Leavin on a Jet Plane

Tomorrow is a momentous day for many reasons. First, tomorrow is the day we leave for my annual family reunion in Virginia (we are the only “Yankees” in my family). We didn’t go last year because I was just not ready to travel cross country with a 3 month-old. So not only will I get to be with all my family, eat horribly wonderful food, and talk long into the night – but Cora will get to meet everyone for the first time. She has no idea what’s comin! Our reunions are almost always well over 100 people and have been known on certain years to push 250. And yes, we are almost all related somehow. Cora has more second cousins, great aunts, and other relatives then she could have imagined! Plus, all of this takes place at my uncle’s house down a gravel road nestled in-between two little mountain ranges. All of this will be foreign to Coco so we’ll see how she reacts to it all.

The second reason tomorrow will be a big day is that it is Coco’s first plane ride. This actually has me a bit concerned. I do NOT want to be the family with the screaming baby! I know it can’t be helped and if its going to happen its going to happen. As one mommy told me: if all else fails just remember you’ll most likely never see those people again in your life.

In order to prepare for said trip I actually made a checklist. Seriously. It has categories for “pre flight purchases”, “carry-on”, “checked luggage”, “to do day prior to departure”, “to do day of departure”, etc. You get the idea. Yes, I am neurotic. But to an admirable end I think! I just want to make sure that we have everything we need to try and keep a little one satisfied during 8 hours of travel (1.5 hr flight, 1 hr layover, 2 hr flight, 2 hr car trip). Here is what we’ve figured out so far to take on the flight:

• Lots of snacks including “special occasion” ones she wouldn’t normally get
• 2 “old” toys that she knows and loves
• 4 “new” toys to bring out one at a time that will keep her occupied longer
• 4 books for her to look at and play with
• Multiple pacis to keep her happy and to help on take-off and landing with her ears
• Her favorite blankie
• “Earplanes” earplugs for little ones to relive pressure during flights
• Portable DVD player with movies (although this only works for about 10 minutes at a time for her)
• Lots of diapers/wipes
• Sippy cups with bottled water
• 2 extra outfits “in case”

We also plan to gate check her carseat so we can get to it if we’re lucky enough to get the option.

So – any other suggestions out there, or are we lookin as good as can be expected??