As I pack for our flight to DC tomorrow, I'm definitely seeing the bright side of not flying home for Christmas. The packing logistics are almost overwhelming- and I'm not dealing with presents and saving space for bringing more stuff back. Gone are the days of throwing some clothes in a suitcase, grabbing a magazine or two, and heading for the airport. Traveling with a 4.5 month old is much more complicated. The carry-ons are carefully filled with everything needed to support us for 24 hours without back-up: toys, Landon's favorite peek-a-boo book, his spit rags/blankeys, a wardrobe change for JP and I, two wardrobe changes for Landon, more diapers than he could possibly use, and enough formula and bottles for two days. (The forecast shows freezing and snow tomorrow, so a long airport or runway delay is grimly realistic.) The logistics are made more complicated by the fact that Landon will be with us in the hotel Tuesday night and then staying with JP's parents in Maryland Wednesday and Thursday nights, so his stuff needs to be separate and ready to go in his grandma and grandpa's car Wednesday morning. (Oh yes, we get a hotel room to ourselves for TWO nights- just think of the sleep, the glorious, uninterrupted dreams we will be able to have- and the sex, but oh my god the SLEEP!) I've been trying to think of everything we need to feed, clothe, bathe, and entertain a Landon overnight in a hotel room, but I'm sure I'm forgetting things.
This trip is for JP's annual company meeting and holiday party. His firm's headquarters is in DC so they fly everyone out for the event. I've missed the last two because I always had a final on the day of the party. This year, my last chance to go, our finals ended a few days early- and since JP's parents live right outside the city, Landon's existence didn't even stand in my way. I have a gorgeous dress (I found some non-obtrusive band-aids to cover the stitches), even more gorgeous shoes, and a hot date. We're all about escapism right now and this is going to be a fun few days away.
i hope it is a lovely, fun fun time. (and happy sleeping!)
ReplyDeleteHave a great time in DC. Does JP work in the financial services industry? My husband works for a company who is headquartered in DC; he's going today for annual meetings tomorrow and Thursday as well.
ReplyDeleteHave a blast, lady!! :-)
ReplyDeleteI am in awe of your ability to pack up a 4.5-month-old for a flight anywhere. Our 2.5-year-old son has never been on a plane, partly because our relatives are within a reasonable driving distance (thank God!), but mostly because we were terrified of trying to figure out how to bring along everything we'd need.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, sounds like you have things well in hand, and I hope you & JP really enjoy your couple of days of freedom. You both deserve some fun! (understatement of the year, there)
That is great. You two deserve a romantic getaway. You will be surprised how much you will talk about Landon in those two days apart though. Even when I leave Bear with my parents I never really get away from him. He is still mentioned in every other sentence. But the sleep is wonderful.Enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteAnon: Yes he does. It's a very small firm, so that would be quite a coincidence! Will we be seeing you at the party?
ReplyDeleteHave fun! Sleep and be merry!
ReplyDeleteyou'll be out in my neck of the woods! hope you really enjoy your night out (and nights of sleep!)...you guys deserve it!
ReplyDeleteJust a tip from a mom whose flown with her baby since he was 6-weeks old--once you're past security, bring bottled water on the plane for any bottle-making (if you're using powder), or pick some up at a store once you're in town for the hotel (instead of paying $2 for one bottle of water in the hotel vending machines). We packed a small rolling suitcase full of Gavin's stuff (diapers, wipes, extra formula/bottles, all his clothes) and checked the suitcase and his carseat plane-side (at the gate) and carried on a diaperbag with what he'd need jsut for the 1-1/2 hour flight (we fly to/from DC/Chicago often). We NEVER checked anything for the baby after our luggage got lost. All of his stuff comes on the plane one way or another. This is what we looked like: me with baby riding in baby sling, purse, diaper bag, dragging our rolling suitcase that will be checked; husband carrying laptop, carry-on with toiletries (this was prior to that whole less than 4 oz thing), dragging Gavin's small rolling suitcase that has the infant carseat hanging on the handle like a turtle shell. We check in and check the big suitcase. We then carry the rest of the stuff to the plane, where we gate-check the carseat, small suitcase, and carry-on. The three of us, the diaperbag, laptop, and purse get into the cabin of the plane.
Oh, and totally take advantage of pre-boarding...you'd be surprised how those few extra minutes makes such a nice difference in getting settled. :)