Safe and (Somewhat) Sound

The trip started well enough. I was packed early and not stressed out when we had to leave the house. Check in went smoothly, and Bryan was even able to get a gate pass so he could help me through security.

But it didn't last. Riley was awful on the flight. Not quite as bad as the flight home in April. But still quite unpleasant. I wasn't expecting it. I really thought that if he had his own seat, he would sleep. But he didn't. He fell asleep the first time somewhere over Minnesota (about two hours after takeoff and four hours after his regular bedtime) and moved into a pattern of half an hour of restless sleep and half and hour of screaming in frustration at not sleeping. This went on for the duration of the flight.

There was nothing I could do. He didn't want to be held, he really didn't want to be in the car seat. I think what he wanted was to be lying in his crib at home. So he screamed and screamed and screamed. Eventually he would wear himself out and fall asleep for 10 to 30 minutes. The short rest gave him enough energy to express his frustration for another half hour. Lather, rinse, repeat.

Ironically, he fell deeply asleep as the plane started its decent.But we have arrived at our destination and I am thankful that I have a month before I get on a plane with Riley again.