your Dad is precious, but when that picture first started uploading on my dinosaur computer, I thought you and photoshopped Saddam Hussein (spelling?) between you and Erica :) Sorry Daddyboy, but that mustache had me confused!

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a very interesting trip! Erika's picture is sooo good! She may need to seek a perscription to seriously medicate herself. Is her helmet ready?? Daddy Boy has to be so excited to see you all!!

Abby Maddox said...

I say you put all the babies in the trailer and see how it goes...a traveling playroom!! Set up a movie in the back...perfect. Then you can have calm adult conversation in the front. (I hope everyone knows I am kidding)

megan @ a life's design said...

What an adventure it will be. Safe travels and God Bless!

TMB said...

i, for one, am very excited about this trip because i have no doubt that many a hilarious blog post will come out of it!! ;)

also--i am cracking up at the nursing while riding comments. i tried it a few times when D was in meltdown mode and i could never figure it out. glad to hear it can be done--i'll have to store that in my memory bank for future reference!!

safe travels!!

Courtney said...

As long as Chance wears that hat, everything will be fine.

I can't wait to hear the weekend recap! Have fun and Happy Birthday to DaddyBoy.

kt said...

i'll be praying for you and your adventure as well. sounds like you journey will be more challenging than mine...mine will be the leaving part! :)

and i have TOTALLY nursed while driving. not my proudest moments...good luck!

simply seleta said...

This is as good as reality TV. Can't wait for the upcoming posts.

I've traveled with all 4 of my nursing babies. The first child, we always made sure to pull over in a safe spot and spend the entire 45 minutes nursing "both sides". By child number 3, it was me saying to husband, "just keep driving and stay in the slow lane, I'm pulling the baby out to feed her." By child number 4 it was, "can't you go any faster?! We need to make better time [while holding a newborn and nursing]."

But I did pray a lot. Ha ha ha...

DShan said...

well this local blogger would love to run into the Crazy Crew.

the thought of this road trip exhausts me:)

Anonymous said...

I can't even take the hilarity of it all!! THAT'S the cargo trailer??? Darby, I have done the same. "Whatever works" is my motto whne it comes to kids. But, PLEASE, don't pull out that nursing/circus trick in front of Chance and Erika. We want them to have children, don't we?? Hope you can borrow a portable DVD, 1,000 Disney princess movies, and leave in the dark of night...

Jack said...

Darby, I've very impressed! Good luck and call me if you need help before you leave! I think Abby has a good idea with making a playroom out of the trailer :)

Tara Verdigets said...

I can't wait for this post-trip blog post! Can I come for giggles?

Tara said...

I want to hear every last crazy story you have to tell when you get back!! Bet this will be a trip for the record books! Good luck! :)

Unknown said...

Darby! One suggestion that works well with my little ones when we travel to New York and Ft. Lauderdale--- every city that we drive through I have a little special "gift" for each of the kids! Dollar store stuff, stickers, Pez candy and dispensers, travel games etc. They look forward to getting the next little prize and it keeps everyone sain!! Of course, you need to wrap the little gifts to make it that much more fun!! Take movies for a DVD player and don't forget your camera! I love to see you pictures on the blog. They keep me smiling. Have a safe trip!!

andi said...

How 'bout an RV? heeheee...this will definately make for a good post. Oh, I hope y'all survive. :) Roadtrips are so fun, well.....
Can the kids go in the trailer? Just Kidding!! :)

Anonymous said...

oh my goodness! you guys are hilarious and a little crazy!!! how funny you were just taking a virtual trip a few days ago and now you find yourself prepping for a real live road trip?! careful what you wish for... i'll bet you will all have the time of your lives, and whatever you can't laugh at in the moment will most certainly be funny in retrospect. enjoy!!!! can't wait to read all about it:-)

Ford Family said...

Okay...I have no good advice, but can sympathize at where you are coming from...I am the only one on both sides of our family that have kids--but the main one I am talking about is my sister who lives in Austin and only sees us..hmm..maybe 3 times a year & you throw 2 kids into the mix (considering she is not married and w/o kids)..we send her packing fast! What is it?? the screaming, the crying, the caios...Our road trip to visit her...well, let's see, she was doing a conference in Atlanta this summer & wanted us to come and visit, well, the 1st night all slumbered up in a hotel room, with the 2 of us, and 1 4 year old and 1 22 mos old...was...well you know or will by the time you get back! Ha! At one point, Davis (the baby) starts crying & my sister nicely says, "I'm worried that he might be disturbing the guest in the room beside us!" (actually a nice way of saying "Get the kid quiet!") and I'm thinking really...Did you think this was going to be "paradise" when you invited us!! Anyhoo..Good luck on your venture & just remember our sisters will understand one day! :) friend in the blog world, Shea

Jennifer said...

I'm laughing out loud...and I can't wait to hear how it goes!

LeslieW. said...

I remember wishing we could stick Abby back in! He sure is gorgeous though!

The Pavliches said...

oh my goodness...how wild, but definitely better than flying. at least there are no angered strangers sitting RIGHT NEXT to you. and i am a strong believer in SNACKS and whatever else they want! and teach Morgan "Eye Spy" if she doesn't know how to play it already...it passes a lot of time for us with Brice and Jaeda!

Beth Goff said...

Sounds like CRAZY fun!!!

amyother said...

Oh, Darby! I am praying for y'all already!!!! Just think of Erica and Chance as two extra people to entertain the girls. What an adventure...

Honk if you come through Nashville!
Anna

Kelly said...

Ha ha....I can only imagine. We took a similar trip, although it was only about 4 hours long, but we had a brand new baby, a brand new puppy (don't ask), another dog, myself, my husband and my sister and her boyfriend. We were going to my grandparent's summer cottage which means you don't pack a lot of clothing, accessories, etc...but you have to with a baby cuz you have the pack-n-play, stroller, toys, dog beds, etc....and then you pair that with my sister and her boyfriend who pack like they are going to Nantucket with the Kennedy's.....well, it made for an interesting car trip. We either had to stop every hour for a dog break, nursing break, or to find a cell-phone signal for my sister.........we still tell stories about that trip!! I can't imagine doing it with 3 kids. Safe travels!

Amber said...

Oh my goodness, i can't wait to hear your stories! Please take lots of pictures! I have never tried to nurse while riding.....but I have pumped while driving. It was a desperate situation.....and I don't recommend it (if you are riding that is another story). Safe travels!

katy said...

oh my goodness! i just got back from a 14 hour trip with ONE six month old! I can't imagine how you are going to do it, and I can't wait to hear the stories!

The Birds Nest said...

Girl, tell Southern Illinois hello for me!!! I will be there next weekend. Hope Daddy Boy has a Happy Birthday! Drive safe and try not to get on each other's nerves:)

Mandy said...

Have fun on your trip...I just ordered two of your precious burp cloths for my baby boy due in Jan. They are too cute...can't wait to use them...Mandy