first class traveler

Well, it's the holidays and like most Jews on Christmas we are following the exodus to Southern Florida. I feel like we're really starting to get the hang of traveling (Who am I kidding? It will probably never be easy). There's the stress of packing for two and the concern of the inevitable delayed flights. In the end, it's all worth it for some sun on our faces and a break from prison (I mean being stuck inside the house all winter:)

I remember when packing myself for vacation was stressful. Now, whether it's a weekend or 3 weeks, packing is a week long process when I'm packing for two. I've been known (by my husband mind you) to be an over-packer. Like most women, I need/like to have options. Now that I am raising a future over-packer, it's only natural that since she can't pack for herself that I would over-pack for her, right? My over-packing has taken a backseat for my little fashionista. Is it normal that a nearly 7 month old baby girl has her own rolling suitcase and we had to extend the zipper for more room? I'm asking you this as if she packed and demanded to have all of this for herself. I admit, I go a little crazy when it comes to planning Sadie's wardrobe for vacation, but god forbid she get caught in a picture not looking her cutest, right?

Once the bags are packed (usually still adding things the day we leave) it's time to head to the airport. For an average Joe, flying can be stressful. When you're a newmie it's like stepping into the unknown. The first time I flew with Sadie I was alone and she was 6 weeks old. I thought I was such a pro when she slept the entire flight, but now looking back I realize it was pure luck. Babies at that age just sleep all the time. I did nothing to make this happen. As babies get older it is definitely a bigger challenge to fly.

Just when you think you've got the whole traveling routine down, in true newmie fashion a curve ball is thrown directly in your face. Our last trip down to Florida, just a few weeks ago, was our first experience having an awake baby for the entire flight. It's enough of a challenge keeping my husband entertained for a 2 and a half hour flight, but now I had to figure out how to keep a 6 month old happy on my lap! Other than a few screams and fusses here and there, she was truly a first class passenger.

I figured if we can handle being in a confined space for 2 and a half hours with a wide awake baby and minimal entertainment, then we must have become incredible traveling parents. Wrong again! Fast forward to our trip home. With a flight delay of 2 hours, an airport gate that felt like a 3rd world country (Miami travelers know what I mean) and a beyond over-tired baby, I just knew we were headed towards catastrophe.

Michael and I thought that the delay would actually work in our favor. It was almost Sadie's bedtime and she would have a bottle during take-off (***helpful hint for those newmies who have never flown with their babies before - always feed during takeoff and landing regardless of baby's hunger. It helps their ears:) and then she would hopefully pass-out for the entire flight. WRONG AGAIN!

As we are taking off and I'm feeding Sadie and staring lovingly into her tired eyes, I feel and hear the rumbling of what I am hoping is a little bit of gas. Wishful thinking! As the plane's wheels quickly leave the ground, Sadie is exploding! (***Side note: we were also on a tiny 2 and a 1 row plane) As Michael and I are cracking up at our current situation (you have no choice but to laugh), I joked that I would pay money to watch Michael take her into the airplane bathroom and change her diaper. Just the thought of that makes me giggle inside. At this point we're wondering if the bathroom would even have a changing table. I even asked Michael if he thought it would be bad if I changed her on the table at our seats. I bet that would probably be frowned upon, don't you think?

When it was finally safe to leave my seat I did what any newmie would do...I went to face the challenge! As I got up I thought that nothing could be more comical than a baby pooping during takeoff, except...a back-scratching poop during takeoff (for those of you reading this who are not newmies, a back-scratching poop is a poop that conveniently goes up the entire back). Yep, folks, it happened. Right there on our regional jet we had a back-scratcher! Luckily we newmies could probably save a life with all the gear we travel with and I had everything I needed right there with me.

I rushed my stinky little girl to the teeny tiny bathroom and unlatched the make-shift changing table. Poop was everywhere! Sadie was hysterical and I couldn't stop sweating (ever since I became a mom I feel like I'm always sweating). I hate airplane bathrooms when I'm in one alone and now I was trapped with a screaming, doodie-filled baby! As I'm cleaning her off and changing her completely, I thought to myself, 'I really deserve some kind of award for this.' I felt like I was being hazed. Honestly, I would take SDT hazing over this any day. Puzzle night anyone? I imagined emerging from the bathroom and having the entire plane stand up to give me a round of applause for the incredible work I just did. OK, I know I'm overdoing it a bit, but we newmies really don't get enough credit. The rest of the flight's hurdles (we had the token screaming baby for a majority of the flight) paled in comparison to my bathroom back-scratcher.

It was definitely a flight experience I will never forget. Bring on Thursday's flight! No travel hazards can stand in my way! Now, if I could just figure out how to pack a little smarter. That will probably always be a problem. Hmmm, oh well, we can't be perfect at everything, right?

I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday and a happy New Year! Since I just managed to bang out 2 posts in 2 days (so impressed with myself) you probably won't hear from me until 2010. Stay tuned...