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!