Day 49...time to fly

Mar 9

Well, we made it to San Diego safe and sound, and Martyn did so well. I'm proud to be his mama.

When we got up and got going this morning, I thought we were doing really well as far as time goes. Then we didn't take the 'smart' way to get onto HWY 26, which was a parking lot. I was getting pretty antsy, Eli was venting about work and really chatty so I just listened to him while we crept along on the free way. Once we got past down town, it was pretty much smooth sailing and we were fine on time.

I had to check the car seat and my bag, and I had already done early bird check in on line, so checking luggage was all we had to do...oh and get Martyn's boarding pass...good thing I got his birth certificate, ha!

That was easy. Flying on Wednesday is always a good idea, especially if it's in the morning, there just aren't a huge amount of people flying that day...which seems odd to me that more people haven't figured that out yet. Anyway, we had plenty of time to get to, and through security, so we just sat with Eli for a little while. He was very sad for us to go, I was a little sad too...but happy at the same time.

Eli held Martyn for me while I walked through the winedy line, and then handed him over the wall to me when I got up to the security point. I had a lot of stuff to get through the scanner, it was a little frustrating. Everyone was friendly about it at least.

Finally I got all my stuff back on and situated and went down to the gate. Martyn was happy to look around at all the new stuff and lights. After we were sitting for a little while, a very nice older lady came up to us to chat. She said she saw me walk up to the gate, and calm Martyn down (he was fussy for a moment) and she just wanted to offer help if I needed it, like with going to the bathroom (on the plane she meant) and holding the baby, or whatever. I talked with her for a little while, and decided I could leave my bag with her a minute while I took Martyn to the bathroom (in the airport) and changed him.

When I got back, they were boarding the plane, so it was good timing.

My flight had a stop over, with no plane change, in Oakland...it was supposed to be about an hour layover. I nursed Martyn at take off (from Portland) and he was perfectly fine. He stayed awake almost the whole flight, but didn't cry. I nursed him when we started the decent into Oakland, and he fell asleep, and didn't like being woken up once at the gate. That flight wasn't very full, so I was able to sit in an isle seat, in the second row, and no one in the middle seat. The lady I sat next (in the window seat) happened to be a Le Leche League coach, and was very friendly, and pro-nursing the baby on the flight, which I was very very glad for.

There was some problem, I never quite got the full story as to why this happened, but we had to change planes in Oakland. All the passengers going on to San Diego got bumped to the next flight, which was about 2 hours later. I was ok with that. I just got some lunch in the airport, and took care of Martyn, and read my book until it was time to board the next flight...it was fine. Lot's of people gave us the baby eye, both men and women, which kind of surprised me...but it was because I was travelling alone, with a very obviously young baby. So many people were willing to 'help', though I didn't feel I needed it, but I appreciated the courtesy anyway.

Martyn had fallen asleep while we were waiting to board, and stayed asleep the entire flight. I sat next to a very nice older couple, on the packed flight. There were a couple other little babies on that flight, who fussed the whole time...not my boy though! He was perfect!

When we got to San Diego and got off the plane, I was feeling really tired. It's been nearly 3 years since I've flown into San Diego, and it was really strange for it not to feel familiar anymore. I remember the last time I came down here, it felt familiar, but clearly not like coming home....and I liked that feeling. This time, it was just strange. It was like, well, flying down to the city my mom lives in to visit her, with my baby son. Funny how that works huh?

I had to nurse Martyn in the car before we left the airport, and change him because of the stupid disposable diapers. He had a blow out even though I had just changed him in the airport when we landed....I really hate those disposable diapers, they suck! Anyway, once we started driving home to mom's house, things started feeling more familiar. Not like I didn't recognize San Diego while flying it, but I've flown into San Diego many times before and could pin point freeways, and streets from the plane...I just couldn't do that this time.

It was nice to come home to Mom and Jack's house. I haven't been to this house too many times in the almost 6 years that they've lived here. It's such a cool house though, and it feels good to come home (for vacation) to it. It's cozy and comfortable, and was really nice after a long day of traveling. Mom made dinner right away, and after dinner Jack went to AWANA, and mom stayed home with Martyn and Me and we all had a great visit. Grannie loves that baby up, and I love being home with my Mama....I hope Martyn feels that way about coming to see me when he's a grown man with his own family.