"Airborn"

I expected to write a post about my difficulties in flying solo with two little boys last Thursday.
I expected to share a tale of tears, exhaustion, and a possible breakdown (mine).
I, at the very least, expected to share a tale of a flight attendant desperately trying to keep a wriggly babe happy whilst his mama changes big brother in the teeny on-board toilet.

3 hours and 40 minutes in the air, and a blissful (aside from the crazy back and arm pain that comes with holding 23 pounds for that length of time) 3 hours of it saw Owen snoozing, Levi viewing two cartoons, becoming bored, and happily opting instead for snacks and cloud watching.

My two babes never cease to amaze. I am a thoroughly spoiled mama.

It was a feat, mind you, to squeeze into that toilet. Big brother stood patiently next to me while I changed little brother. Then little brother sat in the very corner of the change table while Levi lay across it (half hanging off) while I changed him. No complaints from the little ones, only giggles at the crowdedness of the situation and we, all three, had a happy little chance to stretch our legs.



I can only say that these two boys, at no fault or feat of my own, were born to travel.

Airtime With Little Ones

Ah the airplane bassinet... What a beautiful little blessing. Flying to Italy with our hearty 11 month old being passed between us the entire 8 hours was a serious workout not to mention a strain on the old triceps, so thank the Lord that our 6 month old was a perfect fit. We had pre-booked the bulkhead in order to reap this benefit and it paid off. Thanks, in part, to our complete ignorance of attendants orders to pick him up every 10 minutes due to impending turbulence, he slept soundly for the duration. Please don't misunderstand this as total neglect for our baby's safety, our hands were within distance to hold him or touch him without strain at any moment, and let's be real, If you're peacefully sleeping away, would you like to be wakened so that you are both tired AND panicky? Personally, No thanks.

A Note About Leaving Canada



Leaving the Toronto airport I was struck with the fabulous idea of giving Levi a taste of home by bringing along a small bottle of pure maple syrup and making him pancakes one morning. Well, still being on Canadian soil, the idea was not just brilliant, but also entirely plausible so I popped into the duty free.
The lesson of the day: don't buy syrup at the airport.
11 bucks for a 100ml bottle?? He can have jam on his pancakes.
Part of travel is craving the flavours of home, right?

Plane Trip

We're heading off tonight for a much anticipated two week holiday to visit family. This will be Owen's first flight, where air travel is old hat to Levi. Fingers crossed for a flight with a few empty seats, or at least for a big, busy boy to be content sitting on his dada's lap for 4 hours!
We have a few plans up our sleeves to keep the peace including LOTS of snacks, and a new DVD just in case he isn't feeling whatever is on the seat back TV. He doesn't watch much TV at home, so when he does he pretty much loves whatever is happening on the screen, but you just never know. We also will have the always trusty paper and crayons, but it tends to be a short-lived form of amusement at this point in Levi's life.

I think everything is all packed and ready to go. I will continue to post when I'm away, but of course it will depend on all the goings on, so maybe a little less than usual.

YAY!!!

xo

Jet Lag

Here we are working through this process of getting our poor babe back on Canada time. It has been a rough couple of nights.
Last night he woke up crying at 2am and was awake and/or upset off and on until he decided it was time to get up at 6am.
One thing about L though, he may have a bad night but once it's day time he is a pretty happy little guy.

I read Arnica is very good for jet lag so we have been giving him that. Making sure he is well fed all day so that it isn't hunger he wakes for in the night, and giving him lots of space to be active during the proper time. Any other ideas for dealing with jet lag?

His early nap has been as normal as before we left, but the afternoon nap is where he gets confused and thinks it's night time. :(

Anyway, here is as far as I go today because I feel a little like a train wreck. I think the two of us need to get out and enjoy some sun, and I have to TRY and nap when he naps. That is one of the most difficult things to do, I think. I always have so many things I would like to accomplish and do for me that it is hard for me to give up that chunk of time to sleep.
It may not be quite so hard today!
xo