Let's Try This Again

Our second shot at flying to DC was a success. I was up on time, we arrived on time, and for the most part it went smoothly.

Oh, except for security. I am convinced hell is going through security alone with an 8wk old baby. Thankfully a dad behind me stepped in to help as I tried to collapse strollers, take off shoes, pull out liquids and laptop all while juggling Maeve. Yuck. I was so worried about inconveniencing those behind me I began to sweat and get the shakes again. I'm sure it was a lovely sight. :)

Maeve did great on the flights. Our first, OKC to Newark she slept from the get-go. When we landed, we hit the bathroom and while I washed my hands my sweet girl was full of coos and smiles. A fellow hand washer leaned over and exclaimed "Oh she loves you! Just look at how she smiles at you!!!"

Melt my heart! It's one thing to look at your babe and know she loves you, it's quite another to have a complete stranger see the love bubbling over from her to you and point it out. It was a first. :) Unfortunately, that's where the happy love ended and Maeve demanded to be held while I pushed the stroller one handed from one end of Newark to another. Three kind gentleman pointed out that it would be so much easier for me to navigate if I could bring myself to put down my sweet baby. Really? My, where would this silly little mother be without the guidance of wise, older men!? I had never putting her in her car seat except...oh yes, we quit that because she was turning purple and screaming. But thank you for the help anyhow kind sirs.

And while nursing in the airport did not go well (read: we flashed a guy my brother's age and cried because we were too distracted), the little old ladies in the gift shop who told me I looked amazing for having an 8wk old baby and fawned over Maeve, holding her while I paid for my bottles of water made me feel quite wonderful. God was dropping little golden moments of happiness to get me through our travels.

Again, once aboard our last leg, we had a little whine and then poof: this is how we landed in Baltimore.

Fly Away With Us

Shortly after Thanksgiving the bean and I made the trek from Oklahoma to DC. Visiting family and friends, mourning the passing of my Granio, and spending some time being pampered by my Mom and Dad.

But, before we can talk about our trip we have to talk about our test run. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, there are certain truths in life that are better left un-tested. Lessons like, "Everything takes at least twice as long with a baby." and "Always arrive an hour and a half before your flight's departure." Neither of these lessons seemed to find their way into my thought before Tuesday, the day of our departure to DC. The morning was supposed to look like this: get up at 4am and ready, feed and change Maeve, put Maeve in car, put bags in car, leave for airport. I had laid things out with order, had planned everything out in my head and thought I was pretty prepared. But, the anxiety of travelling alone with my then 8wk old baby kept me up most of the night and instead the morning looked something like this: cousin waking me up at 5:15, we're supposed to leave, get dressed, now I'm sweating, feed Maeve, Maeve spits up, Maeve has a blowout, Maeve's crying, change Maeve, hand Maeve off to go into her carseat, get bags, my bags won't close! how can they not close?, get in car, get to airport.

Once at aiport, a flight pro I had imagined, walk in, check in. Instead it was drag things in, shake the whole time, have too many things...boppy, coat that no longer fits, pump bag, diaper bag, stroller, carseat, suitcase, snuggly....pray you're never left to fly alone again, pray the baby keeps sleeping, run to the ticket counter, swear you'll never fly alone again, arrive to two irked looking ticket agents. They are supposed to take your id, take your bags and wish you merry travels. But no, today you are greeted with, "your flight leaves in twenty minutes, I can't check you in, you're not going to make it."

GULP

Keep shaking, try not to cry, think of the baby, think of your parents, wish Adam was here. Look at Shannon, be thankful someone kind IS here, and ask what they can do. So we were given choices by a gruff and tired looking airline attendant.

Our conversation went something like this....

"Well, that was our only flight to Baltimore today."

"Oh..."

"But, you can get from here to Houston and Houston to Baltimore."

"Great!"

"But Houston is over-sold so you'll probably get stuck, at least until 7 tonite."

"Oh..."

"Or we could put you on a flight to Chicago."

"Great!"

"But because of that snow storm, you won't get out tonight."

"Oh...ok...well.."

Thank goodness Shannon was there to lean in and remind me I didn't know anyone either place, and kindly tell me I could stay in Edmond with them another night.

So, for $75 I bought a ticket change for the same flight the next morning and an extra day of fun with the VanHeests.

Pictures and tales of DC to follow, but let me assure you that the next day Mama was up on time.

Ok, ok, and because I can't help but moon over our gal. Maevey turned 3mo old this Friday. Here she is modeling at the botanical gardens this week.