Travel Baby

Grady completed his third round trip air travel experience.  For an almost 10 month old, I think that's pretty good.  Actually, I think we rock.  And, here comes that smugness thing again, I am proud of us for doing it.  For taking him places and traveling.

Because, as most parents know, it is not easy. traveling. with a baby.

He's gotten older, and a bit more flexible, but the other part (probably the larger part) is Lewis and I have gotten better too.  We don't throw toys at him on the plane any more.  He sits in our lap and plays with the seat back, the window, the magazines, the in flight beverage cup.  I imagine there are parents out there that are like GERMS!  Don't touch those things pookie!

Those parents and I probably wouldn't be great friends.  Because my kid tries to eat plastic on a daily basis.    And paper.  As long as his ingestion is less than an ounce, I figure he's fine.

I kid.  Mostly.

Travel with kids will never be easy.  I will always have a huge bag that weighs 40+ pounds and contains more clothes for him than he will ever concievably wear because 1 - who knows how many times he will throw up.  2 - who knows what the temperature in the hotel room will be and if I'll need the footie pajamas or just the onsies.  I will always have to bring 3 different lotions (especially to higher altitudes, his skin activated like crazy), two types of medicines, and travel food (this thing is AWESOME for feeding on a plane) and travel toys and toys to play with once we get where we are going.  And books.  Lots of books.  The kid loves his books.  And sheets for a pack n play (familiar smell helps nervous baby), two blankets, burp cloths, nursing covers, shoes, extra socks, on and on and on and on - not to even MENTION the stupid pump and all of it's accturements.  And the car seat*? Is it any wonder that I only bring for myself a pair of jeans and three shirts?  I mean where would I fit my stuff?  And forget entertainments for myself.  When do I get to read / listen to music?  The closest I came was looking at a magazine with Lewis on the plane while Grady ate the brochure explaining the safety features on an M80.

But we're looking at our travel plans for the year (I can not believe how quickly our months fill up - it's ridiculous) and the kid isn't going to get to rest on his laurels.  Travel on, G man.  Travel on.

*I made our car seat bag and I really think you have to have one.  I don't know if the airlines have them or not (they might) but ours is made out of apolstery fabric, pretty thick stuff, and it's green so it looks like santa's sack (pretty funny).  I had left over fabric from making a headboard.

And the reason it's necessary?  My car seat bag is so beat up - from TWO trips - and has tears and holes in it.  Um, way better to have that happen to the bag and not my car seat!  Also, little tip, take the car seat with you to check plane side.  This way you make SURE that your car seat gets on the same plane as you.  It would be awful to have a car seat get lost ala lost luggage.

Another heads up - airlines are looking at charging for lap children on flights that are a certain length or going certain places (from what I can tell, international destinations and first class cabins).  It's new this year so keep an eye out when you buy your tickets.