Traveling with an infant

I'm not alone when it comes to being pessimistic about traveling with an infant. Let's face it...they are completely unpredictable. Are they going to cry? Scream? Request food? Destroy an outfit? Ask "Are we there yet"? In the moment, when they are doing all of the above at the same time, you vow never to travel again. But in hindsight, you realize it wasn't that bad (or repress the memory) and take off for another adventure. 

Who says you can't treat a car ride like a roller coaster?

Colin had to go work at the Boulder Boldmethod office for a week and I had to go down to Minneapolis to work for a few days as well. Tickets from Minneapolis to Denver were really reasonable, so after my work was done, Norah and I decided to join Colin for a 5 day Colorado vacation (more to come on that). 

Taking Norah on her inaugural flight by myself was a bit daunting, but everyone told me it would be just fine.  Its amazing what a simple "thank you" or "I'm sorry for hitting you in the face with my gigantic diaper bag, as you try to rest in first class while everyone is boarding" can do. People actually go out of their way to help you get your stroller, purse, pump, baby carrier, bag of liquids, bag of baby bottles, etc. through security. When you realize you've been standing for 15 minutes at a gate for Billings, Montana instead of Denver, Colorado, the kind lady at the Information Booth is more than willing to point you towards the correct gate, which is across the airport and boarding in 5 minutes. We were fortunate to sit next to a man who was on his way to visit his grandchildren, and was more than willing to entertain Norah with a Delta Airlines fleece blanket and a cup of water until she fell asleep. We even had our own personal mule who greeted us at the airport and offered to carry all of our luggage. Now that is certainly generous. 

One would assume that our return flight home would have been a breeze, since both Colin and I were traveling with Norah. We assumed that since she did so well flying with one parent, it must be even easier with two!  Lesson learned -  Do not get arrogant when traveling with an infant. As mentioned above, they are occasionally unpredictable. With that in mind, it should come as no surprise that our perfect traveler decided to have a meltdown as the plane got ready for takeoff. We were like deer in headlights as we both muttered "Oh my god, we are the parents on the plane with the screaming baby." In our state of shock and disbelief we panicked as we tried to get her to stop screaming. We gave her a bottle, sang songs, crinkled a water bottle, looked out the window, and shook toys in her face like crazy people, "Look at this book you've already read 100 times on vacation. Isn't it great?!" But alas, none of it worked. Finally I wrapped her in a blanket, gave her a giant bear hug, and after a few minutes it was off to dreamland for little Miss Norah. Looking back, her meltdown probably only lasted 5 minutes, but to us it felt like 50. Perhaps it's a right of passage that all parents need to go through. To be "those" parents.