Traveling with Baby

Don't worry.  He didn't ride in the trunk!

Did you think I'd decided to take a permanent vacation?  I didn't really intend to take such a long blog break, but it was good for me... Our beach trip was wonderful, but travelling with a baby is NO JOKE.  It has taken me the last three days just to recover and feel like my life is somewhat back to normal; plus, I go back to work in FIVE days, so it was nice to just soak up some lazy time at home with my boy.

Anyway, Erin at Blue-Eyed Bride posted a "What to Pack" list for traveling with a baby today, so I thought I'd share my list too.  I know several of you commented that you were planning trips with babies soon, so hopefully this will help.

Here's what I packed for Sam's five day beach trip:

Note: Pumpkin is just fall decor... It did NOT go to the beach! ;)

Pack n' Play and sheet

Sound Machine/ Digital Clock

Night Light

Snap & Go Stroller

Stroller Sun & Bug Cover

Portable Beach Bed

Bottles

Bottle Warmer

Dishwasher Basket (didn't use)

Large changing pad

BIG box of diapers

2 packages of wipes (too many)

Sleep Sack/ Swaddle Wrap

3 Blankets

Video Monitor

5 Pajamas

8 Onesies (too many)

3 "Outfits"

1 Hat

Lotion, Bath Stuff, Diaper Cream, etc. (bathed in sink)

3 Burp Cloths

Pacifiers

1 Book

Pump & Parts

Baby Bjorn (didn't use)

Activity Mat (didn't use)

Thermometer (DID use - I'd also recommend baby Tylenol)

Diaper Bag

Car Seat (obviously)

A few other comments...

- The sun is SERIOUS. I might write more about this later, but Sam still managed to get sunburned despite all the protective measures we took.  Please learn from my mistake and go WAY overboard when it comes to sun protection.  (If you have something negative to say about the dangers of sunburns on itty bitty babies, please keep it to yourself... Trust me, I've beat myself up enough.  He survived, and we learned.)

- On our second to last morning, Sam spray-pooped (there is no other way to describe it) ALL over the bedroom of our friend's beautiful brand-spankin-new house.  We were mortified to say the least.  Thankfully, we were able to get everything completely cleaned up (thanks to OxyClean - on the carpet - of all things), but I'd travel with carpet cleaner and a TARP next time.  ;)

- Plan for an EXTRA-long car trip.  Sam was an angel in the car (truly), but we still had to stop every three hours or so for about an hour to feed, change, etc.  It made a normally seven hour car trip closer to ten.  Jeff and I love being in the car together, and always allow for a leisurely trip; but it is worth nothing that our days of "hurrying" anywhere are over.

- As mama marchand warned me, this vacation was completely different from every other vacation I've ever taken.  I LOVED having Sam along and getting to celebrate my mom's *30th* birthday with her; but it definitely required a lot more flexibility and planning (total oxymoron, but there is no other way to put it) on everyone's part.  At times, I felt like I was the oldest woman - sitting under an umbrella, going to bed early, etc. etc. - and my mom and her friends were spring chickens!!  BUT... I wouldn't have had it any other way.  Our trip was a nice (and much-needed) break from housework and busyness.  Plus, I loved the quality time with Jeff, my parents, and our dear friends the Thompsons.  Oh, and the beach was BEAUTIFUL too.  I'm not exactly rested from the trip, but I am refreshed. 

Traveling with a baby: Harder?  Yes.  But, better? SO much. :)

Approximately three minutes later it POURED down rain. 

P.S. My mom took lots more pictures that I need to get from her camera.  Keeping up with our big camera bag just wasn't a priority most days.  Hopefully, I'll post more photos soon!

P.S.S. Did you know that both traveling and travelling are considered the correct spelling?  

BRB

Source

Ya'll, in approximately six hours, I'm going on vacation... with a TEN WEEK OLD!  Ahh!  Right now, I have two loads of laundry going (so Sam doesn't have to be naked the whole time), a FILTHY house, and not a single thing in a suitcase.  Awesome. What has happened to me?

I am SO excited to get out of town for a few days before I go back to work (two weeks from today), but it is s.t.r.e.s.s.f.u.l. traveling with a baby on board - I'm already a bit crazy and we haven't even left yet.

So, why am I blogging when I have ten million other things to do?  Just to let you know that I'm not going to be blogging for a few days.  Weird, right?  But don't worry, I'll BRB (that means "be right back" in case you aren't up on text lingo), and I've got lots of fun stuff coming up for ya - including, I'm sure, tips on traveling with a new baby (or a list of what NOT to do).

See you on the flip side (aka Monday)!

Tips for Visiting a New Mom

A close girlfriend in town had a baby last week; and as I prepared to go meet the little fella, I thought about some of the ways people blessed us after Sam was born...

I've said this about weddings for a long time, but it is totally true about having a baby too - You will see the entire experience completely differently once you've been on the other side of it.  I'm sure every mom is different, but here are some tips for visiting a new mom based on my experience:

 Um... Don't take one of these?  Not that it isn't awesome, but she won't need it.  If she's anything like me, everyone will know she's a new mom by the bags under her eyes and the poop on her shirt. 

1. Call before you stop by.  Actually, a text is even better, because no new mom is just sitting by her phone... This puts the response in her hands and doesn't put her on the spot if she needs to say "no".  Either way, don't just pop in!

2. Offer to wash your hands as soon as you get there.   I don't know why, but I always felt awkward asking people to do this - like I would offend them or something - even though I really did want them to be aware of germs.  Luckily, Jeff was good at asking people for me, but I always appreciated it when people just did it on their own. I still do really. (Also, it's a good idea to be relatively clean for your visit.  Don't come from the gym or doing yard work.)

3. Don't expect to hold the baby; but if mom or dad offers, be sure to give it your full attention.  Even if you are an expert, new parents are nervous so sit down, use both hands, and support their bobble heads.

4. Take a meal.  We were soooo blessed by meals after Sam was born.  There was no way I had time to cook but boy was I a hungry mother! :)  The first few weeks I was all about casseroles and pasta, but  by week three I was really craving fresh vegetables and protein.  One of the very best meals we received was a Cobb salad with everything already cut up and individually packaged - we ate it for days!!  (Also, if at all possible, avoid anything spicy and take food in disposable containers so mom doesn't have to worry about the dishes.)

5. Keep it short.  Unless it is a really close friend or they specifically ask you to stay longer, keep your visit to about 30 minutes max.  Mama's tired!

6. Give Mom privacy when she is breastfeeding.  It is a whole new territory for her.  Use that time to take out the trash for her or see yourself out.

7. Pay attention to the dog - bring him a gift or treat if you can.   I'd imagine this goes for other kids too! 

8. Ask if she need anything and follow through. Some of the most thoughtful things people did for me involved quick texts that read "headed to Babies R Us, need anything?"  Veteran moms also lent me things that I didn't want to "invest" in until I was sure they'd work for us. 

9. If you bring a gift, insist that she NOT write you a thank you note and mean it! (I have a girlfriend who had her biggest postpartum breakdown after her mother-in-law delivered a carload of gifts from her friends.) She probably still will, but at least she knows you "get it."

10. Avoid giving advice unless she asks for it... And even then, tread gently. 

11. Truly excuse her appearance and the shape of the house - and try not to hate her if she really does have it all together. Her day will come. ;)

BONUS: Tell her how great she looks, and that you can't believe how much weight she's lost... Even if it's not true!


I'm NOT speaking directly to ANY of our visitors... About 99% of the time, people were/are WONDERFUL.  Most of the "advice" I'm giving is on things that people DID do for us, that I never would have thought about before having a baby.  FYI.