Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Are We There Yet?

I used to laugh in the face of feeling overwhelmed. 

Prior to having kids, running a small business and keeping our household in a functioning state, I could tackle a to-do list like a boss. I could work 4 straight twelve hour nights, finish a stretch like that with an eight hour shift like it was nothing, come home, grocery shop, fold all the laundry AND put it away and knock the rest of my to-do list out of the park. Like. a. boss. 

So why is it, now that I'm responsible for two small heathens kids (and let's call it what it is, one giant kid) that I can't get anything done in an orderly manner? We're just mere hours away from getting on a plane and flying across the country and for the life of me I can't seem to cross anything off of my to-do list. 

In fact, just when I think I've finished a task, I go to cross it off AND IT WASN'T EVEN ON THERE TO BEGIN WITH. Talk about a slap in the face.   

While I'm at it, let's talk about packing. Despite my incredible OCD-tendencies and knack for organization in the face of utter chaos, let's talk about how small children seem to require an endless amount of shit just to make it through the day. 

I know where we're going isn't barren and I'm sure I could get to a Target or Walmart if need be but I'm not talking about dire extremes or emergencies here. I'm talking about the day-to-day play clothes and lovies and bath towels and blankets and socks and shoes and TWELVE DAYS! We're going for TWELVE DAYS! 

And why is no one helping me? By "no one" I'm looking at you, Husband. Why am I packing your clothes in addition to our two dependent children? Oh wait, I know this one. Because if I don't pack your clothes, you'll end up wearing the same pair of pleated old-man khakis and lumberjack-esque flannel shirt the entire time we're there. I definitely didn't marry the Brawny paper towel guy so I'd prefer if my husband didn't dress like him all the time. 

This isn't a vacation. This is more like a "business trip." I have a funny feeling I'm going to need a vacation from our "vacation" the minute we return. 

Are we there yet?

14 comments :

  1. After our first "vacation" with L we quickly realized that vacations with babies/toddlers should actually be called "adventures" -- good luck with everything! Hope you get to enjoy some of it!

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  2. You make me laugh and by that I mean I feel like I am reading my own thoughts. I am about to pack for a trip up north with my 2 small kids and husband. I pack for all of us. My husband may not dress like the Brawny guy but if I didn't pack for him he would bring a few 'holy' tee's and be a wrinkley, freezing mess. Thank you for your honest writing, I don't feel like I am the only one dealing with the same issues.

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  3. Oh my gosh, I actually laughed aloud at your description of your husband's "old man khakis" that he would wear every day. Did we marry the same person? Except mine would pack one pair of khaki shorts and wear them every day. Oh, good luck! You can do it.

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  4. If you run out of clothes, find a laundromat. Don't sweat the little things! Carter is going to remember this vacation, and I'm sure he's super excited! Packing is a royal pain in the you-know-what, but you can ALWAYS find a walmart! It'll be ok! You will make it and you will have a WONDERFUL vacation! I just wish I knew where you were going...:)

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  5. I'm so ready to take a trip somewhere.
    I used to be great at crossing things off my to-do list too. Now? Now I have to stay up until 2am to get it all done. I guess I'll sleep when I'm dead...except I want to sleep now!

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  6. Vacations with kids are definitely business trips! I have 19 month old twins and a four year old. When we took all three to the beach this past summer I definitely needed a vacation after coming home. I used to freak out about packing/to do lists too but I've just learned to calm down (Lexapro has helped a lot with that!) and just let things slide. If I forget it, I just go out and buy it. I never pack enough clothes because if its dirty, I will find somewhere to wash it. Have a great trip and when things go wrong, remember to laugh!

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  7. Vacations with kids really aren't vacations. Even a two hour trip to our inlaws beach house over the summer had us packing up our whole damn house for a 18 pound human. Oh and I always have to pack my husbands clothes or he'll wear his stupid Metallica tshirt everyday.

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  8. We just did a 9 day vacation with a 14 month old to Chicago...it wasn't a vacation at all, but we still created wonderful memories. We couldn't go out and bar hop at night and we had to sit in the dark at 8pm just so she would fall asleep in the pack and play, but we did it...we survived;-)

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  9. Oh man. Take some big deep breaths. You will get it all done. Maybe book a spa day when you get back? LOL

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  10. Amen to the inability to complete a to do list. I was under the delusion before giving birth that I would have a nice, orderly house, cook gourmet meals three times a day, and be in a better shape than I was prebaby (since I would have all sorts of free time to work out). It was a nice thought...

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  11. I'm still recovering from our 2 trips last summer! For some reason, we came home both times running fevers - thank goodness you're flying! At least that part is over more quickly :) One thing we have learned is that we will ALWAYS stay in suites with kitchens...partially due to Kitty's allergies, but as someone else mentioned, at least we can stay up late with movies & room service while the little sleep.

    You'll have a great time, mama! Make lots of memories!

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  12. Preach on, mama! I basically packed for the 3 of us for my SIL's wedding, and trying to tell the hubs about packing for each day (since we were staying in a different place 4 out of the 6 days) was impossible. If I let him pack by himself he'd bring everything in his closet but wear the same khaki cargo shorts the whole trip. At least he appreciated my OCDness by the end of the trip. Oy, men!

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  13. I wish I had some advice b/c I've never traveled for an extended (more than 4 days) with the kids...but even 4 days can be overwhelming with all the stuff you have to take.

    and HUSBANDS....!!! I have to to pack all his stuff too or he'll wear his college football tshirts, jeans and sneakers...and this is not the look I love on him...in fact...I loathe it...

    I wish I could say I love traveling...we're heading to MD for 4 days in Dec and I'm already stressing.

    Hope the kiddos are good during the 12 days and you have an enjoyable trip!

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  14. Right, except in the middle of packing, laundering, and preparing for said trip, you were also sending out Giveaway Winner emails. Not that that is a bad thing, just made me giggle!

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