So I was sort of dreading this trip but overall looking forward to it. Kaylee had been really fussy in the car seat just running errands around town. So the thought of an 8 hour drive was not sounding like fun. Both kids were amazing the whole trip. Brendan had one major meltdown that I can think of and the rest of the time was awesome.
Brendan rode with Grandma, Grandpa, and Aunt Shannon on the way up and the way home. So it was just me, Brent, and Kaylee in the truck. Glad we had the truck cause we had SO much stuff. Probably didn't need all of it, but it was nice to have in case we needed it. Uncle Matthew flew in from Amarillo and was already at the cabins when we got there. It was so awesome to see him. This was his first time to meet Kaylee.
The cabins we stayed in were on the outskirts of Hot Springs on Lake Hamilton. We had gorgeous views on our part of the lake. There were some amazing houses on the cliffs across the lake from our dock. We were able to play in the water a few days while we were there. Brendan had lots of fun. Kaylee had this hilarious expression on her face every time we got in the water. It wasn't a smile and it wasn't a frown but somewhere right in the middle. She mostly enjoyed chewing on her float.
We visited with my Great Aunt Ruby a couple of times. We got to see my Uncle Mitch and his new wife Connie (they got married Friday before we got there, lol). We also got to see my cousin Melissa and her new grandbaby Ty. I was sad we didn't get to see Ty's mommy Amber. Kaylee was absolutely fascinated by Ty. We did have to save him from her a couple of times when she tried to grab him. He's only a few months old. Brendan was a ham for everybody, it was great.
One day we went to the Alligator Farm in the morning and the Midamerica Museum in the afternoon. Both were so much fun. The neat thing about the Alligator Farm is that we now have 3 generations who have visited as kids: my mom, me and my siblings, and our kiddos! We had also visited the Midamerica Museum when we were younger. Not sure if all of the same stuff was there from when we visited. There were TONS of interactive exhibits, so it was really fun for Brendan. Their special exhibit was a Tesla Coil. (I think it was supposed to be one of the biggest? Don't remember.) It was really neat and even though it was loud, Brendan really enjoyed it. The meltdown happened in the gift shop there. Oops. Probably shouldn't have taken him in there. It was sad cause Matthew bought Brendan a dinosaur toy and he started crying when he didn't get him both of the ones they had been playing with. Silly toddler.
Another day we visited a famous BBQ joint in Hot Springs called McClard's. The sauce and spices were really good so we bought a bottle of each. Afterward we went to the Grand Promenade to have a scenic route to bath house row. We went through one of the bath houses. After that we were all so miserably hot, it was time to go back.
The kids went to bed really well each night. Poor Brendan fell off the bed twice. He has NEVER done that at home. And these cabins had wooden floors so it was a loud thud both times and he bruised his elbow. It woke Kaylee up one time. I felt so bad for him.
I think that pretty much covers it. Kaylee didn't nurse very well on the trip but then again, she's been acting like she's ready to wean for a few weeks. So we've started giving her formula at the night-time feeding. She isn't drinking it very well at all (at least not for me, and most nights, I'm her only option). She's actually never finished a bottle of breastmilk or formula. Brendan and Kaylee are SO different. Almost complete opposites. And I still cannot explain why she's so much chubbier than Brendan was. Maybe I'm eating slightly healthier.
