Road Trip
We’re planning a road trip! Yay! It’s been a while since I’ve taken one. We’ve got about five months to plan a route and the timing to drive to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, near which Tim’s aunt and uncle live to attend his cousin Amanda’s wedding. Then we will drive to Lynchburg for Sara’s wedding at Smith Mountain.
I’ve printed out maps for our routes from Google Maps. If you don’t stop, it can take about 18 hours from MD to WI and about 15 hours from WI to VA. We will not be traveling in this fashion. Duh. 
Tim estimated 2-3 days each way. My first thoughts are that Sara Ellen will be older, facing forward in her car seat, nursing less frequently and hopefully more easily entertained by inanimate objects (in other words, by toys, etc.).
I looked up the 9-month old development page at BabyCenter.com for an estimate of what we might be working with. The main one that may apply is “trying to travel.” By that time she will be facing forward so I can hopefully sit up front and turn around if need be, play with her, hand her things, maybe a sippy cup. I’m not so concerned with separation anxiety, as long as we’re living close to family so she’ll accustomed to them holding her. I don’t plan on leaving her much anyway.
Our drive should take us through Maryland, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and then Wisconsin. To Virginia we may go through West Virginia. Hopefully we can see some cool sights.
If you’re coming through Ohio, you can stop in Cincinnati! Our place is small but we’d be happy to put you up and visit with you (and meet that precious baby!)