Traveling

I have done more than my fair share of airplane travel over the past 27 years and one of the things that sticks out the most is how annoying, inconsiderate passengers can completely ruin your trip. For my husband and I, people who bring babies who cry and whine the entire trip fit into the “annoying inconsiderate passengers” category. So, needless to say, we were a bit anxious about taking Jayla on her first plane trip.

Well, it had to be done. This past weekend I was in a wedding (for a dear friend whom I’ve known since 2nd grade) in North Carolina and clearly, we’d rather brave a 2.5-hour-flight than another 17 hour drive with her (remember the horrid Hurricane Rita evacuation experience!?!?). So, Thursday morning we got up as normal and headed to the airport. I think I did a pretty good job in packing as we only had 3 checked bags and carried on my breastpump, her diaper bag, a bag of food/bottles/etc., and her stroller. She slept on the way to the airport and while we checked in (curbside). Then we parked the car and went into the terminal, arriving with just 20 minutes to spare. Once we got on the plane, the plan was to feed her. The plane’s departure time was exactly the time that she was scheduled to take her next feeding. Well, we got on the plane and sat there for 30 extra minutes. Jayla was not pleased in waiting on that feeding. But, we started giving it to her and she was sucking happily by the time we lifted off. Once she finished the bottle, she played a while, then we fed her some chunks of bananas and whole sweet peas. At exactly her normal nap time, she fell asleep. When she woke, we had to change her diaper which was actually easy. We put her changing pad on our laps and did it with no problem. The Continental Airlines barf bag served the disposal purpose. Next thing you know, we’re landing. We gave her a bottle of apple juice to suck on a little to help her ears during the decent. Easy as pie…it really was.

The entire rest of the weekend was a complete whirlwind. Thursday night was the bachelorette party, Friday was the rehearsal for the Christian wedding then the Hindu wedding and the Hindu reception. Then Saturday was the bridesmaids luncheon then the Christian wedding and the Christian reception. Then Sunday we got up (with 1 hour less sleep) and flew back home.

Jayla was exhausted by the time we were at the reception on Saturday night. She spent most of the night staring into space in a daze. The girl had basically just missed 3 days of her regular napping schedule! She got passed around to so many people while we were gone. When we got home yesterday, she just sat on the floor and played by herself for like 3 hours. She seemed so happy just to have some time to herself. The plane ride back was just as good as going. Jayla feel asleep while we were waiting to take off. After an hour and a half, we finally just woke her up to take her bottle. She slept through most of the bottle even.

So, back to work and school this morning. We all overslept and after a 9 hour night, Jayla still was not ready to get out of bed. I am considering dropping her last feeding at night (reducing her to just four feedings per day) and letting her go to bed a little earlier. I’m so scared to mess with a schedule that works for all of us though!