First Big Road Trip

Last weekend Cooper went on his first big road trip. We set out to visit dear friends stationed at Fort Huachuca, AZ. Normally we would have flown since we can fly for just about free thanks to Bob's job as an airline pilot. However, since I'm fresh off radiation treatment and developed lymphedema in my left arm, we decided it would be best for me to not fly just yet. Flying can trigger or worsen lymphedema symptoms and my arm isn't completely back to normal yet. So we decided to brave the road on what would ordinarily be a 9-10 hour drive. With a toddler in the car that became a 13-15 hour roller coaster ride.

The ride there started out great. We left around 3:30 AM when Cooper was sleeping. The first few hours were hassle-free. We just stopped for a diaper change and quick breakfast and got on our way. Cooper was thrilled with the portable DVD player which allowed him to watch his favorite show, Imagination Movers. As the morning progressed though, Cooper became less enthralled so it was a good thing we had to stop in Phoenix so that Bob could check up on some business for his mom. We got to get out of the car for a couple of hours while Bob inspected the progress on a property and then to have lunch before heading on down to Diana's. By the time we got to the hotel it was after 5 PM and Cooper was probably wishing he'd never get in a car again.

We had a great visit with our friends. On Saturday we went to Tombstone, AZ and had a great time there - we even had an old time photo taken of our group.

My friend Diana was celebrating her 30th birthday and had an 80's themed party Saturday night for it. It was great fun.

Cooper had a blast with all of the kids. Diana even surprised me with a beautiful scrapbook of cards she collected from our friends to celebrate my "re-birthday" - a rebirth as cancer-free - I was stunned and so incredibly honored. We got to meet some of Diana's wonderful friends on the base. I was just so thrilled to be there with Diana because she's such an amazing friend. We talk every day and she's like the sister I never had. It was hard to leave on Sunday.

Sunday morning we had breakfast at the hotel and headed over to Diana's to visit a bit more before getting back on the road to head home. We got on the road around noon. Cooper didn't want to leave and was pretty miserable in the car from the very start. I suggested we make a stop that allowed us to take a break fairly early on in the trip so we decided to tour the Biosphere 2 just outside of Tucson. What a neat place! Cooper enjoyed the tour even though he had no idea what he was seeing. It took a lot longer than I expected it would but he was a trooper. Then it was time for a lunch stop and finally we were back on the road. Or so we thought.

Cooper kept demanding more water. He was drinking an unbelievable amount and as a result he kept having diaper leaks which forced us to stop and change his diaper and his clothes. Sometimes we got just 30 minutes down the road before we had to stop again. It was a very long night. When we finally thought we'd get some peace and some significant progress made because it was approaching Cooper's bed time and the sun went down, Cooper became agitated and upset. He worked himself so much that he threw up all over himself and his car seat. It happened in the middle of nowhere too - over 30 miles away from the nearest services. We had to pull off a dark exit and then onto an unpaved turnout to get him cleaned up and changed and to rig up a way to keep him dry in spite of his car seat being soaked. Thankfully I had some waterproof baby changing pads in the car with us. Finally back on the road but we were both exhausted. Neither of us got any sleep because Cooper was so unhappy the entire trip that one of us would drive while the other dealt with Cooper instead of napping. It was nearly 3 AM by the time we finally pulled into our driveway.

Too much driving for such a short visit. It was so wonderful seeing Diana and family but next time we will definitely fly. ;) I can't wait to fly Cooper back to visit with Diana and her family again. We miss them already!