**Original post date: March 24, 2014**

As we discuss our upcoming travel plans for the summer and anticipate a trip to New Orleans next month, we were talking about how well-traveled little Josie has been already in her short life.

SAN FRANCISCO/SONOMA COUNTY

Were we crazy to take her on her first flight—cross-country, from New York to San Francisco—just shy of 8 weeks old? Maybe, but healthy babies that young are pretty manageable and not quite on a strict sleeping schedule yet, so it worked out surprisingly well. I remember when we decided that it was a good idea to bring her out there while Cory was working. No one was available to come out to NYC at the time, so we thought, why not? For me, I was willing to take the risk of managing a fussy baby vs. being home alone for a week.

We were indeed terrified at the thought of flying with a baby, and I think a lot of first-time parents feel the same way. Not really terrified for the baby's sake, but more selfishly for ours (dreading the stares) and our fellow passengers. We know what it's like to fly with a screaming baby or toddler on the plane. It's frustrating—but even more so for the parents, I can tell you that! Josie was perfect on the flight though—she was the only small child on this particular flight and she slept most of the way. When she woke up we quickly stuck a bottle in her mouth, and we tag-teamed the diaper change. The flight crew was in awe at her calmness, and we were relieved!

San Francisco flight complete...she was a perfect little flyer!San Francisco flight complete...she was a perfect little flyer!

Apple Store, San Francisco Apple Store, San Francisco Apple Store, San Francisco Apple Store, San Francisco Apple Store, San Francisco Apple Store, San Francisco First In-N-Out Burger trip...for us all!First In-N-Out Burger trip...for us all! Healdsburg, California—Josie's first wine country trip :)Healdsburg, California—Josie's first wine country trip :)

Here are few other trip pics:

MONTREAL

We took a road trip to Montreal when Josie was 3 1/2 months old -- her first international trip! Cory loves Montreal, and this was our third trip there. It grows on me each time we go, and I really liked it a lot when we went last July. He should probably blog about his love for this city, or at least upload some pics here.

Trip to Montreal at 3 1/2 months old. Trip to Montreal at 3 1/2 months old.

Trip to Montreal at 3 1/2 months old.Trip to Montreal at 3 1/2 months old. Trip to Montreal at 3 1/2 months old.Trip to Montreal at 3 1/2 months old. Trip to Montreal at 3 1/2 months old.Trip to Montreal at 3 1/2 months old. Trip to Montreal at 3 1/2 months old.Trip to Montreal at 3 1/2 months old. Trip to Montreal at 3 1/2 months old.Trip to Montreal at 3 1/2 months old. Trip to Montreal at 3 1/2 months old. At Second Cup coffee shop.Trip to Montreal at 3 1/2 months old. At Second Cup coffee shop.

THE MOVE FROM NEW YORK TO MISSOURI

On this flight, Josie was 4 1/2 months old—a very lively and vocal 4 1/2 months. I flew solo from NY to STL while Cory and our dear friend Garnett drove the moving truck. But I think my two-hour flight gave me more anxiety than I would have had if I'd driven the baby the 15 hours. Okay, maybe not...but it was a heck of a trip! I thought she might sleep because it was an evening flight, and she did nod off for 20 minutes or so, but she was just too wound up and curious about what the heck we were doing. Luckily, I was surrounded by almost all women. It was strange, but thankfully, most were sympathetic, and one even offered to hold Josie (I let her...she wasn't going anywhere!). Another made faces at her and kept her entertained. Then what seemed like a five-hour flight finally ended, and I was happy to see my parents waiting for us on the other end.

Moving day in NYCMoving day in NYC Moving day in NYC. With Garnett and cousin John. Moving day in NYC. With Garnett and cousin John. Josie and I had one last night in NYC before flying the next day. This was the view from our hotel room. Josie and I had one last night in NYC before flying the next day. This was the view from our hotel room. "Moving" flight from NYC to STL (before heading to KC)."Moving" flight from NYC to STL (before heading to KC). "Moving" flight from NYC to STL (before heading to KC)."Moving" flight from NYC to STL (before heading to KC). First night in STL.First night in STL.

Road Trip: Missouri

Once we moved to Kansas City, it was inevitable that we'd be traveling the 250 miles to St. Louis—my hometown—on a regular basis. Sometimes just for the heck of it, other times for extra help with Josie while Cory was out of town, and still other times for the holidays. One time I drove her by myself, which was a challenge. Thinking that we might be okay because it was close to bedtime, that plan backfired when she saw all of the shadows and lights going by in the back window at night. She did sleep a little, but not nearly enough. I think I played Saint-Saëns' "Aquarium" (her favorite at the time) about 30 times that trip. Thank goodness for the Flying J truck stop in Boonville. She loved seeing all the activity going on. We've also stopped in Concordia quite a bit on the way back to Kansas City. Experience has taught us that the ideal time to travel the I-70 route with her is during her naptime during the day, when she'll sleep two to three hours in the car. We've also taken a few STL/KC road trips with Grammie Jackie and Uncle Mark.

Just a girl and her uncle. At a truck stop.Just a girl and her uncle. At a truck stop. Just a girl and her uncle. At a truck stop.Just a girl and her uncle. At a truck stop.