Back to Ireland

The journey back to Ireland was a dream. Gemma did awesome! The only bad part was being extensively screened by the TSA in the Minneapolis airport because of all the pre-packaged, ready to use formula we had with us. All of our carry-on items were unpacked, swabbed, and put back through the x-ray, which was rather annoying since I had everything packed "just so" so it would all fit! I do have to say, MSP airport has an awesome baby/family area for changing diapers, rocking, etc. Best I've ever seen!

Gemma again didn't really sleep from the time she got up in the morning until we got through security. She had a quick snooze from 11:30-12, while Paul and I ate some lunch, then I got her to sleep again around 1:30, just before we boarded our flight to Chicago. She slept the entire flight! She did great in the stroller in Chicago while we changed terminals, went through security, etc. She had another bottle and a little snooze while we were waiting to board the flight to Dublin.

Once on the plane, she was happy to sit on my lap, and once we reached cruising altitude, I gave her another bottle, and she was out for the night. I waited until the meal was served and the cabin lights were turned off to lay her down in the bassinet, which is a cardboard box lined with pillows and a blanket that attaches to a flip-down frame behind the bulkhead. I had to pick her up and resettle her a couple of times, thanks to the unfortunate screaming toddler behind us, but otherwise she slept until about an hour before we landed, when they turned on the lights and started serving breakfast.

She stayed awake, and did great the rest of the flight, going through passport control, claiming our baggage, and getting the shuttle to the long term car park. She was a VERY tired little girl by this point though, and she fell asleep almost as soon as we started driving back to our place.

Our original plan was to go home, unpack, repack, then head for Louisburgh in the afternoon. At this point it was around 9:30 am Irish time (3:30 am Minnesota time), and even though we were exhausted, we decided just to keep going, because if we stopped, it would be very hard to get going again! We made a quick stop at our place, and I just ran in and got formula, Christmas gifts, etc. Our car has never been so full, since we had all of our luggage from MN too! Gemma did wake while we were stopped, so we headed to McDonalds for some breakfast for mom and dad and a bottle and a diaper change for Gemma. She fell asleep again fairly quickly once we were on the road and slept almost the entire 3 1/2 hour drive.

By the time we got to Paul's parent's house, I was literally sick with exhaustion. Luckily there was homemade soup on the stove, and Paul's sister took Gemma for the afternoon, so Paul and I got showers and a nap. I felt like a new person after that! We are so thankful that Gemma did so well during the journeys. Hopefully it will continue!


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