Our whirlwind trip began Tuesday morning.<\/p>\n
DEPARTURE: From home at 10:00am for our 12:30 flight from New Orleans to Detroit.<\/p>\n
MORNING STRESS: That morning, we arranged for a babysitter, which made things so much easier as we finalized our packing. (We had given Margarita the week off, which ended up being more stressful as I was franticly trying to finish coursework and Paul was trying to get in work hours. Note to self: NEVER cancel a babysitter!)<\/p>\n
PIT STOP: En route to the airport, we stopped and picked up a pair of shoes (ones that I wore to my own rehearsal dinner almost 5 years ago) which were being cleaned at a repair shop<\/a> in Metairie.<\/p>\n WILL: Slept in the car to the airport and dozed through the airport. So, he was awake and rambunctious for about an hour of the 2 hour direct flight, but not obnoxious or loud. (Still, a sleepy baby is the best thing on an airplane. And yes, I use drugs — both to open up his ears<\/a> and make him sleep<\/a>.) Some may balk, but the multitudes of parents and travellers who approach me after flights to compliment and ask for tips makes me feel that I’m doing something right.<\/p>\n RENTAL CAR: New Chevy Malibu<\/a> (including remote start – new one for us) with child seat.<\/p>\n FUN WILL MOMENT: While Paul was installing the car seat, Will jumped out of my arms, climbed into the open door of the front passager side seat, went through to the driver’s seat, sat down and started turning the steering wheel and pressing buttons on the dash. (We were in total awe of him!)<\/p>\n HOME AWAY FROM HOME: We drove to Ann Arbor <\/a>and met up with friends Millard and Violet Elder, who were our old neighbors. They provided home and great company during our stay.<\/p>\n