Into the Wild Blue Yonder

The second leg of our trip consisted of a cross-country flight from Baltimore to Reno, NV.

We chose to fly out of Baltimore instead of our "home" airports for several reasons. First, it was cheaper. Next, I got a ride to the airport from Mike's mom, so I didn't have to pay for parking for 2 weeks. Also, I had Mike's mom help me to the gate, so I wasn't doing the luggage carting and check-in and security lines all by myself. Finally, it allowed for visiting with Mike's side of the family on either end of our trip, essentially combining two trips to see grandmas into one.

Last year we made the same trip, but Mike came with us and Rebecca traveled in my uterus instead of the stroller so it was a bit different this time. I did make a list of tips for travelling with children that can be found here. A worthwhile read for any parent of young children.

I shall sum up our air travels with just a few additions to the previous list based on our trip adjustments.

First, when booking your flight consider how one mother and three children can be seated.

If you are brave and your children are a bit older, opt for the two-by-two arrangement. Put the older kids together behind you. Then it will be your seat they are kicking with every move, and the poor stranger sitting in the aisle seat will get to referee the sibling squabbles. If it gets really out of hand, you can put in your earphones and pretend not to know who they are.

You may also consider the whole-row arrangement, holding the baby in your lap. Who knows, your husband may find the bruises on your thighs from all those little kicks attractive upon your return and what mom can't use an 8-hour-long arm workout from holding, rocking, lifting, feeding, and moving that 20 pound bundle of joy? It makes it much more interesting to be presented with the challenge of finding ways to retrieve dropped army men, colored pencils, teethers, shoes, headphones, and pillows or to open snacks and drinks while holding a baby and trying not to bonk her head on the wall, seat, armrest, or tray table. And when one of you needs to use the bathroom, everyone gets a mini-workout and trip to the back of the plane. Resist the urge to make everyone wear pull-ups to stretch the time between potty trips. They probably don't come in sizes that big anyway.

Next, pack your carry-ons. Don't make the same mistake I did and assume that each child will be able to pull or carry their own bag from one plane to another. At each stop it is nearly guaranteed that at least one of the three children will be sound asleep or too groggy to handle their own luggage. Plan a way to carry an infant, a sleeping child, a stroller and all carry on bags (in our case three back packs and three roller bags) from one gate to the next in less than an hour, including a stop at the bathroom and a fast food place. Trust me, just fork over the extra $15 per bag and check everything but the essentials. It is worth every penny.

What essentials? Here is my recommended list:

diapers- obviously

wipes- to accompany the diapers, and to wash hands, faces, tray tables, arm rests, seat cushions, dropped toys, and your shoes after a child drops his lunch on them.

snacks- for when your kids won't eat the "yucky" "weird" or "funny" food in the $8 plane meal or the $5 snack box and can't seem to survive on peanuts and apple juice.

dvd player- because even with headphones or the fancy seat-back tvs, your kids won't be entertained by Seinfeld re-runs or Confessions of a Shop-a-holic.

a change of clothes for everyone- because when one kid spills his juice seconds after the flight attendant hands it to him in a lid-less cup filled to the brim (why? Do they not have kids? Do they know what "half-full" means?) you all will have sticky and wet laps.

lollipops. Big ones.- because when all else fails, even the baby can be quieted for five or ten minutes by sucking on some crystallized high-fructose corn syrup and artificial flavors. Just time it so you are at least on the descent before the sugar high kicks in.

Finally, make sure you have a few kind-hearted relatives meet you at your destination to help with collecting luggage, finding a rental car, and most importantly, to hug your sticky, tired kids while you breathe freely for a minute and remind yourself why you got on the plane in the first place. Bonus points if you can convince them to sit in back with the kids while you drive home.

Enjoy your flight!!