We travel quite a bit with the kids. My husband wins trips through his work when he hits certain performance standards. A wonderful perk! On every trip, I seem to learn something new. Billy was 11 months old the first time we traveled with him. We went to Hawaii. I was also six months pregnant with TJ. On this trip I learned to ALWAYS bring my own car seats. We rented one from the car rental. It didn't have Latch and I didn't know how to install it. I also had to go back into the car rental and ask for the H hook to secure it. They didn't know what I was talking about. What a NIGHTMARE. After about 2 hours, I got it (incorrectly) installed. At least it was in the car and Billy didn't seem to mind.
I decided to buy baby food and diapers when we got to Hawaii. That worked out ok because we had a car and there was a Walmart close. About half way through the 10 day trip, Billy decided he would only eat baby food bananas. This shouldn't surprise anyone who knows Billy now, but at the time, I was taken back a bit. Easy enough solution, I just went back to the Walmart and stocked up. (yes, we are sitting on what would later become TJ's night night).
The next trip we took was to Captiva Island, Florida. Billy was about 17 months and TJ was 8 weeks. On this trip, I learned that an 8 week old baby can sleep on an arm chair should the hotel be unable to provide two cribs. Not a problem : )
After Captiva, we tried our hand at Lake George, New York. On this trip, I learned that sometimes the cribs provided by the hotel are nicer than anything in my entire house. (Yes, that is sterling silver, and yes there are two...)
Just recently, we traveled to Mexico. This time, I packed our own snacks. Several moms asked me on the beach where I got the chips. I proudly stated that I brought them from home and offered to share. On this trip, however, I learned that my kids like sunglasses. Billy still doesn't know those are girl sunglasses he is wearing. It is all they had in the gift shop.
In about a month, my mom is taking us back to Disney World. Time for TJ to experience (and remember) the magic! A few weeks after that, we are going back to Mexico on an Eddie Trip. It will again be time to put everything I've learned into action.
For both trips I will gate check the stroller. This is super easy. Just ignore the gate check items when checking your bags at the front of the airport. Take them through security with you. We usually have to fold up our stroller and put it through the screener. When you get to the gate, ask the person behind the counter for a gate check tag. We usually leave the gate check items at the end of the walkway before getting on the plane, but once we had to leave them at a small elevator in the gate waiting area. Take your time getting off the plane, and the gate check items should be waiting for you as you get off. Just remember, you have to carry everything you gate checked through the airport. In Mexico, I saw these poor parents of twins struggling with two full size car seats and a double stroller while trying to juggle the kids through customs and immigration.
I always check our car seats as luggage. Some airlines don't make you pay any fees. I found great traveling bags to put the car seats in at Babies R Us. They have back pack straps making the car seats easy to carry and they keep them safe. We are not renting a car in Mexico so we are not taking the car seats. Makes the trip that much easier!!
We also take 3 suitcases-- Adult clothes in one, Kid clothes in the second, and Kid necessities in the third. I bring diapers (swim and regular), snacks, baby food, bottles, noise machines, the Bjorn, and sippy cups. I know I can buy these things when I get there, but it makes me a little nervous. The first day we were in Mexico, I met a mom who had her toddler in a regular diaper in the swimming pool. I am sure you can picture what it looked like filled with water. She said she planned on buying swim diapers when they got to the hotel but had not made it out yet. She also had a baby who needed baby food, which she hadn't gotten yet either. The next day she told me she sent her husband out and he was able to find a cabbie to take him to get everything they needed. Worked out for them, still makes me nervous.
As for sleeping, I usually just use the cribs and bedding provided by the hotel (unless we are traveling by car, in which case I take our pack and plays and kids' blankets). I have a very good friend who thinks this is crazy. She had a bad experience once, seeing some things she probably wishes she hadn't seen. I figure all hotel beds are probably pretty dirty and try not to think about it.
Sometimes I keep my kids on a sleep schedule when we are traveling, most times I do not. The first few days after we get home are hard, but it is worth it not sitting in a hotel room for hours in the middle of the day when you want to be out having fun. The kids seem to crash when they get tired. Sometimes it is a little comical. Other times it is really sweet.
Disney and Mexico, watch out -- here comes the traveling road show!!
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