Does this trip sound doable with a 6-8 week old baby?

[hokiegirl82]

I'm due on June 12, doctor has scheduled an induction for June 19, so I'll have him no later than June 19. I'm taking 12 weeks off for ML, so pretty much the whole summer. H and I want to take a quiet relaxing vacation and we've chosen to rent a house at a lake about 3.5 hour drive from where we live (we have both been to this lake before and are familiar with the area - it's not far from where I grew up). Baby would be 6-8 weeks old, if I have him around my due date, and we'd be taking our 2 dogs with us as well. The whole week would pretty much just be hanging around the lake house, out on the dock, on the deck, no real outings planned, maybe just out to get food, but for most part we wouldn't be doing much of anything except relaxing. Does this sound doable with a baby that age? My parents may also come up to visit for a day or two but that wouldn't put any extra stress on us.

[Deleted]

Sounds completely doable to me! Just plan on taking many breaks on the car ride there if baby needs to be fed and what not. In fact it sounds like a nice getaway!

[theatre4life]

Sounds doable to me. Ditto the extra stops to feed the baby. I would say go for it, it sounds relaxing!

[anaps28]

Sounds nice and you may be craving a change of scenery even if it's to just sit around and eat sleep rinse repeat.

[pinotgrig]

I think you have a good plan and that your expectations are realistic.

I can't believe your doc has scheduled an induction already!! I'm due 8 days later than you and am still feeling like it's January my head. So talking about actually delivering a baby the month after next (!!) seriously just made me sit up straight in my chair, lol.

[smock]

I'm planning to fly across the country to attend a week-long wedding extravaganza when my baby will be that age... So your plan sounds completely doable!

[VillainV]

I think it sounds like a great plan. Car trips sound so much easier because you'll be able to pack more stuff (as opposed to going on an airplane), and a nice relaxing lake vacation with nothing to do but chill out sounds really nice to me :-). Now you have me curious about which lake?

[litasail]

Yes, doable, as long as you're not doing the actual drive while baby is in the six week growth spurt. Otherwise, totally fine.

[MrsDarcy]

Absolutely. Just try and maintain the attitude that you're just going with the flow and you'll have a great time!

[ringstrue]

I think the only thing is that you gotta remove the term "relaxing" from this equation. No matter where you are you will probably be sleep deprived, and frankly could probably use some extra help to cook and keep the pace up from your parents. I guess what I'm saying is that I wouldn't assume things will be *easier* just because you are in a vacation spot. You can still have a perfectly wonderful time, ofcourse, but its that's a relative term. I'd set you and your DH's expectations now so he doesn't think he can go fishing all day or something like that.

[hokiegirl82]

Apr 3, 2014 9:06:59 GMT -5 VillainV said:

I think it sounds like a great plan. Car trips sound so much easier because you'll be able to pack more stuff (as opposed to going on an airplane), and a nice relaxing lake vacation with nothing to do but chill out sounds really nice to me :-). Now you have me curious about which lake?

Smith Mountain Lake in Virginia.

[hokiegirl82]

Apr 3, 2014 10:50:40 GMT -5 ringstrue said:

I think the only thing is that you gotta remove the term "relaxing" from this equation. No matter where you are you will probably be sleep deprived, and frankly could probably use some extra help to cook and keep the pace up from your parents. I guess what I'm saying is that I wouldn't assume things will be *easier* just because you are in a vacation spot. You can still have a perfectly wonderful time, ofcourse, but its that's a relative term. I'd set you and your DH's expectations now so he doesn't think he can go fishing all day or something like that.

This is great advice. I guess "relaxing" probably isn't the best term because I know no matter where we are, home or other, that time probably isn't going to be relaxing at that age. I guess a better way to describe what we'll be doing is "renting a lake house and not really going anywhere" so I'm not worried about sight seeing and crowds and such with such a little baby.

At least I can have some beer at that point - that will make it seem like vacation!

[statlerwaldorf]

It would've been doable when we had DD, but it really depends on the baby. I would have to make a few stops during the drive. By that point, I was a little more comfortable with DD than when she was just born.

[flgirl]

I think that sounds wonderful. I found the more easy going I was able travel the better time I had. take a nap in the afternoon when the baby does. Cook simple things. Relax and enjoy the bonding time with the baby. Feed the baby right before getting in the car and sometimes the rocking of the car will soothe them enough to keep them asleep.

[picksthemusic]

That sounds glorious, baby or no baby. Do it!

[curbsideprophet]

I think you have to be prepare that it could be a complete disaster. If you are okay with that, then go for it.

Things to keep in mind...it could take an hour to feed/change/etc at that age. You might be able to get away with only stopping once, but twice or more is definitely possible. You child may hate being in their car seat. You will probably want to try and bring a lot of the comforts of home with you.

I am not saying don't do it. However I would not necessarily expect it to be a relaxing week at the lake. You have no real way if knowing until the baby is here. You may be excited to get away or you may just want to stay at home.