Flight

The flight itself wasn't a big deal, but boarding was another story.  Since Spirit Airlines has gone with the nickel-and-dime you theory, and since we had a washer and dryer waiting for us in Florida, we decided to only take carry-ons.  So that's two little rolling suitcases, a backpack, a laptop bag, a stroller, a car seat, winter coats, and a baby that we had to get from the car to the plane.  No problem, until we had to gate-check the stroller.  (Okay, security was no picnic, but we'll get to that later.)  Oh, and Rich decided he needed a hot cup of coffee.  

So Rich took one suitcase and stowed it, then another, and came back for the car seat and coats while I held the baby, the backpack (computer bag and coat-ladened car seat at my feet), and the coffee at the door of the plane.  And then one of the flight attendants (a male stewardess, if you get my drift, who in all likely-hood will never fly with a child of his own) stopped Rich from coming back, leaving me stranded with all the stuff.  After a bit of arguing, and then just getting in everyone's way to make a point, Rich was finally permitted to stand in the doorway while someone handed him the car seat and bag, and I carried on the rest (coffee included).  

Then came the five minute car seat shuffle as we tried to stow things and juggle the baby and the coffee.  The diaper bag/backpack ended up above our heads, which I didn't like, so Rich was back up to get the sippy cup out before take off.  And, just as he settled into his seat, he spilled coffee all over his lap.  Grrrrrrrr (or ha-ha, depending on which one of us you're talking to).

And it was not until we were well on our way that we pulled the diaper bag down to discover that one of the bottles was leaking milk (about 3 oz. by that point) into the cold pack.  Flashback---The security guy in charge of liquids insisted on holding the  bottles while I put the lids back on after he tested them, and the Born Free bottles have this silicone part that has to be pressed in all the way, but he wasn't giving the leverage needed.  So, although I made a mental note to check them when we got to the gate, I forgot.  

I carried the leaking mess to the back of the plane, dripping milk everywhere, and waited patiently for the restroom (still dripping).  Cleaned up the best I could; returned to our seats to give baby girl what was left of her milk.  Rich, by the way, informed me that he received numerous dirty looks from the flight attendants as they followed my milk trail back to his seat, mopping with napkins as they went.

Getting off was easier, and getting the rental car was a relative breeze, although for the first time in probably three years we actually received the economy car we paid for and not a free upgrade.  Rich did manage to fit the stroller in, though, so it worked out fine.

We arrived at Rich's mom's condo to find a host of presents for the little girl.  Very sweet.  

She especially loves her "mer-mer" jammies and Elmo shirt.

And although much of the first day is always spent organizing and setting up, shopping and baby proofing, we still had a little time to enjoy the sunshine.