Looking Back, Looking Forward

I was reminded by a friend today about how much things have changed from this time last year. Halloween 2004 was still Matt and me, plus a belly. We had no concept of the little one growing inside me - - what she would be like, what she would look like, how different she would be at Halloween 2005. It seems like she's been here forever so it never even occurred to me to look back. I couldn't possibly have imagined the sweet little baby dressed as a pumpkin and sitting perfectly quiet on Daddy's lap for an hour to watch the other kids trick-or-treat. And then I look forward. How will it be next year? She will be so much more aware of what is happening and be trudging around in the costume she will likely have chosen herself, holding our hands and collecting her candy from the neighbors.

This year, Lacey and I are going to Illinois to visit for Thanksgiving week. I am both excited and nervous. Traveling on a normal day is stressful enough. Make it Thanksgiving week and the stress level goes through the roof. Add to that the daunting task of hauling an immobile baby (crawling doesn't count) and all her equipment through the airport where its employees are less than enthusiastic about helping you through the Xray machines. Thank goodness Matthew is going along. I tried to schedule my travel days on "off" days. We are going 3 days in advance (Monday) and returning home on Saturday instead of Sunday. I am less concerned about Monday's travels, but am feeling more and more queasy about Saturday. All I can hope for is getting there early enough to not be rushed and that Lacey's in a good (and flexible) mood that day. I am making several adjustments, however, from the lessons I learned the last few times I made the trip. For one, I am bringing an extra luggage bag that I plan to "check". It never fails that I come home with more than I left with and the bag barely closes. I also plan to arrive at the airport much earlier than my usual "last second" self allows, and am taking later flights. I hope that this helps to relieve some of the stress.