The Journey

     I think the quote goes, "It's not about the destination, it's about the journey." Well,  Malley's first plane ride was a journey. We have a pretty easy baby. Happy most of the time. Adaptable. Smiles a lot. Sleeps through the night. Easy going. But she doesn't like to be hot. Just like her mama. I like to be between 71-74 degrees. So yesterday, everything was going so well. Luggage checked. Security line was easy (three cheers for the family line!). Hubby and I even enjoyed a leisurely lunch at the airport. There were lots of kids on our flight, which means lots of understanding parents if Malley got fussy. We were able to family board, which is a big deal on Southwest! So there we are, in our seats waiting for take off. Just waiting. I notice it is warm. The "pre-flight" air is not really cutting it. Malley's face is getting red. Still waiting. 20 minutes pass. It's getting very hot, so I pull Malley's legs out of her one piece outfit. We're all sweating profusely and Malley is crying. Loudly. We get ready for take off. Bring on the A/C! And then nothing. The captain comes on and says the A/C is broken and we're returning to the gate. My husband keeps suggesting we strip her down, but I keep refusing. She's wailing. She breaks into heat rash. Naked it is. So there we are, 45 minutes later, soaked in sweat, and they repair the plane with duct tape. Comforting, right?  I was just focusing on our destination, which was my mom's house.
    This journey was kind of lousy, thus far.  There was a single guy sitting next to Ken.  I had to breast feed Malley because I was too confident to pack a bottle.  Smart thinking, new mom.  And she was not interested in the Hooter Hider or any other stitch of fabric on her being.  So there I am, feeling like a National Geographic TV special.  I was mortified.  Pretty sure the guy was smart enough not to look, but still, it was WAY out of my comfort zone.  My husband was the "buffer" in the middle seat, but I don't think it did much good.  The poor guy actually switched seats with the kid in front of him (he said it was so he could sit by his girlfriend, but I am pretty sure it was to avoid the Biology lesson in the seats next to him).  In a way, it is kind of like being baptized as a new mom.  I was pretty confident that we would never see him again.  Two trying hours later, we were on our way, and our sweet naked baby fell asleep. She slept the whole flight! I nursed her on take off and landing and she was perfect after A/C!
     The return trip went beautifully, as well.  So, in the end, her first plane journey went fairly well after the duct tape saved the day!  Oh, and guess who was on our return flight and moved quickly past the open aisle seat next to us?  Same guy!  Lucky us! We're busy making memories over here, and this one will forever stay burned fresh in my mind.

The "before" shot- trying to distract Malley from the heat by looking out of the window.

She was so very over her first plane flight.