We made it to Nebraska! On a technical note, I am updating the blog from an iMac, so I'm out of my element. Nobody here knows how to rotate the photos yet. [Note from Editor-in-Chief/Husband: I rotated the pictures for you. Love, Chris]
The report: Not that I ever doubted the mothers, but now I've experienced just how much more difficult it is to travel with an older baby than a newborn.
On the leg from Atlanta to Minneapolis, John screamed bloody murder for the first half hour because he didn't like being confined. I could only get John to fall asleep by loading him in my Ergo on my front an standing in the airplane aisle while roc king and bopping. I did that for an hour until the staff made me sit down for the final 35 mintues of descent, during which John screamed bloody murder.
My flight had been delayed out of Atlanta, so I missed my connection to Lincoln. Now I faced a five-hour layover with my baby. I ate dinner at TGIFriday's where I put John in a restaurant highchair for the first time. After holding him for hours and facing holding him for hours more, I had to set him down somewhere confined for a few minutes. I let John get out some energy crawling and cruising around an empty gate for an hour before I saw John start to crash out at his natural bedtime. He would only sleep in my Ergo with me walking and humming Silent Night. So, that is just what I had to do for two hours straight! My feet were so sore from walking and my back was so sore from carrying John.
On the puddle jumper to Lincoln, John screamed the whole hour. Except for ascent and descent, I spent the plane ride carrying John in the aisle. Oh, and John had a huge poopy diaper blow-out on the plane, but the confines were too small and ride too short for me to deal with it until we landed.
Then I arrived in Lincoln at midnight where my strong, college-aged cousin Ethan was waiting to help me with the luggage and car seat. John screamed for the whole drive home, so that when I arrived at my grandparents', I just said, "I'm going straight upstairs!" and rushed to my guest room. John rewarded me with sleeping for about six whole hours, waking every one to two hours. Refreshing! ;)
Katharine, I just sent you an email with some pointers on rotating your images using a Mac.
ReplyDeleteGlad you made it to Nebraska safe and sound, albeit a bit harried.
Oh, that sounds rough! At least you made it there safely!
ReplyDeleteOh, that sounds rough! At least you made it there safely.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness... I am already worried for you for the trip to CA. I don't know how you are going to be able to bounce your way cross country!! ;)
ReplyDeleteI was thinking about you today, and thinking how I was so happy that you are traveling so much with John. I remember how free I felt taking off all over the country when Miriam was a baby. That severely curtailed when Jireh was born and pretty much came to a screeching halt after Soren.
ReplyDeleteBut, I forgot how traveling with a baby can be! Ha ha. Anyway, hope he does well while you are there and no more long layovers!!!
Have a great time,
Sarah
Chris: Thanks for rotating my photos!
ReplyDeleteJaneane: Thanks for the iPhoto instructions. I've learned how to use it a bit and can now rotate my photos from here.
Sarah: Yet after your travel came to a screeching halt with Soren, you tackled it again with Christina! What will you do when she's the youngest but is mobile and refuses to be quietly contained?
Since Soren I have made it only 2x a year. As opposed to 8-9x /year with Miriam and before.
ReplyDeleteMy kids were all already used to being quietly contained at home. I agree it is a lot to ask to suddenly spring containment on them for a period of time they are not used to. They need to work up to it gradually. All my kids had play yard or booster seat time while I was busy at home so they learned to entertain themselves for periods.
On a plane, I usually need to do more entertaining (singing, reading, playing silly games) but I have never needed to walk them around the airplane. Nor would I have if they wanted me to. :-) I would rather let them cry or nurse. Oh - snacks are a great way to pass time, too. Cheerios, etc. I bought brand new toys just to introduce on the plane (noisemaking ones!). Let them rip up a few in flight magazines. When all else fails, barbiturates. (Ok just kidding on that last.)