August 2005: A Transatlantic Trip With A Baby, A tangled braid of life and technology

In August of 2005, S and I finally got to experience yet another of those trial-by-fire scenarios for new parents: traveling with a baby. In our case, it was a transatlantic trip to Lithuania (my home country). From the time we left home to the time we arrived at my parents’ home in Vilnius, the trip lasted a total of 22 hours.

Overall it wasn’t bad, although it had its low points. A hungry screaming baby in a plane sitting on the tarmac for an indefinite time period because the flight control computers in the airport were down and no flights were getting out. Me not knowing whether to breastfeed the baby right then, or wait until after the takeoff, which was being promised in the next 20 minutes… and then in the next 20 minutes… and then… you get the picture.

E did not fly in an FAA-approved car seat. Car seats are for weenies! We just let her flop around in an empty seat next to us. And she naturally knew what to do to relieve the pressure in the ears.

E in a plane seat, August 2005 — CIMG0241 E in a plane seat

Ha ha, just kidding! E was held in S’s lap for two legs of the trip.

S and E on the plane, August 2005 — CIMG0245 E was held in S’s lap for two legs of the trip.

During the transatlantic flight E got some sleep in this bassinet that attaches to the airplane wall in front of the first row.

On the plane in a bassinet, August 2005 — CIMG0246 During the transatlantic flight E got some sleep in this bassinet that attaches to the airplane wall in front of the first row.