First in Flight
On Thursday July 21st we
loaded up the car and headed to the local airport for what was to be
our first family flight. Chad is no stranger to the airport. In
fact, he had come in on a flight from DC less than 12 hours prior to
our departure for New York. I'm certainly not a “frequent flyer”
but I'm fairly airport savvy. Despite our love for travel
and our over abundance of traveling with our kids, we've never
attempted to fly with them. This was all about to change.
This trip had been planned for months
(in fact, we begin discussing the plans for this Webb Family Vacation
sometime last summer). We had big plans for sure. We were scheduled
to leave for New York City on July 21st. Stay in New York
– at the Westin Time Square – until Sunday July 24th.
Head for Boston, via Amtrak train, Sunday afternoon. Take a day trip
to Maine on Monday. Spend the rest of our week “relaxing” in
Boston before our final departure home on Saturday July 30th.
We will also squeeze in a Yankee's game on Friday night in Yankee
Stadium and take in a Red Sox game at Fenway on Tuesday night in
Boston. As all the plans were made, I agreed and added to the full
itinerary that was being developed. As the weeks leading up to our
trip turned to days...and hours...I began to panic just a little.
Some would say I had a “Debbie Fit.” Great plans, well laid out,
all paid for....all we had to do was get on a plane and arrive. But,
the more I told people of our trip the more blank stares, gasp, and
“You're brave!” comments I received. Yes, indeed, we may have
been in a little over our heads. Either way, at 9:00 am on Thursday
morning we were packed and loaded and heading for the airport.
I had meticulously packed our carry-on
bags. Games, books, snacks, suckers, newly wrapped travel toys, an
older iPod with episodes of Deigo and a new movie. We were set!
Payton was excited. Owen was along for the ride. I was nervous, but
I was prepared!
Our flight boarded quickly. We took
off on time. About 50 minutes had passed in our flight and I hadn't
even used half of the goodies. Payton had been extremely excited
about he takeoff and all the sights he could see from above. He was
nicely settled and watching a movie. Owen enjoyed the take-off as
well. He had a snack. He was even laughing....and then....it all
went downhill....quickly. I had looked at my watch at 11:50 – our
flight was to land at 12:55. Owen starting crying around 11:51 –
and by crying, I mean screaming uncontrollably as loud as possible,
arching his back, pushing every possible comfort item away in agony,
and occasionally pulling at his ear. I had a HUGE fear that one, or
both of my kids, would have trouble on the flight with pain – they
both have a nice history or ear infections, tubes, etc. Owen
screamed and screamed and screamed. Nothing could make him happy.
We got the glances, the stares, the sighs, the pity looks....all of
those things that happen when your stuck on a flight with that baby
that screams...AT THE TOP OF THEIR LUNGS....ALL THE WAY THERE. On
two different occasions, I had to wipe tears from my own eyes. I
prayed – repeatedly – that God would not give me more than I
could handle (and I think pleaded with him that I was at that
point....really!). I exclaimed to Chad that I WOULD be renting a car
and driving home and I was really serious at that moment. We stood
up, we bounced, we shhhh-ed....everything I could ever think of to
soothe him. Nothing worked. Finally, around 12:35 (40 minutes after
the crying had started) we got him to drink a tiny bit of Diet Coke
(really.....I was at the end of the rope....this kid hasn't had more
than 4 oz of juice) and he started to calm down, he closed his eyes
and he feel sound asleep. Thank you dear Lord! We made it – no
other passengers screamed at us – though, several did offer there
opinions and “poor baby” comments – we lived, he lived, it was
all okay.
Before our return flight (and possibly
before our 4 hour train ride) I will be giving him Motrin and
Tylenol. I'm certain it was his ears and I will do all I can prevent
a repeat of our original flight.
I've left a good description of Payton
out of the fiasco discussed above. Payton was great. He was excited
when he woke up this morning about going to Boston – New York (as
if it is one place). We got out of the car at the airport. Placed
his new backpack on his back – filled with all of the above
mentioned children's items and about 10 seconds later he declared it
was TOO heavy and he could not carry it. He did a pretty good job
rolling his carry-on suitcase and was really a great travel partner
all around. He was so excited to be on the plane – he wanted us to
be on the biggest plane – but quickly realized there were other
bigger planes outside. He pointed out so many things. He watched
out the window for a good while before asking to watch his movie. He
was excited to have his very own snack and orange juice (which he
never drinks!) and did a great job by not spilling anything while we
both dealt with Owen. When we started our descent, he turned his
movie off and looked at all the big buildings. He also claimed to
see Yankee Stadium and go SO excited about going to see the Yankee's
play. I knew he would be excited but I was worried the snug seat,
hot plane, and nearly 2 hour ride would be too much for him. He
really did great and proved he can be a really good boy when he needs
to!
So, finally, we landed in NY. Chad's
family was waiting on us when we arrived (escaped from the plane!).
I'm probably looked like I had been hit by a truck but we were all
there together to start our 2011 Webb Family Vacation.
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