First Airplane Trip

On October 1, John had his first airplane experience. Since Daddy was supposed to be in training until nearly the end of October, we had made plans for John & I to travel to Montana to visit my folks, and give him a chance to meet his great grandma Senecal. After returning from Temple late Sunday night, we woke up at 4:30 Monday morning to travel to Austin so we could make our 7:30 flight. Unfortunately when we arrived, we found out that the flight was delayed until 8:45, causing us to miss our connection. Fortunately, the agent found us another flight with Delta that left at 8, and got in 15 minutes earlier. We had prayed a lot for this trip, especially for John to travel well. He did fantastic, slept most of the time, and when he wasn't sleeping he was watching the other passengers. However, for mom, the trip was rather interesting! First of all, in order to go through security I had to take off my shoes. I had John in the sling, and it's pretty difficult to bend over when he's in there. Fortunately there was a sweet couple in front of me that helped me out, and got my bags and shoes through x-ray. Well, I walked through the metal detector, and the agent said I had to step to the side. The couple was going to help me and watch my bags, but the agents wouldn't let them. So, I stood enclosed in a glass area, waiting for someone to come get me. After about 7 minutes I was escorted by a female agent to be "strip searched." They had to go through my bags and wand me down. It turns out, that b/c I switched airlines, my tickets printed out a warning that I needed to be checked. Gotta love security! The couple had been waiting for me, and the lady actually bent over and put my shoes on for me. I started crying. These people were so sweet, and would have been even more helpful, except for now with extra security, people aren't allowed to be helpful. Grrr.
Anyway, we made it safely onto the plane. I was told I would have two seats to myself. When I sit down, the flight attendant, said, "They gave you this side of the plane?" Apparently there are more oxygen masks on one side of the plane than the other. She said I'd be ok, unless someone sat next to me. Well, right before take off, someone sat next to me (and she didn't look happy to be sitting there at all). Well the flight attendant saw that the seat was taken, and made me switch seats with the guy in front of me on the other side of the aisle. I had to switch from my window seat over the lady, and into the other seat in the aisle. I got nervous, b/c I wanted a window seat so that I could feed John with a little more privacy. To top it off it was a gentleman sitting next to me. He turned out to be a sweet, old man, a retired anesthesiologist who worked primarily with Labor & Delivery. We had a great time talking. He commented on how good John did. The ladies sitting across the aisle asked if it was John's first time flying. When they found it was, one said, "Well, I will say a prayer for you that he'll do good. I've been there before."
Well, about 30 minutes into the (3 hour) flight, I started smelling something, like poop. I checked his diaper for any leaks, and prayed and prayed that he didn't poop, and that none would come for the remainder of the flight. I also racked my brain for how on earth I was going to change him in flight. Thankfully he made it to the next airport, and we landed 30 minutes early, allowing me to change him in the bathroom. Then we hiked all the way to the complete opposite end of the airport in Salt Lake City. He started crying halfway there, so I took him out of the sling, and carried him. We arrived at the gate, and rested, until they called for those with small children to check in. So, I picked him up and carried him to the agent and checked in. Twenty minutes later (he's sound asleep) they start preboarding. I place him in the sling, and head to the line, only to find out that they delayed the boarding. Then he starts to fuss. Another sweet, old lady, comes and helps me out with my backpack, as I try to calm John down. She said, "I know what it's like traveling with little ones." I commented how I just hoped he didn't fuss the whole flight. She said, "He just may, and that's ok. He's young, and there's nothing you can do to stop it." For some reason, that calmed me, knowing that people wouldn't be looking at me as that mother who couldn't keep her kid calm.
When they finally let us board, we had to walk probably another mile, out to the plane and climb steps to get on. I was parched by the time I sat down, and I didn't get a chance to grab any water. Again, I sat next to a gentleman on that flight, but this time at the window. John did fabulous. I waited til nearly everyone had deplaned, so that I could take my time gathering my things. Poor mom, thought I had missed the flight, when she saw the pile of people, and I wasn't with them. When I finally called her, she nearly ran through security to come see me. Of course, the security guard got all firm with her, and put her hand on her side, in case she needed to grab something to ward my mom off. Good grief! She was still hollering after us, as we descended the stairs. Grandma Senecal actually made the trip to Billings to greet us!!! I started crying. After lunch, and pictures, we drove the two hours to Bozeman. Grandma was so good with John. He loved looking at her and talking with her. I made the comment, that it was fun to see her with little ones, b/c I'd never seen her with them. She replied, "I was around when you were little!" Gee thanks! John did great in the car as well. He even waited to poop, until we stopped for ice cream in Big Timber, and made sure he filled his pants twice there!
After we arrived, we took a grand tour of the house, and by then John was exhausted. We gave him a mini bath, dressed him in fun flannely pj's that his grandma had bought him, fed him, and put him to bed (at 7:15 Texas time).
Hopefully he will do just as good on our return flight!