Amelia and I flew down to see my mom this last weekend. I was extremely nervous for her first flight and how she would react to the pressure changes as well as sitting on my lap for a good 4 hrs (2 flights).
SHE DID AMAZING!!!
I had to wake her at 4am the morning we left, and as usual she always wakes up in a happy mood. She remained awake until we took off at 6am. She fell right to sleep as the plane taxied out to the runway, I think it closely resembled being in the car. It was a smaller plane so all the bumps were felt. She simply laid back and closed her eyes, no fuss. About 20-30 minutes later she awoke (happy) and flirted with those sitting around us. On our final descent down into San Francisco she fell BACK to sleep. The flight time was about an hour and a half.
I found out our gate had changed for our next flight back up to Arcata, CA. But thankfully it was right next to the original one, so we didn't have to go far. The flight was delayed due to fog in Arcata, we boarded about an hour late. Again she fell asleep on takeoff, slept for another 20-30 minutes and woke up. At some point I fed her, I can't remember which flight it was :D
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| Amelia waiting in San Fran... happy as can be |
Unfortunately the day we arrived we had to attend a graveside service for my mom's cousin. The day was a whirlwind. After the service we drove down to Fortuna for a gathering at a chinese place. Later we drove BACK up to Arcata to see my cousin's softball game. Then it was back to their house for pizza and hangout time. Amelia LOVES little kids!!! She was so entertained by my three little cousins, she was awake the whole time we were there, playing and laughing with everyone.
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| Amelia rocking her baby to sleep |
Sunday was amazingly sunny!!! Mom and I wondered around Eureka's shops and got some used and new books. I sunburnt my left ear!!!
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| Amelia and Grammy by the marina |
Tuesday, the day I was scheduled to leave at 6pm, mom and I hit the Eureka Zoo. It used to be a free zoo but now it's 5.00 admission for adults.
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| Amelia sitting on a "horse" in the barnyard area of the Zoo |
After the zoo we got the chance to hang out with the family before I had to leave.
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| Amelia and I sitting in the Arcata airport waiting to board |
We checked in, went through security and waited for our plane to arrive. If you have ever seen Wings, the TV show, the Arcata airport is somewhat similar. It's just a teeny bit bigger.
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| I let her rip up the Skymall magazine. |
The trip home was a little different with Amelia. The plane ride to San Fran wasn't too bad but she was definitely tired and refused to sleep. By the time we were getting ready to land she was almost dozing off, but I had to rouse her in order to get off of the plane.
Our connecting flight back to Portland was in the international terminal. As soon as I got off of the plane in San Fran I strapped Amelia into the Ergo, put on my back pack and grabbed my rolling suitcase. I felt like a "do it all mom". I'm sure people were thinking, "oh that poor lady! she's all alone". But it felt amazing to be able to do this on my own. Yes, it would have been a lot easier if someone had been with me.
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| Amelia's cheesy face {love} |
I waited until almost everyone was on the plane because this was a significantly larger one than the others we had been on. I didn't want to sit on the plane with a tired baby while EVERYONE was loading. Well, I for sure should have gotten on first. By the time I was loading they had run out of over head bin space for roller bags so we had to wait outside the plane for someone to come and gate check our baggage. I found my seat and had to have people help me get my Ergo off because it was all tangled up with my backpack. The lady sitting next to me offered to hold Amelia while I got situated in my seat. I wasn't hesitant at all, you take all the help you can get when alone. I stuffed my backpack between my legs and wall (window seat), tucked the Ergo under my arm and took Amelia. She proceeded to SCA-REAM during the whole taxi and take off. While we were making our way into the air I managed to dig her bottle and formula out of the backpack and mix it for her. She ate and passed out for the rest of the flight. I was BEYOND hot in that seat!!! I was sweaty, she was sweaty and I couldn't reach my air nozzle. Nor did I want to TRY to reach it in fear that my armpit would smother my seat neighbor.
We landed about 15 minutes early and I decided that I would sit there and let everyone de-board so I could have room and time to put the Ergo back on, as well as gather my backpack and the formula pack that fell under the seat. I stood and laid Amelia on the seat as she continued to sleep. I somehow managed to put everything on, loaded her up and out I went!!!
We were sure happy to see daddy. After we got home I gave Amelia a bath because by that time she was up and playing with dad on our bed. It was bed, bottle and bedtime which ended up around 12am. She slept until almost 8am, had another bottle and slept till 10. Amazingly she went down for her nap at noon and slept for 2 1/2 hrs then stayed awake until bedtime at 6:30 (are you lost yet?). WOW.
That trip with all the plane rides was far more enjoyable than a 10 hr car ride.
I would do it again.
