Ok ladies, need your thoughts...

[LosingMyMindInGA]

Most of you have ready my other post about my Mom.  First let me say Thank you so much for the thoughts and prayers...and please keep them coming.

My brother is sending me some money to drive up there.  I am 33 weeks pregnant and will have to take my 4 kids with me. We don't have a choice but for DH to stay here and work becuase we can't afford him taking time off.  I also have no one that I would trust to watch my kids here so that's why they have to go.  I'm going to try to be back by this weekend (hopefully) but that is dependant on many things.  I have SO much to take care of up there. Depending on my Mom's condition we are HOPING she can ride back with us.  I'm going to have to try and get rid of a LOT of her belongings -like furniture, non sentimental stuff, unnecessary things, plus try and find someone to buy her mobile home and car.  As for the mobile home I'm just going to try and get enough out of it to pay for moving her stuff.  Anyway, all that's irrelevant...

Here's my question:

Since I'm driving up there and it's supposed to be a 9 hour drive (more like 11 with kids) AND becuase I'm so far in my pregnancy I want to make sure I have everything I need and take all the precautions I can.  These are my plans so far, if you can think of anything else I need to have/take or do please let me know:

-type up a brief medical history including all pregnancies along with my doctors name and contact info to keep in my purse
-have my insurance information
-taking hospital bags and a few extra outfits for baby JUST in case. (PLease pray I won't need it)
-I'm sure there will be PLENTY of stops where I can get out and stretch becuase I'll probably hear "I have to pee" every half hour
-I'm going to print a list of facilities/doctors that are covered by my insurance for the area I'm staying (IF, God for big anything happens on the way, DD14 has read up on what to do in an emergency and will be taking a book with her that tells what to do and she knows to call 911)

Aside from that I have to do this as cheaply as possible becuase money is VERY tight and my brother is only sending me $400...That's barely more than what it will cost in gas.  We'll be staying in my moms house, so I can just buy groceries and cook rather than eating out and there will be no motel expenses.  I plan to go to walmart today and buy some bulk packs of drinks and snacks instead of stopping along the way for stuff.  We'll only stop for actual meals.  Things like diapers/wipes/etc I will bring as many from here as I can becuase things are MUCH cheaper here than in Virginia.

Any other cost-savings measures?

It's really hectic trying to plan a long road trip with 4 kids at last minutes notice so any and all help is appreciated.

[LosingMyMindInGA]

Thanks.  Fortunately the kids insurance is the same card as mine so I have that.  I already have the carseat installed in the car so that's there as well!!!  Those are two things I probably would have forgotten had they not already been where they would be taken to begin with!!

[rebekah385]

it sounds like you have thought of most everything. you probably all ready are, but make sure you bring the kid's insurance information (kid's get sick at the most inconvient times!)  and i know you may not have room in your car with everythign else you have to bring, but if you have one you may want to bring a careseat for the baby (jst in case) because carseats are very expensive these days (I know i just went carseat shopping!) and if you have her for some reason before you get back they won't let you leave the hospital without a carseat. Good luck! I am very sorry you are going through this right now and can imagine how difficult this must be for you! I am 35 weeks and have 3 kid's (7,4,2) and went to visit family 4 hours away for a week and that was hectic! and i did'nt even have the added stress of dealing with all the stuff you are going to have to! Good luck and i will keep you in my prayers!

[LosingMyMindInGA]

Thanks!  Great idea!

[BTS1022]

I would also make sure you have a list of all near by hospitals en route, just to be safe, you never know when labor can strike, and giving birth in a car full of kids on the road, would be interesting to say the least! I would also make sure to have their phone numbers on hand, in case you need them. 911 works....but sometimes it is hard for them to get to you in time in rural areas. And if your cell phone happens to lose reception it is always a good back up to know where the nearest emergency room is.

I was 36 weeks when I went from MI to FL due to a family illness, I had every hospital mapped out for every county/city we were to drive through on our way there. We also bunked down in a hotel right next to one just to be on the safe side. Make sure you take emergency supplies, you never know like I said when labor could strike, so possible labor equipment would be a good idea, clean towels, sterile water, sterile scissors, and an aspirator.  

That's about all I can think of right now, if I think of anything else I will post again :) Good luck and be safe! I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers!!!

[LosingMyMindInGA]

I really hope I don't need it either, but I know that if I DON'T have it I WILL need it.  I'm planning to leave as early as possible in the morning.  I'm not good at seeing well at night anymore, nor am I good at staying awake at night LOL.  Hopefully by traveling on a weekday 95 won't be so congested.  

I'm off now to see about getting the oil changed in my truck and get snacks from walmart.  Even though I packed light for everyone (just a few outfits becuase we can wash clothes there) It still looks like I"m packing to MOVE LOL.

[waitn838]

depending on ages i cant travel to PA (from NC) to see my family without my sons DS and portable DVD player...also pillows will encourage him to sleep so you can get more driving time in than stopping for bathroom breaks and hearing "im bored"

i think you are right on que with taking snacks and drinks with...the only trick is keeping them cold....goldfish are great snack for roadtrips and twizzlers

also i found it was easier to leave late at night and drive through the night or early early morning...makes 95 go much faster

best of luck to you....hope you dont need the hosp info but smart to take it with

[LosingMyMindInGA]

That is some great advice, thank you.  

Other than me, my husband and my brother there isn't any other family and they both know what route I will take..  Once I get to SC it will be one interstate straight up into Richmond.  I'm defiantely gonna check on the gas stations...I DO have  aportable dvd player, it doesnt work all the great in my truck simply becuase of the holder but I'll makei t work, I have before.  

As for mom's stuff, we had talked before about what to get rid of etc, she has just never had anyone to help her. Nicnacs and stuff we'll give away or donate, her art supplies we will donate to the Veterans hospital there becuase they have a good art program for disabled vets, some of her furniture isn't worth keeping or selling.  So we do kind of have a tentative game plan in place.  

Once I get to Virginia, I do have a couple of my friends and a couple of moms friends who can help with watching the kids, etc.  Plus my oldest knows she will be needed in terms of babysitting among other things as well.  Fortunately I will have her along to help me keep track of the little ones.  

DH wants me to take the handgun with me since we'll be by ourselves, so I've already researched and printed out the gun carry/transport laws for each state I will traveling through (I'm licensed to carry here in Georgia so that makes it a little easier when going through other states)

I had bought my 2 middle ones new mp3 players that I was going to put in THEIR bags to take to the hospital when I give birth as a surprise for them, but I think now would be a better time to "surprise" them with those.  

It's going to be a very busy day for me with packing, getting things together, looking stuff up and getting my truck ready (oil chances, check fluids etc)

[LauraB78]

I would also map your route (via mapquest, or another free online source) & email or fax it to family so they know exactly where you should be along the way. I would also gauge when you think you would need to stop for gas (you can mathematically figure your miles per gallon pretty easily) and google local gas prices and find the least expensive fill up stations along the way. I know it sounds tedious, but that is a tight budget, and I am a planner.. With 4 children, I think it would be wise to have a strict "game plan." Do you have a portable dvd player for the kids? If so, I would bring it. I find the "I have to pee's" are farther in between when they are distratced. I think being prepared (hospital bag, insurance info, and participating Dr.'s en route is really smart, I would have recommended that, but it seems you already have that together).

In terms of liquidating non-essential belongings, I think upon arrival (or have someone nearby do it now, you have A LOT of responsibility right now) take photos of the items you want to sell, research them online briefly (in terms of value) and place ads accordingly on craigslist. As far as clothing, bedding, kitchen items.. If no one in the family wants/needs them, you can donate them (for a tax credit) to the Salvation Army.

I am so very sorry you are going through all of this right now. My heart goes out to you and your family, and I will keep them your Mom in my prayers.

My best advice is just be as over-prepared as possible, you have a small army traveling with you and A LOT to handle once you get there.. Is there no one you can trust with at least, say.. your two oldest or youngest to lighten your load. This is a huge undertaking as it is, especially with so many kids in tow.. Best of luck!

[astra99]

bring toys or things to keep the children occupied and maybe a pillow or two for them to sleep and give you a break xx xx good luck hun xx xx hope all goes well xx xx