Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Mir-Waukee-Wis-a-con-a-sin

I confess I really like Wisconsin. We just got back from there yesterday. But the real fun was flying on an airplane with 2 kids.

Lara was very excited about flying, so when we got on the airplane and the engine started up, she squealed, "We're flying!!" To which I replied, amid rumbles of laughter from the other passengers, "Not yet. We're still driving." Then the plane lurched backward to pull out from the gangplank and she screamed, "We're flying!" More chuckles. I said, "Not yet. In a minute." We drove to the end of the runway, parked for a minute, and then pulled about 5 feet forward, and she yelled, "We're flying!" "Nope," said I, "but we will soon." Then the captain came on over the loudspeaker to announce that we were 11th in line for takeoff and would be off in about 12 minutes, and Lara, the whole time he was talking, kept yelling, "Could you turn that off? Turn it off!! It's too loud! Mommy, turn it off!" I couldn't explain that I had no control over the volume. I guess it was enough buildup that she was completely beside herself when the plane did actually take off, and squealed with delight even over the noise coming from Julian who was by this time screaming with anger because I couldn't walk around with him. I think the passengers were gritting their teeth and preparing for a rough ride when we finally pulled up and were in flight, Julian fell promptly asleep, and Lara settled down to watch a movie on the laptop. But there were about 25 minutes of pure tense fear that we would be lynched by those aboard the airplane.

Julian decided the second night we were there that he didn't want to sleep through the night. He woke up every hour throughout the night to nurse, and didn't want to go to anyone else. I was a walking zombie the next day, and he just wouldn't give it up. Then his nose became runny, and I discovered that he had caught a cold, poor kid. He had a boogery nose. Lara's first cold came during our last trip to Milwaukee. Weird. Anyway, by the time we left, as much as we enjoy the company of Ryan's dad and Nata and Isabelle and Babushka (Nata's mom), it was very much time to leave, just to get kids back to their own space. They both slept very well last night and are much the happier today, though Julian's cold hasn't healed all the way yet.

Which brings me to my point: I'm thinking seriously that I am not going to the wedding. I don't think I can handle both my children in a car for 18 hours and I don't want to make them miserable hopping from place to place. I also don't want Julian catching any more colds. Sorry to disappoint. I really want to go, I just don't want to go without Ryan. And he wouldn't want to even if he could, after the stress of having them both yesterday.

12 comments:

Shannon said...

Babushka? Seriously?

Reading that account made me laugh hard, but makes me dread flying alone with Asher even more.

And NOO! You have to go! You told me the other day, and those words were binding! Boo.

Adena said...

Yes, I agree. If I can do it, you can, by golly! Plus we'll have Anna and Daddy to push around and make hush our kids.

Carynanne said...

You have your husband with you, Adena, and Shannon only has one kid. And I don't even know where we are going to stay, nor how long. Lara hates driving-- and this is at least 18 hours. Everyone would be miserable! I can't just make Julian sit in his carseat that long. I have to feed him every 1-3 hours or he'll scream.

Anna Farley said...

Hey, if it means having to cart kids around for all of you guys, I'll do it. You can't back out now, Caryn...whiny pants! Seriously, I want to see all of you, and I can help out with Lara and Julian if you need.

Adena said...

See? We don't even have to push her around! Also, I have been told that it is legal to ride and breastfeed. Of course that should probably be looked into, but that's what I've been told. PLEEEAAASSSE, Caryn??

Adena said...

P.s. I have car dvd [players (possible three) that we can use for the kids.

Colleen said...

Wow, that sure sounds like a lot of pressure, Caryn, and if I was going to go, I'd probably do the same, but I would have the same reservations you do with Lara hating driving like she does. The only other thing is that there will be numerous distractions for her with her aunts and cousins, so it might not be as bad as you fear. Just a thought...
Or you could come down and visit me!! That's only a 6 hour drive! :)

Carynanne said...

Right. An 18-hour drive with 2 kids does NOT sound appealing to me. I know that aunts would help ONCE I'M THERE, but getting there is the difficulty. Driving at night when they are sleeping sounds great-- except that Lara's car seat sits practically straight up, so if she slept in it she'd sleep fitfully, wake up frequently, cry and whine, and there would be nothing I could do about it. And night doesn't last 18 hours like that drive would; except that with the frequency we'd have to stop, it would probably be about 24 hours-- not to Daddy's liking.

It's like Ryan's dad Chris said. Travelling with small kids fits under the heading "cruel and unusual."

Carynanne said...

BTW we do plan on coming to visit you sometime (mom). I don't know when, but it's warm enough now to go to the beach. And I can drive from 8 pm to 2 am, or 4 am to 10 am, and they'd hardly know the difference.

Anna Farley said...

Wait, I thought that once we got to your house, Caryn, that we were all riding up together. Dad and I will be with you and Adena in the cars, so it wouldn't be a drive by yourself.

Carynanne said...

It makes no difference who else is in the car. The babies will cry regardless! While we were in Milwaukee, every time we got in the car for any reason, Julian cried the entire time we were driving. Lara won't be much different. It doesn't matter who is driving. Whoever is in the car will be miserable.

Adena, Chad, and their kids are going in their own car.

Anna Farley said...

Well, Adena and I are driving up to your house, and then we're going to her house to pick up Chad. I was guessing that I would just switch into Dad's van when we got there.