Amsterdam, Atlanta and Beyond

FYI- this is Katharine posting. Wow-- it has been a busy few days. First let me say that James did incredibly well on the plane ride. We went via train to Amsterdam, after waking up at 3:30AM (parents) and around 4:00 (James). We were of course all packed up and ready to go, just got dressed, had coffee, and made our way. Mike and James took the new stroller on foot and I traveled with our ten bags (including Mike's tools, camera, sleeping bag, all of James' and my things, etc, etc-- Mike decided at the last minute not to bring the guitar) via taxi to the train station. We couldn't all go together because taxi companies do not have child seats available-- the reservation person told us "its not required". To which we thought-- uummm, we're not doing it because its required we're doing it because it is STUPID not to use a car seat!

Our new stroller is the super-bad Quinny Speedi, and it rules. We love it-- and I am so glad we got it (through the kind support of my international women's group baby shower gifts). It was a lifesaver throughout the trip. We made our way to AMS, and had our airport goodbye-- Mike and I both welled up, even though we both feel overwhelming excitement mingled with any sadness about the summer. I would have been fine if James hadn't repeated "bye-bye Daddy... bye-bye Daddy... bye bye Daddy" for the next hour while I tried to hold it together. I went to sign in, and probably because I was going sans partner and with pregnancy, people were very kind to me. They switched me from a aisle seat midway through the plane to a bulkhead aisle seat. We sat with a friendly French teenager decked out in coordinated red sweatsuit who was very tolerant. He was on his way to visit Charleston, so I had a nice time speaking with him.

The ride was interesting-- James slept for about the first hour and a half, but around the four hour point hit that stage where he desperately needs a nap but can't get into the zone. We had a little turbulence, and he was belted to me, struggling, crying out "MY Daddy.. MY Daddy"-- which is what he says when he wants Mike to hold him. That's when I LOST it as far as the tears go. The steward, H. Kolker, my new hero, was amazing. We had a mini- therapy session while he reassured me that James wasn't bothering anyone, and I went into a whole schpiel about my husband being on another plane, and being a little tired/stressed/worried etc. He was the best-- so kind, and exactly what I needed right then. Just to feel like the meltdown was okay, and that I wasn't to blame, and to have a sympathetic ear. James was a dream for the rest of the trip, and was the darling of our section. We had to wait by the exit when we disembarked to pick up our stroller-- my arm was literally tired from waving good bye to all of his new friends. Many people commented on how nice he'd been to travel with. Let's hope for the same on the return flight.

Our first day was excellent-- early to bed, early to rise (but reasonable). Unfortunately on day 2 jetlag reared its ugly head when James woke at 4:30 AM. We tried to burn time later by going to the Aquarium which is super cool. James ran around with cousin Sophie saying "oh yeah-- oh yeah" and "wow!". The morning session was perfect, but right about noon the crowds swelled, and both James and I got to the end of our respective ropes at the same time. More tears from everyone. Aunt Dorothy and Sophie were very suportive. Last night we were able to get a little closer to schedule, and he woke at 6:15 this morning, which is quite close to his normal wake up time of 6:30.

Our visit with the Goulds has been amazing-- there is nothing quite like 3 nearly 2 year olds together. I call them the zombies because they just approach as a unit, with arms stretched out, drooling and moaning unintelligibly. Sophie is a dream with James. He is just different enough from her siblings to not be -- her siblings-- and they have been running around, singing and playing nearly nonstop for days. James and Micheal are two peas in a pod-- they want the same toy, at the same time, all the time. Though it has gotten gradually better with each day as they begin to trust each other a teensy weensy bit. Referee-ing requires constantly searching for a "matching" toy as one inevitably goes for the other's plane/car/train. Emily is just a mellow little bean-- totally ambivalent about what they want to grab, and just as sweet as she can be.

OK-- without further ado, a few photos from the adventure to date. There are quite a few... but I need to let his papa see him in action.

James in his seat (my seat) on the plane with his KLM child's flight gift bag

Getting ready at the airport for an adventure

Some images of the aquarium and our visit to a local park-- with tree carvings. This second photo is blurry I know, but really gives a feeling of James' excitement about the big tank.

Sophie and Uncle Terry at the park...

A car full of munchkins!