Ok, Ok, it wasn't quite as bad as all that. But the 2 weeks in which I traveled to, stayed in, and then left Maryland, were not as pleasure-filled as I was hoping for. Side-note: I'm feeding off my current cranky-ish mood while writing this so if it sounds overly blech that's why.
Really my trip to Maryland sets the tone for the entire trip so I'll mostly just tell that story. My ride to the airport (for whom I am really very grateful) was late picking me up. When I got to the airport I snapped my hand in to Isla's stroller buckle, which, by the way, is very painful if you've never done it before. I wouldn't recommend trying it out to see if I'm right. When I got to the counter to check my bags and get my boarding pass, I was informed I needed proof of Isla's age in order to have her ride on my lap. I was unaware of that fact and was not traveling with her birth certificate. Thankfully when I almost started crying the woman at the counter told me I could get it for the ride home and they wouldn't charge me for an additional round-trip ticket. I got to my gate (I should note at this point that it was a miracle I got through the lengthy security line with Isla) and discovered our flight was delayed by 1.5 hours. I was hoping Isla would nap on the plane. No such luck. We had a lot of turbulence so the fasten-seat-belt-sign was illuminated most of the flight. For anyone with a rambunctious toddler that is NOT a good thing. There was a snarky flight-attendant who made it her personal mission on that flight to ensure my daughter was safely on my lap at all times. In response I spent most of the latter-half of the flight crying because Isla was crying/screaming. I couldn't even go to the bathroom to change her poopy diaper. I had to do it on the empty seat next to me. Happy note: There was an empty seat next to me and when I got to Maryland at least I still had all of my hair.
Another fun part of the trip was Isla's sleeping habits. Ordinarily she is a marvelous sleeper. I have been very richly blessed in that regard. She goes to bed at 7 pm and wakes up at around 8am. VERY nice. On this trip, when I was the only parent there, she decided to not sleep past around 6:45 am. On the first few mornings she was up before 6 am. In Maryland. Which meant that in Utah it was like 4 am and needless to say it was a bit early for my taste.
All of these things notwithstanding, there were some good parts of the trip. The jet-skis, the boat, the pool, all fun. Seeing family, also fun. Karaoke for Taylor's birthday, also surprisingly enjoyable. My Mom even coerced me into singing a song by myself. Once in a life-time that.
Things got a lot better by the end of the 2 weeks and the flight home was wonderful. Next time I fly by myself with a toddler I'll remember to bring a bunch of touring-Asians with me who love blonde-curly-haired babies. They did a fabulous job entertaining her.
To leave you now on a happy note, here's a song that makes me exceedingly glad.
