I used to like traveling

The big day is looming.
No, not Christmas.
The 23rd. The day we pack up three kids, three carseats, one stroller, and enough luggage, snacks, diapers, games, and toys that we might as well move. Otherwise known as enough stuff to keep the kids clean, fed and entertained for five days. And, more importantly, a 3 hour plane flight.
I am not a good traveler. I start stressing out about the holidays starting around Thanksgiving. I'm not worried about gifts, or seeing the in-laws, or where we are going to stay, or the money we will spend.
No. I am stressed about a) packing b) getting to the airport c) getting everyone and everything onto the plane intact d) getting the aforementioned people and things into a rental car AT LAX and to the in-laws house.
LAX- the center of all travel nightmares. The place you need to get to the airport 3 hours before your flight just to make sure you can get through security. The place the airport cops will yell at you if you dare to stop at the curb for more than 3 seconds. Let alone try to install and load 3 carseats. I am not generally a germ phobe, but there is something about LAX that brings out my urge to coat my children in purell and put them in a bubble. Not to mention all the strangers. Strangers become an entirely different fear when you have a pre-schooler. One that has just learned her full name, and loves to show off. And a toddler that can suddenly move VERY. FAST.
After we are there, I will be fine. But right now, I am stressed.
We have 3 seats for 5 people. That means that my husband, Elf, and I will have seats. Bee and G-Man will be "lap babies." I'm not too worried about Bee. She is 3 months, and will sit with me, and only needs boob to keep her happy. G-Man, on the other hand, is 18 months, and just learned to walk. It is a challenge to keep him still long enough to change his diaper. I can't imagine the nightmare that 3 hours in a seat is going to be. We might be banned from Southwest for life.
So, in order to try to keep some shred of sanity, I have already started planning what to pack, what to bring. I hate to check our carseats, but I can't imagine trying to gate-check two carseats and a stroller. Elf will sit in her carseat. So, we are already lugging that and a stroller through security.
Security- did you know that if you have a newborn, even they have to take off their shoes? That you usually have to take the baby out of whatever baby carrier you are using? Do you know how awesome that is, trying to chase down a toddler and a pre-schooler, while re-assembling all of the crap you are dragging onto the plane? All while you are in your socks, and trying to carry 3 pairs of shoes, and trying not to think about how dirty that carpet is that your kids are now crawling around on?
At least we get priority boarding due to the kids.
Sigh. Four more days and I am already thinking I might need a Xanax.