oh the way we fly

Dear Chicken Nugget,

Happy New Year!  You are now officially in 2011.

A lot has happened since I last wrote:

- you went to your first party (my staff holiday party)
- we flew to Nebraska for Christmas break
- you celebrated your first Christmas
- you were baptized in Nebraska
- you met a whole lot of family
- we went on our first zoo trip together, in Omaha, NE
- you celebrated your first New Year

I'll have to write about these individually later since I had little time to sit and write during all this fun.

I will say a little something about our flying experience...

I'm not a fan of flying.  At some point in my life I wanted to be a pilot, and even an astronaut, but as I grew older and realized that my nearsightedness was going to prevent me from piloting an airplane or shuttle, I had to settle for being a passenger.  Here's the thing, I have control issues.  If the plane swings from one side to the other, gets bumpy, or drops a few feet in altitude, I... flip... out.

Not in a big way.  But, I will put my hand on your mom's knee and squeeze a little.  I'd like to believe that if I was sitting at the controls, I wouldn't be needing reassurance.  That might create an awkward moment between me and the co-pilot.

However, taking you on your first plane ride was a very different experience.  We had one layover on our way to Nebraska and one on the way back to New York - four planes in all.

I only had to grab your mom's knee once.  Not that the plane rides were perfectly smooth.  It was that all our attention was on you.  Flying with a 3 1/2 month old is hard work.  Every step of the way, from packing luggage, checking in at the counter, boarding, to simple things like sitting, diaper changes, and getting off the plane felt three times harder with you.  And, you were a dream baby... for most of the flights.

On three of the four flights we probably looked like parents who knew what they were doing.  We even got compliments on how great a baby you were.  Then came the fourth and final flight.

We took our seats in row 12 and prepared for takeoff.  The lady sitting next to me looked at you and did one of those "isn't that baby cute" shrugs.  As the plane started to roll your mom tried feeding you to help you deal with pressure changes, a system that worked well for the three other flights.  You refused to eat.  And you started to cry.  The lady next to me did one of those half smiles with a pout, as if to say, "aww, precious."

The crying went on.  We tried changing positions.  We tried singing.  We tried showing you a toy.  We tried everything we could think of.  And you cried.  The tall guy sitting in front of us turned around a few times to see what was going on behind him - his face more annoyed than concerned.  You continued to cry.

The lady next to us stopped looking over with those "cute baby" glances and she put her headphones on.  I finally put you in a sleepy time position, the last thing either of us thought you were, and within a minute you were asleep. 

For all the crying you did, I think your mom and I did pretty well.  Although we were aware that for the first time in our brief and limited flying experience, you were "that crying baby" we ignored all the glances and head-shakings and focused on you.

You, my Nugget, are a lot of work.  A lot.  And I wouldn't change it for anything in the world.


Eternally yours,

Tu papa

Nebraska

Dear Chicken Nugget,

Your mom and I have been in Nebraska since Monday, visiting your Grandpa Dale and Grandma Sue.  Your Aunt Sara, Uncle Jerry, and Cousin Timothy will be arriving from Madison, Wisconsin later this week to celebrate Easter with us.

You have a lot of family here.  Greatgrandparents Arleen and Paul live here as well.  Aunt Nancy, Uncle Brad, and Cousins Allison and Jacob live in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Personally, I love Nebraska.  I told your mom that when I first met her about five years ago.  I first came to Nebraska about ten years ago, to a town called Ceresco, to visit my friend John from NYU.  He and his family lived on an old farm in Ceresco and we spent a few days there before heading West to Yellowstone National Park.  It's on that trip that I grew to love Nebraska.

The people are incredibly friendly and there's a complete lack of noise.  After meeting your mom and visiting here some more, I realized that my first impression of Nebraska was right.  Friendliest people ever.

As a born and raised Brooklynite, the friendliness and calm of Nebraska was a little hard to get used to.  But now, it's something I enjoy.  I look forward to coming to Nebraska because it's relaxing.  I think you're going to love it here.

If Grandpa Dale and Grandma Sue still live in the same house when you come visit, I think you'll enjoy playing in their backyard.  You could probably spend hours out there.  I'll love kicking a soccer ball out there with you.

We probably won't be back for another year but this time, we'll come back with you in our arms.

Can't wait.

Eternally yours,

Your papa


PS - Just so you know, you will be a Nebraska Cornhusker fan.  You have to be - no arguing.