Biz & Bitsy's Travel Tales

As I mentioned on Tuesday, my Mother-in-law blessed us with tickets to go visit Bud back in Texas.

Austin to be precise.

The only bad part is that it reminded me of all the things that North Carolina doesn't have!

Oh well!

Also, let me preface the fact that I didn't get nearly as many pictures as I should have.  

I seriously would get lost in the moments and be driving away from somewhere when I'd realized...Drrr...I didn't get a single picture!

Also there were no pictures of Bitsy and I at the airports or flying because well...I was a bit frazzled.

So to start it, it all began at 4am on Friday!

I was up, everything was already packed, I prepped the bottles for the day and at 5:30 Mrs. MC had picked us up and we were en route to the airport.

I had planned for bad traffic, but I didn't plan for bad weather.

Fog to be precise!

We drove through the back roads where we live and continuously commented on the eerie-ness of the fog.

Upon getting to the airport I checked our bag no problem (FYI...if you didn't know US Airways charges for all checked bags...no free 1st bag here).

Then it was time to go through security.

This is where an extra set of hands would be nice.

I had to send the diaper bag through, the carry on through, pull the milk out of the bag (FYI Moms you can travel with as much breast milk as you think you will need.  You don't have to abide by the 3oz rule here!), send the car seat and stroller through the belt and then walk through with Bitsy.

Once on the other side it was a matter of unfolding the stroller, putting the seat back on, placing Bitsy in her seat, putting the bags in the respective places...all while opening the bottles of milk for testing.

Before I knew it we were at our terminal and ready able to relax.

The fog was still lingering outside, but I figured once the sun came up it'd burn off and there would be no worries....wrong.

Charlotte, NC made national news and we were unable to fly into Charlotte because of THEIR fog issues.

So our 7:30 flight didn't take off until close to 9 and in the mean time I was informed I wouldn't make my connection.

My options.

Wait for another flight from Charlotte to Austin until 8pm OR I asked what if I fly into San Antonio?

They got me a flight to San Antonio at 3:45pm!

It meant I wouldn't get to go by my old work to see my old friends and co-workers, but I'd still get to TX today.

We boarded the plane, I apologized in advance to the guy sitting next to us (I didn't know how Bitsy would do on the plane), and then I settled in for the 'short' 45 minute flight to Charlotte.

Well we sat on the tarmac for 40 minutes.  Addy was starting to get antsy, but eventually settled in for a quick nap.

Finally we took off an arrived in Charlotte close to 11.

After learning from Bud that morning that spouses and dependents are allowed in the USO, I asked around and got directed to where it was located.

Bitsy and I headed to the children's area, where it was quiet and relaxing.

I was able to pump after 7 hrs our travel and Bitsy fit in another nap.

We hung out there until 2:15 at which point I hit up Jamba Juice (something we don't have near us) and headed to our gate on the other side of the airport. (Did I mention I had to chug my Jamba Juice because traveling with an infant doesn't give you the free hand necessary to drink a beverage once on a plane).

We boarded our plane, I apologized to the gentleman to my left, he responded with a very kind: "Don't worry I understand, I have a 2 and 4 year old"., relief flooded my body as sitting by another parent is comforting.

And then....

....we sat on the tarmac for 40 minutes.

This was supposed to be a 3 hour flight from Charlotte to San Antonio...Bitsy fell asleep while we taxied those 40 minutes and then promptly woke once we began our flight.

She was pretty chill and playful for about 30 minutes and then began the 15 minutes of crying.

She was tired and tired of napping on my lap as opposed to being able to sprawl out at home.

1/2 way through her fit, the fellow parent turned to me and assured me that he didn't mind the crying one bit.

She passed out from exhaustion and slept the remainder of the flight!

We arrived in San Antonio near 7pm...and this is what greeted us!

A very happy Daddy (not pictured is the single rose he brought for me...it's the little things)

P.S. that is what I look like after 12 hours of travel with a baby!

After Bud picked us up we drove the 1.5 hrs to Austin and finally allowed ourselves to relax!

Bitsy woke up and got uber playful with her Daddy which had us both rolling, but had me freaked that her schedule was ruined!

Nope, when it was bedtime, we all crawled in and we were out!

Saturday morning Bud went out and got us Torchy's Tacos...delicious breakfast tacos (something else you can't get in NC)...

We met up with JF and visited some of Bud's old co-workers...and when we came back 'home'...it was time for Bud & Bitsy to take a nap.

 Later that evening we hit up my favorite Tex-Mex spot!

(Clockwise: JF, EH, Bud, Bitsy, Me)

 Sunday we went to our old church and then hit up Kerbey Lane.

They just opened a location a block from where we used to live.

It's probably best they waited until we moved away to do this, otherwise we would have eaten there far too often...walking distance to good food is dangerous.

 It was so good to spend time with my hubby!

 Happy happy happy happy!

 Bitsy...entertaining herself while we eat!

 Crab cake eggs benedict!

 Kerbey Lane Home Fries.

 Famous Gingerbread Pancakes!

 Daddy & Bitsy exchanging silly giggles and jokes!

 Oh, hey Mom!  Didn't know you were there!

 That evening we were able to get out for a stroll!

 Mr. L and his wifey let us stay at their place.

In exchange we watched Tucker Friday and Saturday night.

He was so good with Bitsy!

 Bitsy going down a slide for the first time and not looking very comforted by the idea.

 Having a baby means getting to play on the jungle gym again!

 Who is having more fun?

 Serious Daddy/Daughter time!

For dinner that night we went to my favorite place to get margaritas 

 Hibiscus margarita = delicious!

 Monterrey Chicken Enchiladas!

Monday we made a quick trip down to San Antonio to surprise Bud's Grandpa!

 We introduced him to his GREAT-Granddaughter!

 Making memories

Group Shot.

That was our last day with Bud.

After a quick rendezvous at his hotel with his class mates, Bitsy and I hit the road back to our hotel in Austin.

The trip home was slightly less eventful.

The line thru security was 30 minutes long, but we were early so there was no stress.

We got on the first flight to Houston...I apologize in advance for anything Bitsy might do.

She quickly fell asleep and napped until we landed!

We had 1 hour ish to get to our next gate, but we had to get our boarding passes there for some odd reason.

So we got them boarded sat down and as we taxied I heard it...

toot.

toot.

Ppppphhhhhaaaarrrrrrtttttttt.

I knew what that meant.

I tipped Bitsy forward and saw the beginning of diaper blowout.

And guess what!?

There is no way to change an infant on a plane.

So I wrapped the blanket behind her and we rode for 2 hours in a dirty outfit.

She fussed a little, but so would I if I were filthy.

When we were about to get off the plane I tipped her forward again to see that the diaper blowout and crept up her back nearing the end of her neck!!!

We rushed to the first bathroom, cleaned her up and changed her outfit then rushed across the airport to board our last flight.

I wish I could have had an outfit change...instead I proudly wore my stain on my lap as a badge of courage!

Our last flight Bitsy was cheerful and napped the entire time!

A Blessing!

A lengthy post I know!

If you hung in there I am not sure why...but I had to get it all down so someday I can tell Bitsy all about her first trip!

I hope you had a Blessed Thursday!