Ohio for the Holidays: Its a Wrap

We ventured to Stow, Ohio for this Christmas holiday. The trip lasted from the Friday, Dec 21st departure at 5:30PM until the arrival home at 12:30AM on Friday, Dec 28.
All-in-all, not a bad trip. Was I worried it would be otherwise? You bet your sweet bippy.
We left at night per many friend's advice - kids in cars during the day is a fate worse then hell. So, off we left at night. The drive turned out to be rather perfect (we did decide to take the slightly out-of-our-way, round-a-bout Washington DC side roads. We saved ourselves about an hour of stop & go traffic that our friend G ended up sitting in when he decided to go through DC).
Evie slept the whole way. Around 1AM, just shy of our final destination by a half hour, she cried... in her sleep... and we held our breath. When we carried her into the house, I told Grandma and Grandpa Ullman to NOT WAKE her but they did anyways (I'm a little annoyed at this point but also understanding - Grandpa han't even met her yet so, of course, he is excited). Evie ends up staying up till 2:30AM and wailing until 3:30AM when we try to get her back down for a near hour. By 7AM, she is up and wide awake. We hand her off to grandma with feeding instructions... and back to bed we go.

Rob and I enjoyed a lunch out, just the two of us, our first day in Ohio. Franklin's Deli for subs and conversation. We then head to none other than Gabriel Brothers for cheap fineries before heading home just in time for Evie to be up from a nap. We eat a light supper before heading over to K & K's for a Holiday Poker Party. Evie stays home with the grandparents - its a parent's-night-out event!
At the party, Sloane gives Evie the cutest darned onesie from the Gap, diape(RED), and red sweats, treasu(RED). Ivy gives Evie a fantastic Deathcab for Cutie onesie (How did she know Eve's mom's love for Deathcab?). Damned, Evie only prepared cookies - we have a lot to learn for next time.
Rob plays poker in the garage while I sling back drinks with the non-players in the basement bar. By midnight we decide to call it a night. I drive home (Rob's had multiple shots afterall) and I am unhappy to report... that I shouldn't have been driving either. I didn't think this was the case until the next morning when I see photos posted of us... that I don't recall taking. Its been a long time since we've had a night out that I think I forgot personal responsibility.

On Sunday, Dec 23rd (my father's 61st birthday back in NC), Evie discovered what will be her new staple face throughout the entire trip - the sad clown (what IS this?). Later that afternoon, we attend the Ullman family holiday gathering. A fine mixture of non-drinkers and light conversation. This... can get boring. The baby really helped. Its great to now have a built-in exuse to leave, *ahem*, less than exciting family events.
We took a new family portrait that afternoon and asked Claire what she thought of her new baby cousin, "I don't care," she mumbled while walking away. How awesome. Such honesty, I wish we didn't lose this kind of rawness as we get older. We should all just tell it like it is. Then again, after a night of drinking Christmas Ale a few nights later - my telling it like it is leads to trouble, but I digress...

Christmas Eve (no puns intended), we go to Panara Bread to upload pics for my parents to see. I could honestly send them a flip-book of Evie's entire day and they still wouldn't be sick of seeing pictures. This is rather sweet. They are truly enjoy seeing how cute she is on a daily basis. Proud grandparents, I guess.
We then hit Swenson's on the way home. Rob could eat Swenson's 5 days in a row and still not be fully satisfied. Eh*, they are OK (*ducking Galley Boy's being thrown at my head for writing this).
Christmas Eve night is spent in - traditionally, Rob's mother's family comes over to enjoy lasagna, meatballs, ham and cookies. Evie misses EVERYTHING! We take a picture of her by the tree in a new dress, etc, etc. Before the extended family shows, however, she fusses and falls asleep mid-bottle at 5:30PM. The family bumped up the festivities just to meet her and here she crashes out an hour and a half earlier than she EVER has. *sigh*. I put her to bed, with tights & dress still on thinking it will be a quick nap, but she doesn't wake until 7AM Christmas morning. Oh well.
The mass gift exchange then transpires (being an only child, I had to open 1 gift at a time to thoroughly enjoy the gift opening process over an hour's long duration. Rob's bigger family tears open, flings, sets aside and tosses around gifts in a flurry lasting only 10 minutes... its crazy!)

On Christmas Day we wake up and go over to Rob's sister's house for breakfast & more gift exchanging. It amazing the AMOUNT OF TOYS the nieces got... had... have... whatever! I'll simply post a picture of me with Evie in the 'Land of Plastic' for you all to enjoy.
Christmas evening we went over to J & M's to see Ivy (and enjoy delish snackies while watching babies play). Sloane came over and the play room was open for business.
We then went over to the Harsch's for Christmas night with more babies, adults with cocktails & Christmas cheer. Frances got Evie a slick screen-printed onesie featuring Mr T's head atop R2-D2's body. Damned, again with the cool gifts... we gotta step this up next year.
Frances wanted to kiss Evie (the baby) good-bye. Too. darned. cute.
After dropping Eve off at home to go to bed - we head back out to the infamous Zephyr for Christmas Ale (remember I talked about this earlier in this post?). Well, Rob now refers to this as my "liquid truth" because after just 2, I get sh*tty and start blabbing for all to hear. I find the sound of my voiced opinions hilarious which, fuels my fire even more. Rob suggests we leave after I begin a near fight between G and K... I remember nothing the next day until Rob begins recounting the night's events. I raise my hand, "Tell me no more." How embarrassing. Thank God they only make this beer once a year and you can only get it in Ohio. I apparently can't handle it. Of course, that won't stop me from thoroughly enjoying the 6-pack we brought back with us, heh heh. I'll be sure to not have you over when I decide to have a drink. That way, we can maintain our friendship.

December 26th. Off to Toodly-Doo (Toledo, OH) to visit my grandma in the hospital. This is Evie's only remaining great-grandmother so this was a memorable (well, for us) pilgrimage. Great-Grandma had a spell while out of the nursing home for Christmas Eve and now she is in the hospital with a cold. She doesn't look too well, but my aunt fixed her up for photos. Evie found touching her face fascinating.
My aunt and 3 uncles showed up to meet Evie. This visit was a little impromptu & quick but nice since we get in town so rarely.
A few hours in the hospital is plenty and we head back to Stow (a 2 hour drive back) while Evie catches some Z's.
Rob decided to head out this night to catch up with friends. I stayed in - the emotional day takes its toll on me. I'm drained. I opted to stay in and chit-chat for hours with Rob's mom. I think I made a wise choice.

December 27th, Thursday. The night we head back home.
We spend the day packing up and picking up the pieces. We head over to Rob's aunt's workplace to introduce Evie (since she decided to sack out so early Christmas Eve, some of Rob's family never got the chance to meet her). We then head over to another Aunt's house to spend time with a few more family members that we didn't really get the chance to talk to at the Ullman family gathering.
Later, Evie seeks solace in the arms of her grandma while we pack up the car. By the end of the week, she really took a liking to being carried around like this.
After the car was loaded and we stood in the living room... coats on... a few moments of quiet... Rob's mom looks at me with Evie in her arms, "Well, ...I suppose you want me to put her in there," glancing at the car seat.
Yup.
So we bundled her up (PJs on and pacifier in place) and off we drove. Another night of driving for us, sleeping for the baby.
We got in at 12:30AM and crashed out by 2AM.

A good time was had by all.
I can't believe Evie's first Christmas is over.