Aims Termed Conspiracy: 5 Month E

Elijah went on his first road trip (12 hours). Luckily, he only cried half an hour during the drive, but it was the longest and saddest half hour of my life. Then when we arrived in New Mexico we tried to go site-seeing in Santa Fe, but it was a nightmare. The baby cried in his stroller, while trying to breastfeed in his carrier and while being held. We spent more time in the parking garage than we did walking around. We are learning that babies need lots of time to sleep and adjust to change. David was ready to hike up a mountain, explore the adobe architecture and feast on some New Mexican food, but instead he was stuck with a screaming child and an exhausted wife. I spend everyday with Eli and am used to adjusting my schedule to accommodate him, but David is used to being in control at work and school. He lives by schedules and deadlines. He's used to plans and goals that result in achievement. Unfortunately, there is no such thing as being in control when it comes to babies. It's amazing how much babies teach parents selflessness and help foster patience and sacrifice. Without the baby we'd always do exactly what we wanted, but I don't think we'd be as happy. Not that always being tired or rarely doing exactly what you want is considered the typical happy, but it's a happiness found in small wonders. It's in wide toothless smiles, a sweet sleeping face, big blue eyes and the heaviness of a little, warm body curled into yours. There's something so addictive about babies and if not for the financial costs (bigger car, bigger apartment/house, health care, etc.) we'd be ready for another one. Even though children make vacations difficult right now, they grow so fast and soon Eli will be whining at David and I to keep up.