The Flying Beanie
Yesterday Chris and I went against everything reason told us and we headed to the airport with Bean to fly to Florida for the holidays. After the Great Thanksgiving Travel Debacle of 2009, we were a little hesitant to travel with Bean. The only thing we had going for us was that the past month with him has been FANTASTIC. He’s been in good moods and on a great schedule. We just crossed our fingers and hoped that this translated into a better traveling Bean.
Our flight was scheduled to leave out of Hartford, CT at 1:00 on Saturday. And in case you haven’t been watching the news lately, the entire state of Connecticut was under a blizzard watch all day on Saturday. But our flight was miraculously only an hour before the snow hit, so we just squeaked out. But weather or no weather, there was no mistaking it.
Bean was a rock star.
About an hour before our first flight, we gave him a leeeetle bit of Benedryl. Just enough to help him sleep on the plane. And then about 20 minutes before the flight, we gave him a big ol’ bottle and a fresh diaper. By the time the plane took off, Beaner was out like a fat kid in dodge ball. Snoozing like a champ. He woke up about an hour into the flight and had some juice, played with some toys, talked to this cute little 5-year-old girl who was sitting in front of us, charmed a few flight attendants, and even had time to fill a diaper!
(P.S. Changing a diaper in an airplane bathroom that has no changing station should be an Olympic sport. And if it was, I would have won a gold medal.)
When we arrived three hours later in the Atlanta airport, we had about 3 hours before our next flight. Now, under normal conditions, this would have really irritated me. I hate layovers. But with a baby, that three hour layover is really important. If you are going to spend your day on airplanes, the layover is critical. This three hours was a much needed break for Beanie. We strolled around the airport. Chris and I got a bite to eat. Bean got a mini-sponge bath to make him feel cleaner and happier. We watching planes fly and land. And by the time of our next flight, Bean was ready for his next bottle and a little nap. (We skipped the Benedryl because it was a shorter flight and I wasn’t crazy about giving him Benedryl twice in one day…)
The flight from Atlanta to our hometown in Florida was only an hour and a half. Beanie slept the entire flight. So heavily, in fact, that he slept through landing, as everyone got their luggage from the overhead bins, and even as I carried him out to the car. I mean, he was snoozing. That also meant that when we arrived at Chris’ mom’s house, Bean was rested and ready to hang out for a little while with his Grandmomma.
Today, we all woke up and were rested and ready to go. Bean was baptized this morning at our family church. I’ll post about that tomorrow (or once I find someone with pictures because I didn’t take any!). He was such a good boy. I was so proud.
All in all, traveling this time was so much better. I don’t know if it was Bean’s age or the fact that we flew instead of drove, or if all the stars aligned and it was just a good day. But, for whatever reason, we traveled so much better this time.
I’m looking into a SkyMiles program of infants. I’ll report back.
12 Comments
Kayla
That’s really great that he was such a little charmer for you guys. I’ve been on flights with infant passengers (not my own) and they can be a hassle.
Tammy in TN
This is great to hear. I am flying without my husband to another country on Saturday with our 5-month old. I am getting a little worried about it. I really don’t think he will have a meltdown, but you never know, ya know? This post really gives me piece of mind. Thanks! The husband will meet us there, and fly back with us, which will probably be a lot easier.
Angela
Congratulations Beanie.
Mom of one
Flying is always the way to go.. especially when they fly for free… eventually it will not be as easy… but totally worth flying over driving! welcome back to the panhandle.. sorry its cold for you here too.. but at least its not a blizzard!
Sarah
Katie, where again in FL is it that you flew to?
Meghan
You are SO lucky you got out of CT! I have friends that were trying to fly from Philly to NW FL on Saturday….because a State of Emergency had been declared by PA, the airline could cancel their flight and was under no obligation to rebook them or refund any money. So my friends lost their tickets and, to get home for the holidays, had to drive 2 hours to another airport and pay $800 to buy new tickets. Happy holidays from Delta….
Flying with infants is relatively easy, then it gets difficult when they’re mobile and don’t understand why they can’t walk/move around, then it gets easier again when they’re a little older, you’re forced to buy a seat for them, and they can read books or watch a movie in their seat. Changing diapers is difficult, though..the best solution I’ve found is to put a changing pad on the floor in the back or, worst case scenario, change him on our two seats. That stinks (literally), but what can you do when the airplanes aren’t equipped with a flat surface to change a diaper?
And, in case Bean doesn’t have a good travel day home, just stay calm and know that many people on the plane have been in your shoes and empathize. And if they are just meanies and don’t empathize, well, screw ’em. One day they might be in your shoes and then they’ll understand that you didn’t want Bean to cry any more than they did. Being a Southern girl, I was most worried about annoying other passengers when my oldest had a major meltdown on his first flight (at two months old). I was so stressed and crying almost as much as he was by the end. But at the end of the flight, the woman who seemed most annoyed turned to me and said, “I understand, I have kids too.” Maybe she should have said that in the beginning….but it made me realize that everyone who travels with kids ends up in a meltdown situation at some point! 🙂
Michelle
That’s great that he did so well flying. Neither of my kids have flown before and I’m terrified it will be a disaster when it comes time for our family vacation in the summer!
Emily
Congratulations on the baptism!
Mindee@ourfrontdoor
Glad you’re all safe and sound. Please get a tan for me.
EmilyC
Did you bring this cold weather down with you?!! Glad you escaped the cold and Beanie had a good flight. Hope you find some pictures of the baptism to post. Welcome Home! 🙂
Jen
That’s awesome that he traveled so well!
I laughed at your airplane bathroom comment. I avoid those as an adult average sized woman (I just don’t fit- and the claustrophobia!). I can’t imagine having to change a little person in there!
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