05/05/2007

"Voom, vooooom," Nathan says while pointing skyward. "Yes!" I say, "An airplane...voom, voom! Nathan, would you like to fly on an airplane?" He continues with his imitating and pointing but doesn't acknowledge my question. "Nath, you and Mommy are going to fly on an airplane together soon--won't that be fun? Voom, voom!!" He is excited that I've joined in with what he perceives to be equal enthusiasm, but still, doesn't so much as give a nod of the head to my prodding. How could he? He doesn't associate the word 'airplane' with anything...he just likes discovering all the noises around him. Nathan is excited at the planes that roar overhead, and I'm excited about our upcoming visit to Grand Rapids. I hope the toddler is as pleasantly enthusiastic about being stuck on a plane for three hours as he is listening to the noise of one for 30 seconds. We shall see.

Kyle, my brother, graduates from High School on the 31st of May. Nick will hold down the fort here in Texas while we take our little vacation to celebrate the miracle of Kyle's diploma! To help maintain sanity, finding a direct flight was a priority. I've no doubt that Nathan would thoroughly enjoy wandering an airport and trying out goodies from the terminal's Cinnabun, but my goal is to arrive as quickly, and with as little incident, as is possible. We will stay in Grand Rapids until after Kyle's open house on June 9. Then, we will get back on a Voom Voom and head home to see Daddy. I have to get traveling out of my system soon anyways...they don't let pregnant women gallivant about as freely as the rest of the population. I have several concerns about trying to entertain and take care of Nathan on a plane, but one has me totally stumped:

Where would I go to change a stinky diaper?

I'm sure you all are familiar with size of those airplane bathrooms...not to mention the terrifying toilet and stainless steel walls. Anyway, if my memory serves me they don't find any room to fit a changing table in those bathrooms, do they? Three hours is a fine amount of time to wait on changing a diaper that is only wet, but what do I do if that isn't the case? I would think that changing a stinky diaper in close vicinity to other passengers (especially passengers who already have a tendency toward nausea) might be a really terrible idea. The aisles are always to remain clear, so changing Nathan in the walkway is out. The seats don't recline enough to service as a changing table...maybe in first class, but I'm sure all the businessmen would object. So, really, I don't know what option that leaves me. I hate to make the person sharing a row with us endure three hours of foul air, but I'm not sure I have another choice. It's a conundrum to be sure!

Let's just hope for the best. I'm certainly excited about our little adventure--sweet Nathan and Mommy are globetrotters! Someday when Nathan is wealthy he will take his Mommy on all sorts of journeys to foreign lands with exciting new foods and strange languages. I feel called to instill curiosity and adventure in my son...then I remember, he has these traits naturally and, most often, they make my life busier and more hectic. Blessings and curses often come in the same package. I'm going to sleep and dream sweetly of airplanes, and Nia, and sweet Nathan's smile.