A day in my life...

Today, Antonio was not having a good napping day. My fault, I had to go to work and my SIL had errands to run but she took care of him for me so his nap was short this morning. Then I got him in my car after work to go see my aunt and grandmother (since I won't be able to tomorrow). And his afternoon nap was short because he woke up when we got there...refused to go back to sleep when we left and had a complete meltdown halfway home.

So what did I do?

I found the nearest (and safest) parking lot and stopped the car, turned the car off, got Antonio out of his car seat and rocked him until he calmed down. I gave him his afternoon bottle and he was much better.

For about five minutes. Then the screams again.

So I pulled over again in a Publix parking lot and repeated the process. I checked his diaper, I checked the car seat...nothing. He's just fighting his sleep. So I put him back in his car seat and assured him everything was okay. Mama is just trying to get us home. She wishes she could sit in the back seat with you and comfort you but Daddy stayed behind at Tia Jenny's so I have to drive? okay? Sorry, please don't fight your sleep, just take a nap. It doesn't have to be a long one. Just close your eyes and rest? No?? Ahhh, how about country music?? Do you want to hold momma's hand??

And then silence. I cranked up the music a little louder, for my sake because my arm was hurting from being twisted behind me...


I won't lie and say I didn't have my own tears in my eyes because all of his crying made me want to have a meltdown as well because I wanted to be in the back seat comforting him.

But we survived and made it home in time for him to finish his nap and wake up a happy baby. He was so happy he played all by himself when I had to go to a friend's house to visit since she had been super sick for a week. He was giving her smiles and raspberries (that she taught him to do). And loved hanging out in the peace and quiet of her house (plus a trio of running happy dogs to watch).


I'm sure this isn't the last meltdown I'll have to endure while driving...but hopefully next time at least I can climb into the backseat and let him see me there next to him.