Papaya Mom

It was awful. What you ask? BOTH driving home from the airport after dropping off Makenzie and Julie (Papaya woke up from her nap and cried) and then the whole 5 1/2 hour flight the next day.
The night before our flight, Papaya had a playdate. At least that is what she thought of her two hours being babysat by my friend Amy and her daughter Gracie. Papaya was enthralled by Gracie and only cried at the very end during the indignity of having her diaper changed. Adventure Dad and I had a date, Outback Steakhouse, and it was wonderful. We sat in a booth in the bar, because we could, and enjoyed talking mostly about things other than Papaya. At the end of the night all three of us cuddled into bed for our last night together in a few months. It was sweet, a big cuddle for us all, then before we knew it 3 a.m. came and Adventure Dad was off to work. We’ll see him in a few months, but I wil sure miss him and I think Papaya will too.
That morning Papaya and I awoke at seven and made it to the gym by eight. She played in daycare while I worked out with Chris, the trainer that Julie and I go to together. I think he enjoyed going even tougher on me without Julie there, he did the same for her once when I missed a meeting. After a shower wer were homeward bound. We took a morning nap and then Darcy arrived to take us to the airport.
We stopped in Tacoma for lunch at Chevy’s and Papaya enjoyed her beans and cheese. When we arrived and checked in I found we had great seats, lucky of course. We got into the terminal just fine then found a play zone! Papaya crawled over the clean carpet and rubber toys, played peek-a-boo with an 18 month old girl who was also there. There were changing tables and everything! I bought a meal for the plane at Dish D’lish (Grilled Panini with Chicken, Brie and Chutney) as well as Chips and a bottle of water. A man who worked there complimented my Hotsling saying that in Africa, where he was from, all women carried their babies this way. He said all the American babies seem to have so many buckles on their carriers that they seem uncomfortable. A babywearing compliment!!!!!!!
At the gate, we were offered a First Class Upgrade…and took it of course! I had Row 1 Seats C&D. For the first hour it was great, I sat in front of my seat and Papaya had the area in front of hers. She worked on the magazine rack and played with her drumstick. The stewardess seemed unhappy to have a baby in first class, but I did not care. Then, Papaya nursed and tried to fall asleep. She cried and cried, could not fall asleep. Two hours later, thats right TWO HOURS, she gave in. She slept for the end of the flight and as we loaded off I jokingly thanked the other passengers for not throwing us off the plane at 30,000 feet. I said nothing to the mean stewardess, Melony.
Papaya was happy once she woke, on the drive home and even as we went to bed. She slept from midnight to eight a.m. and we both woke up to a new day.
Last night we had a family party where she met more relatives then she knew what to do with. It was wonderful and fun, and the food was great. She is walking, up to ten steps at a time, so this trip should e full of adventure!

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