Flying the Friendly Skies

I've met many Californians who have never left the state. Not our Fi. At 15 1/2 weeks she & I boarded ExpressJet flight 215 and soared off to Colorado Springs for a four day visit with close friends Karen & Ralph and their sons Brian (6), Andrew (3), and newbie Matthew (10 wks). This initial journey was designed to be "safe" as Karen has a kid friendly home and our 2 1/2 hour flight was early morning and direct. In the weeks prior I even felt pangs of excitement, stepping out of our comfort zone with our little person, seeing a new place, and introducing Fiona to old friends. However, on the morning of our departure, after a sleepless night, my anxiety peaked as Fiona squirmed and cried before I checked baggage. Every recollection of babies screaming and writhing as a helpless parent fought to wrestle and sooth within the confines of a 24" seat, surrounded by unimpressed fellow passengers, flashed through my head. And that sweet little picture didn't include the present-day security clearance of removing shoes, presenting formula bottles, and separating baby from carrier in order to wait, holding screaming baby, in a stagnant line. All I have to say is thank God for the hypnotic hum of jet engines because in spite of our rough start and mounting fears, as soon as that plane geared up for take-off my little banshee had settled into a peaceful sleep.
None-the-less I was grateful to safely land and even more relaxed when Jim arrived to share parenting duties the following day. As always Karen & Ralph were amazing hosts and we left the area appreciating every beautiful corner of Colorado Springs. Dashing around to the zoo, through Valley of the Gods, the US Figure Skating Hall of Fame Museum (my personal favorite), and the Air Force Academy, we were also quite a site...four child car restraints, two strollers, and four sucking, crying, chatting, or napping kidlets tucked into the back of Karen's new minivan. (Jim and Ralph escaped in the sedan for "man" things like wilderness store shopping and shooting some sort of modern musket-like gun powder packed weapon.) Fiona stayed true to my descriptions and it wasn't uncommon to glance back and see Brian and Andrew plugging their ears as she screamed. Poor little boo made quite a loud impression. (We visited the MD Monday but I'll get to that in the next entry.) I hope she didn't spoil my first attempt at match-making with one of the well-bred Laurie boys. In case you didn't know I first heard Fi's name when I met Ralph's younger sister Fiona. It means fair skinned beauty, fitting to her, and as I also discovered she is smart and poised I grew more fond of unique, Gaelic name. Should our Fiona ever hit it off with one of their boys she'll be the second Fiona Laurie. I don't hear wedding bells but she sure did love the entertainment a six and three year provide. Their running around the infant play mat in pirate gear were her happiest moments.
What a nice get-a-way for this new family yet on Sunday it was comforting to be back on home field advantage just in time to celebrate Fiona's 16th week and our second wedding anniversary.
(photo to post later, check back soon)