First Flights

I fully expect to make lots and lots of travel posts.  I'm sure they will have more details than you will care to read, but I want to record how they go and details I remember.  

One lazy Tuesday morning after a long run, we sat around in jammies and slowly ate breakfast and got ready for the day.  I was planning on a Weds-Fri trip to San Antonio, but found that all the flights on Friday were all  so I thought it would be a super short trip and I would just go home on Thurs. My San Antonio friend, Sandra, texted and said, 'wanna come today?' I was at the library when I read it, so I had Dave look up flights and the 12:45 flight was open (It was 10:40 and we live 40 mins from the airport hadn't packed) I raced home and the RS presidency was there to visit, I talked for a second and then packed like crazy.  I really wanted my first flight to go smoothly so that I want to fly again, but I felt like I was not organized or prepared, but jumped in the car 25 minutes later anyway. 

  Luckily, Dave is able to get through security with his badge, so he helped me undo everything for security and get us all up to the gate.  We made the flight no problem.  They said that my car seat was not 'airplane approved' so I couldn't take it.  (Turns out it WAS approved, but I didn't have time to look and/or argue it)  I checked a carry on, stroller, car seat and then had a backpack of activities and snacks for the plane.  It was a small plane, so Jackson sat next to a stranger who was kind and Hallie and I sat across the aisle (Hallie had her own seat :))  Hallie made friends with the grandma's sitting behind us.  It is surprisingly easy to nurse on a plane.  We had a poop-out on the airplane (literally . . . on the floor) and I had all the extra outfits in the luggage we gate checked.  I had to hand 'wipe' the edge of her clothes off and just made her wear them.  And I wish the bathrooms had a ledge or something to lay the baby down, changing diapers is so awkward.  I would have flipped out about this experience, but I had just read my friends experience with poop on an airplane and this paled in comparison so I handled it pretty coolly.  The kids were great!  Jackson was entralled by all the new things and apps on the itouch was great too.   His ears hurt on the way down and I felt bad I gave him his fruit snacks on the way up.  Hallie played, laughed, looked around, discovered, pulled up and even stood on the airplane seat WITHOUT holding on.  That girl is growing up too fast!  

Sandra came to pick us up, 5 kids and 2 moms in a van.  It was great!  I loved her house and Jackson loved having 2 boys and an endless amount of new and interesting toys.  Because of the time difference, my kids stayed up until 10 pm their time and were up at 5:00 am our time.  The timing is going to be difficult with my kids who hate to sleep.  

We weren't rushed or anxious about doing anything, we just got to chat and be moms and enjoy each other and the kids.  I really look up to Sandra as a mother.  She taught me all sorts of things about healthy foods, cooking, shopping at Costco, green smoothies, meal planning, preschool, and not feeling mommy guilt.  She gave me lots of discipline ideas, but also just gave sympathy and understanding that my kids are different than everyone else's and gave me confidence that I will do what is best for them.  

It was so fun to look through all of her little girl clothes and 'big boy' toys.  I have a much better idea of what Jackson might like for Christmas.  Sandra has only lived in San Antonio for 5 weeks (She moved from Arizona 2 weeks before we got here:( ), but her house is beautifully set up.   She had all these meals pre-planned and made (even though I came a day early . . . so prepared!)

 The second day, we went to the Riverwalk and rode a boat down the river and learned all about San Antonio.  Very interesting and beautiful!    Then we packed up to go home. 

 Jack, Chase and Jackson (just a little confusing!)

Sandra and I 

 The flight home was very empty, I was able to push a stroller with Hallie's carseat and pull a carry-on (thank goodness I brought the jogger stroller so I could push one handed) and Jackson tagged along (with lots of coaxing).  Sometimes he tried  We had a row to ourselves and I put Hallie's carseat in.  But, she still couldn't fall asleep because she knew I was there (even when I covered her up).  But it kept her more contained.  Now she was standing up IN her carseat, ON an airplane, with no hands.  Jackson was scared watching "enchanted" so we turned it off.  He then admitted to being tired (this may be the first time ever) and curled up on my lap (but was still too squirmy to fall asleep).  They were both fantastic on the ride home.  We got home at exactly the same time as we left San Antonio and Dave picked us up.  Great trip!  Sandra made it SO easy though.  With car seats, pack'n play.  All the baby girl things we would ever need and all the boy stuff Jackson likes.  It was just a perfect trip where I wasn't too worried if I accidentally forgot something (I think I only forgot a phone charger!)  I loved how quickly we got there and how comfortable it was.  I hope she'll have me again before they have to move.   Thanks, Sandra!

Things I definitely want with me on each flight:

• stuffed animal (both my kids love to cuddle these)
• Sippy cup with lid (in flight drinks are much too big for a 3 year old to finish in one 'sitting')
• Airline approved Carseat
• Blanket (over compensating on the A/C)
• Snacks!
• Ipad with songs, games and movies (get headphones that are louder and stay on the 3 year old's head)
• Extra outfit for all 3 of us (Jackson spilled his drink on him, Hallie pooped and Hallie spilled my water on me)
• Changing pad for the bathrooms
• bottle with formula all measured in it. 
• I can't decide if I should get a double stroller or double jogger or neither.  you need 2 hands to push a double stroller, thus you can't pull luggage, a double jogger is easier to push with 1 hand, but then it is huge to get through security and elevators, etc.  But Jackson is difficult to reign in sometimes . . . I wish there was a double stroller that allowed you to hook carseat on them and tow luggage all at the same time :)

Planning trip #2 for tomorrow!