That New Car Smell

Since I was pregnant with Aidan, I have driven a black Ford Explorer. Prior to my Explorer, I was footloose and fancy free, cavorting in my convertible Volkswagen Cabriolet. But then I got pregnant. (Really hugely pregnant. ) And I couldn't fit behind the wheel of my sweet, little convertible. It was time for the family car.

I like my Explorer. It is reliable (mostly). It has a third seat so it is roomy enough to cart around my family and many of my cousins. And it is paid off. (NO CAR PAYMENT = A DAMN FANTASTIC CAR.)

I'll be honest though. My car sort of smells. It's not a pungent, overpowering type of smell. It doesn't knock your socks off or anything. But, it's there. It is sort of a lingering, background odor of eight years of spilled milk and juice, lost french fries in seats and well, an episode or two of vomiting.

In fact, at least everyone of my children has thrown up in my car at least twice. In Griffin's case, he may have set a new record and thrown up more than we can count.

So yes, it does smell a bit.

And well, it is a little dirty. I am pretty easy going with my car. It is the car in which the kids spend most of their time. We all eat and drink in the car. It has been well lived in by three messy, sometimes very messy, little boys.

It has been almost 8 years in the same messy, somewhat smelly family car. But today, I get to soak up some new car smell. Yes! A car! I am getting a new car! A car no one has vomited in or spilled milk or juice or even lost a spare goldfish cracker! It is fresh and clean! And it even has an MP3 hookup so I can play my ipod and listen incessantly (and perhaps sing along) with the soundtrack from Glee! A new car! Yipee!

I am already having anxiety over how long I can keep my new car vomit free. I shudder at the inevitable christening of my sweet ride by my constant car sickly children. I think they just have to go throw up in Daddy's car from now on. And that's a rule.