The trip from hell with a bit of sunshine

So much happened on this trip, that I will just bullet point it. I'll start with that I had this fabulous idea to fly into Detroit on Spi!rit and then drive 3 hours to Akron. Here is how that went:

• Plane to Detroit was delayed by 3 hours. We were stuck in the airport until 8pm with a 9month old baby who was ready for a nap.
  
• We finally boarded the plane to find that Sp!rit seats do not recline - unless you pay more for a reclining seat! Water and peanuts also cost extra. 3 hours on a plane with no reclining seats and a baby is a lot!!!
  
• Cheeks fell asleep but woke up as soon as we took off. He was fantastic and loved the plane. A perfect little traveler.
  
  


• We landed in Detroit around 11 something at night. We purposely got a hotel room in the terminal because we figured it would be the easiest with Cheeks. Well, the Detroit airport has two terminals - SEVERAL MILES APART!!!


• We had to load a baby, stroller, and 5 pieces of luggage on a shuttle - in the snow - with a baby who wasn't dressed for the cold because we didn't realize we were leaving the terminal. He kept pulling his hat off.


• We get to the hotel, check in, get Cheeks to sleep, and realize there is no where to eat because the hotel doesn't allow you to get to the fast food places in the terminal. We had to order a $26 turkey wrap from room service. Doc and I split it.

• My fantastic parents felt so bad with what we were going through that they said to forget about driving back from Akron to Detroit and they bought us one way tickets from Cleveland to Orlando. YAY!!! However, we now had to get a one-way rental, adding $200 to the rental price. BOO :(
• We get to H*rtz rental car, and they give us a Camry and an infant seat. Well, the infant seat was for a newborn, and the Camry barely fit our stroller and one suitcase. Stress levels raising more at this point.
• They upgrade us to an Imapala - everything fits, and they give us a rear facing toddler seat. Seat takes 45 minutes to install and Doc and I are on the verge of divorce (not really - but you'd have thought it if you didn't know us!!)
• At 2:30 in the afternoon, we were FINALLY on our way to Akron.
• We arrive in Akron and get to spend time with family there. It was my first time meeting Doc's family in 6 years! They were great and made me feel at home. :) It was verrrry cold though - and Cheeks had to be bundled up constantly (don't forget, he is a Florida baby!)

• We took Cheeks sled riding!! He loved it and laughed when we went down the hill (pic of this to follow when it is uploaded).
• While we were there, Cheeks mastered his pulling up to a stand!! Especially during naptime :)

• After a snow and family filled weekend, we packed up and drove 45 minutes to the Cleveland airport. When I return the car, apparently it was 1 hour late and we were charged an additional $60.
• Once there, we were told that we had to pay to check a Pack & Play!! Apparently C0ntinental doesn't believe a crib is a necessity and charges for it. I was fuming, but what could I do?? I plan to call up the company and make a complaint soon.
• We FINALLY made it back to the Orlando airport, after Cheeks napped the whole way back! He woke up a happy camper to a sippy cup of juice.

• Doc got our bags and Cheeks and I went to get the car. When we got to the car, it was DEAD.
• 2 hours and $113 later, we had a new battery and were on our way home.

We have NEVER been so happy to just walk into our house. I cannot wait for this weekend - since it is Christmas, we get Friday AND Monday off, and I will be spending every minute of it enjoying my little perfect family :)

On the plane

I just lost my whole post! Ugh!! Cheeks is doing great on the flight...he was sleeping but woke up during take-off. He was fascinated looking out the window. Doc is trying to put him back to sleep and I am blogging while he holds my finger.

While Cheeks is doing good, Doc and I not so much! We will NEVER fly Spirit again. Everything is extra - $3 for a bottle of water..almost $60 to check our bags...and THE SEATS DONT EVEN RECLINE!!! I normally don't recline...but it would have been nice to with a baby. They didn't even give us a chance to preboard...it was insane. I will be writing a letter!

Well I am going to assist on putting Cheeks to sleep..

STRESS

Flying with a baby for the first time is VERY stressful - and we haven't even left the house!!!

A Cause for the Fussiness

Our normally very happy go lucky, non fussy, boy has been overly fussy lately - as my recent posts have explained. Well - last night, the reason has been exposed - not only has he been pulling himself up more and more (in his crib twice) - HE BEGAN CRUISING YESTERDAY!!! He pulled himself up to his leapfrog learning table - and next thing I know, he moved his way around to another side of it!! No wonder he has been fussy - his body has been going through so much getting him ready for these new and improved skills :) So with that, I end with an adorable pic of Cheeks (I know, I'm partial ;))

Mr. Fussy Pants

For the past few days, Cheeks has been overly fussy. Sometimes I feel like he isn't even as smiley as he was a few weeks ago. I think he's just going through a phase/growth spurt/teething/testing his mommies period. I'm hoping these two top teeth pop through and he returns to his normal self.

On happier news, we have a development in Cheeks-World! He has officially pulled himself up in the crib. Doc called me at work today to tell me Cheeks stood up twice! Of course he was SO proud of himself and gave a huge grin both times that he accomplished his feat. Tonight, Doc and I are lowering the crib when I get back from my hair appointment.

I'm constantly pulling my hair back because I just don't want to deal with it. Tonight, I shall chop off a few inches and get my roots fixed up. I really hope Cheeks isn't too fussy for Doc while I'm out. I'll be at work all day, then go straight to my hair appointment, then home - probably won't get home until 8 or so. I don't know why, but I feel bad about that. I feel like taking time for me isn't fair to Cheeks and Doc because I am constantly at work. I just don't know when else to go get my hair cut/colored with us leaving for Ohio in a few days.

Testing out my new app!

I just downloaded Blogpress and wanted to try it out. On a side note - trying to cut Cheeks' nails while he sleeps just woke him up! And now I am off to dreamland - more about the nails tomorrow.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Cheeks' Fussiness and Upcoming Trip

Cheeks has been quite fussy the past few days. I'm hoping that it's just a phase and maybe his top teeth are coming through. I hope it is short-lived because we are going on our first plane ride with him on Thursday evening up to Ohio to visit Doc's family. Words cannot express how nervous I am about how this plane thing is going to play out - especially if Cheeks is cranky.

I'm trying to plan it as much as possible - but I don't even know where to begin planning. I guess it is more hoping than anything. I am hoping he isn't cranky. I am hoping he sleeps on the plane. I am hoping it's not ridiculously cramped on the plane. I am hoping that TSA doesn't molest me. I am hoping that we can pack everything in as little bags as possible. And I am hoping that TSA doesn't give us any issues with the formula! I need to research to see if the airport has a children's play area - that would tire him out to crawl around in there. But it could also get him sick. OY. I just need to get my lists together and go with the flow.