Leaving on a jet plane
When Tacy was three weeks old, I made my way from the Upper East Side to Fort Lee, New Jersey to close on our apartment. I strapped her into the Bjorn, took a bus to the pier, then boarded a ferry to Weehawken, where Kyle met us with a borrowed car and car seat. Needless to say, I was a nervous wreck the entire time.
When CJ was three months old, we drove from New Jersey to Colorado. I wasn’t a nervous wreck, but I wouldn’t do it again. For months afterward, CJ screamed every time we strapped her into the car seat.
In less than two weeks, I’ll take outings to a whole new level with Oliver. We’re going to Chicago together. (I’m a panelist at the upcoming “Mommy Blogger Monologues” sponsored by BSM Media.)
That’s right, I’m flying solo with a baby - and I don’t mean flying solo in the metaphorical sense. I’m going to wrangle a Bjorn, infant seat, stroller frame, diaper bag, and our luggage. I’m going to (gasp) breastfeed on an airplane. I’m going to spend the night co-sleeping and be knowledgeable and coherent at breakfast the next morning. I’m going to lunch with one blogger and grab a cup of coffee with another, all with baby in tow.
(I will get a sitter for Oliver during the panel. Even I have my limits.)
It could be a disaster or a dream come true. I’ll report back when I return.
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What sorts of outings have you taken with a newborn? Adventurous, crazy, silly, fun-filled or catastrophic - we want to hear about what you did during your rookie years! Today’s PBN Blog Blast is sponsored by The Rookie Mom’s Handbook (read my review here!) - two participating bloggers will each win a gift bag full of awesome goodies for moms and kiddos. Shouldn’t one of them be YOU?
May 9th, 2008 at 5:53 am
You know I live near Chicago, right? Do you already have a sitter or do you need one? You know how much I love babies, right????
toris last blog post..What is Wrong With You Mom?
May 9th, 2008 at 6:14 am
Oooo. You’re brave. I won’t be doing that, that’s for sure!
Heathers last blog post..The post where I ramble about random things and it’s not even a random thoughts post
May 9th, 2008 at 6:55 am
It is a brave move but I found travelling with a baby managable. She slept on the plane. Of course nursing her on take off and landing helped. I know this sounds dorky but I suggest a fanny pack for all your documentation. I had our passports stollen since I couln’t keep track of all my gear at every momment.
Enjoy the adventure.
May 9th, 2008 at 8:20 am
When Kenny was 8 weeks I took him on his first flight. He was nestled into the Baby Bjorn during the entire flight. I didn’t even mess with a stroller, so it was me, him, a diaper bag on my shoulder and pulling our luggage (actually halfway decent).
I nursed him while waiting for our plane and nursed him while sitting next to a man on the plane.
Kenny slept the entire flight.
Then, when we were getting off the man next to me said,
“I need to apologize. When I first realized you were sitting next to me I had a really bad attitude, but this has been such a peaceful flight and your baby truly has been just perfect.”
Of course it could have gone differently, but I appreciated the kindness of the man and his honesty.
You’ll do great, but if I were you, I’d sooooo ditch the stroller and just expect to have him on you.
I don’t know what I would have done without the Baby Bjorn - that thing was a Godsend until he began to weigh the amount of a small sumu wrestler.
OMSHs last blog post..Dad dies saving baby girl.
May 9th, 2008 at 8:41 am
[…] Leaving on a Jet Plane […]
May 9th, 2008 at 8:45 am
I’m very lucky; my husband and I have never had major problems when traveling with our kids. ‘course, the fact he MacGyvered up a DVD setup within the mommymobile might have something to do with it….
Best wishes for a peaceful trip,
Barbara
Barbara Lings last blog post..You’re too freakin’ old to learn how to make money with a blog - HAH!
May 9th, 2008 at 9:07 am
The thought terrifies me. I’ve done a 4 hour road trip with #1 alone, but the thought of flying with one and all that crap… You go, girl. But I mean, what choice do you have? Stay home? I think not.
May 9th, 2008 at 9:20 am
I have ideas and tips for you… but mostly it’s a crap shoot. Literally, either the baby will blissfully sleep the entire time (while you’re sweating and trying not to bonk the soft spot) or crap will shoot out of the diaper and clothes and down your arms. I sure hope it’s the former. And you’ll be arriving to some very understanding friends.
Baby Bjorn and backpack.
RookieMom Heathers last blog post..Laughter, delicious brunch, and no poopy diapers…
May 9th, 2008 at 9:47 am
You can do it! You’ll ask the airline to block a second seat for you (mostly they’re good about that), bring on the car seat, gate check the stroller frame, and get tons of sympathetic smiling faces watching you the whole flight. Mostly if he’s quiet. But he’s not a screamer, is he?
Mom101s last blog post..Toddler Math
May 9th, 2008 at 10:42 am
i took bob to florida by myself when he was 10 months old. i had luggage, a backpack diaper bag, a HUGE ass stroller/carseat combo, and a squirmy bob who, although he could not walk, could crawl and roll and wanted to do so all over the airport. oh, and i had a layover in kentucky, too.
but aside from having to break down the whole baby/stroller/carseat contraption at EVERY GD CHECKPOINT, it really wasn’t so bad.
May 9th, 2008 at 4:03 pm
You will be fine. At that age, if they get worked up over something, breastfeeding usually does the trick.
May 9th, 2008 at 6:21 pm
I’ll happily trade you a newborn who doesn’t move for a toddler who won’t sit still for 5 seconds. It’ll be great and not that long of a flight. Can’t wait to see you!
selfmademoms last blog post..My contribution to the internet this week
May 9th, 2008 at 8:25 pm
Oliver will love it and grow up to be airplane-obsessed just like his friend Opie (first flight 2 mo., lost count since then)!
PS: Chicago?!?!? Can I sneak into the audience for this panel or what?
mayberrys last blog post..Bloggy schadenfreude
May 10th, 2008 at 11:48 am
I’m excited to meet you at the panel! Since I’m all about the babywearing, there pretty much isn’t any place I wouldn’t venture with a baby, but it’s good to remember that you just have to take it one thing at a time.
Steph
Adventures In Babywearings last blog post..And So It Begins
May 10th, 2008 at 6:48 pm
With all that baby gear, it would be nice to have a sherpa!
Lady Ms last blog post..The Today Show, Mommybloggers, and Early Experiences with the Press
May 10th, 2008 at 7:30 pm
You do it girl. Are you using the Sit & Stroll? That item is my travel love.
Although Lady M is on to something with the sherpa.
I took my 2 1/2 week baby from New York to Florida because I was a bridesmaid in my friend’s wedding. Totally worth it.
the mama bird diariess last blog post..dora the explorer needs a stylist
May 11th, 2008 at 12:58 am
My daughter and I traveled with the family when Noah was just two to see his brother graduate from the Marines…it was difficult to maintain a schedule even though there were two of us…so anyone who travels with babies..has my deepest wishes for it working out. When you travel alone it has to be nightmare just keeping track of all the luggage. uhg…not alone the baby…
Dorothy from grammology
remember to call gram
http://www.grammology.com
Dorothy Stahlneckers last blog post..The Chemo Gang
May 11th, 2008 at 2:21 pm
I flew with my newborns… it’s so nice when you nurse, because I get jittery when I fly, and the warm baby nursing always relaxes me. Awesome. Have a great time!