Tilly by the Bay

Because we are crazy people, we once again dragged our child on a plane trip.  I see you, NY trip, and raise you 2 connections, 6 hours stuck in a plane seat, and a time change.  I had an abstract accepted last February to present my pre-dissertation research at a conference in San Francisco, when the hardest part of parenting was not guzzling pinot at the end of a hard week and having to sit with my feet up to treat my award winning gestational cankles.  She'll be 7 months old, I'm sure it won't be that hard to travel by then! Ohhhhh foolish woman!
Mathilda actually did quite well on the flights.  We were lucky to have the row to ourselves for most of the legs (travel tip- hold your infant and look totally overwhelmed and like you have a TON of gear as other passengers are boarding- near 100% guarantee that no one will sit with you.  God Bless Southwest open seating).
We got to San Francisco with only one small mid-air meltdown.  Then we learned that Tilly loves boutique hotels.  She was going crazy rolling around on the big fluffy bed.

hooray travel!

We had a plane bag full of toys and food (not above stuffing my child's face to keep her happy in-flight).  3/4 of the suitcase was filled with Tilly clothes and toys, as well.  Yes, we were over the weight limit.

Of course, our favorite Russian friends made the journey with us

I spent the majority of the days in a conference room, taking periodic breaks to meet with the family for quick nursing sessions.  Reg and Tilly got to explore San Francisco.  We stayed in the Union Square neighborhood- tons of good walking and shopping.

on a walk in Union Square. I <3 SF!

Friday I ditched a half day of the conference so we could do some sightseeing.  The cable car turn around was right outside our hotel.

New fun fact, I think Tilly loved the cable car ride even more because of the contact high we all got while waiting in line.  Apparently small quantities of pot are legal in San Fran, which explains the open air unconcealed toking going on.

view of the wharf from the cable car.

Photo taken by one of Tilly's many fans she charmed on the ride

We took the car to Fisherman's wharf and walked around before cabbing it back to the hotel.

I considered dropping Mathilda off here when she woke up at 3am everyday

Reg and I alternated who got to go out at night.  I'd nurse her around 6pm (9pm east coast time) and put her to bed, then go meet up with friends and colleagues for post-conference drinks, or sit in darkness in the room, eating take-out, drinking hotel complimentary wine, working on a grant due in 2 weeks while Reggie went to dinner with a friend from college.  Mathilda was great during the day, but less than stellar at night.  We had an inside room to minimize street noise, but she still was up every few hours.  One night, Im sure our hotel neighbors loved us when she screamed (not cried, but screamed like we were killing her) for 1.5 hours.  Luckily the conference provided never ending coffee and pastries.  I kept myself awake and alert with refined sugars and caffeine.  However, the nighttime aside, little girl was a travel champ.  We had 2 connections (surprise! Didn't realize this when we booked the flights) on the way home meaning we were stuck on a plane for over 6 hours.  She was fantastic! She had the flight attendants wrapped around her chubby little fingers and was practicing waving and giggling at the other passengers.  Plus we scored extra pretzels and peanuts in sympathy from the flight crew.
We are flying to Mexico in February and Miami in March, so before she turns 1 she will have been in 3 different time zones and 4 separate flights.  This trip was the "worst" in terms of time changes and length of flights, so I think we are more than ready for these next trips.  This trip also inspired me to continue to nurse through her first birthday.  For the last leg of the trip home, she was basically latched on the entire time to stay soothed. Not so comfortable for me, but much better than screaming.  Boobs=great travel comfort back-up plan, when even Cheburashka's charms wear off.

Oh yeah, the conference and my talk went well.  So yaye family and professional success all in one weekend!