Since every time I go out there Wayne is working, we haven't been able to do the "touristy" things since the first time we went. When I'm out there, I make my way all around Market Street and Union Square, and shop till I drop. Literally. I actually get sick of it after a few days. (Shocking, I know.)
This time, it was different. One of Wayne's co-worker's wife and their 15-month old son came out for a long weekend, so I had a friend! It was the most fun I've had in that city since my first trip in 2004. We were able to do a lot of the fun touristy things, and we even fit in a little shopping.
But before I get into our adventures, I need to start at the beginning...the dreaded plane ride. I did a lot of research about flying with an infant beforehand, so I felt as prepared as I could. Will had a separate ticket so he could have his own seat for the five hour flight. I knew I'd be going through the airport (and security) with a huge load, but there was no way around it. I was most nervous about getting through security on my own, but the TSA workers were really helpful when they saw I was solo. So I got through with the stroller, car seat, diaper bag, my carry on bag, jacket, shoes, liquids (mine and his), and a baby. All with no issues! (other than Sling Blade being behind me in line and freaking me out. No lie.)
After security, I ran into one of my best and oldest friends, Katherine, who had a layover in Atlanta on her way to Denver. I hadn't seen her in over a year, so it was such a fun surprise! She was excited to meet Will for the first time! and of course, I had to take a picture.
We didn't get to spend a lot of time together (maybe 15 minutes?) because I had to board the plane first, but it was a fun and unexpected encounter. Getting on the plane was definitely difficult. I had Will in a sling so I could carry the car seat, but I also had two other bags and the food and drink I had just bought before boarding. The flight attendant at the front of the plane was nice enough to hold my bags at the front so I could get the car seat and one bag back to our seat. Did I mention we were in the back of the plane? As in - the very. last. row. I obviously couldn't leave my baby back there unattended, so with him still in the sling, I had to make my way back to the front of the plane while others were trying to board so I could get the rest of my stuff. There were two other couples with babies on the same row as me (it was a 2-3-2 seater plane), which was comforting. And the man that was on the aisle next to us reassured me not to worry if Will cried because he had a little one at home. (Good thing.)
If you're flying with an infant, the biggest tip you'll hear or read is to nurse (or give a bottle) during takeoff and landing. The swallowing helps their ears adjust to the pressure changes. So I nursed Will during takeoff, and amazingly, he fell asleep. He was so asleep, in fact, that I was able to secure him in his car seat and take a restroom break. I ate my sandwich I bought before boarding, and I think I even pulled out one of my magazines. I took a picture of my precious baby sleeping on the plane like an angel baby. And breathed a nice, long breath of relief.
This picture was the only picture taken on the flight out there. Why, you ask? Because 20 minutes later, he woke up and cried. And cried, and cried, and cried.
the
rest
of
the
way.
Did I mention it was a five hour flight? He cried for at least four of those five hours.
The most frustrating part was I could tell he was just tired, but he wouldn't be my son if he didn't fight sleep. I tried to nurse him again - that didn't work. I tried rocking him in my arms - that didn't work. I tried putting him back in his car seat and rocking him to sleep - that didn't work. The only thing that worked was when I put him in the sling and stood in the aisle for about fifteen or twenty minutes. But then the fasten seat belt light came on, and we were forced back in our seats. I tried reading books, playing with toys, playing with the iPad - everything I could think of doing to calm him down in our seats. I tried nursing him to sleep again. Nothing worked. Nothing. You would think that after one hour of crying, he would have exhausted himself. Apparently, he's a marathon crier. And eventually, we were both crying.
Finally, we started the descent, so back to nursing we went. For whatever reason this time, he actually nursed. And passed out. Five minutes before we landed. Little stinker. I had to take another picture because it was so unbelievable to me. He looked so peaceful; you never would have guessed he'd just spent hours crying and screaming.
He even slept through the landing, which was rough in the back. While everyone else jumped up and started gathering their bags to get off the plane, I stayed put. He was SLEEPING! Plus, I knew I'd probably be the last off the plane anyway. Eventually, I had to wake him up so we could get off the plane. The nice man who had been so reassuring earlier felt really bad for me. He offered to help me get everything off in one trip. That small act of kindness was an answer to prayer because I had been wondering how-the-heck I would get off by myself.
Wayne was waiting for me just past security. The moment he put his arms around me, I lost it. But they were tears of joy. Finally, I wasn't alone anymore. A huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders, and I felt like I could breathe again.
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I always enjoy the drive from the airport to the condos. It's similar to the feeling of driving home through downtown Atlanta after a trip. Feels like home. And in true San Francisco fashion, I was welcomed by rolling clouds and fog.
It was close to 7pm PST (10pm EST) when we got settled into the condo. Before heading out to grab some dinner, Wayne got to spend some quality time bonding with his son again. My heart was so full!
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We were a family again.
Little did I know, the fun had only begun...stay tuned for Part Deux.
Oh my goodness Stephanie, I'm so sorry for that torturous plane ride! I hope the ride back was better! I'm glad things ended well at least. I definitely had tears of sympathy pricking my eyes as I read this. Can't wait to hear about the rest!
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