Sweet Home Chicago!

Don't you love it when things work out? My national conference for work was in Chicago during the last week in June. Soooo, that meant that Ellie was getting to meet the Chicago family for the first time. It also meant that Ellie was going to take her first trip on an airplane. Unfortunately, it meant that I was going to fly alone with Ellie. Hmmmm. When I booked my ticket, Delta didn't really give any instructions on how to fly with a 4 month old. If you know me, you know that I like to have everything all planned out and don't like it when I don't know what the master plan is for a situation. I think I obsessed about this 2 hour flight non-stop for MONTHS. Seriously, I had dreams where I left Ellie somewhere at the airport or plane and had to go to "Baby Lost and Found" (evidently lots of mothers also left their babies somewhere) to find Ellie. But, I couldn't recognize her! (Yes, I remember this episode of Friends that was based on roughly the same situation). In fact, the night before the flight, I was sick just thinking about flying with Ellie! The day of the flight (after tearfully saying goodbye to daddy), we checked in and had the most helpful folks at TSA get us through security (no, I'm not kidding). As I was checking in, the nicest passengers offered to help carry my diaper bag. . . fold down the stroller, etc. I had a very helpful gentleman seated next to me that enjoyed talking to Ellie. But, you will be very impressed to know that Ellie was an angel on the entire flight! So tears or screaming. She slept the entire flight!

Ellie LOVED getting to meet her Nana and Papa, aunts and uncles, and cousins! Mimi and Oppa were there to take care of Ellie while I was at my conference. Was Ellie spoiled by all the attention? Um, yeah!!! But, she had a great time. I felt bad for her when we got back, since she didn't have tons of people to watch her every move---ha ha ha!

The flight back home went just as great as the flight to Chicago! I sat next to a colleague of mine, so I was able to actually breathe and enjoy flying with Ellie. Thanks, Anna!!!!

When we got back home, Daddy missed Ellie MORE than words can say. While we were gone, Daddy cleaned house, did major yard work, cleaned the carpets, and did laundry. Hmmmm, maybe Ellie and I should go on MORE trips!