The Man Trip

Last week, Andrew and I went to Utah for separate vacations (weird, I know). Andrew went out to go camping with his brothers in Southern Utah and I decided to go at the last minute and surprise my family for the week. We weren't able to fly on the same airline, so it was my first time going solo with Luke on a plane. It turned out better than I expected but left me wondering how anyone travels with more than 1 child. More importantly, how anyone ever traveled before the invention of the ipod. Luke is still too young to benefit from such technology but I think every parent I saw with a child 18 months or older had an ipod playing Cars.

Airport security. I know I should be grateful that they are trying to provide a safe air travel experience...but the people who make these rules must not have children. At one point, I had Luke in one arm and was trying to open the stroller with the other arm and leg (it's a tricky little sucker and requires both hands and a foot to work simultaneously). I asked one of the workers if she could hold Luke for me (since she couldn't figure out the stroller) to which she responded that she wasn't allowed to hold kids. So then everyone just stood there and watched as I used every appendage available to me to hold my child and open the stroller. I'll admit, I felt like the entertainment. Later, I smartened up a bit and just put him on the dirty floor (shikata ga nai --it can't be helped).

As I continued through the process, they proceeded to throw out all my water bottles because I told them that they weren't for formula (unfortunately Luke hates formula) but that they were for Luke to drink and for me to drink so that I could nurse him. I guess they don't realize that water is required for nursing because my answer was apparently incorrect. On the return flight, I was ready to tell whatever lies I had to in order to keep my water bottles (oh the depths we will sink to for water). Interestingly enough, one of the workers came up to me as I was loading my hundred items on the conveyor belt and said, with a wink in his eye, "Hey, if they ask you what this water is for, always say it is for formula...understand?" We were totally on the same wavelength as I responded, "Of course it is (wink, wink)". Suddenly I had this warm feeling like maybe I had actually made a TSA friend and that they all might not be oblivious to the fact that some of these rules are erroneous and stupid. For a moment, we were on the same team ...and it felt good.

Like I said before, I can't complain. Luke didn't scream the entire flight or make a speedy dash down the aisle to the cockpit like I was slightly anticipating. I should probably be more grateful. By the way, I've decided that the best in-flight drink is by far a club soda. I'm usually not a fan of carbonation, but the fizz is great if you get a little motion sick and there's no sugar to zapp your energy later on. Then again, Andrew and I are generally club soda fans...its not for everyone.

It was fun to surprise my entire family (only my brother-in-law, Steve, knew my secret). I'm glad they appeased my sudden intrusion and rearranged their schedules for us. It was a great week and Luke misses them already. I don't have many pictures because Andrew took the camera with him (hopefully he will post about his trip later).


Here we are setting the stage. We left Luke on the door step, rang the doorbell, and ran. Luckily, Grandma and Grandpa recognized Luke immediately and didn't call Child Protective Services.


Here is a sneak preview of Andrew's "Man Trip" as he so fondly refers to it. I'll admit, I was slightly jealous, but he definitely deserved it after all his hard work this year. As much as we enjoy hanging out together, I also realize that I'm just not one of the guys...and guys need guy time. I'm cool with that. Why don't ladies get together and go backpacking in the Narrows? I'm down if anyone else wants to go.