A Baby’s First Adventure to Birmingham, AL
It’s hard to believe that
nine years ago, we embarked on one of our first family road trips with baby Ike. He was just 6 months old, and, let me tell you, traveling with an infant is an adventure in itself. Cue the
“travel with a baby checklist”, which included everything from extra pacifiers to a full-on toy armory. Looking back, I still can’t figure out how we managed to fit everything into one car.
Our destination?
Birmingham, Alabama, just a couple of hours away from home but far enough to feel like we were out on a grand adventure.
Packing Like Pros (Or So We Thought)
Back in the day, we were still in the thick of that “new parent” fog, where every item in the diaper bag seemed absolutely essential. Snacks for us? Check. Wipes? Triple check. Toys to keep Ike entertained? You bet. And of course, we brought enough diapers to handle a small zombie apocalypse (just in case).
With everything packed, we hit the road, full of optimism, only slightly tempered by the realization that we had no idea how this trip would go.
How far we’ve come from the days when a 20 minute drive from our house to the doctor’s would send Ike and me both into a whirlwind of despair. Both kids, as infants, abhorred being in a moving car strapped in a carseat. Like it sounded like they were enduring cruel and unusual punishment in the backseat almost up until they were big enough to be turned forward facing. Cue the music! Both were able to find music that distracted them enough get through the morning commute to Montessori school. I owe most of our car-related stress relief to Raffi and other kids-centric music. Ike’s infant craze? Old MacDonald or more affectionately known around our house…E-I-O?
We took a trip over to Birmingham this Friday to see my little cousin graduation with her Doctorate Degree in Nursing (very impressed is this lowly Bachelor’s degree holder by the way). The trip was about 2 and half hours each way. He slept most of the way home, but on the way there, I’m pretty sure we heard Old MacDonald at least 1,000 times. Every time it ended we heard this from the back seat:
“Daddio?”
“Mama?”
“E-I-O?”
We played Old MacDonald from Raffi, from Dora, from Barney from EVERYONE! Over and over and over. But I guess that’s better than hysterical screams from the backseat for two hours.
Here is Ike and me with the beautiful smart graduate, who is also getting married this fall. What a year right?! We are so proud. This is about 30 minutes before Ike had a world class melt down and I was more or less shamed out of PF Changs, but let’s remember the good times shall we?
Back Home: Reflections on Our First Road Trip with Baby
The drive back home was a little quieter (thank you, post-lunch naps). As we cruised down I-20, Isaac and I reflected on how different traveling felt with Ike in tow—but in the best possible way. It wasn’t just a getaway; it was the start of a whole new chapter in our family’s travel adventures.
Sure, there were hiccups—like trying to time feedings and naps with our schedule—but that’s just part of the fun when you’re traveling with kids. Looking back, I wouldn’t change a thing about that first trip to Birmingham, and I’m so grateful for those early family adventures that shaped how we travel today.
Plan Your Own Family Adventure to Birmingham
If you’re looking to create your own family memories in Birmingham (or anywhere else), I’m here to help!
As a travel agent, I can assist you in planning the perfect road trip—complete with baby-friendly stops, dining recommendations, and places to relax. Contact me
here for more travel planning help!
