We are back from a week-long trip in Ireland and man are my arms tired.
[Ba-dum-dum]
Actually, they are. Try hauling a 20-pound toddler around from terminal to terminal while your husband carries three carry-ons and tries to steer a umbrella stroller all at the same time. And the security checks-- we've been scanned so many times I should be nuclear. Luckily, we got the fast-track on our way to London. The security folk saw Aidan and let us cut in front of the line. And those lines are LONG. (Especially if you accidentally go to the wrong terminal and have to go through security check TWICE!) It also helps that Aidan is cute and likes to flirt with the lady security people.
We went to Ireland for my brother-in-law's destination wedding. It was a wonderful, intimate gathering of 20 people in Waterford, Ireland. They were married at the Waterford Castle where we also stayed for a couple days. You can check out pictures from our trip on my Flickr badge.
It turns out that Aidan is a good traveller. He didn't have the ear pressure issues everyone warned me about (during take-offs and landings). He slept for most of the flight to Ireland. Kudos to British Airways for being kid friendly. They welcomed us onboard and said not to worry if Aidan cries when we take off-- it's good for his ears, they said. We were seated in the bulkhead of the plane so we had more leg room on the plane and could take advantage of the bassinet so that Aidan didn't have to sleep on our laps for the duration of the flight. They gave Aidan a "Sky Fliers" backpack with a toy and a story book about flying on a plane. They heated his bottles for us. And, the guy and gal that had the grand fortune to sit by Aidan the potential screamer/crier turned out to be really nice and helpful. Thank goodness Aidan rewarded their kindness by not having a meltdown.
Travelling with a child is stressful, even under the best of circumstances. Truth be told, Paul and I each had our "what the hell were we thinking" moments when Aidan was getting agitated. Try riding in a car with a toddler who is crying and no toy, treat or songs will appease him. We ate out a lot and eating with a toddler is a challenge-- you have to make sure they are fed and entertained while you try to enjoy a nicely prepared meal and participate in dinner discussion. The best meal we had was at the Unicorn Pub in Dublin. Aidan was asleep the whole time and we got to enjoy a wonderful Irish breakfast without having to hurry up or pick up things off the floor.
In any case, we survived the trip. Coming back was exhausting-- the luggage, the checking in, the security checks. We got to our gate only to board a shuttle on the tarmac and be transported to a plane in the back 40 of Heathrow. Just a few minutes after being served dinner, we hit a bit of turbulence and the plane steward made us wake Aidan from his bassinette so we could strap him to our laps using the baby seatbelt. Paul was pissed. Somehow, we managed to eat dinner by balancing our trays precariously on the unused bassinette. Aidan ended up with some crumbs and penne bolongese in his hair, but he was asleep so no harm done.
When we finally did get home, we had to go through passport check, customs and get our luggage, only to have to put it all back on a conveyor belt and take a tram to the baggage claim terminal. Ugh. Then, while Paul was taking our luggage off the carousel, they decided to switch it on so he had to toss what luggage he had in his hand to get the others before they carouselled away. Fun times.
"What if Scott were to tell us that he was getting married in a few months in Ireland (knowing what we know now.) Would you still want to go?" Paul asked me. We were at Heathrow trucking it to the next gate with hot water for Aidan's bottle and panini sandwiches in hand.
Call me crazy-- I would do it again. Ireland is beautiful and the people are friendly. But for our next big holiday, I think a five-hour flight to say, Hawaii, would be much better.
