Day 1
Today (Monday) began the long journey to Kazakhstan! Whitney read some Harry Potter to the enthralled Holland in PDX before the first short leg of our trip to SFO. En route, we were fortunate to catch a replay of the NCAA softball regional of Oregon State vs Alabama. Sadly, I knew that OSU had lost, but it was fun to cheer on the Beavs from the stratosphere. In SFO we rushed to the catch our flight to Istanbul. Luckily we got to the gate early enough that when we asked for bulkhead seats + a bassinet, they had one left. Usually on international flights, I walk on the flight with ear plugs, eye covers, and Ambien, ready to settle in for a sleepy and uneventful journey. This time--with a baby--was a little different. Holland really was a very good travel baby who only squawked when she woke up hungry from a nap. I was on stressful high alert to keep her from prolonged crying. For her comfort, of course, but also to appease our neighbors. This trip I got up and down many ...