I’m all up on you, ‘cuz you representin’ California
When I booked our flights to California for the last full week in August, I was unwittingly booking summer’s last hurrah, it seems. Never was that more evident than the day after we returned to Seattle when the rains returned as well. Going back to work on Monday after nine full days off, half of them spent in sunny California barely connected to the real world, felt a lot like the first day of school. Which is to say, kind of a drag.
But my time off from work, and our time in California with family and friends, was absolutely fabulous, and now that I’m a few days removed from one of the worst flight experiences of my life, it was totally worth the work of flying solo with a 20-month-old not content to just sit nicely on my lap for two hours. (Imagine that.)
Our flight TO San Francisco, however, was downright delightful. Despite a minor pre-flight freakout over a broken zipper on the car seat bag (don’t ask — Roth may have to kill you), we breezed through security, had just enough time for a diaper change, snack and drink purchase (tip: toddlers LOVE Raisinets!), and stroller gate check before early boarding had begun. I asked if there were any bulkhead seats available, and for $10 I was able to upgrade my already dirt cheap seat to the third row with about a foot of extra legroom and FREE snacks. (God, I love Virgin America.) I’d primed Rowan for his usual midday nap, including the consumption of many carbs at breakfast, but he was more interested in pointing out all the TRUCKS! and BOATS! (um, he tends to get his various vehicles confused when excited) before takeoff. We got lucky, and no one sat in the middle seat, so for some of the flight, Rowan did. About midway through, I became the newest member of the Mile-High Diaper Change Club, but after that, he slumbered on my lap until we landed. See? Delightful! Even with the poop!
So, I can laugh about this now, but I almost lost my ever-loving mind over the installation of the car seat upon airport pickup. Let’s just say, there were many expletives, and I ripped my fingernails and knuckles to shit trying to get the LATCH system to work. If I ever write a book about motherhood, that experience alone deserves its own chapter. (And perhaps, at least several hours of therapy.) The only thing missing from that scene was when I threw the car seat across the parking lot in utter frustration. (That didn’t happen, but I was thisclose to punctuating the story as such.)
The rest of the trip was without incident, thankfully. On Thursday, I picked up my grandma (Rowan’s great), and we took him to see the GOATS! at Avila Valley Barn. Turns out, Ro’s not such a fan of goats, or any other barnyard animal, actually. I think he had enough by the time a rooster crowed right in his face. “All done, all done.” All was forgiven a few minutes later when he got to sit atop a tractor, though. Lesson learned: Rowan’s into vehicles, not smelly farm animals. Duly noted.
On the way home, we stopped by the ramp entrance to Grover Beach and let Rowan sink his toes in the sand. This is officially my most favorite photo of him.
This visit home felt different than previous visits, maybe because Rowan is coming into his own as an actual person. (As opposed to a slightly amorphous blob of baby, I guess.) It was less about babyproofing sharp corners and taping up the cupboards and more about spending quality time with his grandparents. He’s still too young to remember all that spicy linguica sausage he ate straight from the oak-pit barbecue in my mom’s backyard, or that my stepdad made him a clubhouse out of a large cardboard box, but these events feel significant to me. And with each visit, I think Rowan will start to form the faint flicker (I automatically typed that as flickr at first!) of fondness for these people who love him more than he can ever understand.
My dad has probably spent the least amount of time with Rowan out of all the grandparents, so it was very important to me that we see him, in some way, shape or form. My dad’s health has been up and down this year, and I’ve just had this sense of urgency to spend time with him under the heading of “You Never Know.” We were able to meet up with him and my stepmom in Monterey for a overnight sojourn before heading back to the airport on Sunday. My dad specifically picked a hotel with a pool, thinking Rowan might enjoy that, and hoo boy, did he ever! It was his first time, actually, and the kid had zero fear getting into the water. I had to physically hold him back from just jumping off the steps. Lesson learned: Get this boy into swim lessons, STAT.
(Also, avert your eyes from the lady in the background there. I wonder if it’s possible to Photoshop in a boob job, or something. Yowza.)
On Sunday, we went to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, a place that holds such vivid memories for me as a kid. It was definitely a full-circle kind of moment, taking Rowan there and seeing some of the same exhibits I marveled at many moons ago. It was quite magical, actually.
After we got home, my dad sent me an e-mail about the visit, and I want to share part of it.
I felt a connection to Rowan and he to me (when he allowed it). I know as he gets older he will know who I am. Like we talked about, he is very thoughtful and pensive at times already. Things are going on his young brain he doesn’t quite comprehend, ie. the daydream stare! That’s a good thing. Sure wish we had more time to do more things, but those times will come.
Yes, Dad, they will.
***
When we got home late Sunday, I was exhausted. As I mentioned, our flight home was … challenging. Lesson learned: Never again book an evening flight home with a toddler, OMG. (Imagine what it would be like to fly home with a button-pushing obsessed, Pringles-crushing, thrashing baby alligator on your lap. It was sort of like that.) I mean, the whole trip was challenging in that I was solely (outside of a couple hours wherein my stepdad watched Rowan so my mom and I could get pedicures) responsible for taking care of him. It’s just exhausting, doing it ALL, and I know Roth understands, as he’s done it more times than I have. Still, it was nice to open up my laptop and find this tiny note inside from Roth.
I very much needed to read that.
Posted on September 1, 2010 | Category: Uncategorized | 12 Comments
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- I know it's the top news story in Seattle but I cannot bear to watch coverage of what happened to the Powell boys today. So, so sad.
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1. Perhaps it will not be at all surprising that the first thing I thought when I saw Rowan on that tractor was, “He’s reenacting the infamous tractor duel scene from Footloose! You know, without even realizing it!” Kevin Bacon: always applicable!
2. That email from your dad is pretty much the sweetest thing ever. Perhaps second only to Roth’s super thoughtful note.
3. So Monterery’s is the aquarium with the super high walls I’ve seen in various Flickr photos! Aha! (Also: I want to go there!)
4. So! glad it was such an awesome trip for you both.
September 1st, 2010 @ 4:03 pmThat’s so sweet of Roth to put that note. I swear it’s the little gestures that stay with us and make a big impact. I’m a sucker for a hidden note.
I admire anyone who can parent solo, even on a trip. I’m glad you two had a fun time with family and got to spend it in some of the most beautiful places (to me anyhow, I miss that area of CA).
September 1st, 2010 @ 4:10 pmI love when kids first start to really understand where they’re at and what they’re doing. Also, he’s adorable.
Also, that giant kelp freaks me the crap out.
September 1st, 2010 @ 4:41 pmGlad all the effort was worth it for you and of course Ro Ro. We already miss him and you (and Roth) terribly. “On, On, On!” and “Truck, Truck, Truck!” I especially loved how much Rowan wanted to see the trash truck and subsequently was scared by the “transformer-like” arm that came out of it to pick up the trash cans. Too cute.
September 1st, 2010 @ 8:32 pmAnd I thought a road trip with the cats was bad! You’re a brave woman, I can’t imagine taking any kind of large trip with anything that small and wiggly. But it sounds like you came home with some great experiences and wonderful memories!
September 2nd, 2010 @ 5:22 amLove! the note from Roth. Now if only Huz would leave me one of those!!
September 2nd, 2010 @ 12:09 pmI love the Monterey Bay Aquarium! I am hoping I get to go there when I fly back to California for a friend’s wedding. It’s in the plan because Vahid hasn’t been there in a long time.
And that note is just about the sweetest thing!
September 2nd, 2010 @ 12:45 pmI often (as in, just a few minutes ago) think that I am so lucky to have Daniel because I think I’d suck at being a single mom. Just knowing that we have someone to share in the fun and encourage us on is what gets me thru the tough patches. Looks like you had a great trip. It almost makes me want to take my little ones a mini vacation.
September 2nd, 2010 @ 5:27 pm(sniffle, sob, happy)
September 3rd, 2010 @ 9:57 amI hate installing car seats! I’ve had the exact same frustration on vacation too. But I swear my car is the worst. I find it much easier to install them in other people’s cars. But I don’t even bother with latch anymore. I find using the seat belt easier.
September 3rd, 2010 @ 11:33 amI loved this post. It’s really amazing to watch your baby become a little person, isn’t it? I could relate to so much of this, even the baby alligator part…except I have not been brave enough to attempt the wrestling of that alligator on a plane.
Love that photo of Rowan at the beach!
September 3rd, 2010 @ 4:58 pmOh, my goodness…Rowan is SO HANDSOME. I just can’t get over him! And that note made me tear up (sap!). I’m so glad you guys had a good trip, horrible carseat experience aside.
September 11th, 2010 @ 8:24 am