Bouncy Chair Mishap

I consider myself to be an attentive mother. I don't leave Brett alone unless I am certain that she can do no harm to herself. You know how it is, I will put her on her play mat (with the toys dangling overhead) and take a shower or strap her into her swing while I put my make-up on.

So, when I put Brett in her bouncy chair the other day to watch "Your Baby Can Read" (yes, my husband was somehow suckered into purchasing it) I was sure she would be safe.

I was going to strap her in but my hubby insisted that Brett played with the belt the entire time rather than watching the video, so I didn't strap her in. I heard her complaining about 15 minutes into the video but I figured she was just getting bored. Can you believe that I didn't go check on her? I simply completed my make-up application...when I walked into the other room Brett was on the floor (on her tummy) next to the chair. She had fallen out! I couldn't believe it! With my heart racing I swiped her up and checked to make sure she was ok. She, at that point, was unphased. I vowed that I would strap her in next time, even if she did get distracted by the belt, and that I would check on her more often.

Just a few days later I had her strapped into the bouncy chair to watch "Your Baby Can Read" again. I was sure she would be safe and sound this time so I went back into my bathroom to get ready during the 20 minutes of the video. I got distracted with my desire to blow dry my hair that day and I didn't go check on her. About 15 minutes or so into the video I could hear Brett complaining again and, again, I thought she was just getting bored (no, I didn't learn my lesson the first time).

When I went out to get her she was DANGLING down from the chair! She had propelled her body forward but the belt had held her in and she was upside down! I pulled her up and unstrapped her, her face red from the blood rushing to it. She, again, was unfazed but that was the last time I used the bouncy chair.

Why am I admitting this to everyone? Not so I can be vilified as a mom too concerned with her appearance, but so that other new moms know that we all make mistakes and that we should learn from them so that we don't make the same mistake twice (or three times)...

Up, Up and Away

Last weekend we took Brett on her first airplane trip- a weekend jaunt to San Jose to visit our friends. I was concerned about bringing all of the right things (though I was lucky enough to have friends to borrow pack-n-plays from as well as other large essential items). However, I was most nervous about getting through security and taking her on the plane. Understand, I traveled for work for two years and I would hate to see a family ahead of me in the queue and I would be secretly thinking 'please, please don't let them be on my flight' (especially if they had a baby with them). So, you can understand my fear. Here I am: that mom bringing a baby onto a plane.

To my relief, John Wayne Airport has a line now for Families and First Time Travelers. I was so happy to see that! My husband and I made it through security with no problem. Thank goodness for some advice from a girlfriend of mine with three children (who, the superwoman that she is, travels alone with them). She told me to put Brett in the Baby Bjorn as soon as we got out of the car and that I could wear her through security. Well, that really was a lifesaver. However, lesson learned: Leave the baby in the Baby Bjorn until you get on the plane...

So, Brett fussed a bit on the tiny plane and yes, we got the stare-down from weary business travelers. I deserved it, as I had done the same thing in my previous life...

Brett decided to eat, I nursed her and she slept the entire flight to San Jose!

The return flight was just as painless. She nursed (more like 'snacked') the entire flight but I was happy about that- she didn't cry even once!

Brett has now experienced two 6+ hour road trips and a plane flight. What a little traveler for 5 months old. And, importantly, my husband and I have made it through the experiences as well. Next up, traveling with Brett alone... not sure when I'll be ready for that one!