Madeline's first time driving in Preston Madeline and I just got back from a quick trip to Utah and Idaho to visit my family. (Let's hear it for a $10 flight!) I'm so glad we went, but I'm also so glad we're not climbing on another plane for a while. Dave was busy working and making our apartment more homey while the two of us were away, so we came back to an apartment that still needs some arranging but is much more put together than when we left. And I cannot even tell you how happy Madeline was to see her daddy last night. She threw her arms around his neck and patted his back as she hugged him for about five minutes. So cute.
I always look like a three-ring circus when I traipse through the airport with Madeline and all of our stuff--no matter how streamlined I try to pack--but that comes with the territory of traveling with children, I suppose. Madeline made up for any of our craziness by charming everyone along the way with a wave and her winning smile.
When I was at the airplane door breaking down the stroller so it could be gate checked, for example, she became the flight's personal greeter. She stood by my side and waved at every single person boarding the plane. As we walked down the aisle to find our seat, she caught each person's eye and waved before moving on to the next person in the row. I love that a little girl with no guile and no inhibitions can make people smile and feel good about life.
You can see why people were charmed . . .She might have been trying to store up some goodwill for later in the flight, because she definitely ended up needing it on the first leg of our journey. She's usually gold on flights, but she had a rougher time yesterday. One of her sticking points was that she really wanted her own seat. That's nothing new--she fell in love with having her own seat on public transit while we were in Spain.
Riding the metro in Madrid
Riding the train in SpainBut she was really upset when I sat down and buckled my seat belt and she didn't have anywhere to sit besides on my lap. I couldn't move to another seat or simply stand up and let her have mine, like I used to do on the metro in Madrid. Eventually I just had to unbuckle my seat belt and hide it behind me so she wouldn't be reminded that she was missing out; luckily the flight attendants didn't notice and the plane didn't crash.
Practicing her new skillsAt the end of the flight, I scooted forward and let Madeline sit in my place so she could practice buckling up. This entertained her for a good 15 or 20 minutes, and now she can sit down on a plane and buckle up in five seconds flat. Not too shabby for a 19-monther.
10 comments:
I miss her already. IF it is any consolation to her I like my own seat, too.
I can't believe how much older Madeline is looking! Her hair is absolutely gorgeous. We miss you guys! It's totally ok that you didn't get to stop by when you were in Utah. I know how quick trips go! We're excited to see you when you guys move back to Utah.
I can't wait to babysit! And see you. :)
Rachel, I know that Madeline is the draw no matter where we go. You notice that my mom said she misses "her" already. :)
Wow a $10 flight!? That's incredible! And Madeline really is getting so big. Remember yesterday when they were babies? It was a lot easier to fly with them when they were that little though...
She is SO adorable! And getting so big...what a fun little traveler she is!
Yes, somehow her charm is abundantly evident even in a picture. She IS a cutie. It'd be funny for her and Kate to meet sometime - see who can out-charm the other. haha :D
Seeing her ride the spanish metro like it was no thing made me happy for you! Imagine in Austria if we could have seen the future, it would have made us happy!
Since every photo was of Madeline and traveling with her I figured I missed her. I miss you, too, of course. Can't wait to see you.
Ah! That picture of her charming everyone is slaying me!!! Glad you are safe! See you next week.
Post a Comment