In 5 sleeps time we will be
boarding a plane bound for LA, then after a 2 day pit stop, will board another
plane bound for that wonderful town, my old stomping ground, NYC.
With our 11 month-old daughter.
Our 11 month-old daughter
who doesn’t even like to sit in the pram long enough for her mother to get her
daily takeaway coffee. The daily coffee that helps her mother survive because
by this time (7.30 in the morning) she has already been up for at least 2
hours.
WHAT AM I GOING TO DO WITH
HER FOR FOURTEEN HOURS IN A FLYING TIN CAN?????
Don’t worry. I’ve been
getting prepared.
I’ve bought countless
snacks and squeezy food. Pear and lentils anyone?
I’ve never bought her packaged food
before. Not because I’m an ultra-organic granola mum, but because I’m a tight
arse. I can boil and puree my own food thank you very much.
Not sure Q will even go for
it though as her independent streak means she’s been feeding herself since she
first started to eat.
It also means every meal
requires a stack hat and a drop sheet.
Neither of which is possible on a plane
of course, so I shall just wear a poncho from here to LA to catch all her mess.
Distraction Quilt is ready.
And no, those buttons will never come off. I’m not a good sewer - or a neat one
for that matter – but those buttons are going nowhere.
Then my ambitions got far
beyond my abilities and I made her a distraction book.
Clearly that is a lion. And
a lollipop. Not that she has any idea what either of those things are.
No, that is not a black
woman’s breast as my husband guessed. Obviously it is an ice cream. Although
again, perhaps not a good choice as she doesn’t know what that is either.
That’s a nose, as if you
can’t tell. And a nail.
Necklace and noodle and
other easy things like that only just occurred to me.
That is cellophane stuck to
the page in strips.
The book has a lot more
pages than there are letters in the alphabet. So after I did the numbers I was
really digging deep.
I’ve also got a couple of real books, made by professionals. Although they’re also ones that make noise, which could possibly royally piss
off the people around us, and is why I’ve made them all disarm-them bags, to be given out as soon as we board. It’s hard to
hate someone who gives you a gift.
They will be filled with
chewing gum, lollies, earplugs and in the spirit of Australia, Anzac Biscuits.
I’ve got plenty of nappies,
(no, we’re not taking the cloth ones. Can you imagine the stench of one of
those babies by the time it gets to NYC. Talk about weapons of mass
destruction) outfits, blankets, bibs, washcloths, and of course the requisite
baby panadol. The adult version is a couple of stiff gin and tonics, my
preferred in-flight beverage.
I’ve been tweeting with @QantasAirways who assure me no strikes are planned for Sunday, but have also probably
red-flagged us to be moved up the back near the toilet.
Other than that, we’re just
gonna wing it (ha ha) and hope for the best.
As long as she’s allowed to crawl up and
down the aisle ad infinitum we should be ok.
I hope.
If only we had our own
private jet…
You are so brave! And really freaking organised! I'm very impressed. I wouldn't dream of taking my youngest on a plane for a domestic flight let alone 14 hours but you've got a hefty arsenal there. And bribing the people around you with goody bags? Pure brilliance. Good luck & safe trip.
ReplyDeleteOrganised? I shall tell my mother you said that! I just never know how the week is going to go, so I had to strike while the husband was home. Here's hoping the Anzacs soften up the neighbours...shall let you know! xx
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