I feel like traveling with a baby is one of the utmost holiest of holy experiences.

It’s a form of church service and of prayer.

The Inner Dialogue goes something like this:

Oh, Lord, hear our prayer. Let him be quiet. Let there not be a blowout. Let there not be a big leak of pee. Let there be peace in our hearts. Calm in our souls. Let him be miraculously entertained. NO throw up of any kind. And Lord, please oh please, send us the kindest, most understanding fellow travelers that we meet along our journey.

This inner dialogue is on a constant mental repeat button.

Here’s praying the flight home is just as smooth tomorrow as it was coming. Let’s also say a prayer that I’m calm. That at the slightest back arch and cry of protest, I don’t immediately and profusely begin to sweat.

Thanks, People. My nerves and I both appreciate it — for the second time around. It’s Inner Pep Talk Time.

Think 12 hours is enough for a pep talk to work? We’ll find out.