The long journey home

WHEW! We were on the initial descent into Nashville (after a layover and a plane change in Chicago) and our plane got diverted to Birmingham, Alabama since the airfield in Nashville suddenly closed as a violent storm passed over. Normally, this is no big deal to me. I mean, safety is paramount, right? Did I have a big meeting to get to? No. I can deal with sitting on the plane just a little bit longer.

Well, when you are on the last leg of a journey like that with a 12-month-old, it seems like MUCH more of a big deal. Luckily, I was armed to the teeth with whole wheat Goldfish crackers and some granola bars -- both huge favorites of Charlie Jo's. I think it's safe to say this may not have been the best day for her in terms of nutrition. Oh well.

We were on the ground for 30 or 40 minutes in Birmingham to refuel and to wait for the Nashville airport to reopen, and then we got back up in the air for a quick 35-minute flight back to Nashville. CJ charmed everyone around us and practically climbed between the seats to try to get to the row behind us where a very nice man and lady were entertaining her. After we got off the plane and were walking to the luggage carousels, the man complained bitterly that CJ had dumped him for another guy when he saw her in Corey's arms. Awww...

Anyway, here are some last shots from our trip to Minnesota, including some of CJ playing at the cool play area inside the airport right across from our gate. There's also one of CJ sitting in her very own seat (neither flight was full, and the flight attendant actually requested that I sit her there because it was "safer"?!?!?). I couldn't believe that she stayed seated and strapped in for most of the first flight! Might have had something to do with the super-experienced grandmother who sat next to her and entertained her the whole time.