The One with Solo in Washington Day 1

On a scale of 1-10 of nervousness I was an 11 to fly solo with Jane and Fox from Burbank to Seattle. With a pitstop in Oakland. Because there are no direct flights on Southwest from Burbank to Seattle - not even direct from Los Angeles to Seattle. Get on that Southwest! Anyway, like I mentioned before, I've taken the kids to Disneyland a couple of times by myself in preparation for flying and I really think that did the trick. I must have looked pretty ridiculous with a baby strapped to my chest in a Bjorn, carrying a backpack, pushing a toddler in a stroller, and hoisting a carseat with one hand...

I always buy a bottle of water once I get through security so I went into the first gift shop I could see. They didn't have any drinks. WTH? Instead Fox had grabbed a Ty cat and rather than go through a major tantrum I just bought it for him. I buy my child's love... And actually it kept him happy for like 2 hours so it was definitely worth the $7.99. The $4.09 tiny carton of milk on the other hand... highway robbery! The lady at the Southwest counter was nice enough to let me leave the carseat behind the desk while we meandered around passing the time. Our flight was about 10 minutes delayed, not bad at all. Fox was happy looking out the window at all the airplanes; Jane was asleep in the Bjorn. When it came time to board the lady took the carseat all the way outside (cuz you walk out onto the tarmac in Burbank) while I waited until it was time for A35 to board. Family boarding is now after the A group, but since I had an A pass I opted to just go with my ticket number. Anyway, once it was our turn a guy who deals with airplane stuff carried the carseat all the way up the stairs into the plane then a flight attendant put it by the window of aisle 22 - my favorite/lucky number - I needed all the help I could get! I put Fox in his carseat and was so happy that he was content sitting there. Soon thereafter the plane took off. Fox was entertained looking out the window and drinking his bottle. Just a few minutes after we departed he fell asleep! How lucky could I get? Jane was still fast asleep in the Bjorn so I was thinking to myself, "This is a piece of cake!" I watched "Crazy, Stupid Love" on my Fox's iPad to pass the time. My new favorite movie. Why is Steve Carell in two of my favorite movies? That and "Dan in Real Life." Anyway. Different story for a different time.

Once we landed in Oakland Fox and Jane woke up. Fox saw people getting off the plane so naturally he thought we needed to get off too. I tried to explain that we had one more flight to go and then turned on 101 Dalmatians for him while I nursed Jane. That kept him entertained for about an hour. 

Then he had a few tantrums and I tried my best to keep him calm with candy or stickers or a cheap book, etc. I had my bag of tricks and it seemed to work! 

It was a beautiful day in Washington. I brought a li'l California sunshine with me :)

We landed right on schedule. 

An older man saw that I had my hands more than full and carried the carseat all the way to baggage claim. I'm so thankful for nice people!
Malm and Allie were right there to greet us and the fun time began!

We stopped at Taco Bell for a late lunch and then went home. Eric and Tanya came by for dinner and then we relaxed and chit chatted 'til what felt like the wee hours of the morning but really it was only like 8pm. I'm getting so old :)

So happy to be here!