HaysDays

Whew - we made it!! Our first family plane trip! We went to Maine for my brother's wedding - and the baby was perfect! Me and Jeff? Well, that's a different story! The first roadbloack - leaving for the airport with no less than 14 bags! And with a two bag per person limit, I figured that might be a problem. But what could I do? I had to pack Emmy's bottles, bottle sterilizer and warmer, clothes (lots of clothes!), toys, books, dolls and diapers. Not to mention the stroller, car toys, car seat, and window shade for the rental car. And somewhere in all those bags, I managed to stuff a pair of jeans and a dress for myself!

But the luggage issue was nothing compared to - Airport Security. I figured I have traveled enough to know the drill - if I take my shoes off, put the laptop in its own bin, throw away food and drinks, have no more than 3 ounces of liquid per see through container... then I whiz through security. Um - all of that went out the window when traveling with a baby. First of all, Emmy's stroller is - how should I put it? Not so compact. She's too young for one of those umbrella strollers with no support - so we brought the granddaddy of all strollers. Maybe not the best idea - because Security insisted we cram it through their screening machine. UGH - it would not fit! I tried - but it just wouldn't get small enough. So, finally they put it back together and scanned it with their eyes, instead of the xray. Emmy's stroller passed - but then the machine sounded because I left her milk in my carry on - underneath that pair of jeans I managed to grab!

So - yes, I stood there, baby on my hip, unpacking the carry on to prove that it was indeed Emmy's milk in the bag. By this time, Jeff had gone on through security - because, well, let's just say it was at hot day in Dallas!!  :) It was better for Emmy and I to go it alone!! So, after they were satisfied with what the liquid was, we put our shoes back on, gathered up our belongings, stuffed the milk and the jeans back into one of our many carry-ons, loaded down her stroller and headed for the gate!

I have never been happier to board a plane than I was that day! And Emmy was having the time of her life! She smiled, cooed and laughed the entire flight - and the pilot even told us after the flight what a good baby we have! And, yes, we took a photo of Emmy in the cockpit with the Pilot - I will post that this weekend!! We had a wonderful time at the wedding (pics to come), and our first journey on a plane was worth every stressful moment. Emmy was just a doll - and I learned a lesson. Anything I need for the baby - they sell! Pack less and buy more when I get there!  :) 

Happy and SafeTravels this Labor Day Weekend!