Flightmare
Okay, so I’m sitting in my room at the Ocean Isle Inn but I can’t slap my hot pink bikini on until I tell everyone about my “flightmare” yesterday. As my good friend Jenna McCarthy said to me on Facebook yesterday, I just have to share my “perturbulance” with all of you.
I left Syracuse, NY yesterday to return home (for about 17 hours) to Fort Mill, SC. I flew alone with my two kids, ages 4 & 1 from Syracuse through Newark to Charlotte. Flying is nothing new to me or my children. I actually wrote a post weeks back about how to fly with your kids and everything would have gone smoothly had it not been for one incident – unexpected poo.
We woke up at 7:00 yesterday morning and headed to the Syracuse airport. Tears were shed as we said goodbye to my parents but everything else was great. Security was smooth and the flight from Syracuse to Newark flew (he he) right by. Josh slept and Jake sat snacking and chatting away.
We get to Newark and our next gate is about 15 feet away. Smooth as silk, I tell ya. I’m thinking to myself, “Yeah. This is why I wrote that post about flying with your kids. I’ve got this down to a science.”
BAHAHAHAHA.
Let me tell you something, people. There is no smooth ride. No one flies better than my children, of that I’m sure. I calculated that my four year old has been on over 40 plane rides (including connection flights). I’ve taken my kids to Upstate NY every three months since my first was born and it’s become second nature to us. Yesterday, I lived my worst flightmare.
The second flight from Newark to Charlotte boarded smoothly and the kids settled in well. I knew they were both tired and was counting on them both falling asleep. What I didn’t count on was the massive deuce Josh was going to take in his diaper just as the “fasten seat belt” light turned on.
Shit. Literally. This kid looked at me with a smile and that look of universal poo concentration. You know, the one where your eyes glaze over and you slightly hold your breath as you pinch one out. The plane pulls away from the gate and we taxi out on the runway and suddenly Joshua, content in his release, decides to fall asleep.
People everywhere are suddenly shuffling around. I hear coughing and see eyes darting around to figure out what that awful stink was and all eyes landed on me.
For the first time in my life, I had absolutely no idea what to do. I couldn’t stand up to go change him and even if I could, the aircraft didn’t have a changing table in the bathroom. The woman on the aisle seat weighed about 400 pounds, listening to her music and not about to move (to be honest, I was too scared of her to ask).
Even if I did manage to get myself out of my seat, I’d have not only woken Josh up, but my four year old Jake would have to come along. That means I’d have a screaming baby getting poo changed upright in a tiny airplane bathroom and Jake would touch every single thing I’d ask him not to.
So I did nothing. Not a damn thing. I sat bolt upright in that seat for an hour and a half with both kids passed out on me. With my left hand, I cradled Joshua so he could sleep on my shoulder. With my right, I held the tiny ball of poo I could feel through his pants in his diaper. Jacob leaned on my arm as he slept.
I held poo for an hour and a half.
My thought was that if I could put something over his ass, it wouldn’t stink so bad. I also figured not moving at all would help, so I sat super still and refused to make eye contact with a single person. I cupped his nasty dead animal-like smelling turd and I waited.
Suddenly, the captain comes over the loud speaker announcing twenty minutes until landing. I looked up at that sky and thanked the good Lord above for getting me this far without some kind of FAA fine for aircraft contamination. Naturally, the announcement woke both kids up with a start and with all the rest and excitement of finally getting home, they got SUPER excited.
I seriously almost cried. Out of nowhere, Josh wanted to play. He didn’t care that he had dropped an A-bomb in his diaper almost two hours earlier, he just wanted to jump and play with everything within reach. I kept my hand cupped as tightly over his poo as humanly possible, but there was just no way around it. The smell was getting worse.
To cap things off, Jacob, who is a MASSIVE repeater, decided to inform me that “Joshua dropped a deuce”. That is exactly how and what he said for the final twenty minutes of our flight. He told me how gross is smelled and talked to those around us about it. We had a pilot sitting behind us just for the ride and Jake kept asking him if he could get us to land so that mommy can clean up Josh’s poo. All I could do was keep my eyes shut and count each second until we landed.
When that moment finally came and the fasten seat belt light turned off, every single person in the rows in front of me parted like the Red Sea to let us pass. The death stares shooting through me as I was ushered off the aircraft went right to my very core. On top of that, I had road kill poo stink on my hands.
I ran those kids to the bathroom and got Josh changed as best I could (he was too excited to lay down so we did it standing anyway) then had to wash my hands about fifteen times and use an entire bottle of hand sanitizer just to get a hint of my own normal stink back.
I drop my boys in the double stroller and haul ass out security to meet my husband, who I haven’t seen in nearly a month. As he and his children reunite, Jacob looked at him and said, “Joshua dropped a deuce and mommy wouldn’t change it.”
Welcome home, Julie. Welcome home.
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Wow! I can’t believe you sat there. I couldn’t have done it. The stink factor alone would have made me wake the child and if I had to, lay something in the isle in front of everyone and change his diaper. Anyone who complained might have “accidentally” gotten some poo on them. Please don’t do that to yourself again. Forget everyone else! When you are a mother, you “move to the head of the line” on every issue. Mothers are waaaaaay special. Besides, you are a woman. Whatever you say, goes. LOL You really need to read my posting today (What Do Women Really Want?). You will get a kick out of it and it is applicable to your story.
Hope you are having a tremendous Thursday.
The Redhead Riter´s last blog ..What Do Women Really Want?
That’s funny. Been There Done That kind of funny!!!
Lori´s last blog ..13 days…and counting…
Jules, you crack me up…. just remember these precious stories for when your boys come home with a girlfriend you don’t like … that will learn ‘em!!
Hugs,
Stephanie
That was one of the best posts I’ve ever read! Tooooo cute!
Joey Fortman´s last blog ..Ustream we all Scream! See NOw LIVE!!
oh my goodness julie, that sounds like a shitty way to have ended your little trip. (i couldn’t resist, sorry) and the other passengers, how rude. maybe the whole row should’ve offered to get up for a minute to let you change and dispose of the smell. serves them right for not doing so.
PJ´s last blog ..California is not the place to be…
That is the best poo story I’ve seen/heard in a looong time…LOL!! That said, I’m so glad I was not on that plane with you, missy. ;D
Teresa´s last blog ..Some kinda Awe-summm?
That.Was.Hysterical. OMG.
Still laughing.
And laughing.
frogmama´s last blog ..It’s Mr. Peacock’s fault. In the conservatory. With the pink t-shirt
Well that’s love. That beats me getting poop in my eye for sure.
Casey´s last blog ..And They Say Chivalry Is Dead
LMAO
You know, the pre-Mom me is just horrified. I’d have been one of them giving you dirty looks. (Actually, I’d probably have offered to entertain Jacob just to get rid of that smell.)
The Mom me is wondering why on earth there isn’t a fold down changing table somewhere on a plane? lol
I’m just glad I wasn’t on the plane with ya.

Storm´s last blog ..Take Back The Beep
Oh wow your brave. As soon as I could have I would have made a beeline the bathroom on the flight.
Sharon´s last blog ..My huge life change
That was one of the funniest blog posts I have ever read!!!! I swear, kids have a knack for pooing their pants at the most inconvenient times : )
Jackie´s last blog ..So Proud!
Hahaha, well it of course would happen after you write a post about how to travel with kids!! Oh goodness, poo on the plane, NOT fun!! My girl is the same, now 2 and a great flier.. lots of experience. Early in my travels with her (when she was in that baby, exploding diaper stage) I packed 2 extra outfits, and had to use them both because of exploding diapers on the plane!! Ugh, maybe the air pressure helps them relieve themselves.
~Tabitha
Tabitha Blue´s last blog ..Remember That One Time…
This happened to me except, my daughter had diarrhea. It was not funny at the time. This was 27 years ago and I can still remember it clear as day.
OOOMMMGGG!!! ROTFLMHO!!! I can only imagine what you must have gone through…. You poor thing!! I love your site!!
Liz´s last blog ..What a relief!
Oh my gosh. I need tissue!!! The kids want to know why I am laughing so hard. I so sorry to laugh but your descriptions are very visual.
So sorry, I can’t even imagine. I am glad you back!
MommaYoung´s last blog ..Large Format Posters Print Giveaway
OMG Julie!
you are my hero!
I looooove you!!
I am so sorry you had to hold poo for an hour and a half! But you were awesome!
I am so sorry but that is so hilarious! I was LMAO reading it!
love yah though! 

Ane´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday: Mr. Grumpy Pants*
Sorry. I was talking like a cave girl for some reason…
MommaYoung´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday
You realize that covering it with your hand probably did NOTHING, right?? Too funny.
Why is it kids can do that? And then live with the feel and the smell? And then get upset when you change their diaper?? Sigh.
Keely´s last blog ..Some stuff for you guys, because I’m in a giving mood and you’re all pretty cool
Oh my, I’m laughing so loud at the moment. I’m sorry, but that was incredibly funny. Terrible for you of course. Terrible.
hahahahahahahahaa……
Annette Piper´s last blog ..Clothes Lines and Artisan Markets
Poor you. I feel bad laughing to what must have been a very long and terrible experience.
Just when you think you have this motherhood thing down pack and everything under control, children have a way of reminding you just how much of an adventure parenting really is.
Maria@Conversations with Moms´s last blog ..Friday Frustrations – Intent vs. Impact
OMG… How funny! Glad you made it home safe and sound
A Lil Enchanted,
~LaShan~
LaShan´s last blog ..I Won A Galileoscope!!! Thank You Bob!!!
I LOVED this post! I am sorry you had such a crappy flight (no pun intended)! I love your writing!
Alli Campbell´s last blog ..Fitness Friday
I Laughed Out Loud (but I didn’t Roll On The Floor Laughing My Ass Off)

xxxoooxxx
Dr. B.´s last blog ..BLACK MAN CAUGHT IMPERSONATING RESPECTED WHITE PROFESSOR
Don’t you just love kids LOL They never give a dull moment even when they are asleep! Glad you survived the ride and finally made it home!
Ms. Latina´s last blog ..FREE Subscription to Marie Claire
LMAO I almost spat out my coffee reading this! You poor thing! You cupping the poo all the way home is classic!
Great post!
Kirsty´s last blog ..Comment on A whole new meaning to talking shit…. by Isobel Wrye
Made the mistake of reading on iPhone while making pasta. Laughed so hard at you hoping to shield the smell with your hand that I spilled my noodles all over the floor. D’oh! Have to confess I’d have done the same!
OMG Julie!! lol I totally laughed. A lot, but can totally relate, except my horrifying experience involves my toddler, diarrhea, and a restaurant high chair. Not fun.
Lisa @ Crazy Adventures in Parenting´s last blog ..Big Kids and Freaking Mom Out
Oh, My Gosh! I’ll take 3 hours on the tarmac in Philly any day, compared to that!
Real Life Sarah´s last blog ..{video} Bruchetta with Tomatoes, Feta, and Avergne Rye