We had a bit of an interesting journey here, in what was Iver's first trip in the air. After driving the 5 hours to Oakland on Thursday evening and overnighting at the Lees' residence (our "Balboa Dr. hotel") we headed to the airport at 6 am, with plenty of time to get ourselves, our bags, our doggie, and our infant-on-lap checked in and through security (I was touched by several others' offers of help to hold the baby or something else to be of help as I tried, awkwardly, to get my shoes off/on, sweater off/on, laptop out of/into its case and my backpack, and baby out of/ into the Bjorn going through the TSA checkpoint, as Kelvin was busy getting specially screened because traveling with a small dog is apparently very suspicious!). Our plane was due to leave on time. Here is our chill baby at the gate:
When given the okay to "family board" between the "A" and "B" people, we headed to the very last row of the plane, and about 20 minutes later were informed by the Southwest crew that a VIP (apparently President Obama, I found out much later) was departing LAX, our destination, and therefore our plane couldn't leave Oakland until we were given clearance... which ended up being TWO hours later. I have NEVER had good luck flying to/through that airport.
waiting... and waiting... to take off
At least we have an almost-three-month-old with an ever-replenishing food source and not a mobile baby or toddler who might have gone crazy or had much worse-smelling diapers on a 2-hour-hang-tight-delay where we were to stay on the plane. Iver slept for part of this delay, ate then played, and then fell asleep again just as we were taking off. We had to change his diaper twice... on the seat inbetween us because the bathroom which was right behind us was almost continually occupied and was also the tiniest airplane bathroom I have ever been in in my life with nowhere to put a baby.
The wait itself was actually not that painful... except we were a bit nervous as we knew that on the other side, we had to keep an appointment for an interview at the U.S. Customs office for the Global Entry program, which allows travelers/families to get through customs and security more quickly while traveling. We'd set the appointment time for 1230 pm, TWO HOURS after our expected landing time, figuring that a delay between two cities in nice-weathered California (the landing temp in LA was >80 degrees!) with a one-hour-flight was unlikely. It turns out that a two-hour delay had to happen to us today.
When we landed in LA close to noon, we had a very orchestrated plan which required precise responsibilities of all participants. Kelvin's Dad swung by baggage claim, where Kelvin headed out with the gate-checked carseat bag to install the Graco base for Iver's seat (thank goodness for gate-side checking!). I, meanwhile, with Iver in the Bjorn and toting my diaper bag, snagged a luggage cart, waited not-so-patiently waiting for our remaining baggage to be assigned to a carousel, rushed to the carousel, grabbed our three (! yes) bags, which thankfully came out relatively early off the plane. I met the guys at the car, strapped the sleeping baby in in a few seconds, and we flew towards the international terminal... arriving there with 3 minutes to spare before our appointment time. I don't know how this would have worked in a day and age without cellphones to coordinate.
The Customs Office was also running a few minutes behind... so, even if we had been late, it probably would have worked out. However, when you make an official appointment in LA (as the soonest SFO, our closest airport at 5+ hours from home, could squeeze us in for a similar appointment was in several months) this far from home, and cut it that close, it makes your heart race a bit (I will say that, even though he caused us frustration and palpitations today, I still am a fan of Obama).
We made it "home" mid afternoon and then headed over to Kenn and Lisa's new place to hang out and have the babies meet!
The grandparents are sooo in love with these boys, born 16 days apart!
Kingston has what seems to be a perpetually furrowed brow.
The bros switched their own babes
... and then claimed theirs back
mamas
proud aunties Theresa and Katherine
The boys even wanted to nap together (although this lasted for less than 5 min for Iver as is usual when he's horizontal)!
It's so great to see these two cousins side-by-side!
