The Greatest Thing: Allll aboard!

This afternoon Ashley (accompanied by Katie and Danny) got to take her very first ever train ride. Since Sunday all we've heard is "I take the choo choo. I see Win-see (Lindsay) and Tex and Grandma and Saun (Shaun). I go with Grandpa. Tay-tee (Katie) tome (come) too, Mommy." She's been so excited to ride on the train that when we got stopped at train tracks on the way to the train station, she pointed to the train on the tracks (hauling scrap timber and metal) and said "That the choo choo I ride!".
Of course the day wasn't without a classic Ashley-story to share....
In the car on the drive to the station Katie brought a giant cup of water which Ashley sucked right now. A few minutes after Katie said "Riane, how much should I let her drink?", Ashley chimes in with "Mommy I go potty!" So we hopped off of the interstate to the nearest Starbucks to find a potty and cold drinks. I figured she'd be fine for the rest of the trip and could make it to the station before she needed to go again. We make it to the station (not after getting slightly lost), unload the bags, I put Natalie in the Baby Bjorn and off we head to check in. I couldn't contain myself and became "that mom" clicking pictures and documenting Ashely's big trip.
Ashley was so excited she was barely touching the ground as she bounded toward Union Station. We stopped just inside the front door to put address tags on a few bags and Ashley says "Mommy, I go potty please." I was --this-- close to being finished with the tag (remember I have Natalie strapped to my front which makes things *soooo* much easier!) so I replied "Alright Ashley. We will go, just wait 1 second." and Ashley responds with "Okay Mommy!". 15 seconds later I finish the tag and Ashley says "Mommy, I go potty please!" so I figured I'd better just drop what I was doing and find the restroom. Just as I prepare to grab her hand, she sort of squats and I can hear the distinct sound of liquid hitting the tile floor, but I can't actually see anything because her dress has sort of billowed out and made a mushroom-sort of shape. Ashley looks at me with the "I know I'm not supposed to be doing this Mommy" eyes and I say "Oh Ashley, can you stop?" And she says "No, Mommy. I go potty." She finishes, stands up and steps away from the worlds largest puddle. I felt AWFUL because I didn't stop and take her immediately when she told me she had to go the first time. Then I had the pleasure of finding a station employee to clean up the mess. I take Ash to the restroom, clean her up (her dress was completely dry!!), get her fresh undies, and then it's time to turn in the tickets and walk to the train.
Ashley gave Natalie and I huge hugs and kisses and it was that point I realized that it's much harder to be the one being left, then the one leaving. Ashley wasn't the least bit sad we weren't going and instead was eager to get to the train. She takes Katie and Danny's hand and off they go, leaving me waving, yelling "I LOVE YOU ASHLEY! BE SAFE!". Again, I was being "that mom", But I didn't care! My big girl was leaving me!
About the time they disappeared behind the train I remembered THE CAR SEAT! THEY FORGOT THE CAR SEAT! So I asked a station employee if they could run them down, but when he asked which car they were riding on, I realized I didn't know so in my 'here's-your-sign' moment I say "I don't know which car but I know it's that (points to train) train.", to which he replies with a less-then-amused-tone, "Yeah. I know."
Um. Hello retard Riane. There's only ONE train on the tracks. Get a clue.
I rushed off to the car to get the seat (train's set to leave in about 18 minutes), get Katie on the phone to see which car they're on (number 5) and rush back with Natalie still strapped to my front, Ashley's giant car seat slung over my shoulder. A station employee took pity me (I'm sure I looked crazy!) and offered me a ride in the station golf cart and when we got to car number 5 he finally listened to me when I said "I'm NOT riding the train. I DON'T have a ticket. This seat is for my daughter." It was a giant fiasco, but I was able to get the seat to Katie and Danny, snap a picture of Ashley in the train (again, I was being 'that mom') and get OFF of the train before they closed the doors (the guy operating the doors was trying to get me to take my seat because he didn't realize I wasn't a passenger).
It was a pretty insane 15 minutes, but the train left on time and I waved good-bye and blew kisses to my Midget as it pulled away. Even though I know she couldn't see me, it made me feel better. While I was loading Natalie into the car I thought about how I was feeling and started laughing. If I was *this* crazy about her first train ride, what was I going to be like on her first day of school?! Good thing I have a few more years until we find out!

Midge arrives at Union Station