Ian Takes On The Airport

Ian was thrilled to be on the loose in the airport. I'm not sure the other travellers appreciated the toddler with his Diego carry-on in their way as we walked to our gate, but I didn't care. This was a special adventure for Ian. Although he's flown before (obviously), this was the first time since he started walking...he's just such a different little boy than he was way back in November and December.

I had worked with him daily talking about riding in an airplane up in the sky to see Grama & Paga. We bought the Richard Scarry book "A Day at the Airport", which we almost read to death, so I think he was mentally ready for something...what, I don't think he knew, but ready for something big.

We did park & fly, so he was keyed up about the bus ride (shuttle) from the parking lot to the airport. He even saw a man in a hardhat and screamed "Bob!", which made everyone on board chuckle and comment on what a cutie he is... yeah, I know. Adorable.

Once at the airport, he took off with his rolling backpack behind him. He was a pro already. He managed a full sized Starbucks steamed milk, which he thought was his very own coffee, as he kept pointing at it and saying excitedly, "Ian's coffee!".

Waiting in the security line with an antsy toddler was a headache, but once we were on the plane, he was a total dream. He sat still, played with a few toys, then slept almost half the flight to Phoenix. We read a few stories and colored...and before we knew it, we were landing. He was so good.

The experience coming home was similar, except he was even more antsy at security. Our gate had a great play area and lots of opportunity to watch planes taxi. Once on the plane, he sat well again, but didn't actually fall asleep...until after the wheels were on the ground in Seattle and we were on our way to the gate. Figures!

Below are a few pictures of Ian's adventures in the airports. I could actually take pictures this time since it's the first trip when he wasn't strapped to me in a carrier!

Arriving at the airport. We have a long way to go, kiddo!

Enjoying his very own "hot" in the terminal.

Watching the planes traffic

Pretending he's an airplane

Everyone reads the paper at the airport, right?

Air travel is hilarious!

Double checking our departure time

Getting in a final sniff before takeoff. This blanket is Ian's sedative.

Good bye Grama & Paga...out there somewhere!