Nebraska.

Today we saw the BIGGEST Walmart of all time in the middle of nowhere Nebraska. Nebraska is very windy. Also, we drove through a dark/moody rain storm through the plains and it was awesome. I love the contrast of the black sky against the golden grass of the prairie. I was driving so couldn't take a picture but check out the black sky behind the Walmart near where we stopped. I love the big skies of the West.

Note: No, we are not trying to see all the Walmarts across America--just so happens I-80 has a plethora of stores right off the interstate.

Joy took this picture of us before we left the other day

Iowa.

We made it through Ohio, Indiana and to Illinois to family. Phew. The little man continues to rock on across the country. My favorite was when a waitress just out of West Virginia said in the expected twang, "Oh, your baby is soooo tan!" We made it to Illinois just in time for some much needed time out of the car for stretching and floor time for the little man. The girls loved playing with him and rubbing his mohawk.

After 3 nights with the family, we hit the road this morning and meandered our way to see the temple in Nauvoo. It was a lovely day to travel and the flowers were gorgeous. It is such an incredible edifice.

We crossed the mighty Mississippi and opted for a 2 lane highway for the massive interstate to take us across Iowa. Mile after mile of lush farmland and pristine farms. The boy traveled so well today and slept--i think he was making up for a few days of super girly cousin time and he was taking the day off.

Now we are showered, bathed, lotioned up and ready for bed. Tomorrow, we take on Nebraska.

2 month.

I can't believe how much he has changed in 4 weeks. He is coming into himself these days.He is getting bigger but still lean looking. He is smiling--fully wide-mouthed grins too. He is "talking" and having a lot more time hanging out when he isn't eating and isn't sleeping. He has slept for seven hours straight twice in the last 2 weeks but has gotten a good stretch every night and I have finally come out of the fatigue haze--still fatigued but better able to deal. After a 1o minute catnap, I feel sort of alright.

He changes constantly. I like watching his mohawk move farther and farther back as his head grows. He does have new hair coming in. He has Mike's eyelashes, eyebrows, ears, long torso, short legs, and feet. Not sure about his nose? He has my tall forehead.

He is more active and interested in the world every day. amazing.

Zanesville, Ohio

Somewhere in PA on some Turnpike at some Rest stop.

The route.

Zane Grey colonized the west with his popular novellas from the 1880's to about 1910--tid bits of info mom shares with me along our journey. Mom, the boy, and I are in a Zanesville, Ohio.

Mom's family is having a big reunion next weekend in Utah and she also needed to get the mini to New Mexico. We didn't want her to drive alone and as I am always up for an adventure and adventures with my little man--here we are, in Ohio.

Mike getting his boy ready in his camo hoody.

The boy in the seat he will be spending a lot of time in.

Stretching break 1.

Stretching break 2.

The Mini is PACKED! We have everything perfectly positioned and are getting more efficient at the precise positioning of our bodies and stuff in the wee car which I LOVE driving. The weather has been lovely and the boy has been a super star traveler. We stop when he needs to eat and get a little stretching time and back in. So far so good. Last night he even slept 7 hours! Did I mention super star?

Stretching break 3.The boy likes to stand.

So far...
- I am mastering the diaper change on my lap in the back of the mini.
- 80% of the roads we have traveled have some sort of construction on them.
- I am GPS dependent.
- The Days Inn in Scranton, Pennsylvania is past its prime. Did it have a prime?
- The barns in Pennslyvania are rectangular with long tall shutters.
- The boy is smiling more everyday.
- Messona, PA has WAY too many strip club/bars for such a small town.
- Bob Evans has really really good Strawberry Crepes.
- My son is an AMAZING traveler (at this point in his 8 week life)

Windsor has more going on than Messona, PA.

Smiles.

My son looks scared and I look a bit scarry.

Tomorrow we are on to Illinois to see Joy and her family for a couple days. Woo-hoo. Miss you Mike--these pix of your boy are for you!

His flying boy.

a little bit alien baby.

liz sent lars this onesie from New Zealand with the lambskin booties. They are still a little big but it was chilly and I love them. This picture is pretty funny.

baby shower.

The sisters had been planning a baby shower since June but then I had all those phantom complications that kept pushing it back until last Saturday. K80 had planned an outdoor soiree at the Inn but with 100% chance of rain, we moved over to McKay's house--it was lovely.

I have only ever been to one baby shower and we played very awkward games (guess the smushed up candy bars in the diapers and dress someone in a diaper using toilet paper) and showers scared me from there on out.

Not this one. Mom and the gals made really really yummy snacks (and my fav fruit salad) and people came, mingled, and brought such cool gifts for me and lars. It was really fun opening all of those gifts including 3 homemade quilts.


My neighbor, brought her harp and played lars a lullabye and then played a song from a friend of hers and brought an illustrated book for each of us to sing along. It was beautiful and I haven't been able to get the tune out of my head--lars' lullabye. So so sweet of her.


lars fell asleep within the first 15 minutes of people arriving and stayed asleep the entire time! It was a really great afternoon with friends from high school, college, church friends, old friends, new friends, nieghbors, and family.



Thank you McKay, K80, Chelle, and Mom.

in the wrap.

he likes the sleepywrap because it's like going home. he nearly slept 3 hours in it today--his eyelashes look to be getting longer and thicker just like Mike's.