We had the car seat, stroller, breast pump, and everything but the kitchen sink. We arrived at the airport Tuesday morning two and a half hours early. The only thing we did not have was a lot of sleep. Lana had been giving me consistent six hour stretches and she decided Monday night, the night before this crazy adventure, was the night that did not need to happen. Nevertheless, it was like Christmas day when you run on pure adrenaline. Lana slept all the way to the airport and was in the car seat/stroller travel system snoozing away when we arrived at security. She had to catch up on her beauty rest before meeting everyone! In case you were curious, TSA cares more about security than beauty rest. This was clear when they advised me I had to break down the stroller so that it could go on the belt. Okay no big deal...then the kind agent tells me I also have to take my precious, SLEEPING baby out of the car seat and carry her through the scanner. Surprisingly, this too was just fine. Lana stirred a little and then quickly returned to dream land. Whew!
So we get to the gate and as I do during most of my nerve-racking situations, I called my mom. We chatted and laughed about how silly I am and the events of the morning so far. I must have had "please be nice to me, I'm a first time traveling mom virgin" stamped on my forehead because I was graced with a lot of nice people and good graces. The flight was not full so I got to keep Lana in her car seat in an extra seat beside me. When we boarded the plane and the entire back was empty. It was close to the bathroom and behind the engine to muffle crying sounds, which meant it was just where we needed to be. With Lana now awake in her car seat, I made my way through the aisle. You know how awkward it is to get through the aisle of a plane with a carry-on and not hit anyone already seated? Well imagine me fumbling with a car seat full of our lovely baby girl and a full diaper bag with a travel pillow attached to one side and an extra bag full of diapers and wipes attached to the other side. It was a sight for sure and thankfully I do not believe anyone got injured. In the back it appeared at first that we would have our side of the row all to ourselves! Could it all really be going this well?? Yes and no would be the answer. As I was settling in, a nice man comes down the aisle looking as frazzled as I thought I would have been and in need of a seat and a towel judging by the sweat on his brow. Apparently by then the seat next to me and one further up were the only ones left and he wanted to know if I would mind if he sat beside me. With my breastfeeding supplies in hand, I advised him that I double as Lana's portable milk machine. I had hoped being an older man this might make him feel the other seat would be less uncomfortable. Nope! He advised me he wouldn't look. Yay!! Well he kept his promise not to look, but not to talk was a different story. I learned all about his talented son, his mom of two intern, and his relationship that might be still in existence despite his difficulty with cohabitation. In the end it all worked out just fine. Lana was a well-behaved little girl the entire time and my row companion was very sleepy so talk time was limited. We landed safely in Atlanta to begin the next part of our adventure, which was, as always, too short, but so fun!
Lana got to meet more of her great grandparents, great aunts and uncles, aunt Pam, uncle Craig, cousins, and so many more. We felt very loved and blessed the entire week. The mornings were filled with wonderful conversations, breakfasts, and delicious decaf coffee (from the amazing coffee machine) with my father-in-law. The days were packed with a lot of quality family time. And the evenings consisted of sweet conversation time between Lana and her Grammy Duck. It was a week full of amazing family fun. We missed Daniel a lot, but I must say I felt a great sense of accomplishment at getting us there and experiencing the many special moments that are just the beginning of such sweet memories.
All good things must come to an end though I guess. We were all packed up and armed with a little more sleep this time. My FANTASTIC in-laws helped me get through the rainy trip to the airport and all the way through to the gate. They have special powers and if we told you we would have to, well we just can't tell you. We cherished every last second together. This time I was unsuccessful at getting through it all without any tears. By the time I got to the end of the ramp I was a teary mess. People say it gets easier to say goodbye to the family. I wish I could say they were right, but so far they are not. I will say it helps to have Lana with me to serve as a distraction of sorts. Thankfully Lana was a rockstar again on the plane and our fellow travelers were very appreciative. All in all it was a pleasant experience and my over preparedness (aka stressed out mania) was well worth it.
