Tomorrow I will write all about what a fun trip we had to Virginia. But today, I just have to write the bad stuff. You know... the joy of riding in an airplane with Tucker. On the way there, I thought he did tolerably well. I mean, at one point one of the flight attendants suggested that I might want to stand up with him, despite the seat belt sign. And I did... after first explaining that I couldn't make any promises as to whether or not he would calm down. If you haven't been around when Tucker screams (I don't know who has had that privilege), but anyway... it is quite a combination of a high pitched shriek and yell that he can continue indefinitely.
I have to give him credit. Yesterday's display topped even what I thought he was capable of. The first flight was just one hour to Baltimore. Emmaline was so frustrated by him that she decided to sit elsewhere the second leg. So Savannah and I sat by a total stranger- who was so kind, I must add. He kept his headphones in and a smile on his face... even when Tucker slimed his arm with animal cracker goo. How this could happen, I don't know... on a flight to Salt Lake there were only 2 babies (the other was a newborn that slept the whole flight) and we were the racial minority. I guess the conversation behind us should have been a premonition. A lady with an "A" group card was saving a spot for her friends in the "B" group. When the friends came, they took one look at us and said, "Why'd you sit by a baby? I don't want to sit by a baby!" I was about to move when I realized THEY should be the ones to move. I was the one with the crazy baby that would have a more difficult time moving! Anyway, Tucker nursed and slept for the first hour and screamed the other four. I tried everything... even standing, but to no avail. Everyone thought it would somehow be helpful to give commentary on the situation- "You shouldn't travel with a baby after his bedtime," "Some people should just stay home," "I'm pretty sure I've never been on a noisier flight." No, they weren't saying it to me... just loud enough that I could hear. The flight attendant even felt bad for me. She said, "People got to know, when you book a flight, there is probably at least one baby. And we were all babies... so...." When the plane landed, everyone clapped and I heard a few, "Thank God that's over," because, amazingly enough- as we bumped to a landing, mid-scream, he fell asleep.
As I stood at the baggage claim, listening to the continued commentary, "Can you believe he kept that up the entire flight," I began contemplating what I possibly could be doing to create a 2nd of such babies (It can't be an accident. One of this kind is a fluke. Two means it's my fault.) And isn't it ironic that somehow Tyler managed to sidestep both the flight out and the flight back (once to finish a project for work and now to stay a few extra days with Ollie)? Anyway- as I was spending those last moments feeling sorry for myself, a woman walked up and said, "I had such an enjoyable flight sitting next to your daughter." Thank goodness they grow up good.
10 comments:
ah- that last part is so cute =) so nice of that lady to come tell you how sweet Emmaline is.
... so do you have any suggestions perhaps? babies just HATE flights... I think we'll be flying for Christmas. Should i just realize it is gonna be awful no matter?
oh charlotte. that must have been so stressful. i'm so sorry.
oh gosh, i'm near tears in sympathy, charlotte! how nice of that lady to compliment emmaline. she really is a great kid. and we all love tucker no matter what any old mean plane people say. sheesh.
OH Charlotte! how much we loved you coming! After seeing Tucker in action, I understand more. Should I say Hear Tuck. After we stopped laughing, not at the situation, because THAT wasn't funny, but the way you write it. You again, should start a book the sooner the better, you really have stories to tell and your writing is exceptional. And we really did love you coming but what a cost!! Love you
Nope, Rachel. I'm sure she'll do fine. I've had 2 kids that were easy to travel with.
I am so sorry to hear that! I totally feel your pain and it makes me so mad at those people! I flew to Canada with the boys by myself and by the time we were through customs, I literally felt like I had run a marathon. We had some nice people and some not so nice but not nearly as bad as your experience! Those experiences always make me want to be extra nice and extra understandable to anyone having trouble with kids.
Oh I so empathize. I literally sat in the bathroom almost the whole way home from China, Ben screaming, me crying, because the people around us were being so...judgemental. The flights since haven't been much better. I know exactly how you felt.
I can't believe those people were so rude! Sorry the flights were so bad. Hopefully you had enough good things happen on the trip to make up for it.
I'm sorry things were so stressful. I understand that the other people on the flight were irritated, but you were doing everything you could!! I hate flying with my children when they are babies/toddlers...it is so incredibly stressful for me. And Phil always somehow backs out of coming, too, so I feel your pain!! I hope at least you had fun in Virginia!
Sounds like it was a long 5 hours! Don't you wish we could all be generous enough to just assume we are all just doing the BEST we can! --especially when it comes to our children!?! It is very unfortunate that people could only criticize rather than sympathize. These mothering moments sure do take off some of the rough edges. I hope you have had some good time to rest once you got your feet on the ground and back to your own home!
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