Slapping the Bag, in Public.

Kids change us in so many ways. I used to be fun. I used to exercise daily and eat healthy. I was always on time. Ha. Just kidding. Cosmic brownies are life. And if I ever show up on time, just assume someone in the car left the house without pants. 

We’re en route to San Diego right now. A bird hit our incoming flight and apparently there is only one mechanic in the Fox Valley certified in Bird Damage because we waited an hour for him just to get on site at GRB. We channeled Team USA in O’Hare and sprinted with all three little ducks in tow to our connection. We were met with closed doors, but were lucky to get rebooked to four seats on the next flight out. 

Unfortunately, they were four single seats scattered around the plane. While the big kids and Nick enjoyed a hot meal at the United club, Maisy and I made our way across the airport to schmooz the gate agent. Initially Raul rolled his eyes at me and told me every seat was taken (I knew this, Raul. That’s why I was using all my pleases and thank yous). But then Maisy happy screamed and stuck her tongue out and it made him smile and he decided that maybe he could move some singles around. Thanks, Raul! 

The girls are happily seated next to Nick at the front of the aircraft and Maisy and I are snuggled up in the back with some strangers near the bathroom. At least we’ll be on the beach tonight! One of the things I like about traveling with the whole family is that when I need to nurse Maisy, I can just sit in the middle seat between Nick and a kid – plenty of room for baby girl to stretch out and plenty of privacy for me. When I travel alone with a baby, the nursing is a little more inconvenient. At least I’m a seasoned mom now so this bothers me less by the day. 

I remember an earlier time when I would have been frantic trying to hide a tampon in my sleeve while I walked back to the bathroom on a plane. Oh, the embarrassment. Now here I sit, tits a-blazing next to some young hipster named Noah. [At least I assume his name is Noah. He looks like a Noah.] Noah has cool glasses and he’s hiding a cute little dog under his seat. Noah is very progressive. Noah noticed me moving to whip a boob out and politely put on his headphones and didn’t stare. Noah is entirely unbothered by Maisy playing slap-the-bag with my tots. Props to you, Noah. Hope your girlfriend over there knows you’re a keeper. 

I like to think I’m by and large the same person I was before kids. I had some good qualities back then. But I’m also happy to report that kids have chilled me out a lot. I wasn’t sure how to wrap the blog post up today, but then the long-haired dude behind me tapped my shoulder and genuinely smiled while passing me one of the nipple covers Maisy yanked out of my bra. This flight to San Diego is really vibing with the non-judgmental support for nursing moms today. I’m here for it.