Our Game-changing Second Vehicle

For over 6 years, Chad and I have been rocking the "one car" life in the spirit of minimalism. For the last year, we've even made our small, shared car work with a baby in tow. BUT, now with Chad working in Raleigh most of the week at his new job, mama needed some wheels!

We spent a few hours on Thursday at the dealership with Brian Thorpe (holler if you're in need of a car—he's the best!). He got us into a great vehicle + kept Elias laughing while we signed the papers—above & beyond the call!

Elias was 13 months old on Thursday. He was walking around like he owned the place, pointing at every balloon at least twenty times, waving at everyone who worked there, checking out the reflections (which were literally everywhere with all the cars and floor tiles), laughing as we chased him around, and generally making quite a bit of noise.

It was a quite surreal to drive TWO cars away from the dealership... The very next day we already felt the full effect with the ability to have all three of us head in three different directions—Elias with a sitter in Cary, Chad at work in downtown Raleigh and me in Garner for a family Session. I very much enjoyed hang out time with friends, too. I can't even express how thankful we are for a second vehicle...

...and then this morning happened: our first full-family drive. Why was it such a big deal?

Well, for over a year now, family car rides have consisted of Chad chauffeuring Elias and I around. Because our car was so small, Elias's car seat forced the passenger seat all the way forward (leaving little space for a passenger). I've been sitting behind Chad in the car for 13 months, with the exception of a couple dates Elias didn't join us on.

It may seem like a little thing, but when the baby sound machine is blasting white noise next to me and music is playing over the speakers, we can't really hear each other. 

Hand-holding with my husband and being able to see and hear him in the car again is so exciting and enjoyable! This 2012 Chevy Captiva is a  H U G E  blessing to us!