Oh my, you poor dear! I can totally relate. My daughter is 21 years old and when she was born I got no help from either set of grandparents. That's okay though...I wasn't expecting or asking for help. The annoying thing has been constant, nagging requests for us to travel and to be more involved with our parents and helping our siblings...mostly on my side of the family. (Even though I am the youngest, they have always thought that my job is to rescue them all!) My mother is very manipulative and I had to put good boundaries in place many years ago in order to protect myself and my daughter. And that is what I would advise you to do. Decide on how often you and your husband and child can travel (once every 5 years overseas would be more than generous enough...perhaps once every two years for a trip to Chicago). Continue to be a loving, respectful daughter/daughter-in-law and send occasional photos of your little one to the Grandmas, but if you don't get a response, make that less frequent. (You can protect yourself from being hurt by recognizing that you are doing too much for folks that don't appreciate it...stop doing so much.) How silly for your mother to try to make you feel guilty because she bought a crib for a child that doesn't live with her...it may have been a sweet gesture or wishful thinking on her part, but her threats to send it back are silly and manipulative...if I were you I might tell her that if it were possible to visit more frequently, you'd be coming to visit HER, not a crib! She should send it back, by all means. Decide what you would enjoy in your relationships with your daughter's grandparents and what you feel your obligations are and stick to that like glue! Don't be bullied, don't be manipulated...remember that you are setting an example for your child...you can't lose by being calm and kind but also strong and decisive and able to make the choices that are best for you. Families can be complicated. You can make yours less complicated by simplifying your approach to them. Stop worrying about pleasing them and learn to please yourself. You'll be setting a great example for your daughter.

I lived in Portland for 21 years. A wonderful place, very laid back. I would surely drive up the coast as the others mentioned. It is a very calm and fun drive. I always enjoyed the Pittock Mansion in Portland. Mostly because, if you put your car in neutral in front of the mansion, your car will mysteriously go uphill backwards by itself. It is one of those weird things. Never was sure why that happens. A bit creepy, but really fun! A must do in Portland. Also the Saturday market is wonderful, I think it is still held under the Burnside Bridge. Lots and lots of fun to hang out in downtown. Mt. Hood is beautiful and only 1 hours drive from Portland. Tons of little towns and pubs along the way too. Timberline lodge on the Hood is a nice place to have lunch. Multnomah Falls is also really beautiful, another close drive. A must see. Tillamook Cheese? Yum. I am so thankful Sams carries it here in Texas. No other is better. Give it a try too. I grew up there and will always have my heart in Portland. Have a wonderful time, I am envious!!! Trin

Hope all goes well and your trip is wonderful. I'm in Southern CA right now visiting a friend. (water rafting today..yea) the weather is so nice right now and SF should be even better. Have a safe trip!

We were road tripping in Nova Scotia on September 11, 2002 when the World Trade Center etc was bombed. Canadians were so gracious to us. We spent a couple unplanned days touring and in spite of it all thoroughly enjoyed the trip. I know you will too...the picture taking opps abound!