Flying the Friendly Skies---again

I felt it only appropriate and necessary actually, to take to my blog after my flight experience earlier this week. As many of you know, the first time I flew solo with Baby J (which was also our last time on a plane), did not turn out so well. I ended up drenched in 12 oz. of baby vomit, only to freeze when I deplaned in Detroit over Memorial Day weekend.

The reason for this update is simple: REDEMPTION ON OUR FRIENDLY SKIES.

Most people couldn't believe that I was willing to fly solo with Baby J again so soon. But after the 4th of July holiday weekend we packed up and boarded another plane to head back to see family in D-town for the week. I did things a little differently this time. Let's just say I've learned a few lessons:

1-Since I don't fly for work anymore I decided to forgo my loyalty to my AAdvantage number. Let's face it, I won't be maintaining status next year anyways, I may as well fly an airline with more family friendly rules and passengers. In my past life as a business traveler I would cringe at the open seating policy on Southwest, but in my new life as a mom, it worked perfectly. J and I actually got two seats (since the plane was not full), close to the front, thanks to the loudmouth passenger who decided to broadcast to the whole plane not once, but twice that I had a baby with me. I get it---she didn't want to sit next to me. Guess what? GOOD! I got a free empty seat.

2. I didn't overfeed this time. Baby J got a bottle on the way up and was entertained with Baby Mum Mums (her snack of choice) throughout the entire flight. I kept breaking off tiny pieces and it kept her occupied the entire time. I doubt the people around me found it amusing as she squealed (make that screamed) with delight, but guess what? I didn't really care. I traded my cushy (sometimes business class) seat on AA for a different A, an A39 boarding position. For 40 minutes, the people around me could listen to a laughing baby. At least she wasn't crying, right? I figured that it could have been much worse. On the descent I gave her some Plum Organic Just Pears which she sucked down, and kept her ears from popping.

3. I took the advice of Hollie Schultz, my friend and owner of The Baby Gizmo Company. At our recent travel event Hollie gave the suggestion to pack in two bags: 1-An over the shoulder purse-like bag/weekender and 2-some kind of backpack. I'll be completely honest, I hadn't used a backpack since I went to summer camp, but managed to find one and put it to good use. I put all of my stuff (laptop, wallet, contacts, extra clothes, etc.) in my shoulder bag and placed it in the overhead bin. I packed J's stuff in the backpack and slid it under the seat in front of me. This arrangement worked PERFECTLY and I had everything at my fingertips. Oh, and I checked our suitcase for no fee as bags fly FREE on Southwest---a perk that will come in handy once my AA status runs out in December.

My one regret---bringing my carrier, I didn't need it. Southwest let's you take the stroller right up to the door of the plane. The B-Agile folds with one hand, and I left it to gate check. Another bonus to flying Southwest---you can still take any stroller with you. Granted, mine is under 17 lbs., but on AA you can't take anything over 20 lbs. anymore as a GATE CHECK. This means no doubles---so for all of you planning to fly with twins, I suggest you getting a Rapid Rewards number!

Overall, the trip was a success. I have somewhat redeemed myself and feel confident that I CAN still travel, even alone, with a baby. I will get back to you with a full report after we take the second leg of our round-trip later this week. Hopefully this post did not jinx my travel luck :)

The adventures of flying solo...

NOTE: I honestly think that the written word cannot do justice to the story I am about to share in this post.

As many of you know, I am a huge proponent for traveling with your baby and kids. Bump Club and Beyond is even doing an entire event surrounding this topic at the end of June. Baby J has been on two trips prior to today, but today was the day I took the plunge and embarked on a solo flight with her to Detroit.

A 45-minute flight couldn't be that bad, right?

Navigating the airport was a little harder than when I flew with my husband. There was no one to watch our bags when I took J to change her, and there was no one to watch J so I could go to the bathroom. I used both the stroller and our carrier as I knew I would have to be handsfree to fold the stroller. Overall, we did alright, I would say we get an A+ for keeping everything together and getting on the plane with all of our gear in tow and properly stowed.

J got a little fidgety before we took off, but she was hungry. I waited to feed her until we were taking off so she would have less pressure in her ears. After her bottle she fell fast asleep in my arms and I even closed my eyes for a few minutes. Upon descent we were put into a "holding pattern" and circled for what seemed like an eternity. The pressure was getting to J and she started to cry. We were going up and down, air traffic control could not make up their mind if they wanted us to land or not. The tears persisted.

I really didn't care much about the crying---I just felt bad for J as I know how awful it is when your ears hurt. I was also trying to avoid feeding her again so soon (remember, this is only a 45 minute flight,) but I figured half a bottle would be fine. But then we were put back into a holding pattern and J started crying again, so I let her finish the bottle.

When I finally thought we were landing, again, another holding pattern. I took out a bottle that had water in it and let J drink some of it. All was going well until J had a little burp. The the burp turned into a belch which turned into projectile spit up ALL OVER me, her and the seat. This was all followed by a second burp and another HUGE surge of projectile spit up. It was similar to the scene in "Parenthood" when Steve Martin gets vomited all over by his daughter.

The woman next to me and I sat there in disbelief. She immediately asked if she could do anything. I immediately asked if the projectile spit up got on her. (Thankfully she was a nurse.) I was sitting in a huge puddle and my jeans were covered in spit up, not to mention sopping wet. J cried for a second and then smiled and started to laugh. In the moment of it happening I wanted to crawl under the chair as I was mortified. But in the end, I used my burp clothes to clean it up, threw everything in my bag when the plane pulled into the gate and got off the plane, shoes squeaking and all. I told the flight attendant and she said she would clean the seat, and then walked through the airport looking like I had peed in my pants.

J and I went to the bathroom and I changed her clothes and diaper. And that was that. We rolled with the punches and made it through our first solo travel adventure (barely, but we made it.)

My biggest takeaways from this adventure:

1-Don't overfeed the baby on the plane.

2-Bring a change of clothes for the baby and for you in your carry on.

3-Roll with it---you can't change a situation like this, so you may as well laugh at it.

Safe travels to you and your family this holiday weekend!