The trip that still haunts me- the last part

28 Feb 2008 Leave a Comment

by karynforyou in Stories Tags: , , ,

 OK this is the last part of my story, “The flight that haunts me still” If you have not read the other two sections you can go here and than here to read them.

 After a lot of thought I chose to give Sunshine a small dose of anti nauseous medicine before I boarded the plane.   As we boarded and I was filled with anticipation to end this long day and I settled into our seat waiting for sleep to overcome Sunshine.  The whole day was an adrenalin rush and I looked forward to a few hours of undisturbed TV time.  I had no idea that during the next four hours my disturbed mind would have traded having root canal than continue on with this flight.

 Sunshine was fidgety, uncomfortable and squirming before we were even in the air, more than usual. Other passengers were already commenting, “Flying is hard for children, maybe she will sleep”.

Just when I thought  we would have three seats to ourselves, a grandpa figure took the isle seat. “I hope he likes children” I thought as he settled into his chair. I was already getting the feeling that this was going to be a squirmy ride. Sunshine has just been introduced to her great Grandpa and had been calling him “Baba”. So every man with gray hair was called “Baba”, including our new flight companion. It soon became clear that this man was by no means a child friendly “Baba”. My first clue was when he mumbled a greeting and didn’t acknowledge the growing concern in my corner. Then throughout the flight he would open his large bag of licorice and eat one or two pieces. Of course it was during any rare moment that Sunshine settle that he would choose partake of his snack.  It was as though he purposefully crinkled the package loud and forceful to announce to my toddler that he was about to have another piece of candy, and of course, he didn’t share. This continued for the entire four hour flight.   

When the plane took off the power of the plane pulled Sunshine’s body into mine; her screams of protest could be heard above the thunder of the plane and I got an idea.

“Oh ya, I came prepared” I thought to myself with a little smirk. I waited until I could lunge myself forward and reached for the baggie of dry cereal.

 ”Got it”, “pull” and…. You’ve got to be kidding!!! The bag was upside down and the handy-dandy zip-lock, un-locked!! I kid you not, dry cereal went flying all around me, it was everywhere!! “Baba” did not flinch, did not look, and was not amused.  I was not amused; most of my quiet-bribing snack had fallen into the nooks and crannies of the seat. I grabbed a barf bag to collect what I could; if bad came to worse I would have to give it to her anyway, fortunately there was a small amount remaining in the bag. Sunshine was now crying and squealing for water.

“Very good, because this momma was thinking and brought a convenient rubber made water bottle” I said to myself (And yes, when I need some moral support I really do talk to myself like this don’t you?)

So I pulled out the rubber made container, you know the one with the flip up spout. I flipped up the spout and who would have guessed, this trip was quickly becoming a scene that I would expect in a movie, like “Family Vacation” or something.   When I flipped up the spout, water  came spewing up like Old Faithful, my goodness it was a geyser and it wouldn’t stop because I had already handed it to Sunshine. I grabbed it back from her and closed the lid. (Note to self: unscrew the top first because the cabin pressure causes disturbing scientific consequences)  She was sitting on my lap so now we were both wet and the seat that separated us from “Baba” was wet too.   He was thanking his lucky stars that a seat separated us from him.  I grabbed another barf bag and pulled out all the napkins that I could find from my bag and began mopping up the mess. (At least it was water). We were a mess I’m telling you, dry cereal, stuck to all the wet parts of our cloths.

The rest of the tripe was holding Sunshine as she spun, twirled, threw fits, in my arms, on the spare seat and on the floor. Anytime she was quiet and beginning to settle, that’s right…. rustle, rustle, rustle went the licorice bag and I would be at it all over again working to settle her. So note to self and anyone else who happened to get directed to this story.

1. Anti-nauseous medicine may not calm your child but rather act as a stimulant. Who would have guessed? (Well my sister, that’s who, and she forgot this little bit of information when I was discussing the merits of giving it to Sunshine in the first place.

2. Rubber-made water bottles need to be de-pressurized by unscrewing the lid before flipping up the spout.

3. If I had been able to think clearly for a minuet I would have talked to the stewardess about offering “Baba” a different seat and both of us would have been more comfortable.

4 repeat to your self, over and over again, “This too shall pass. This too shall pass”. Eventually you will either believe it or the moment will pass…. I said eventually.

4. Plan, Pack and Pray flying is a means to an end like labour

So with that all said, “Have a good flight”.

I have since come up with a few ideas that help with flying with children which I posted yesterday as well  several comments were made by others addeding their suggestions.

Flying with children

27 Feb 2008 6 Comments

by karynforyou in Children's things, Tips and Tricks Tags: , ,

  I live four provinces over from my family so consequently, I have been faced with the challenge of flying with children.  I have had a few good flights (meaning, one or two hours out of four that are reasonably peaceful) and a few flights which were challenging meaning it were moments of peace and one flight that haunts me still, you can read about that flight here and here and tomorrow I will add the last of that story then admit myself to the nearest psych ward for therapy to eliminate any memory of that trip. However, I have come up with a few things that swing the pendulum to my side since that haunts me. Here are my tips.

  1. The last time I flew I had Sunshine (2.5) and a child under 1. I had to pay for a seat for her so chose to bring my car seat on the plane for her and Joyful to use alternately. My problem was how do I get two children a car seat and a stroller through security and to the gate and then from the gate to the baggage claim by myself. So this is what I did, I put the car seat into an umbrella stroller (this worked because there was not tray in front)  then I brought my trusty webbing with a clip as shown here  img_3765_1_1.jpg   to hold the stroller to the car seat placed Joyful in the car seat and buckled her in with the car seat restraint. Worked like a charm and the personal at the airport where all commenting on the idea.  Then I had Sunshine wear a clever monkey back pack with a long tail for me to hold (I found this at Wall-Mart) I put my back pack on and off we went.  I had to take apart the stroller contraption at the security but it was completely worth having the car seat on the plane because: on to number two.
  2. The advantage of having a car seat on the plane is you have an extra set of hands so you only have to hold only one child. The thing about airplane seat belts is that children can get them off easily and they can so they do. It is my theory that the because children are used to being stuck in the  car seat they will stay there content longer then if they are in the airplane seat, besides they can see  out the window better because they are higher up. However, the air plane seat belts are big and pushing them through the back of the car seat requires effort. ( So Ask for help) Stewardesses are not always the most helpful but they will help if you ask them too so don’t be afraid to ask. They can hold a child; contain your toddler to the area while you get the seat in place.
  3. If the weather requires coats pack them when you get to the airport by leaving space in your luggage or what I do is pile them together and strap them into a car seat (I had two children remember so two car seats) The car seat will be put into a plastic bag so it’ll be contained, just make sure there is nothing in the pockets that you will need on the plane. This way you are not dealing with keeping track off all this stuff and the bulk of coats on the plane.
  4. Bring sippy-cups empty on the plane (less weight for you to lug around and have the attendant pour the water into the cups when you get on the plane. (I don’t choose sugar beverages less chances of them sleeping and more chances of making them hyper) and bring a few snack of course.
  5. Bring as little as possible on the plane but do bring activities, be creative I stapled a  4×4″  book of blank paper together for coloring  with a few crayons, a small book and small doll with a piece of cloth, remember if you have the monkey back- pack that is a toy as well. You are smart momma’s you know what your children will like.
  6. Have your luggage labeled before you get to the air port there is plenty of adrenaline rushing through your veins with out adding this simple task and when you get to the airport pick up the address labels for your return flight home and if you have not sworn off flying with children extras for your next trip.
  7. A child carrier is also a great item but if you are bringing a stroller anyway you might as well use it.

Well, these are the biggies; please if you have other ideas that I have not thought of, let me know. I will be flying again with children. And you happen to see a mother at the air port with her girls trying to keep it together think of how you might be able to help her it could be me.   This Works For Me and if you have a chance come visit tomorrow, I will be sharing the last part of my story, “The flight that Haunts me Still”

House Keeping

25 Feb 2008 1 Comment

by karynforyou in My Dad, The way life is Tags: ,

 No, No don’t be crazy, I’m not actually cleaning my house! Who do you think I am? I’m talking about what is going on in the next few weeks at my house. My dad is coming to visit for two weeks, he started his trip today in fact, hitchhiking to the airport (It’s a 4 hour drive to the airport. He didn’t want to inconvenience anyone to take a ride and besides he likes to meet new people, what a better way to meet strangers than to hitchhike, right?). He will arrive tomorrow so… the thing is, his room is where my honking big computer and monitor are and I may not have access to the computer to blog as often. But I will be adding a few posts and quite possibly getting a few stories from the man himself who has a category all to his own in my side bar. If you have any questions for the man with six daughters just make a comment at the end of this post and I will get his answers. This is going to be a lot of fun, having Opa visit!! I’m sure the blogging material is will be at it’s best!! So what do you want to ask the Big Cahoona?

I’m pooped out

24 Feb 2008 Leave a Comment

by karynforyou in The way life is, Uncategorized Tags: , ,

  We have just come back from a one night vacation in Niagara Falls (that’s why I have been silent the last few day’s). I thought I needed a break last week but vacationing can be a lot of work.  Now I do need a day off or two to recover. Ever had that feeling? Its funny, vacations, we go away eat great food, pay 3x what it costs to say at home for the night then we come home excited to get under the covers, struggle with getting the girls back into a sleeping routine and detox our systems from the junk food we ate. Remember, it was only one night!  Sunshine or rather I should call her stormy has not stopped crying and whining since we stepped back into the house, and I can’t say I blame her as I am  exhausted too.

 But that’s not why I’m pooped out. Remember I had a career as a nursing attendant in a Seniors home? I previously wrote a few of those stories here.So during my career I have had my share of awful messes. I came from work too many times (one is to many) wearing a previous residents left-behind – slacks, or old-lady-button -up-blouse. Françoise stopped asking what happened  when I came through the door with  my new set of cloths because he knew whatever reason I had, he didn’t wanted to know.  I am assuming that you don’t want to know the specifics either. However, all this to say I am by no means a newbie to stinky situations.  I hoped that my career in parenting would be kinder to my nose receptors and gross receptors.  Late last week after the girls were in bed I settled myself onto the couch with my knitting. After a few minuets my stitches were in jeopardy of becoming a tangled mess.  I already ripped the project out 4 times so put it away  and nestled myself lower into the couch, that’s when I rolled over a small cold lump. Thinking it was a prune from a run away toddler I picked it up with my fingers to dispose of it. Using my bright nursing skills I quickly evaluated the situation to NOT being a prune. How I wish it was a prune because after rolling over it, it was smeared all over my shoulder and arm.  And that’s when I realized that the loose diaper I remember noticing earlier in the evening let loose the poop. I’m just saying for the record, I’m pooped out. And I am ready for a vacation.  

“Silly Girl”

21 Feb 2008 Leave a Comment

by karynforyou in just for fun Tags: , , , ,

A few weeks ago I made the most delicious bread and was compelled, as always, to share it. Do you do that too? Get giddy and excited about something that turns out well and have to share it others? Well, I was a woman on a mission when this bread came out form the oven smelling, tasting and looking good. So I got the girls dressed in their michelin winter costumes and marched down the street to my neighbors. I didn’t really know this woman very well, I only chatted with her when she passed by my house last summer but of course, being winter and all,  those impromptu chats don’t happen in this season and I couldn’t wait till spring to visit her again. Besides I needed to share my bread. So on we went, all three of us, barging into her house with the finesse of the motley crue. The girls pulling their boots off and screaming to have their coats removed. We were only going to drop off some bread honest; I am not in the habit of barging into peoples homes at supper time with my two rag-a-muffins,( in case you fear I may drop in at your house). So there we were visiting in my neighbor’s living room having pleasant conversation as my children planted big sloppy kisses on their beautiful daughter. (She really is cute I’m not just saying that because they might read this blog).If you have ever met me or you were to come to my home you would soon notice that I have a gift of talking and making conversation. There would seldom be a moment of quiet for any length of time. Sometimes I say things without thinking, like signing up for Sunday school or the time I decided to show my neighbor in the apartment above ours the lay out of my apartment including the small storage space we have in our basement. The next day she began filling every nuke and cranny of the shared space, thinking that I had extra space in my basement. Ya, that was a mistake. I will regret  that for the rest of my time in this apartment. Any way, it was in my neighbor’s living room that I came up with a great idea!! “Would you like to swim laps with me once a week?” I asked

 ”actually, I think I would be interested in that” she answered.

 I didn’t think anything of it. Went home and on with my life of eating bon bon’s and watching Oprah. Then the phone rang, “Hi Karyn, have you looked up the schedule for the pool yat?” It was my neighbor of course.

 ”Oh crap, she was serious! It was just conversation and an idea wasn’t it?” I thought to myself

“Oh, oh, Ya I was going to do that” I lied. Looking the schedule up in the book

“How about tomorrow? Does that work for you?”

“Sure does” she say’s

“Silly girl, silly, silly girl” that’s what I think every time I swim another lap. That’ll teach you to say things with out thinking!”

But in all honesty it is fun, except for, the panting, gasping and swallowing large amount of chlorinated water and being nearly naked that is. I like swimming, floating, moving and being free in the pool. It is me, alone, my thoughts, and my pace. And I made a new friend. Maybe I wasn’t so silly after all.

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