Nine hours and twenty minutes
The title of this post is how long of a flight it was from Lisboa to Miami.
Since Lily woke up this morning at 5:30am Miami time (9:30am Portugal time) and I’m having a very strong cup of coffee already, I would like to talk about a few things.
Let me start with flying.
I hate it.
I hate flying! Even though I have gotten better with age, putting me on a plane is one of the worst things you can do to me.
I usually cannot sleep the night before I’m about to fly from nerves and anxiety, my palms get all clammy during the flight (forget it if there is turbulence), once I did not get on a flight because I had a bad feeling about it. I literally think I’m going to die every time I get on a plane.
Then you add a child on to all of that and well, it makes things a little trickier.
Because of Lily, I have to try to calm and compose myself. I cannot show that I’m scared because I know she will feel it and then it will rub off on her.
We had one hour of really bad turbulence on our flight last night and while I almost ripped the arm rest with my right hand from fear and nerves, I very lightly and calmly held onto Lily’s hand with my left hand.
As I sat in my seat and thought we were going to die, I smiled at Lily and told her everything was going to be ok.
I usually try to knock myself out during a flight because hey, if I sleep not only will time go by faster but, I’m not awake during anything.
Lily is not the best plane sleeper, she probably slept a total of 4 hours during our flight yesterday. So, if she doesn’t sleep, I don’t sleep. And even when she sleeps, I don’t sleep because I’m afraid she will roll off the seat (because it happened before).
Flying was not easy for me before Lily and it hasn’t become any easier with Lily but it won’t stop me from traveling.
So maybe she will cry on the flight. Maybe she will cry the whole flight (most doubtful). Maybe she won’t sleep during the whole flight (most probable). That won’t stop us from going places.
It’s not only hard flying but it’s always hard adjusting to a destination.
I have lately felt guilty and like a momster dragging Lily around places I want her to be, get her to get used to family, friends and new places and once she starts getting used to things and people, it’s time for us to go.
But hey, that’s the way things go, right?
If I fear things too much and I don’t expose her to things, not only will she not get to know her family and new places but I will teach her fear.
And teaching her fear of traveling and knowing new places would be basically criminal.
So, even though traveling is not easy by any means, I will not stop doing it. π
Thank you all for listening to my early coffee ramble. We are home and it feels so good. I’m having coffee in my coffee mug, sitting in bed while listening to Will and Lily playing in her room. Seems like we never left.
Have a great weekend everyone!
ulrike
November 4, 2011 @ 12:42 pm
poor lily! extend the seat belts as much as possible then click her in once she’s asleep. works with ayya π
Claudia
November 4, 2011 @ 12:47 pm
@Ulrike,
poor me! lol
TAP was awesome and once again gave me a rw of 3 seats all to ourselves. Lily had 2 seats to sleep on comfortably and no belt. she just doesn’t want to miss anything and sees everyone else awake. xo
Jo Debra Gandee
November 4, 2011 @ 2:37 pm
Thank you for sending this message to moms everywhere. You live your life and do not let fear rule your life. Big thumbs up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Claudia
November 5, 2011 @ 10:32 am
@Jo Debra,
thanks Jo Debra. hopefully Rachel will make it out to you with Zara soon. xo
Mallory
November 4, 2011 @ 3:30 pm
Happy you guys are home safe!!
I too, think I am going to die every time I get on a plane. I think that I am getting worse as I get older and that scares me because I know one too many people that reached a certain point in their lives where they decided that they just wouldn’t fly anymore. But, like you said, if you don’t fly, you don’t see the world (well, you know, without wasting half of your time in a car) and that just isn’t an option.
Claudia
November 5, 2011 @ 10:31 am
@Mallory,
yeah, being taken over by fear is definitely not the way to go.
Claudia
November 4, 2011 @ 3:44 pm
HavenΓΒ΄t seen/read you in a while!!!! Loved your pics and posts about portugal, all of it! Wish I could have come along with the kids…my mother-in-law just got back from Portugal last Sunday!
Big hug!
Clau
Claudia
November 5, 2011 @ 10:30 am
@Claudia,
hi! nice to hear from you! if you ever get a chance you should definitely visit Portugal. thanks for stopping by. π
Citlalli
November 4, 2011 @ 8:32 pm
Welcome back Claudia!
I definetely hate flying too, it’s the worst, lot of nerves, I typically lost documents, and get crazy before and after.
But you’re totally right, we can stop just because our fears, you are such a great mom!
Claudia
November 5, 2011 @ 10:29 am
@Citlalli,
we have to be strong mamas, right? π
Yoly
November 5, 2011 @ 5:34 am
Happy you girls made it back safely home π Totally admire your courage Claudia. We have never flown with Lily, but I could just imagine the fear when there’s turbulence. Thank you so much for showing us a glimpse of your beautiful country.
Claudia
November 5, 2011 @ 10:28 am
@Yoly,
i can’t believe you have never flown with Lily! it will for sure be easier now.