Wilmington/Philadelphia

This was pre-45 minute screaming car trip.

The second part of the trip was really good.  We ran around more than I thought we would, but it kept Jayden busy, which was good.  Getting there was a challenge: the drive from Annapolis to where we met Enid and William was about 45 minutes; Jayden was extremely tired, but refused to fall asleep so instead he screamed for probably 40 of those 45 minutes.  Then we got in Enid and William's car and he passed out within 10 minutes.  Of course.  At least he got some sleep in, even if it wasn't enough. 

We went to Philadelphia to see Carmen's dad and his half brothers.  That happened to be the only place where Jayden willingly went with someone besides me or Carmen (he hung out with Carmen's dad - Pop-pop - for a few minutes, which made big Carmen happy).  I got to see Maya, which made me extremely happy.  Carmen's grandma came over to Enid's house that night to meet her great grandson - it was not a total success, but it was entertaining.

After Pop-pop took Jayden around the house for a few minutes.  Jayden quickly reattached himself to Mama or Daddy.

He let Maya snuggle for a little bit; Jayden can tell when he's with people who adore babies!

Jayden sat with his great grandma for a little bit, but it didn't last...  He did at least perform a little bit, gobbling down his food and rolling around on the floor.

We got to visit one of Carmen's good friends from high school, Mark, and meet his kids (who are way too grown up already!).  And, we went to a party in Middletown that Enid and William held on the Fourth of July for family and friends.  Jayden did well, but by the end of it was so exhausted that he passed out in Carmen's arms in the middle of the noisy room.  It's just good that he can sleep through anything. 

Daddy and Jayden were Supermen for Fourth of July! 

Very patriotic (thanks for the bib Uncle David and Aunt Sharon!), getting ready to eat lunch at Tom Foolery's, where the Fourth of July party is.

Passed out at the party.  He might have kept sleeping, but everyone wanted to kiss him and touch him on their way out. Oh well.  At least he got a good half an hour or so in Daddy's arms.

Finally starting to warm up to Grandma Enid, after "only" three days in her house!  He liked playing, just still had the fear of being held by someone else.  Luckily this is just a phase! 

Over the course of the week I had various people tell me how to raise Jayden, whether it was that he needed to suck on something during ascent and descent on the plane (I tried, but when your child decides he no longer wants a pacifier and refuses a bottle, and just finished nursing, there's not a lot more I can do - luckily his ears were just fine), to let him cry more, to not let him cry so much, to not let him eat off of restaurant tables (this is impossible; if I put anything underneath his food he'll pick that up and throw it), etc.  It wasn't so bad.  Mostly I just smiled and nodded and continued with whatever we were doing.  I totally understand that everyone has their own opinions and experiences and that they want to share them - but it's hard when you're already struggling to keep your child sane and other people are continuously telling you what to do.  Sometimes other people's opinions are useful - you can learn new things - so I try to keep an open mind.  You don't want to shut everyone out, but you also don't want to start feeling guilty or doubting the choices you have made as a family.  Luckily Carmen and I have come to agree on most things relating to Jayden and we are secure in those choices.  And he's turning out to be a pretty cute, well-adjusted boy, even if he is slow to crawl/walk!