Frequent Flyer

Em took her first plane ride last week to Kansas City, Missouri for my Nana's 80th birthday party and a family reunion of sorts! I was a nervous wreck trying to figure out how our wild woman was going to SIT on our laps for the TWO flights there, then TWO flights back... But WE DID IT!!!

On the trip to KC, Em was AMAZING!!!!! She was perfect, and everything went smoothly.

Earlier last week, we made a trip to the store to get some distractions. I found only one small rolling backpack/suitcase on sale, so Tinker Bell it was. I packed it with her sleep essentials (Bunny Blanket, Pink Paci, Wubs, and Puppy Dog). This was now HER carry-on. We loaded our carry-ons with books, iPod touch (stocked with Dora videos), stickers, snacks, and some other toys we thought might be cool - but you honestly never know. This video was her going through security at the airport. I had just given her the suitcase a few minutes before because I needed her to be into it for an hour or so, and I didn't want it to lose its cool. I promise you that by the time we got to the Kansas City airport, she was RUNNING with that suitcase in tow looking every bit of a well-traveled, frequent flyer. It was so cute, and people were staring and laughing! Of course, we didn't get any video of that, but I promise it's a true story.

Now on our return flights, we didn't have the same experience. Sunday, Em had to go to the ER for her super high fever. She had no other symptoms except for a red throat and one bout of the runs. Now, I am not a doctor, so what they told me in the hospital and the doctor appointments that followed, I don't completely understand. They think she either had Strep throat or a fever virus. I thought that babies and small children couldn't get Strep throat. In the ER, they didn't do a culture but gave her an antibiotic shot to wipe out a "throat infection". Long story short, she's on the mend, but that shot hurt our little lady pretty badly.

Monday we flew home, and I will now refer to that day as "Rock Bottom Day". Em was too tired, sick and in pain. Nothing could please her. She handled herself well during the flights (as long as you kept her "Bo-bo" covered on her leg), but she wouldn't walk at all until we got off the last flight home. Then she magically regained function of her leg and couldn't stand for me to look or touch her. In other words, she tried to ditch me at the airport first chance she got.

We got to the car (FINALLY) past Itty Bitty's bedtime, which was no bueno having slept so little in the days prior. This is when I made a big mistake, and it all went down...

I jokingly ask Em if she would like to drive (since she had a burst of energy, and Daddy and Mommy were pooped). She said, "Aye" - which is yes, and got in the front seat to push buttons. So cute!... But time to go. Girlfriend absolutely REFUSED to get out of the front seat. She kept saying, "Beep, Beep" - translation: "I want to drive the car!!!!!!"

It took both Mommy and Daddy to pin her down and strap her in the car seat where she preceeded to VIOLENTLY scream and cry, "Beep, Beep!!!" almost the entire hour and a half to our house. She fell asleep at one point, but continued screaming in her sleep. It was U-G-L-Y!!!!! I've never seen anything quite like it, and I pray that we never see it again.