We got to the airport about 3 hours early on Sunday, since we weren't sure about international security and whatnot.  British Airways had told us we automatically had a bulkhead with a "baby cot" since we were traveling with a special needs infnat, but when we called to confirm, they said it was first come first served.  We didn't want to take any chances - nobody would be happy if I had to hold Sam for the entire 9 hour flight.  So we got there really early, took 5 minutes through security, and waited.  It was okay, though.  We met some really nice people at the airport and we were all excited.   The flight was fine; Sam had his baby cot to sleep in and Tim and Ben got lots of sleep too.  We didn't have a pulse-ox machine on the plane, and so I had to stay awake and upright the whole flight.  That got us to London at about 8 am with my not having slept in about 24 hours. 

 

We got a cab to the hotel - that took about two hours, for some reason, and cost  $250!!! We knew London was expensive, but we think that was a little ridiculous. They have those black cabs that you see in old movies, and Sam's chair fit right in.  It was pretty cool. 

 

They gave us eyeshades on the plane - at the hotel, I tried one on and was asleep before I fell over.  I hated spending a day recuperating, but it's better than not recuperating, I guess.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Off to Rotterdam.  We got to the airport in London very early, of course, and had an uneventful ride to Rotterdam.  Ben loved the turbulence and kept going "woohoo" on the tiny tiny tiny airplane we took.  Did I mention it was tiny?  I had a white-knuckle death grip on Sam. 

 

Back from Rotterdam.  After the stress of the stem cell treatment, we flew out in the afternoon.  The Rotterdam airport security was the only checkpoint to detect my medical scissors (for quick trach removal) that were packed in our carry-on luggage.  Not Tampa International, not Gatwick, not London City.  Rotterdam, which is a very small airport.  We got back to London by dinnertime, had fish and chips and went to a market to see the street performers.  Sam was windburned and dry-eyed by this time, so I made him look like a pirate before bed.  

 

 

 

Day Two

 

We did London.  We got up early, rode the double decker bus all around, saw the sights, took a boat ride up and down the River Thames, visited the Globe Theatre, rode the London Eye, chased cabs around the palace, and didn't get back to the hotel until about 11 pm.  It was a very good day. 

 

We were completely awe-struck by Big Ben - isn't that weird?  It's just incredible to see it in person.  I teared up at the River Thames.  Sam got his diaper changed on the edge of the Thames, right there for Shakespeare and everybody to see.  We had hot dogs in the park and just let Ben run and run since he was sick of buses and boats by that point.  We rode the London Eye - it's an ENORMOUS ferris wheel.  Each "capsule" holds about 20 people.  I don't like heights, but I was okay until Ben started tap dancing at the top.  Yikes.

 

We met some of the nicest people doing construction in London.  We wandered off the beaten paths, and since I was pushing Sam's wheelchair it sometimes got tricky.  The construction workers really went out of their way to make it easier on me, and were nice as could be to Sam.  So if you're ever in an alley two blocks behind the Globe Theatre, be sure to tell them hello for us.