For our big trip to Philadelphia for my little brother’s wedding this weekend, I decided it would be best if Brinky and I flew there. My wonderful dad was willing to drive my two girls and my nephew up there to help me cut down on the expense of flying my family to Philly, so it was just me and Brinky heading to Raleigh for a plane ride.
The smartest things I did on my trip with an 18-month-old:
- I sent all of our luggage up with my dad, so I only had to carry a backpack with essentials like diapers since I thought we might need some of those.
- I packed some goldfish and a sippy cup for the plane ride. Those goldfish were doled out one at a time so it took a good chunk of our time.
- I used my Ergo carrier. I would go so far as to say that I couldn’t have survived this trip without my Ergo. I’ve used it so much since Brinky was 4 months old and it didn’t fail me on this trip with a 30 pound toddler. I carried him on the front and my backpack on the back and we were set to go. He’s also generally calmer in the carrier, so he took several naps in it throughout the weekend when there was so much activity around us.
- I flew Southwest and picked our seat – a window seat – so he could enjoy looking out the window.
If I were flying anywhere that required more than a 1 1/2 hour flight, I would pay for a separate seat and use the car seat. There were points on the short flight I know it would have been easier if he weren’t squirming around on my lap – and without enough elbow room to avoid hitting the person unfortunate enough to be sitting beside us. But overall, I would say that flying with Brinky actually went better than I expected.
A few phone pictures I snuck during our airport experience – none on the plane because I wasn’t coordinated enough to hold on to him and try to take pictures without hitting someone:
Heading into the airport with my trusty Ergo holding my baby and my backpack on my back (that you can’t quite see because I’m not good at taking these types of pictures and walking).
Settling in for a snack once we learned there would be a one hour delay for our flight.
Such excitement when I revealed my Kindle Fire with a few episodes of his best friend Dora available for viewing.
This was kind of a failure. I let him hold the Kindle Fire, and he was so happy to be holding and touching Dora. But that meant he kept starting and stopping the show since it’s touch-screen, so this didn’t last for very long. It would have been easier to have a device that would let him watch, but not interrupt. We didn’t end up watching much Dora.
Once things got a little crazier, I strapped him back into the Ergo and rocked him and he went to sleep before it was time to board the plane. He stayed asleep through the boarding line, but he woke up when I had to unstrap him and attempt to buckle myself into the seat without waking him up.
Enjoying an airport McDonald’s lunch before the return flight.
Sitting in his seat like such a good baby boy and playing with his toys while we waited for our plane.
I’m linking up with Julie and Greta again this week for #iPPP!
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Trackbacks/Pingbacks
- Great Expectations: Your Girls and Boys | GFunkified - [...] of my favorite people that I’ve met online. Not just because she’s always been a loyal #iPPP linker upper (though ...
- 2012 In Pictures | Your Girls & Boys - [...] Brinky turned 18 months old. The girls finished school and got their final awesome report cards of the year ...
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I regard people who fly with little ones with complete awe. I drive 14 hours to Texas and back to visit family because the thought of getting on a plane with my kid scares the crap out of me!
Brinky is so adorable! His little shorts and the chubby legs and the sneakers? Omgosh.
Thanks for linking up again!
See, I can’t stand the long drive with a little one. My kids have never been good car travelers, so maybe that’s the problem. We drove to Virginia Beach (about a 5 1/2 hour drive) last month, and it didn’t go very well – I knew flying was the right call for this trip, but I was still nervous. So I’m impressed you can make a 14 hour drive with a toddler!
Those cheeks, those lips! You are amazing, Katie! To take him by yourself….thank goodness you didn’t have to deal with the luggage or a long flight. Next time, portable dvd player!
Thanks, Greta! It really was better than I expected – but yes, a portable DVD player would have helped!
He is such a cutie! I am constantly amazed by moms who travel the skies with little ones. I can barely coordinate myself at the airport!
Well, I wouldn’t say I do it regularly
This was probably our one and only flight for several years. And it was easier for me than a long car ride would have been.
We too just had our first flying experience with the boys! You guys look like you had fun. Great job mama!
I hope yours went well!
I could eat him right up with those fries. What a good, sweet boy! Happy to hear the flights went well. I loved seeing your photos on Instagram.
Thanks! I didn’t take as many pictures as I wanted to during this trip, so I’m glad I always have my phone with me for those quick Instagrams.
Cute! And it looks like it was a pretty relaxing experience! The key is preparation and it looks like you got that covered!
It really wasn’t too bad – since I didn’t have all 3 kids
Whatever did we do before handheld devices
He is such a lovely boy!
I know! I don’t know how we got by
No question 18 month olds are one of the hardest ages to fly with. Great ideas, mama!
Thanks – I’m not really planning to do it again any time soon
So much fun! Traveling with a toddler is…interesting. I’ve road tripped with mine 4 times now – 10 hours each time. In one shot. Ack! I love the photo documentation of the insanity
I couldn’t handle those long road trips!