A bit melodramatic to compare my travels last week to being a contestant on Survivor? Maybe. But I have never felt such a sense of accomplishment as I did on Saturday when we finally returned home. Running a half marathon - simple! Childbirth - piece of cake! Traveling halfway across the country alone with an 8 month old - HEROIC (in my mind, anyway!) I could not have anticipated the amount of strategic thought it would take to get through the trip.
Strategic Decision #1 - How to Pack
My plan was to stick to one suitcase - not too difficult since we're only gone three nights, right? WRONG! Although I did manage it, deciding how to cram clothes, bottles, a swim floaty, toys, formula, and baby food all into one suitcase was not an easy feat! I made some concessions - I left the bottle sterilizer at home (yes - I still hand wash and sterilize Evan's bottles!). Next - diaper bags. So, there I am deciding what must-haves should go with me and what can be checked. I imagine it's like deciding on that one personal item you can bring to the remote island! How many empty bottles should I actually carry on? How many bibs, wipes, changes of clothes (even though I have NEVER used the spare set of clothes since he was born!). With that out of the way I turned to the car seat. This is where I really impressed myself. Since I recently bought an extra seat for the sitter, I installed that one and wrapped up the other so that I would not have to uninstall and wrap it in the parking lot at the airport! Turns out this was a lifesaving idea! With the packing completed, I loaded my car the night before since I knew we'd have to be out early the following morning.
Strategic Decision #2 - How to Get out the Door
After all the great nights Evan had (about a week in a row of sleeping all night!) Wednesday morning he was up at 4:30! It was actually a blessing in disguise, though, because I started the process of getting us out the door at 5:30 and it took every minute until I shut the door behind us at 7:35 (the second time!). Now Scott is usually the one in charge of the traveling checklist. He makes lists and checks them twice. He remembers things like camera chargers and extra batteries (both of which I forgot!). He makes sure lamps are plugged into timers so that it looks as though we're home at night (those are complicated devices!!). Let's just say I really missed him last Wednesday morning as I was leaving, knowing I was forgetting (and in some cases, choosing!) to do all those small, extra little things.
Strategic Decision #3 - How to Get to the Gate
We got to the satellite parking area in good time, considering morning work traffic. Next obstacle - strap Evan into the Baby Bjorn! Now we have not used this since I tried to when he was a newborn and got his leg stuck in the contraption. But, since I decided against lugging the stroller, it was the only way to go. We practiced using it at home several nights before we left, just be safe. I unpacked our things onto the curb before getting Evan out of the car and into the carrier. Can I just say he's a heavy little guy?? So, picture this. I have a 21 pound eight-month old strapped to my chest, facing outward. Next, put on my jacket and backpack diaper bag. Last, get the other diaper bag on my shoulder and tucked under the backpack strap so as not to fall off. I'm sure this was a sight to the two men waiting with me for the shuttle - both of whom had one simple little carry-on! Lightweights!
At the terminal drop off is where things started to get dicey. The driver unloaded my things but then I had to cross the street! Huh?? Similar to some crazy Survivor obstacle course, I had to quickly solve the puzzle (how to get a car seat that is in a plastic bag AND a suitcase linked together) and then run the course(get across the street safely without dropping anything!). Finally, the finish line! We checked in, made it through security (where luckily I did not have to unstrap Evan!) and to our gate with no further incident.
Strategic Decision #4 - How to Successfully take a Potty Break
We sit down at the gate and I unstrap Evan so he can play on the floor. A few minutes later I decide I should go to the restroom. Rather than get him in the contraption again, I just carry him and our things. Big mistake! If only I could have taken a picture of me holding Evan with one arm and trying to go to the bathroom using only one hand. Let's just say that at one point he was dangling horizontally while I squeezed him between my knees so I could get my pants up and buttoned! But we did it!
The flight out was great. Evan was a trooper and slept for most of it.
Strategic Decision #5 - How to Entertain (the extended period/limited resources version!)
I got to the airport at noon on Saturday for my 2pm flight back to Baltimore. We were a little early, but no biggie! As soon as we sat down at the gate I learned of the 45 minute delay! We found ourselves in the jungle alone and bored! Repeating in my head, "I can do this!", I began to think of all the ways I would keep Evan entertained for three hours. Knowing he would be due for a nap around 2pm my plan was to hold him off as long as possible so he would sleep on the plane. First, he had to eat. So there we were, Evan on my lap and his food on the chair beside me, one spoonful after another. We played on the floor until he got restless. It was time again to strap him to my chest, pick up all of our bags, and walk the terminal. My back and neck ached but he was quiet and content. I bounced him, I let him jump on my lap, I fed him countless Gerber Puffs - this cycle continued until we finally boarded at 3pm.
Strategic Decision #6 - How to Form an Alliance
I'll never forget the look on the man's face when I plopped down in the seat next to him. He was by the window and had carefully folded his suit jacket and placed it in the middle seat (which was helpful in that no one sat there!!). He gave us a polite smile but I knew what he was thinking! As soon as we got settled and before the plane left the gate, Evan was asleep in my lap. Amazingly, he stayed that way until we started descending two hours later! When he woke up the man began talking to him and told him how good he was. He told Evan, "You can fly with me any day"! Once we got to the gate and began the process of deplaning, those same people who looked at us hesitantly when we initially took our seats were now commenting on what a great baby I had and how cute he was. My plan had worked!
Strategic Decision #7 - How to be a Diva (on a small scale, at least)
By the time we got to baggage claim I was completely over the, "I can totally do this myself!" BS. I ditched that strategy for the "I'll be a diva" strategy instead! I headed straight to the ATM and proceeded to take out the best $10 I've ever spent. I bought a package of Lifesavers to make change. I then walked over to an employee with a flatbed and asked for help. He loaded my luggage and car seat and waited with me outside for the shuttle, then loaded my things on the bus. He got $5.00! Then the shuttle driver dropped me off and loaded everything in my car. He got $3.00!
We made it home just three and a half hours after leaving New Orleans - not too bad! I successfully outwitted, outplayed, and outlasted little Evan AND all the traveling obstacles I encountered. I was pretty proud of us!
I must say thanks to all the people who helped along the way. Obviously they won't read this, but I want to put it out there anyway. There was the lady who held Evan's formula dispenser while I made his bottle and who insisted that Evan kicking her leg was not a big deal, the lady who picked up my jacket off the floor - several times, the man who offered to hold Evan while I stuffed our things overhead and the same man who steadied Evan by holding his hand from across the aisle while I buckled my seatbelt, and the flight attendant who gave me extra pillows to prop my arm saying, "I remember how heavy their little heads can get!".
The experience reminded me of all those times I was less than patient (shocker!) when a baby was on my flight. Maybe, just maybe, I learned a little something!
