2014/2015 Trip to Japan - Part 1, Getting to Japan

Part 1 - Getting to Japan

This was your second trip to Japan, but we were under no illusion that this would somehow be easier. In fact, since you had gained weight and mobility, we thought this journey would be quite a bit more difficult. 

We were correct.

To be fair to you, the trip started with us waking you up way earlier than your normal wake up time. We got you out of bed before 4am, as the first leg of the trip had us leaving Portland for Hawaii at 7am. We had finished most of the packing the night before and just had to put a few last things in our bags before we hopped in the car and drove (with Ben’s help) to the airport. We had quite a few bags.

Bags on the famous PDX carpet.

You were still tired and in and out of sleep, but of course with so much going on, you couldn’t really rest. You tried to sleep on the plane, and you actually managed to take a couple of very short naps!

One of the few, short naps you took on the planes.

We had to change planes in Hawaii, getting off the Alaska Airlines flight in favor of the larger, more comfortable Japan Airlines flight. The change in weather was great and the warm, pleasant air felt good, if only for an hour or so. The plane was full but we had great seats with a very nice baby bassinet attached to the bulkhead. The flight attendant meticulously attached the bed to the wall and made up the bed with linens. Of course, you did not even sit in this, let alone use it to sleep. 

Our ride to Japan!

Complete with this great baby bed...that you didn't use.

The flight to Osaka was tough as you were very uncomfortable and cried quite a bit. Mama tried so hard to make you comfortable and stood and held you for a long part of the flight.

In between crying, you napped.

Finally, papa gave you his seat.

When we finally arrived at Kansai airport, you were exhausted and I think you were very happy to get into the car seat and finally sleep on the drive to Grandma and Grandpa's house. We were happy as well.