Thank You So Much!

Thank you to Lisa, whom I sat next to on the plane to Chicago. You were the best person possible to sit next to. Thank you for being so darn helpful in picking up toys that Shaifali dropped, for putting your tray down to get a drink for me, for walking my backpack (with all my diaper change stuff) back to the bathroom, for cooing at Shaifali . . . for acting like a friend to me/Auntie to Shaifali when you had just met us.

Thank you to Kelly, who watched the carseat for me at the gate so I could go to the bathroom with only three sides of my body covered in hanging objects instead of four.

Thank you to the woman, whose name I've forgotten, who carried the carseat down to the plane from the gate.

Thank you to Tony, from Chicago by way of Australia, who carried the carseat for me from security to my gate. You were a pleasure to talk to--from accent to laugh.

Thank you to the nice man whose name I never knew who put my bag up in the overhead compartment for me. You had a 15-month-old daughter and, while away from her, saw her in everyone else's daughters, including mine.

Thank you to Paula and the other woman who I sat next to on the plane back from Chicago. You were both very nice and understanding and reassured me that it would be ok if she cried. Lucky for all of us, she hardly did in the 4.5-hour flight plus the 2-hour sitting-on-the-tarmac period.

Thank you to Sisa, who nursed Shaifali for me when my head had split open resulting in throwing up three times with a fourth if I had to hold and nurse her at that time. What a soul sister you are to me, and I love you for not hesitating to make that offer.

Thank you to my little girl, for, with the exception of a poop explosion on each plane ride where we were alone, being a perfect travel buddy. I hope you and I can have adventures together for the rest of our lives and that we always travel so well together.

Thank you to my little boy, who was mostly very, very good for his Grandma while I was away for a week. Your little voice made me so homesick and reassured me all at the same time. You are a wonderful being, and I'm so glad we're back together now.

Thank you to my mom for taking care of said little boy for five days straight. You are a wonderful Grandma, and it's no wonder Mas loves you so much.

Thank you to "Uncle" Steve and "Auntie" Katie for understanding that Mas is two, therefore his ringbearing abilities and behavior during your wedding were unpredictable. I love that you thought his screaming "I want my DADDY!" while I ran out with him halfway through your wedding was cute. True friends you are, and you rescued me from my immeasurable horror and guilt.

Thank you to all of our lovely friends and family--those of you we saw on this trip (who traveled to see us, who hosted us, who showered us and our kids with love, love, love) and those we didn't (we missed you); those at home, and those far away. You are the best, and my life is [our lives are] full because of all the wonderful people in it.