I Heart Lists: Packing for Down South

As you may know, we just got back from a 2 week trip to Mexico, near Cabo in the Baha. This was not an all inclusive. Just to give you an idea of the style of trip, we rented a beach house with our cousins and chose that location to visit some family who lived near by.

I wanted to share some packing lists with you, because coming up with them was the stressful part that made me the most nervous, not the actual packing. I always overpack, that's just my style. I would rather have more with me than be missing something. Also, depending on where you are going, if amenities are scarce, it's better to be prepared.

The advice I have is try to travel on the plane as light as you can. Don't invest and bring many toys, because there is nothing that can entertain an 11 month old for a long period of time.

Going there I had V in the stroller, with a small purse around my shoulder. My husband carried the duffle bag that we used as a diaper bag and he also carried the Cabana play pen (12 lbs). We sky checked the cabana and stroller.

Coming back, I had V in my carrier with the cabana in the stroller and I used my beach bag as a purse draped on the stroller. Michael had the duffle bag (diaper bag) and new collapsable bag filled with goodies we brought back from Mexico! For some reason, my luggage was heavier too, so I had to dump more stuff in our carry on. NOT COOL!

For Victor (11 months old, and just weaning off of formula):

• clothes (t-shirt, shorts, pants, sweater, pj, sox, undershirt)
• swimsuit
• blanket (2), sleep sack, pacifier, monitor
• diapers for travel, wipes, rash cream, sunscreen
• hat, lifejacket, beach towel
• soap, bath towel, laundry bag, tylenol, ora gel, nail clippers
• shoes, sandals
• diaper bag, carrier
• toys for the plane ride (small books, small rattle)
• cabana play yard/playpen
• umbrella stroller
• formula, bottles, brush, spoon, sippy cup, bib, formula divider container, lunch bag, freezer pack, 
• Food, snacks and water

Things I bought there for him:

• formula
• diapers and wipes
• beach toys 

For mom:

• cash, passport, credit card, flight info, travel wallet
• camera, charger, phone, charger
• books
• drink cup/ water bottle
• bathing suit
• underwear, sox, bra
• bathing suit, beach towel 
• flip-flops, water shoes, sandals
• t-shirts, shorts, dress, skirt, pj, workout clothes
• sunglasses, sarong
• makeup, tweezers, scissors, hair stuff, jewelry, hair dryer, brush, nail polish and remover
• shower kit (shampoo, conditioner, soap, hair product, toothpaste, toothbrush, makeup remover, shower gel, face cream, Qtip, hair brush, nail clippers, pads/ tampons)
• sunscreen, aftersun cream, bandaids, polysporin, tylenol
• pants, sweater, scarf (chose traveling outfit that is warmer)
• purse, backpack, collapsable bag or beach bag (to use a diaper bag) and duffle bag to use for carry on.

Is there anything missing on my list? Please leave your comments below. I'll be posting more about the trip as well and how travelling is with kiddies! Stay tuned :)

Organized Momma = Relaxed Momma

Well, as most of you know, I've been working during maternity leave which means lots of traveling and time spent away from little man.

I'm lucky to have lots of family that look after V when I'm away. But, preparing for a business trip, means not only do I have to pack for myself, but I also need to get V packed for sleepovers at Granda or Grandpa's house. My husband's schedule is all over the place, so he can't look after V while he is working.

I'm leaving on a trip to Toronto this week, and then meet up with the family on Friday! So this means I'm packing my suitcase, V's sleep over stuff and V's Toronto stuff!! Must get organized and what better way than with lists!

V's schedule is now completely changed so I needed to update it. I like using my nice stationary for this . It's clean, neat and cute. Yes, I own stationary and I'm sad that I don't get to use it often :(

Do you go to work with a young baby at home? What's your method to stay sane? Please your comments below!

Flying with baby at 9 months

At the Ottawa Airport, 6 am. V is unimpressed. Poor little guy.
He was such a good sport.

I did it! I actually travelled alone with my Little man to Thunder Bay to visit a friend. We travelled in luxury via Porter. Oh ya, I heart Porter :)

I don't know if I have the energy to describe the entire trek, but do know it's a lot of work, a LOT! A lot of planning, a lot of lifting and a lot of fussy around. A great learning trip, but I may have avoided it if I knew what I was getting into!

I love bullets! So here are a few pointers if you will be flying with baby:

• Travel documents: Ok, this was very frustrating for me! I could not find any clear instructions regarding flying as a solo parent on a domestic flight with an infant. At the end of the day, even the airline couldn't give me a straight answer. So here it is. "You do not need ID for anyone under 17 years old on a domestic flight." You also do not need a letter of consent. But be warned, they can ask for ID (and THEY ALL DID), but you don't need to show them anything! Does this not sound like the most ridiculous thing ever? Just make it mandatory people! I mean, it's not an outrageous request. You could easily be kidnapping a baby. Good thing I have a passport for him :)
• Plan ahead and pack light! I bought an umbrella stroller at a garage sale for our up coming trip to Mexico in January. It's light, folds nicely and reclines so V can nap! It was solid enough to shlep my purse and diaper bag too ;) I packed 1 large suitcase (Heys hard-shells are amazing, they glide really nicely too), 1 diaper bag and 1 large over the shoulder purse. I also had a jacket, which I should have kept in my suitcase. Too bulky and it's extra weight to carry around.
• My diaper bag was light and strategically packed: a few new toys and miniature Munsch books, diapers, wipes, changing pad, warm blanket, Manduca (life saver), cooler bag with food and enough formula for the flight), pacifier, bib, spoon, and snack for me.
• We were on two short flight (1hr and 2 hrs). It broke up the trip nicely and allowed me time to feed in between. Little V did great on the plain and didn't cry. On the way back, our flight was delayed and he was exhausted. It was 3 hours past his bedtime and I could tell he was trying to find a comfortable position to fall asleep in. Because we had someone next to us, it was really thighs and awkward. Poor guy, eventually passed out both times.
• Getting on and off the plane is challenging. You need to carry baby and all your things into the plane while explaining with your feet how the stroller folds up to the airline staff! haha It's always best to make it to pre-boarding because then you are not that "mom" who is delaying the flight.
• Going to the washroom on the plain is hard for you and baby! Porter plane are tinier than normal and don't have a changing station. I did it on the seat next to me. Sorry people, that was a sticky diaper! I handed V to a fellow mom who offered to help me, while I went to pee. Not that you want to burden another mom, but mom's are awesome and can handle it!

Here are some pics of us on the plane. Please feel free to ask any questions if there is something I missed! Are you going on a trip soon? Are you nervous about anything?

Me in V jet setting to Thunder Bay! PS- this was NOT us on the way back!
V was teething the entire trip and was not himself.
We also were not as lucky to have an entire row to ourselves. What a nightmare! 

Entertaining V in the best way possible, with a Porter magazine! There was a Dex ad with a blond girl that V fell in love with. It was so sweet to watch him coo and pet her face.

Enjoying the Porter Magazine and standing up! His two favourite things on flight!

Having fun with a photo shoot at my friend's cottage in Thunder Bay!
V is all packed up and ready to go with his tiny suit case. He is also the pilot in his blue bomber jacket ;)
BON VOYAGE!

A list of "Baby Lists"

When you're on the go, traveling for the weekend or going on a trip, it's imperative that you have everything you need with you when you leave your nest. Unless you are not like me and you like using your baby's blanket as a face cloth, diaper changing station, breastfeeding cover and blanket all at the same time.

Here are a few useful packing lists that may help to remove the guessing game out of what to bring when you leave your home.
WARNING: I am not a light packer, in fact, I like to think of every scenario so I can be prepared!

Here are the different things that I packed for my 6/7 month old this summer:

1. Regular day out (shopping mall, grocery store, coffee date)
2. Swimming at the lake or splash pad in the park
3. Weekend trip to Toronto (where baby stuff is available at my sisters house)
4. Weekend trip camping/hotel in the Sandbanks

SkipHop Pronto! Changing Station

First and foremost I always have the following in my car:

- car seat/stroller adaptor

- stroller/seat for stroller (Baby Jogger- City Select)

- rain guard for stroller

- mirror with monkey so I can see Little man

- small toy that stays in the car

In my diaper bag I always have:

- diapers/wipes

- large lulujo baby blanket

- Spit up cloth, very versatile to clean up all sorts of messes

- mini toy, teething ring and a few small books

- Changing pad kit (zinc oxide, saline, vaseline, cloth, baby soap)

- Extra change of clothes

- Feeding bag: spoon, extra formula, bib and pacifier

- JJ Cole bottle pod with ice pack (for formula and food)
- hat and sunglasses
- Purell
- Vaccine Card

Regular day out (shopping mall, grocery store, coffee date)

- Refill diapers and wipes in bag, make sure the extra clothes are clean
- Make enough formula before leaving the house

Swimming at the lake or splash pad in the park
- Refill diapers and wipes in bag, make sure the extra clothes are clean
- Make enough formula before leaving the house
- Camera
- Towel
- Bathing suite and hat
- sunscreen ( I use Alba baby sunscreen, 45 spf)
- wet diaper bag for wet towel and bathing suit
- Picnic blanket

Weekend trip (or longer) to Toronto (where baby stuff may be available at my sisters house)
- Diaper bag with extra diapers and wipes
- Sleep: play pen, play pen mattress cover, blanket or sleep sack, sleep sheep
- Food: formula, bottles, bottle cleaner, bottle soap, drying rack, baby bullet and supplies, bib, Fisher Price booster chair (or bumbo)
- Play: play mat, toys, books
- Bath: towel, soap, wedge
- Seat/Chair if you will be somewhere for a long period of time
- Baby carrier
- Pack weather appropriate clothes, pj, onsie, sox, sweater, jacket, hat, gloves and shoes

Weekend trip camping/hotel in the Sandbanks
Basically a combination of all of the above :)

Obviously, depending on your babies needs and your destination, you will have to adjust your personal list, but I hope this is a good start! If you don't start packing early enough, a good check list can get you out the door just as fast.

Happy and safe travelling!

P.S. We will be travelling to Mexico when Little man will be about 11 months. I hope to have a list ready for a blog post! It may help me get organized in advance too!