Back on Track...and WALKING!

Coming back from vacation is a very bittersweet thing.  We had a great vacation, don't get me wrong, but I missed my little man!  Warner stayed and MiMi's house and was treated like a king! Even though he was a bit under the weather for a few days, MiMi said that he never lost his sweet smile and temperment.  Matt and I had a great vacation and when I arrived at my mom's to pick up Warner, I was greeted by a little man who is now walking.  He looks so grown up now walking around.  He has changed too- losing a bit of the baby fat in his belly and his face and looking more like a little boy:(  I love the fact that he is growing into such a neat child, but can't believe how fast it is happening!

 The most priceless moment of our return took place on the plane and in the airport.  For me flying alone with him for the first time I was not sure what to expect.  I quickly got into my grove and learned how to make the trip the most enjoyable for everyone involved.  I did not want W to be "one of those kids" on the plane who did not stop crying.  So, I timed his naps appropriately and got him to sleep on me both to and from Louisiana.  It was the sweetest thing- I sang to him soflty and he fell asleep on me.  Snuggling with him on the plane was also a rare treat as he is on the move so much these days.  When we arrived in Tampa and boarded the tram, I took Warner out of the stroller because I wanted him to walk to Matt.  What a moment- W was gleaming from ear to ear and Matt had tears of joy seeing his son after 13 days-priceless!

Looking back on the experience, I realize that it was the kindness of strangers that made the trip so easy.  When I approached the security area with the metal detectors, I remember thinking, "How in the world and I going to load 2 carry ons and a stroller on the belt all while holding my big baluga?"  Strangers along the way helped lift and carry things and made the trip a breeze.  I must say that the greatest surprises were on the way home when a flight attendant sat in the seat nxt to me as the flight boarded so no one would sit on my row.  A woman behind her heard what we were trying to do and offered to sit in the aisle seat and not to let anyone sit next to me.  It turns out that she had an 18 month old son who looked just like Warner.  She (Michelle) was so wonderful!  We sat and talked about motherhood as W was sleeping on me and she did not think twice when I interupted our conversation to sing to W when he startled himself awake.  She even had extra drink coupons and gave them to me so that I would get a beer!  Everyone around me was so great on both trips and I will definitely pass it on in the future and I encourage you to do the same!

And now the bad news- no photos on this post since our camera bit the dust on the trip.  I will have a new camera by the end of the week and will be back to my picturesharing self!  I will try to post a video of W walking soon!