Texas

There is something truly empowering yet humbling about traveling alone with an infant. It forces you to be a bit bolder and more assertive than you normally would be, but it also forces you to swallow your pride and be truly grateful for the kindness of strangers.

Elise's first airplane trip was a success - plain and simple (no pun intended). She didn't cry AT ALL -- even when we sat in the plane for an hour in Dallas waiting for a computer reboot so we could take off. I couldn't have asked for a sweeter angel than my baby girl - she made it easy. However, trying to juggle a stroller, carry on bags, (and initially my checked bags) was not so simple. When Erick deployed, there was a host of "bag men" at the Montgomery airport who jumped to help Erick with his bags...in fact it was done with such alacrity that I hardly knew it was done at all. Erick checked in and was free to spend the rest of his time with me, Elise and a group of well wishers. I'm not sure what happened a mere three weeks later when I got to the airport, but no such service was to be had. In fact, when I finally made my way to the counter (very very slowly) the attendant there (who had been chatting it up with her other airport pals while I was moving two steps at a time)weighed my bags and then told me very curtly that I needed to then take them over to the TSA bag check at the other end of the airport lobby. I nearly cried. Seeing my despair, she heaved a heavy sigh) and said "ugh, I'll take them.". Things were much brighter, however, when we got to Dallas. An elderly couple flying to San Angelo saw that I was alone, took the stroller and my carry on bag and placed them in the valet cart for me...i hadn't even asked for help - and at that point, I really didn't need it, but I appreciated it all the same.

Getting into San Angelo MUCH later than anticipated we had a quick night of sleep and headed to Schlitterbahn EARLY the next morning. Schlitterbahn is the greatest water park EVER. Elise absolutely loved it - she had a ball - even with about only 3 hours of sleep. We got back up to San Angelo the next day and had another two days of 4th of July festivities. Elise was pretty darn tired at this point and I think the next few days for her were all about regaining the sleep she had lost - she was one tired kiddo.

The rest of our trip was just as wonderful. It was so nice having friends and family around - even if it was just one other person in the house, it was just nice to know that someone else was there. We went swimming, we spent time with friends, we ate out A LOT, we played, we visited the dogs, we relaxed - we had a good time. The only thing that could have made the trip better would have been if Erick had been there. There were those moments, especially being in San Angelo, that it was very hard to not think of him being gone. I think in some ways his absence was compounded, but in others ways it was made easier by being with family and friends.