I've been putting together photos and videos from our trip to post in a blog. I had a grand plan to do something organized and smart. Then I have had non stop trouble with downloading the photos. Well - that clearly is just putting off an update, so here is part 1 to a messy catchall of some fun moments in Canada!
We had a wonderful time. And just like last time we traveled, we noticed a significant leap in abilities by both of them. Josie is now really talking up a storm - stringing full sentences together and even reciting lines from books before we do (based on the pictures alone). Alexandra is asking for things she wants and saying please, and being very maternal with her toys. Both showed that they were still shy meeting new people, but I was happy they both opened up after a short time with people.
Our flight out there was great. They were so overtired when we woke them up for the early morning drive to the airport, that they stayed calm pretty much the whole morning. We did run into a few things that made travel stressful - I had planned to change diapers and give the girls Tylenol (for their ears) before the flight. Unfortunately, I got stopped at security as our diaper bag tested positive for explosives. (explosive poops - amirite? lol) But seriously - not cool, why?? So they had to do a pat down and extra testing, which ate into our getting ready for our flight time. We got to the gate really stressed and pinched for time. I changed Alex, then Josie, then James went to get himself food. Of course at that moment, Alex needed another diaper change. He came back when the flight was boarding, and I had to run back to the bathroom to change Alex again. By the time I got back we had to get on the plane.
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| Checking in our Car Seats |
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| And everything else. |
Changing planes in Montreal was
the worst - I usually fly through Chicago to Ottawa, so I am used to going through Ottawa's easy breezy customs and immigration. I didn't realize we would have to go through it in Montreal, in our very short 1 hour layover. We got to immigration and the line was out of control. Got through that - which was a bit crazy since I had filled out our card wrong, then realized we had to pick up our bags (3 suitcases, 2 car seats, 2 strollers and 4 carry ons) and go through customs with them. Let me just stop here and say that Alex and Josie were THE BEST BABIES during all of this, totally content and chill in their strollers!!!!! Then we had to get into a long line to re-check our bags. I actually ran to the front of the line and told the lady our flight was literally boarding in 10 minutes, and please look at our full hands, and could we do something about that? She said yes and let us skip the line. (Thank you!!!)
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| On the flight - we lap sat the girls and James and I were across the aisle from each other. |
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| Taking a little nap - perfect time for me to order some lunch and a glass of wine! |
THEN!!!!! We head to the sign that says "connections" and realize we have been spit out from behind security. We have to go through security again!!!!!!!!!!! UGH!!!! I was totally unprepared - the girls had milk in their sippy cups, my explosive bag hadn't been resolved in any way, and the line, again, was insane. I saw a line that said "special needs" and it happened to have a photo of a stroller, so I went with it and got in that line - thank goodness there was only one family in front of us (a slow one, but still better than the 100 people in the other line). We needed some extra screening due to our filled sippy cups (ugh!) and thankfully my explosive diaper bag didn't set off any alarms this time.
We ***RAN*** to our next flight that was boarding and got on. I had had to pee since before our previous flight landed (silly me thought we would have time in the airport lol) and the girls needed fresh diapers, and we were all sweaty from the stress, running and lugging of a million bags we had just done. We all settled in our seats and the girls immediately fell asleep on us for the entire flight and had a moment of calm. We landed in Ottawa and it was GLORIOUS to see my brother Steve (who works at the airport) waiting for us at the gate! YAY!!!! Oh sweet sweet relief - he watched the girls as we freshened up in the rest room. And let me just say, the Ottawa airport has the NICEST baby changing rooms ever. Lovely. Thank you YOW!!! My dad met us also and helped us get our bags and rental car sorted out, and helped with the girls as I installed our car seats.
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| Uncle Steve! |
All in all, other than some poor booking with a too short layover in Montreal, and the explosive stop, the travel was great. The girls were great on both flights and everyone complimented their good behavior.
The rest of my family met us at our hotel with a week's worth of supplies and wine! Alex and Josie had some beds set up for them, and we all had a great night of sleep. The girls slept great the whole trip (though did have some trouble falling asleep each night - my guess is the time change messed them up a little!).
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| The crib set up in our room |
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| Alex popped her head up in the morning and said HI!!!!!! |
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My cousin made us a box of toys - this was AWESOME
The girls enjoyed some new toys to examine and play with,
and it kept them busy in the room! |
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| Morning snuggles, which we don't really get to do back home. |
The next morning we went for a swim in our hotel pool, and my mom and I went to lunch with the little ladies! <3 nbsp="" p="">
