February 2008: The girls and I took a trip down to Las Vegas to visit Grandma & Grandpa during Will's busy season. Since we rode down with them, we had to fly home. Something I swore I would never do again. And I have had a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach ever since I purchased the tickets. But when it came right down to it, the trip was uneventful. Surprisingly smooth. Mom got a gate pass to help me with the girls until we boarded. A dollar store Fairy Doll, some licorice, and a little Benadryl insured an uneventful trip home. Will met us as we came through security. All in all, a pleasant trip. Now, why was I so worried? That would involve the "then" part of my story.
From an email to my mom, circa March 2006:
Bad, bad idea. Next time I want to travel by plane with an almost-2-year-old, coming off the stomach flu, and pregnant -- talk me out of it. Oh, and remind me that I'm claustrophobic. And motion sick.
The flight wasn't so bad. It was delayed, we didn't board until almost 8. So I used up a lot of snacks and books before we ever got on the plane. But Jacey did okay. She could have been worse. We sat over the wing so it was very loud - that's a good thing. She was tired and restless by the time we got off though, and I couldn't get off that plane fast enough. Mostly because I needed a place to go throw up. She wouldn't walk from the gate to the baggage claim where Will was supposed to meet us. I half dragged/half carried her there. Then, Will was no where in site. I found a corner to dig through my bag for my phone (meanwhile Jacey's trying to run away) and couldn't find it. I left my phone on the plane.
Still no Will. So I drag a very full purse, blankie, stuffed monkey and very tired/uncooperative Jacey over to the baggage spitter-outer thingy. Jacey is screaming and I'm in tears by this point too. I watched our bags go by a few times before I finally elbowed my way through the people and grabbed them. People backed off. I guess you don't mess with a frustrated mom.
So now I drag both bags and Jacey, dropping at least one thing every four steps over to a corner and curse Will. I thought about asking somebody to borrow their phone then I saw the pay phones and hoped I remembered my calling card number. I did. I stumbled over to the phones, dropped 1 bag and the monkey on the way, and held Jacey's arm in a death grip while I called Will.
He was at the curb. He hadn't come in.
Idiot.
Did he really think I could do that myself? I told him to get his butt in the stinking airport. (I wasn't that mean, but I wanted to be.) He said he didn't remember me telling him to meet me in the baggage claim, and that he didn't know when my flight was coming in. Even though I called him about 2 minutes before we boarded and told him when the flight would come in. 10:06. I didn't bother telling him the flight number since he couldn't go to the gate anyway. Baggage claim, 10:06. Not that hard.
I stumbled over to a chair (dropped a bag) and waited. And bawled. And Jacey bawled. And then in comes Will and she turns into the perfect little angel. Happy, laughing, holding hands and walking nicely.
"She was not this nice before," I told him. "She was a pill."
"I believe you," he says. "I'm sure this hasn't be a fun trip for you."
Understatement of the year.
Luckily for that idiot the house was spotless and the showers were scrubbed. Forgiveness comes a lot easier when the showers are scrubbed.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
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5 comments:
Been there, Done that! I'm glad this trip was better than the last. That doesn't sound fun. Hope your time with you family was worth the flight :)
That is a funny story! I am happy to hear that your trip was much easier! You are pretty brave to do it with two kids by yourself!!
Ughh for us "single moms" travelling by ourselves. I'm so glad this time went better! That's surprising since this time was with 2 little people. That story you told was so funny and so sad all at the same time. Reese has flown a LOT in her short little life and I think Tom has only been with us once or maybe twice at the most. It sucks that we get used to it. By the way, I found cheap deals for a week in March and a week in April. They're both right in the middle of the month. Any chance you'll be there for either? Probably not since we never have such luck.
I'm so glad that this time wasn't as bad as the "then." Being pregnant and flying is NEVER any fun! I'm sure Vegas was much warmer than here . . . hope you enjoyed it! And I'm glad Will was waiting at the security check, its good they learn.
Oh, girl! I feel your pain! That is not fun. It really is something else! I remember traveling with two toddlers and a baby all by myself. Then, one of the toddlers needed to use the potty. So all four of us cram in an airport bathroom stall complete with a huge diaper bag, blankets and all the stuff that comes with kids! Oh, that was crazy! This was fun to read, though, now that I am done with all that!
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