For Vincent's first July Fourth celebration, Edwin and I wanted to go all out. I mean we really wanted it full of lights, laughs, oohs and aaahhs. It was to be our first family outing with a purpose other than heading to Wal-Mart to buy socks. So, I got on the internet and began researching our options. After perusing through the many booze cruises and nightclub extravaganzas, I booked a room at the Crown Plaza Downtown. After all, Houston boasts the largest fireworks display in the country and how great would it be to watch it from the comfort of your own hotel room?

Edwin, "This is gonna be great!"
Kristin, "I know! Aren't I the best, most wonderful woman ever?"
Edwin, "Totally!"

Then we started packing. Then I started realizing why we don't go on over night outings. It was like preparing for some sort of natural disaster; "Ok...bottles...1,2 ... then he'll need another when....should I premix?....no, just one...bibs...how many outfits?..he may get messy....diapers! how many?...." Then I needed to pack, "ooh, they have a pool.. swimsuit? ...check...go out to dinner?...nice clothes?.....messy mom outfit?...."

We were only staying for one night, but our car looked like we were going on a Griswald Family Vacation. Off we went:

Edwin, "Great!?"
Kristin, "Great!"
Vincent, "Nithbuybit!"

After realizing we left our camera at home, we arrived at the hotel and promptly found out why there was a special"July Fourth Discount." It was like walking into a Senior Citizen 'Spring Break-athon' being crashed by country folk who had never been in a building with an elevator. Everyone was nice; all of the tattooed women in swimsuits waiting in the lobby area loved Vincent. And all of the men carrying their Budweisers and wearing the token red white and blue shorts seemed happy. When we finally got to our room, we were excited to see we had a good view of the upcoming fireworks. Vincent was speechless, as usual. We put him on the bed and his expressions seemed to say, "Hey, that looks familiar,,,and that big square box that makes colors and sounds looks familiar too! Wait, don't we have one of those at home too? Ooooh! and I know what that is!" Sadly, he did not recognize the ironing board.

As we headed out to see the downtown festival, I realized a new feeling that comes with parenthood; the anxiety of knowing the world is not always baby friendly and traveling with one means always thinking two hours ahead of yourself and one hour before the important 'nappy-wappy' time. I never thought having a baby would turn my daily thinking into a chess game.

As we walked along the downtown streets of Houston, into the sun, in 100 degree weather, amongst some questionable characters, my second new feeling that comes with parenthood hit me: when you are without a kid, "party' means something entirely different than with you're with a kid. Back to the hotel.

Edwin, "Great."
Kristin, "Uh, huh"
Vincent, "*sweating*"

I really wanted a frozen drink so, we decided to visit the hotel restaurant. "I would like some sort of frozen drink." Waitress, "Sorry, but we don't serve frozen drinks." "Please get me a very cold beverage, then." As we were waiting, it was then that Vincent learned a very important and useful skill; the art of the fart noise. Ah yes, the first time the family is able to sit at at an eating establishment that offers table clothes and our son takes it upon himself to giggle and then "ttthhhhhbbbbt" extra loud for the patrons in the back. We laughed, Then he laughed then continued on with his exploration of the infamous sound that is funny no matter where you're from.

We finally got to our room and the lil' dude was fussy and hot and tired - nappy-wappy was definitely a must. Or so we thought. Vincent thought otherwise, "This is not my bed! These are not my sheets! Where the heck is Mr. Teddy? No, this won't do. I will not nap here. Yes, you heard me. Me = not napping." Edwin and I called to the lobby and requested a crib be sent to our room. This actually gave me a weird, 'grown-up' feeling due to the fact I have never requested a crib for my room unless it was a joke for one of my friends.

Edwin, "Euh?"
Kristin, "Mmm"
Vincent, "Wah"

*One Hour Later*
Edwin opens the door to the hotel bell boy wheeling in something that looked like is was a prop in "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest." The 'crib' was approximately four feet tall and constructed of white hospital-grade bars. Evidently, Vincent felt the same - he was not getting in that contraption without a fight. So, we let him try and 'nap' on our bed.

* Thirty Minutes Later*
Finally Vincent face plants, while poking his butt in the air, and drifts to sleep. We quietly high-five each other and anticipate the fireworks with some food and wine we brought from home.

*Ring, Ring*
*Ring, Ring*

Crap, that's my cell phone!

*Ring, Ring"
"Ring, Ring"

I can't find it!

Vincent rolls over, "Wah!"

"Hello?"
"Hi Kristin, It's Dad."
"Uh, Hi Dad"
"Is Vincent enjoying the fireworks?"
"Actually, he just fell asleep and now he's up again."
"Gosh, I am so sorry! I guess my call woke him? You should have turned off your phone."
"Mental note. Thanks, Dad."

As Vincent eventually drifted to sleep again, Edwin and I enjoyed the wonderful fireworks display. It was amazing to see the show from our hotel room. Vincent even woke up for a brief period and I held him up near the window and pointed to the sparkles in the sky. He seemed interested for a bit, then wanted to find something to put in his mouth and lay down again.

After the show, Edwin and I watched TV and both secretly wondered how the heck we were going to sleep. Vincent was now diagonally sprawled out across our bed and well into la-la land. We both knew what a chore it was to get him to sleep, which was probably why we didn't complain to each other as we finally gave in and somehow contorted our bodies along side him on the bed. Our hotel stay had turned into the equivalent of camping without an air mattress.

Edwin, "*Grunt*"
Kristin, "*Sigh*"
Vincent, "..."

As I write this, I am giggling and thinking I wouldn't of changed a thing. Great first Family Outing :)