Item Spotlight and Updates!

Its hard to say you love something but today I have a duel spotlight on two items I love.  

Thermos cups

I became extremely frustrated every time I would open my diaper bag and find everything soaking wet or my ziplock bag filled with liquid from Eliana’s cup.  I put out a plea on Facebook for cups that everyone likes for their non leaking and thermal qualities.  My trusty group of friends came back with the thermos straw cup.  It keeps the liquid cold for 10 hours (huge for traveling) and the rubber ring inside has yet to fail me.  Not a single drop has leaked as long as the lid is snapped closed. Now at 14.99 its an investment for a cup but ours get battered and abused and not a single problem.  We had 4 platex cups for traveling and they were constantly leaking I called platex and they sent me a return label and I sent them all back.  A check was mailed to me for the price of the cups.  To me it was total worth having a cup that actually is “leak proof.”

My Little Seat

Not every place has a highchair or even a clean place to sit your baby.  This packable highchair is great for those situations.  It goes into a bag that is the size of your hand and is 100% washable.  You can use it on any standard chair.  I’ve used it at restaurants, hotels, airports, and family members houses.  It gives you another non floor to spot to put your baby.

BIG SUMMER NEWS!

Its been a year since we took Eliana on the Europe/Middle East tour. Cannot believe how fast time is flying!  I have contacted blogger about the site not allowing comments and apparently no one can figure out why its not working.  So with summer vacations coming up please feel free to email me with any questions or if you just need some suggestions.  elysehannah@gmail.com  Also want to hype everyone up for a big upcoming trip we are taking.  I'm calling it the three states and a country tour.  We are going on a epic road trip over 1,300 miles by car and well also be taking a boat over a period of 7 days.  There will be 4 children under the age of 6 and 4 adults.  We are really looking forward to it and I am tossing around the idea of blogging each day from the trip to give you a taste of what the trip is like, I will also be doing a big prep blog.  Don’t despair about these April showers, warm summer days are not far way!

Don't sweat the small stuff (but seriously you might sweat if you forget this small stuff)

I know the thought of packing for a little one can be daunting especially when you are traveling for a longer time period and staying in a hotel versus a family members home.  These are some of the items that you don’t necessarily need but I can’t imagine going anywhere without them!  

Bottle washing station

The OXO bottle travel bottle washing station is a life saver.  On our first trip I carried a bottle brush in a zip lock bag a little container of soap and just laid hotel towels all over our sink and washed away.  After I found this everything has changed.  Even now since we are using sippy cups and travel cups this is a need.  It folds up with the brush inside and you just open and wash.  Everything is contained in one little area.  I carry a little bottle of baby washing soap with us as well just to complete my perfect little station.  I even use it at peoples houses, it keeps all your stuff together and out of their way.

Pacifier wipes

These are food grade and sanitize after your baby decided to throw their pacifier on the airplane bathroom floor. (its happened)  I also use them on toys that she was constantly putting in her mouth.  They are great to wipe down pretty much anything, mine came in a great little container and I just bought refills (I took 3 packs on our 3 week trip and at the end I was rationing) 

Disposable diaper bags

 No one wants to smell a dirty diaper for longer than needed.  Especially at the end of a long day of travel and your baby has a blow out the minute you get to the hotel and house keeping isn't coming until tomorrow morning.  We buy these in bulk and use them for every single diaper we throw away in a hotel.  They have a nice fresh scent and they help keep any horrible odors from invading your room. Housekeeping staff appreciates it and everyone sharing the room will too.  

Bath Time!

When it comes to bathing a little one in a hotel I did all the research in the land.  Should I just hold her, should I just try and do it with nothing.  Well I found a portable option.  It is this amazing ducky tub.  I threw it into the hotel bathtub and Eliana loved it!  It tells whether the water is to hot or cold and the amazing part is it deflates and folds right back up into your suit case no problem.  It could even work if you didn't have a shower and needed to bathe your baby.  Now I’m not recommending this for little babies but babies that can semi sit up and hold their head up until they can’t fit into it anymore this is a great travel tool to have under your belt.

To go along with bath time my favorite bath product by far is the Mustela hair and body wash for babies and fortunately when were in Paris we found large bottles of it for a reduced price.  Well the large bottles are great but not for travel.  If you notice they don't really have a ton of travel size baby items beside Johnston and Johnston wash and baby powder.  It doesn't really help you out if you aren't really into the Johnston and Johnston items like I’m not.  I ended up buying the California baby product sampler, its $19.99 at target which is a win because just a little bottle of California baby sunscreen is $18.99. Now everything is in a much smaller size but its a great assortment! 3 hair and body washes (different scents) a body lotion, hair conditioner, bubble bath, two types of diaper rash cream, hair jelly (never used it but its cute), 18 spf sunscreen and 30+ spf sunscreen. They all come in a great bag and I just keep it in our suitcase ready to go.  The sunscreen tubes are perfect size to throw in your diaper bag when your out for the day just incase but if your going to the beach you’re defiantly going to need a lot more.  California baby is also known for their great products so for me it wasn't just the convince of the pack it was the product as well. I recommend them highly.  

Next I’m going to do a San Diego post and also and first night away from baby post for all those new mothers!

Preparedness

It happens to all of us, we become overly confident.  We think that we have it down pat and that nothing really could change it. I learned this lesson the hard way. Usually for US trips 6 hours or less I pack 5 diapers plus one overnight diaper a pack of wipes and a roll of disposable diaper bags. This all fits nicely into my portable changing pad. Plus Eliana doesn't poop in public so the chances of me using all the supplies is slim to none.

This last trip we went on to San Diego, the day before Boris was suppose to leave I decided to change my flight to leave with him due to the impeding storm ( my original flight ended up cancelled and I would have never made it ). In a rush I did the pack and pray method. I never ever want to suggest it to anyone, it made for few side trips to target. Well we rush out of the house and make it to our flight on time grabbing some quick food along the way.  We get about 20 minutes into our 4 hour flight and Boris asks what's that smell? It was the worst 4 hour flight of our lives. Eliana had 3 blow out diapers(must have been some thing she ate) I ran out of wipes and had no change of clothes for her ( or us for that matter). By the time we got to Denver I didn't know if they could pay me to get on our next 2 hour flight to San Diego. Luckily I had over packed on diapers and the little news store had a pack of wipes I grabbed 2 and at $3.99 for 10 wipes this was the best money I've ever spent. We did end up getting on the plane and made it to San Diego but we were a little worse for the wear. As I sit on our flight home I am so glad I learned from my mistakes. In my bag currently is an outfit change for Eliana 7 diapers and two packages of wipes.

Be prepared for anything, example Eliana once again pooped on the plane I guess she's so comfortable on them now it's not considered a public place. Well I go and wait 10 minutes outside the two restrooms I go in the one, no changing table I come out and apologize to the long line I need to wait for the other one. I wait another 5 minutes and go in, no changing table. At this point my child has now stunk up the back half of the plane and I know the service cart is blocking my way to the front restroom where there might be a changing table. I decide to wing it I tell Eliana it's an adventure and throw down the cover on top of the toilet seat.  It certainly was an adventure and not one I want to repeat again soon but I lived and since I earned some relax time after that I even got to write this blog post.  I'll be doing a small gear post next and then hopefully a traveling with multiplies guest post done by my bestie who has 3 ladies under 6 and has traveled all over.  I'll leave you with something I thought was funny. I received a text today from a good friend "so glad you guys are having so much fun- you are like my Lewis and Clark scouting it all out for us to follow one day" now I am not Lewis and Clark but I am glad to be "scouting" family friendly locations so all families eventually feel confident traveling.

Some of My Favorite Gear (the large items)

Just like booking the perfect hotel or tour this is some of the travel gear I could not live without!
Please note I am not being paid by any of these companies to endorse their products these are just items that I have found work best for me.  But that being said if any company wants me to test any items out please feel free to send them my way ;)

My gear post will be broken up into 3, this is the large item post.

Invaluable Gate Check Bag

My Ergo is my most used item by far, a lot of people have different preferences on baby wearing items but I did my research and the Ergo was the one for me.  We have a black Ergo performance which is nice because in a pinch I can ask Boris to carry Eliana.  I use it every time I get on a plane. We’ve taken a stroller on every trip we’ve gone on so far, we gate check the stroller and I have bright red “gate check” bag. Before we head down to the plane I usually throw Eliana into the Ergo so we don’t hold up the line taking her out of the stroller.  That way I can carry a bag to the seat while Boris folds up the stroller and puts it into the bag.  I absolutely cannot imagine not having our big red bag for our stroller. The bag has rips and tears and its covered in black grease, that could be my stroller.  They sell it on amazon between 10-15 dollars and its some of the best money I’ve spent.  You can’t put the baby in the ergo during take off and landing, but its a great tool to have in case of a fussy toddler that doesn't want to sit during the flight. I use mine all the time when she passes out so you can still have a hand free.  It’s also great for touring, I did research before we went to France and found out that in Versailles you aren't allowed strollers so we used it that whole day.  Its great when you need to be using your hands or saving your back from carrying a little one. Traveling with a carrier is must!

Our day at Versailles

Traveling no longer just involves telling the hotel if you like 6 or 8 down pillows, you have to think about where your bundle of joy is going to sleep.  When Eliana was younger and we travel to foreign countries I felt it was essential to bring a pack and play. We luckily have amazing friends who lent us the best pack and play for travel the Baby Bjorn play yard.  It folds into a small size and in fact fits right into a 27 inch suitcase. I was able to then pack all of Eliana’s stuff into the suitcase as well.  In my opinion if you feel you will be traveling a lot especially by plane within the first year of your baby’s life it is totally worth the investment to have Baby Bjorn travel crib. Now that Eliana is older and I feel more comfortable we have just been getting the hotel to bring in a crib.  It is usually just a pack and play they set up, it has a sheet. I bring my own sheet from home and before Eliana even looks at I bust out my handy dandy lysol spray and wipes.  They do have special covers on amazon made to cover the hotel pack and plays but I’ve never used one although I can see why they might be appealing.

The Baby Bjorn Travel Crib

Boris and I choose to travel with our car seat verses renting one from the car rental company. Which in a couple situations has worked out for us that we didn't rely on the seat being there on the other end.  We have a large padded bag that we use to transport our car seat.  It is also a back pack which I think is way more functional that one of the pull kind.  One of us can throw it on our backs without having to worry about pulling it and our suitcases plus pushing a stroller.  Also in a desperate situation we have thrown items into the car seat bag.  More on gate checking vs baggage checking in the post about flying with baby.

How you travel 'light" with baby car seat is on Boris's back

Everyone has different stroller preferences.  When we were looking at buying our stroller I did months of research and even waited 6 weeks because the strolled I finally decided on wasn’t released yet.  That being said we knew that we would be traveling a lot with Eliana we had already planned to make a trip to Israel to see Boris’s family.  We wanted a stroller that traveled well and fit these standards.
1.folds easily
2.stores compactly
3.reclines 
4. large storage basket
5. washes
6. snack tray

Our City Versa in Paris

The stroller that fit all of our requirements was the baby jogger city versa. We have taken it all over the world and love all of its great features.  We have never had to stop to nap.  We just put it into full recline mode and Eliana takes her rest. The major feature that I use all the time which I never really thought about was the washing.  My city versa comes completely apart and the entire cloth seat/sides goes right into the wash.  Which to me is invaluable since we are dragging it everywhere and all kinds of snacks are smushed in all the crevices. We recently purchased a smaller umbrella stroller to travel with.  Its become increasingly harder especially when traveling by myself to fold and put into our bag a large stroller.  Our trip to San diego will be our first adventure with it so I will report more later.  

Hope you are enjoying the posts so far lots more items that I love to travel with next post will be up soon!

Traveling with the +1 or 1/2

There are things you cannot forget to take with you on any trips, toothbrush, underwear, deodorant .  These are all things you can buy at the store but there is one thing you must never ever forget when traveling with baby PATIENCE.  I remember needing the most patience on trips before the baby came, when we were expecting.  The day we found out we were going to be parents the first thing I did after promptly throwing up was think. “oh crap what are we going to do about the mardi gras trip we booked with two other couples."  As it turns out the world didn’t end when we got pregnant and in fact we got the “pre baby panics” and booked several trips before the dreaded no travel date.  I ended up going on that Mardi Gras trip and I have to say besides needing a strict bedtime of midnight I had an amazing time.  I wasn’t hung over and I got to enjoy every moment.  The patience I needed was dealing with all the overly inebriated people pushing and shoving.  By the time you hit 12 or so weeks into your pregnancy you have this fight or flight mode. I was in fight mode and if Boris had let me I probably would have punch a few merrymakers.  While traveling pregnant revolves less about the serious merrymaking and more about the food you can have fantastic time.  No people won’t look at you funny in a bar or winery being pregnant doesn’t mean your sick your growing a freaking human being so that gives you double the rights that any other person has.  

Advice to take with you.

1. take all the help offered and don’t feel bad asking for it 

Boris and I went on a baby moon to Marco Island and unfortunately we had to meet there since he was flying in from Vegas.  I had small rolling carry on bag and when I asked my doctor if I could travel she said "of course but don’t lift heavy things over your head.” I even got a letter from the doctor saying I was ok to fly in case there was any issues.  I boarded my plane and looked for the closest flight attended to ask for some assistants with my bag.  She gave me a dirty look and responded we aren’t suppose to do that.  Luckily a Marine in uniform was sitting behind me and jumped up to help.  You better believe I wrote a really nice letter to the airline telling them what wonderful service their crew gave.

2. Get a pair of comfy shoes (nothing will fit by the end of your trip) keep walking, your going to swell no matter what (travel swelling is the worst).  It just so happened that I was pregnant during the hottest summer on record since 1914 (winning).  I was swollen, I no longer had ankles and all the doctor kept saying was keep walking it will help.  I ended up buying a pair of flip flops the next size up with arch support and cushions.  They were the only pair of shoes I could wear and they were hideous.  But I proudly went to my doctors appointment the week after 4th of July and told her yes I was getting exercise I walked all over Boston and Maine.

3. If your pregnant go out and travel its one of the last times the two of you as a couple will go and have nothing to talk about for hours.  Because once you have a baby you go on vacation and all you do is talk about the baby whether they are with you are not.

Getting excited about that first trip with baby??  My next post will be about the gear I can and cannot live without.

Traveling BB (before baby)

From the BB Days :)

Everyone has had that amazing trip or trips that you cannot stop thinking about.  Whether it was the type of trip where you started drinking tequila at the airport and didn't stop until you got home and your pretty sure your blood alcohol level was 0.1 until the next tuesday.  Or a trip where you visited every museum you could possible make in 4 days and saw every artwork from picasso's blue period.  Boris and I had many of those trips.  We actually might profess to be travel addicts (its an actual medical/budgetary problem).  We do not like going on a trip without having another one in the works or already planned.  It makes coming home at the end of one of those amazing trips a lot easier.  When we discussed having a baby, the words “life will never be the same” “guess traveling is pretty much done” and “we’ve done and seen a lot I’m ready to settle down” were thrown around. I then realized hey this isn’t the dark ages people take their children all over the world, I resolved to be those people and the rest is history.  Those amazing trips are no longer the ideas or dreams of the past and I cannot wait to share our baby travel experiences with you and how I wouldn’t have changed a thing.