First airplane ride!

We have successfully navigated our first airplane ride with little baby James.  It was a short flight, so we didn't have to deal with the dreaded "ear pain" problem, but it was a signficant milestone.  Having previously been one of the selfish travellers who would cast a disapproving eye over parents with screaming children, I boarded the airplane fully ready to accept such glances.  But James never cried.

Flying with a baby is simple:  you place him in his stroller, somehow manage to push it along with all your bags, take the infant at the airplane gate and leave your stroller to be placed in the cargo hold.  Contrary to logic, the stroller is not given to you at the landing gate.  Instead, you must manoeuvre down the hallways, and through customs, while holding your baby.  The stroller then comes out with the rest of the checked luggage.  (after a few years of speedy travel with no checked baggage, I must get reacquainted with the luggage belt!)

This would be a nightmare were it not for the baby Bjorn, a contraption that has become one of my most used possessions.  When you strap your baby in, you become free to carry your other baggage, and you're usually able to lull your baby to sleep.  With a relatively small carryon, a luggage cart, and the Bjorn, you're ready to face preparation for any flight.  (the flight itself, and potential screaming, is another issue.)