We were headed to Seattle to visit some family but the hubs had a last minute business trip. Which meant I was flying cross country with a toddler and no one to tap out to. I was more than a little bit afraid of how the day would go. 

I have often told my husband that I’m exhausted before we even start vacation and here’s why. Not only do I have to pack myself, the kiddo and the dog (for doggie daycare) but I also have to schlep all the goddamn kid gear too. Diapers? Check. Diaper bag with snacks, extra outfit and activities?  Check. Car seat? Check. Medicines?  Check check check. I had my purse, 3 bags, a car seat AND my kiddo to haul. Moms are fucking Sherpas dude. Total ass kicking pack mules.  If you see a mom at the airport with a shitton of stuff in tow, tell her she’s doing an awesome job. Better yet buy her a coffee because you know that momma is tired. 

Bless the lovely lady at the park and ride this morning because she wouldn’t let me put anything in or take anything out. She hauled it for me. At the airport she even put my backpack on me because I had the kid in a wrap. I cannot tell you how touched I was by her kindness. 

We paid extra money for TSA pre-check  to ensure a faster way through security. Not. Why are the TSA dicks?  I had to submit to a pat down in order to keep my two sealed Horizon organic milks for my kid. Take off shoes, take her out of carrier etc. As the TSA agent went through the rest of my bag she confiscated a tube of toddler sunblock because it was 1 ounce over the “limit”.  Told me I could take it back and check it or she’d have to throw it out. I told her “You know I can’t go check it because my bag is already gone.”  She shrugged her shoulders as she tossed it in the garbage. I thanked her for making the world safer from Babyganics sunblock. Get real people…it’s shit like this that give those assholes their terrible reputation!

V did great on the 5 hour flight!  So good that I was a little shocked. It’s different now with her being a toddler. She plays independently at times so as she sat in her seat reading her book I was able to play a few rounds of solitaire. It was a “holy shit I’m kind of relaxing” moment. She did make up for it by flailing and crying for the last 10 minutes of the flight. Up until this point I’d been afraid to travel solo with the kid but after this experience we can be a dynamic traveling duo. And I won’t be (as) tired next time because some kind stranger is going to see me hauling ass and buy me a coffee.