Longest Blog Ever

I'm sure no one will read all of this blog. Hopefully if you do...you find it a tad bit entertaining. We're back after a fun filled week in Michigan relaxing, sailing, shopping, taking walks to the beach, and visiting lots and lots of family! We had such a blast and Chloe did so great while we were away. She slept at least 10-12 hours every night...even in the pack & play in our hotel room the last few nights of the trip. Although her naps weren't as long as the ones back home...she napped well and often. She has been working on sitting up for a few weeks...and really started to get better at it last week. She had so much fun visiting her Grandma and Grandpapa...and was such a joy. I was so happy...our last trip for her christening didn't go quite as smooth. She was waking up several times in the middle of the night...and barely slept the entire trip. It was hard... She definitely made so much progress in just 1 1/2 months. Today as I write this...I'm still not quite sure what happened on the way home. It was not fun. That is a really PC way for me to say it was sheer misery and hell. Tom came up to Michigan the Friday before Labor Day to meet Chloe and me for his cousin Jennifer's wedding. He was supposed to be on the same return flight home as us...but had a business trip come up in NY. He asked me what I thought about him flying directly to NY from MI rather than going back to TX and having to get up at the crack of dawn Tuesday to travel back up north. I thought it made total sense and seemed so much easier on him. Our trip was going awesome, Chloe was being a peach, and between you and me...I truly felt that Chloe and I were unstoppable and could travel the world with my diaper bag and the Baby Bjorn. I told Tom that we would be fine...I would be able to make it back by myself...we got there fine after all, right? I could handle the luggage, getting the car, etc...all with a 6 month baby in tow. Honestly, I was excited about it. I was looking at it as an adventure. Young, strong mom. Doing it all myself. I thought it would be empowering. I was...well...clearly HIGH! First off...our flight was supposed to leave at 2:30pm. Chloe had not napped all day...we had a brunch with family and then had a 1 1/2 hour drive to the airport in which she didn't sleep a wink. She was too busy batting her eyes and cooing at her Grandpapa who accompanied her in the back seat. Based on our near perfect experience in Michigan...I truly expected her to sleep on the plane since she was tired. However...we were delayed an hour once we boarded due to engine problems. She couldn't relax...since there was so much to see and explore. She was totally fighting it. After several loud bouts of crying...she finally took a quick catnap...but it was a short one. Once we were in the air...I thought she'd fall back to sleep. No such luck. Granted, she could have been fussier. It wasn't awful...but it definitely wasn't good. I'm sure there we sighs of relief coming from people towards the back of the plane that they were so glad they weren't sitting next to those people...you know, the poor lady with the crying baby. However, I got even luckier. I had the wonderful and enlightening experience of having a baby with a near blowout on an airplane. Despite an early AM actual blowout (in which I was thanking God thinking this would prevent a TBO (total blowout) in the air, we had the pleasure of dealing with this mid-flight. I have not mentioned the angel, Linda, who was sitting next to us. I was getting up to change her and Linda actually wanted...and told me several times to change Chloe's diaper right there on her lap in our row. I could not believe she even suggested this...and would never in a million years EVER change a #2 diaper (or probably even a #1) inside the cabin of an airplane. Of course, I didn't take her up on her offer. I was happy to learn there is a changing table in with the rest of the facilities...even though it is cleverly disguised. I knew there had to be...and I'd truly rather die than change a N.D.D. (short for nasty dirty diaper) in the cabin. My point of this part...it to express how truly nice and generous this lady was to offer to do this next to her. The only other part of the flight that was noteworthy was using the baby bjorn to soothe her while we stood swaying between the first class cabin (where I would have been sitting had my husband been traveling with us...) and coach. I was tortured by smelling the aroma of the chocolate chip cookies. I watched the passengers in first class relax as they sipped on their wine as I just stood there...swaying back and forth...back and forth...back and forth, comforting my beautiful, dear, perfectly behaved (grrrr..) daughter. After all...in only one more hour we'd be landing and I've have my car waiting for me and a valet that was going to meet me at the carousel to assist me with my bags. My sweet and thoughtful husband ABSOLUTELY insisted on this...since he felt so bad that he was flying directly to NY. The service is called, The Parking Spot. It is an airport valet service. When I arrived they would meet us at the baggage claim.. They would have my car waiting for us and would help me with the luggage. It sounded like a dream....and I thought, NO problem! It will be a breeze. Sounded great in concept...but reality was much different. Since this blog is already way too long...I will paint the scenario of what actually occurred for you. A man in uniform met me at the carousel. I was just still so relieved to get off the plane...I was kind of in a daze. He hands me my keys...a cold bottle of water...and told me where my car was parked. It kind of threw me for a loop. My car wasn't in the closest 1 hour parking. The lot outside the baggage claim was full. He said it was just one walkway down. I signed the paper he asked me to sign. I was just stuck on the fact that I was having to go get my car. I kept thinking...isn't that what he's supposed to do??? So...I go to get the car thinking he's going to help me with the luggage once I pull the car up. I get half way to my car and realize...I can't drive with Chloe in a baby bjorn--I'm going to have to go get my car seat and lug it to the car with me. Well...the valet was gone when I got back. The angel who sat next to me offered to watch Chloe. Obviously this wasn't an option. She was nice...but leaving my baby with a near stranger...I don't think so. However...I did let a near stranger go get my car. I know...completely trusting and stupid, but my options were so limited and involved so much schlepping in 100+ degree heat and humidity. I couldn't bear it...she was nice and I know her husband was picking her up. I was actually happy about it. As I waited near the curb I called The Parking Spot and gave them a piece of my mind. I also thought about what I was going to tell the police when I told them my car was stolen. Luckily...this wasn't the case. Linda's husband, Todd, helped load all of our luggage into our car while I sweat bullets installing her car seat back into my vehicle. Anyways...traveling solo with baby is for the birds. You NEED someone on the other end. I came home and made bottles and got my tired little camper to bed after a nice warm bath. Once she was asleep...I made a nice stiff drink for myself as I unpacked all the luggage and started the laundry. What a trip... More pictures of our trip and catch up blogs to follow. I've fallen behind while away. Isn't it funny that someone could have a blast vacationing with their in laws for a week...but couldn't handle the trip home!