AIRPLANE, NO!

Stephen took his first flight when he was 5 months old. In fact, it was the day that we moved to Texas. It was Sam's first flight, too. We were really concerned that day...for lots of reasons, really. But when we got on the plane, our biggest concern was being trapped on a flight with a screaming 5 month old or a screaming two-year old. But they both did great! Sam was excited and spent the whole morning "reading" the flight safety card and looking out the window. Stephen just slept...It was awesome.

Steve-o has flown bunches of times since then (probably at least 10) and he has never had a problem. Until TODAY! We got up this morning at the mind-numbing hour of 3:00. We were in the car on our way to the San Antonio Airport by 3:45. I stress the times because we only have one morning person in our family (Sam), but even he does not operate well before daylight. By 5:30, Keith had dropped us off at security and we had all been sufficiently x-rayed for our 6:30 flight to Georgia. All was well. I offered the boys breakfast and they looked at me like I was nuts. Who eats breakfast when it is still dark? So we sat quietly waiting for the call to board.

Boarding began and they called for our group. I loaded up the 4 bags, two kids and one car seat and headed for the jetway. At this point, Stephen threw himself down in the middle of the floor and screamed "AIRPLANE, NO!" I tried to calm him down, but quickly realized I would have to carry him. The people behind me began to grumble as I readjusted all 4 bags and the car seat to make room in my arms for Stephen. Meanwhile, he continued to scream and flail about.

We got up to the gate and the gatekeeper asked for boarding passes. I, of course, looked at her like she was nuts because I clearly don't have enough hands to make that happen. More readjusting, more grumbling, more "AIRPLANE, NO!" from the little one.

Down the jetway we go...the other passengers are clearly excited that my family chose to fly today. : ) I am thanking the Lord when we finally get to the airplane door. The flight attendant, who clearly does NOT have kids, asks me to turn the car seat over so she can read the fine print and be assured that it is FAA approved. For this to happen, I had to let go of Stephen who takes off screaming back up the jetway. His plan was thwarted by benevolent stranger number one who caught him, which scared him to death and sent him running back in my direction. More readjusting, more grumbling, more "AIRPLANE, NO!" from the little one.

Now we were on the plane...walking through business class. The CEO's of the world were thrilled to see us. Keep in mind, Stephen is still screaming, but now he is shaking. More even louder grumbling and discontent from fellow passengers ensues...We got to our row and reality set in. I would have to put Stephen down to hook in his carseat. Yikes! I tried to calm him down. That didn't work. I tried promising him gummies. That didn't work. I threatened to never buy him a car. That didn't work either. So eventually, benevolent stranger number 2, who clearly DOES have kids, came and put in the car seat for me, while I held my sweet child, who was slowly morphing into a gremlin.

Hooking Stephen in was an athletic feat. I got kicked in the face more than once, but I wasn't nearly as worried about me as I was about the woman in the seat in front of Stephen. I tried to think positively. "He is a good kicker...maybe he will be a soccer star"..... "God will use his tenacious nature for something amazing one day"...meanwhile, I try to smile reassuringly at the surrounding passengers. I try to figure out what facial expression says, he really is a lovely child, please don't toss him out the window. Stephen finally settled in (read: stopped screaming) and was quietly looking out the window. We talked about TUGS and played with the overhead lights...all was right with the world again.

And then little Stephen realized the plane was moving..."Mommy, look at the twuck" turned into wails, shakes and screams. I felt terrible for him. He was really terrified. The screaming continued as the plane taxied for almost 10 minutes. I was sure at this point that we were driving to GA in an airplane-shaped car. Then the announcement came....there was bad weather in Atlanta, so we would sit on the tarmac until the next update in 45 minutes!!!!

I was about to cry! Before I even had the chance to pray, the Pilot came over the PA again to say that the Orlando weather service had changed their minds and we were next in line to take off. So we did take off...and we did land...and Stephen did alright for most of the rest of the trip. In fact, he slept through most of it. Apparently, screaming and thrashing about expends a ton of energy. : )