21 days until take off

I did most of my traveling before kids, so when I got kids I was sort of prepared. But then things really change.

I had never noticed if there were changing tables or not in the ridiculously small bathrooms (try to squeeze yourself, a diaper bag and a pooped bay in there and you better not be lightly claustrophobic). I had never noticed how almost impossible it is to carry a baby and a diaper bag down the aisle without hitting someone's head (by which they will hate you even more than they did when they first spotted the baby).

Or how you juggle a baby, yourself, your shoes, your computer, your bag(s), your stroller, your jacket, and now your ziploc with fluids, through security without soaking in sweat. Or how to explain to 20 suit dressed men on board the plane men that your baby has been awake for the past 15 hours and is crying of exhaustion, and not because your lack of parenting skills and believe ME, I would love if my baby would shut up, after all I'm getting the close-up version straight into my ear.

Anyway.

The first time I traveled to Sweden on my own after having had done the same trip with kids, it was like a dream! Why did I ever complain about the seemingly endless flight between Stockholm and Chicago? It was 9 hours of reading, movie watching, quiet (at least no one was demanding mine attention). Pure vacation.

But back to the travel with kids aspects... Here are some things I had missed despite over 200 000 frequent flier miles...

- Some of United Airlines aircrafts (domestic), and the ones I always end up on, does not have changing tables in the lavatories. Changing a poopy diaper at the seat is not really appreciated among the other passengers so you and your baby better practice diaper changing on top of tiny toilet lids in confined spaces before going on a flight. It's a four hour flight from Chicago from California. Of course your baby poops then.

- SAS does not have child fares on Stockholm-Chicago. If you want your own seat for your baby - better be ready to bring out your wallet and pay full price. And they still have no Baby Einstein movies in the entertainment system.

- SAS staff at Arlanda Aiport cannot be expected to carry gate-checked items (like an umbrella stroller weighing in at 7 lb) up the little stairs from the tarmac up to the aircraft, they might get back problem (it's amazing they can handle luggage at all, actually we should be thankful we don't have to load our own suitcases). Thus you better be prepared to carry your baby, and the tons of others stuff you unfortunately need when traveling with kids, the three kilometers from terminal F to the baggage area.

- the TSA folks are there for security only. God forbid they would help (even out of pure humanity) you lift and quirk the stroller through the x-ray machine with a baby on your arm, shoes in your hand, trying to keep track of the boarding passes (that you always have to show twice). They stand and watch and wait. And sigh when the stroller gets stuck.

- But Americans (except TSA employed Americans) are GREAT at helping out when you're in need. They're friendly, talkative and makes things soo much easier (and I'm really the kind of "can do it myself thank you"-Swedish type). Sometimes you have to stop nice elderly American ladies, who hardly can reach the over head compartment, from helping to bring down your heavy diaper bag, risking to crush themselves.

I have 21 days until my next fight to Sweden... but only bringing one kid on a "quickie" visit to Stockholm. Anyway, I've lined up a grandmother to pick up the pieces at Arlanda on Easter Day.