This is my sister Rachael.
Last weekend she turned the big 3-0. It was a traumatic experience for her - so her sweet husband invited me out to help ease her through the transition. I invited Ellie along.
Now, I'd never traveled by plane with a toddler before. So I did all my homework ahead of time: what to pack for snacks on the plane, how to keep her entertained, etc. I knew exactly how long our lay-over was (not long enough!), how I could keep myself comfortable at 32 weeks pregnant with a 17 month old sitting on my lap (ha ha), and how to ask for help.
I was ready!
Ha ha. Naturally, the only two things I hadn't planned for, happened. First of all, we got to the airport to learn that my flight had been cancelled. Tender mercy #1: We got on a flight leaving 15 minutes earlier than ours was scheduled for - this other flight had been delayed 2 1/2 hours from the morning. That gave us some extra time in the Denver airport (which I knew we would need - I just didn't know how badly we would need it...).
Look at my happy girl
The flight was uneventful. Then we began the final descent...and everything fell apart. Ellie began vomiting all over her, me, and the seats. I was basically helpless to do anything but hold her, try to catch some of it in the barf bag (ha ha - she wanted nothing to do with that thing up by her face!), and console her.
Finally we landed. I stripped her down as quickly as possible, pulled out the wipes and cleaned her up as best I could. The woman in front of us kindly let me use her seats to lay Ellie down to dress her. The woman then finished dressing Ellie for me so I could attempt to clean myself off a bit and work on the seats. The woman across the aisle gave me tissue. The flight attendant gave me napkins and a water bottle. And everyone quickly left the plane. Soon it was just us left. I was cleaning up as quickly and efficiently as I could - all while thinking about the fact that we didn't have much time to make our next flight and that I needed to clean up more in the airport. Eventually the flight attendant radioed someone to come clean up more and I was free to leave.
When we got to the front of the plane, I realized there was no attached hallway to the door of the plane. We had to get off, cross the parking lot, and wander miles through the airport to find the gates. And it was snowing. *sigh* I didn't know if I was up to this trip or not.
I left Ellie on the plane with the flight attendant while I got off and got her stroller from the little cart sitting out in the snow. I got her and our carry-ons loaded up and we were headed into the airport.
My first priority was to find a clean shirt. Now, when I'd done my homework, I read to pack a change of clothes for both baby and me. And I thought, "I get why I should bring a change of clothes for Ellie, but me? I just don't have room for that." Oh how I was wishing I'd followed that piece of advice!
I found a hot pink, glittery Denver t-shirt I thought might fit over my belly. We found a family restroom and waited 10 minutes for someone to vacate it. Then I had to clean up with the rest of the wipes. And the shirt was tight. I'm sure I looked great (sarcasm). Actually, people were likely judging my fashion sense. "Does she really think that looks good?? You'd think someone that pregnant could find a maternity shirt to wear!"
.
Anyway. We made it to our gate with five minutes to spare. And I met a nice lady who told me I didn't stink (Tender mercy #3 - cuz I'm pretty sure I looked and smelled terrible.)
No empty seats next to us on this flight...until about 15 minutes in when we hit turbulence again and it started again. Tender mercy #4 - Ellie had already thrown up everything but water, so it wasn't nearly as bad. And I was already a mess, so I wasn't too worried. And the nice older couple next to us found seats farther up so I had more room to lay Ellie down if I needed to. And I decided the quickest way to get your own row of seats on a plane is to have a sick kid.
Finally Ellie was worn out - she laid her head down on my shoulder and slept for a while - tender mercy #5. She was okay the rest of the flight - until we landed. Then she threw up one more time.
The end. Let's not talk about sick kids on flights any more. Let's not talk about how it made me sick to my stomach allll week to think about our return flight. Or how I was tempted to rent a car and drive the 20+ hours home, by myself, with a screaming toddler in the back seat.
We had a fabulous week! Ellie just adored hanging out with her cousins. Gavin is just a year older than Ellie and Owen is less than a year younger than her.
Some of the fun the kids and we had:
Playing in the sand table
Cousin bath time!
Flying a plane at the Children's Museum
Baby Owen even had fun at the Children's Museum
Ellie and Owen playing nicely together
The two of us at the aquarium
Ellie's first carousel ride - don't let her sober expression fool you...she and Gavin laughed and giggled the entire time.
Fun at the park
Baby O and me
Happy 30th birthday Rach! We celebrated at the Cheesecake Factory
Her husband threw her a party AND got her an iPhone - lucky girl!
And in case you're wondering, the flights back weren't nearly as eventful as the flights out there. I talked to my pediatrician, a pharmacist or two, my sister-in-law, and my husband and came up with some strategies to help Ellie not be sick on the plane. Thankfully she slept the entire first (completely full) flight and played well the entire second (completely full) flight. We were so-o-o glad to see dad at the airport and to be home in one piece! We had a blast playing with the DeAngelos for the week!
