The
day of our trip finally arrived. Everything was going well. We arrived at the
airport 2hours in advance just to make sure we planned for any unplanned
“hiccups”. When we got to security we were escorted to a separate line for
individuals with strollers and wheelchairs. Perfect! We could take our time
without worrying about holding up the line. We broke down the stroller, alerted
TSA I was carrying breastmilk and ice packs, and proceeded through security. Before
boarding I went to change Dreux because the lavatories on the plane are so
small and unsanitary. Trying to ensure I changed her quickly and made it back
to the gate before they called zone, I had to work fast. When I got on the
plane I noticed her receiving blanket had fallen. And of course no one would
allow us off the plane to search for it. I wasn’t completely distraught because
I figured if it had fallen on the airport floor, I probably wouldn’t want it
anymore anyway. Oh well, counted it as a lost. What I didn’t know was this was
only the first of two receiving blankets I would lose on this trip.
Dreux
did great. She slept through both flights, which included a layover flight in
which we ended up having to run to catch. I followed behind Derek with
baby-in-arm as he strutted through the airport with the stroller, car seat,
diaper bag, his computer bag, garment bag, my breast pump, and Dreux’s colorful
chain rattle adorned on his wrist. Super Dad! All-in-all we made the flight! We
got to DC at 1am. By the time we arrived Dreux was sleep and slept the duration
of the night. What a perfect trip! She didn’t cry, and although our first
flight was delayed an hour and 10min, we didn’t miss our layover and we arrived
at our destination safely. Couldn’t have been better…..It wasn’t until the
flight home, things got REAL! (lol)
SUPER DAD!
(CHECK OUT THE BRACELET LOL)
Fast
forward to departure day….
We
arrived at Reagan National Airport with just enough time to check bags, get
through security and make a QUICK bathroom break. Derek and I decided to use
the companion bathroom in the hopes that we can expedite our diaper changing experience.
I reached into Dreux’s bag to grab a
clean diaper and to my surprise….no more diapers! Oh boy! Not a problem though right? I
remember seeing some diapers and wipes in the Chicago airport the day we left
for DC. So I just knew this airport would have some. I sent Derek out to grab
some diapers but to our dismal, there were none! Ok creative Mommie start
thinking. We have a flight about to board in about half an hour. I began searching
through the bag to see what materials I could use to make a makeshift diaper. An
overnight maxi-pad and a receiving blanket was all I found so I proceeded to “make
a diaper”. I folded the receiving blanket into a triangle and placed the pad in
the center. I made two ties on both thighs, snapped her onsie and threw her
undies back on. (She had on a cute sun dress that day with matching undies.) The
plan was to pray this makeshift diaper lasted us through the hour and a half
long flight enough for Derek to grab some diapers when we dropped him back off
in Atlanta. (For the readers who don’t know, yes, Derek lives in Atlanta and I
live in Chicago.) However, once the plane landed I had all of 10min to get to
my plane. Derek helped me to my gate kissed us goodbye and I was carried Dreux
in arm on the plane. My mind was racing, I was sweating, and little did I know,
Dreux was peeing. I sat in my seat and noticed a warm trickle on my leg. To
this day I have not been able to successful decipher whether or not it was slop
or pee…I like to think slob, but I’m much more certain it’s the latter. I
lifted Dreux up and her pants were soaked! My heart began to race. I wrapped
the blanket around her bottom, which was now wet as well, and prayed we could
get through the flight. Dreux got fussy and I knew we weren’t going to make it.
I gave her a bottle and prayed the plane would take off soon. As we watched the
passengers board, I saw a lady with her husband and daughter; whom seemed to be
around the same age as Dreux. The sat in the row right in front of us. Is it
improper to ask for a diaper? How would I feel? Just before I left my pride convince
me not too, Dreux did the unthinkable. SHE BEGAN TO POOP!!!! Needless to say
pride went right out that window because there was no way I would let my child sit
in pee and now POOP, for an entire flight. The lady was nice and gave me a
diaper and even offered wipes. Because we were beginning to taxi, I couldn’t go
to the lavatory to change her. Luckily there were two empty seats in the row
across from me. I changed Dreux on the seat and felt the eyeballs of everyone
around watch as I tried to secretly dispose of her soiled receiving blanket/pad
getup. My heart was racing, I was sweating and embarrassed and I felt horrible
for not packing enough diapers. Dreux didn’t seem to mind much because she
kicked the entire time I changed her. I changed her clothes and dumped
everything else in. This was Dreux’s fourth plan ride this week, and the first
one in which I traveled alone with her. After everything was situated, we were
fine. Dreux stayed up the entire flight this time. All-in-all it wasn’t a
complete disaster. I guess it could have been worse…right???
And
that is the story of how we lost two receiving blankets.