We’re regrouping from a wonderful week away spending time with my parents in Arizona. (You can read about past winter trips to Arizona here, here, here and here.)
A few pictures from the trip, because I know you are positively DYING to see vacation photos from an online stranger. (You’re welcome.)
We like to relax and hang out when we visit my parents, but I would say that having a baby changes the dynamics of travel a bit.
A few examples:
1. I packed enough stuff to keep us fed/groomed/dressed/happy for approximately 4 years. Give or take. Usually, we carry on. Yeah. Let’s just say we had more than 5 carry-ons (not including a twenty-pound baby, who I literally carried on), plus two large pieces of checked luggage.
2. My parents were more than happy to spend quality time with Henry, leaving Ryan and I free to go on a day trip and leaving me free to visit with blog friends for lunch and shopping.
3. I was exhausted. Even though I had Ryan and my parents who took Henry a lot of the time, being with a baby outside of his routine is exhausting. For his mom mostly. He was totally fine with the changes and took them like a champ. But, I sort of like our routine.
Loved visiting with blog friends-turned-in real life friends Michelle from Making Our Dream (and baby Camille) and Adrianne from Dream Book Design (with baby Bray). Lunch and shopping for the win.
We took a group hike up Silly Mountain with friends and family. Henry passed out in the Ergo about halfway up.
This was the very first time on a plane with Henry. Which caused me more stress than I care to admit. Something about bringing a little guy who refuses to sit still onto a plane where he was required to sit still made me queasy. Not to mention the fear of hurting ears and screaming and blowouts. Oh my.
In the end, it went really well. He’s a pretty easy going baby anyhow, but I give him major props for being great on both flights. However, he didn’t have much interest in sleeping, which is an issue when your flight doesn’t arrive until 11:30 p.m. But he was pretty happy and excited to see all the people and get lots of attention.
I found these posts about traveling with baby helpful from The Atwoods and Science of Mom, particularly when I was feeling a bit stressed about the prospect.
I’m far from an expert, but here’s what worked for us.
Have very low expectations.
This sounds very cynical, but I was not looking forward to being trapped in a plane with a 9-month-old. A 9-month-old who has recently decided that staying in one place is lame. Because I was really expecting some sort of hellacious experience, I was pleasantly surprised.
People around us on the flights were not only friendly, but also incredibly supportive. They were the ones saying “What a good little boy,” to Henry when he was looking around and trying to pull out their hair and grab their fingers and lunge into their laps.
The act of going thorough security was also tons better than expected. I carried Henry in the Ergo (which he loves) and I was even able to use it through the TSA area. The security agents were also incredibly kind and helpful with all our carry-ons and the breast milk, which I was a bit concerned about. They even checked the finger paints that I accidentally put in my carry on luggage so I didn’t have to throw it all away. Kudos to them.
In the end, you have very little control over the situation. If the flight attendant is a (insert expletive here), smile and stand your ground. (Been there.) If baby fusses, take a deep breath. (Been there.) And when he finally falls asleep, pat yourself on the back because you are awesome. (Been there.)
Accept help.
This goes for accepting help from Ryan when rushing to the gate, to those around us on the plane who were more than willing to help us pick up all the stuff that Henry was knocking off the tray, to my parents, who graciously watched Henry for us while we were in Arizona and got up with him early so we could have a little time to sleep in. There is nothing wrong with accepting help from those who offer it.
When in doubt, bring it.
Yes. This probably goes against what everyone else will tell you. But, I believe in the power of overpacking. It helped my sanity a great deal to know that everything I could possibly need was in tow. I didn’t bring a lot of toys or books, but i did bring a few of his favorites to keep him entertained and make him feel at home. And I carried on quite a bit of breastmilk and food “in case of emergency.” I also made sure to bring plenty of clothes, regardless of what happened with the weather. And I had way too many diapers and wipes and clothes for the plane, but God help us, I didn’t want to run out.
When you forget, buy it.
With that said, know that almost anything can be purchased when you arrive. My mom bought diapers and wipes so we didn’t have to lug them, and I made a grocery store run for some additional Henry-friendly food. It’s nice to know that it’s not the end of the world when you realize you forgot or run out of (fill in the blank).
Do what you love.
Even though we were traveling with Henry, we still were able to do things we enjoyed while there. I think all too often, people use a baby as an excuse. “Oh, I can’t do that because of the baby.”
- My parents hosted a great shin dig with 50 people, and Henry was the star of the show. (And then passed out like a dream when his bedtime hit, while we continued to party away. Well, until 8 p.m., when retired people go to bed.)
- Ryan and I took a day trip to Tucson while Henry enjoyed time with my parents.
- Henry enjoyed the golf cart rides as much as we did.
- We took a great hike up Silly Mountain to spread my grandmother’s ashes, with baby-in-tow.
You may need to adjust, but I found that having Henry along just made things all the more fun.
And a great big thanks to my parents for being such amazing hosts.
Sound off: What are your tips for traveling with a little one?
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Lisa Hamel says
I found your blog more or less by accident (from Domestic Adventure to Work Your Wardrobe, from Work Your Wardrobe to here), so I find it quite funny that your parents not only live in my home state, but from the looks of it, reasonably close to my in-laws. Even weirder, my nephews call my mom Grandma Lainey, too. The Superstition mountains are breathtaking–thanks for sharing.
If you are traveling with a little one, make sure you have a lightweight stroller, and learn how to use it BEFORE the trip. My son and I were travelling alone, but when people offered to help us, I couldn’t explain how to open the stroller!
Lisa Hamel says
I found your blog more or less by accident (from Domestic Adventure to Work Your Wardrobe, from Work Your Wardrobe to here), so I find it quite funny that your parents not only live in my home state, but from the looks of it, reasonably close to my in-laws. Even weirder, my nephews call my mom Grandma Lainey, too. The Superstition mountains are breathtaking–thanks for sharing.
If you are traveling with a little one, make sure you have a lightweight stroller, and learn how to use it BEFORE the trip. My son and I were travelling alone, but when people offered to help us, I couldn’t explain how to open the stroller!
Erin @ Domestic Adventure says
I love seeing your pictures! It sounds like a very full and fun trip. My only advice for traveling with a baby is to use the car seat on the plane (if you can). The two times I traveled with Ike I traveled alone and splurged (or used frequent flyer miles) for an extra seat since I knew I wouldn’t have any help. Since he was so used to his car seat and so comfortable in it, he was calm the whole time and slept on all four flights! The second time he traveled he was in his bigger convertible car seat, so I bought one of the car seat wheeler things and dragged him around the airport in that thing–it was awesome!
Megan Lawing says
How fun! Your pictures are gorgeous! I thought that maybe you and Meg Cline were related or something when I saw y’all went to Arizona at the same time! lol You sure do have a cute little Henry as well! 😉
Cindy says
I love the pics. You have such a nice family, and your little guy is so cute. This reminds me of a trip we took with Melinda. She was only one month old, and when I think about that now we must have been crazy to take a trip to Georgia with a month old baby. We had a lot of fun though and she was the apple of my eye.
cindy menner says
This comment has been removed by the author.
Meg says
Loved reading about your AZ trip as I get ready to write about my AZ trip! (While my parents hang out with Bo for one more day and I sit here on the back patio with a glass of wine…ahh, grandparent babysitters.) Wish I could say our flights went as smooth as yours – I am so scared to get back on the plane tomorrow. Glad you had such a wonderful time with family and got some date-day time too!
Anonymous says
Today, I went to the beach front with my kids. I found a sea shell and gave it to my 4 year old daughter and said “You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear.” She put the shell to her ear and screamed.
There was a hermit crab inside and it pinched her ear.
She never wants to go back! LoL I know this is entirely off topic
but I had to tell someone!
Here is my web site … http://pimpinken.net/profile/SusanneBeckman
Michelle @ Making our Dream says
It was so great to meet you! I’m glad you had a great trip and hope that means you’ll be back. 🙂
Grandma Lainey says
What a wonderful post my dear daughter! We enjoyed your visit tremendously and look forward to you bringing Henry back to the Lake this summer. We are so blessed to have the most wonderful daughter and son-in-law on the face of this earth. And Henry…………well, the pictures tell it all. God is so incredibly good and we are so thankful!
Cassie @ Primitive & Proper says
your photos are breathtaking! i have never been to arizona, but would love to! it looks beautiful! i have been to joshua tree and that’s as close as i have gotten! 🙂
Cassie @ Primitive & Proper says
your photos are breathtaking! i have never been to arizona, but would love to! it looks beautiful! i have been to joshua tree and that’s as close as i have gotten! 🙂
Cassie @ Primitive & Proper says
your photos are breathtaking! i have never been to arizona, but would love to! it looks beautiful! i have been to joshua tree and that’s as close as i have gotten! 🙂
Jess @ Little House. Big Heart. says
These are great tips! Kev and I aren’t even to the baby stage yet, but these made me so happy. We have the travel bug in a bad way and the thought that we might have to stop traveling altogether when we start having kids kills me.
Thanks for giving me hope! 😉
Emily says
I’m so glad you had a great vacation! My best tip for traveling with kids is to tell myself over and over again that if my kid cries the entire flight, he or she will not be the first or last kid to do so. And the people that are on the plane with you will never see you again. Ha!
Jenny @ Anything Pretty says
When I saw your pics on IG, I was so hoping for this post. Your trip looks amazing we will be using your travel tips in March. Here’s to low expectations! And warm weather!
Stephanie says
love love the family pic where henry is smiling soooo big!!
Amy@BuffaloRoam says
So much cute and so much fun! Glad you had a good trip!!
Gabbi @ Retro Ranch Reno says
It looks like you guys had an awesome trip, and Henry seemed like a true champ! I’m glad it all went well…you rock! 🙂
Leigh Powell Hines says
What a great trip, but it is exhausting traveling with kids. It really is. I’m still feeling from my last trip.
PJ @ Planned in Pencil says
You’re so smart to accept help, I think that’s the hardest thing. I still think you should count that trip up the mountain as about 1,000 stairs (via my Instagram comment)
Ashley@AttemptsAtDomestication says
Looks like an awesome trip! And it’s awesome that Henry travels so well! So glad you guys all had a good time 🙂
Erin says
sounds like an amazing trip – & by the smile on his adorable little face it looks like he had a ball too!!!
Kelly @ Corner of Main says
It looks like you guys had a great trip! I am going to have to re-read this before this summer. I think we will be taking the then 10 month old Kevin on a plane…eek! And I can’t get over what a cutie Henry is. Does he always dress so fashionably?
DecorandtheDog says
I kind of love your little family photo. Henry is rocking that hat!
m @ random musings says
I don’t have any tips for travels with kiddos – we don’t have any yet/ever (idk, it’s still open debate) – but I will agree that the having plenty of food on hand and contingency packing is a lifesaver when dealing with cranky travel partners of the adult variety. Food, especially. It can be really frustrating if the other person is making decisions from a place of low blood sugar and it can be socially awkward to …ahhh…. discipline another adult.
Megygelt says
I bet grandma and grandpa loved that you made the trip! I hear you on that it’s exhasuting being of our the normal routine. We visit my parents quite a bit (4 hr car ride) and while it’s nice to have their help watching her and cooking meals and especially allowing us out for a date night, it’s still hard being out of the routine. And as they get older the kids figure out – cool, new house, let’s see what I can get into and mess up 🙂 But that grandparent relationship is so special, it’s great to get some face to face time even when separated by distance! One reason we love Skype is it ups those grandma/grandpa moments and makes the visits all the more sweeter! Pretty pictures – makes me wish it wasn’t so blustery cold today!
2littlehooligans says
my goodness what beautiful photos! totally hear you about flying! we flew with all 3 kiddos (from nh to cali). the way out was fine even though we missed out connecting flight and got delayed for 8 hours…but we made it there. the way back we took a red-eye…worse idea ever!! two of them did not sleep at all on the LONG 5 hour flight but proceeded to crash on the last 1 hour flight. carrying all 3 kids and all of our stuff off the plane was a sight. all three were screaming and crying. my mom could hear us all the way through the airport. we couldnt do anything about it, so we just laughed. it will be a bit before we fly again:) at least at night!
im glad you enjoyed your trip and the photos really are beautiful!!
Brittney says
Great post! We’ve been flying with Hudson since he was 10 weeks old and he does great! I agree, it’s exhausting for the mama travel without a routine. We did a quick 48 hour trip to Scottsdale last month and I need a vacation after that! The Ergo carrier has been a lifesaver for us too. We usually check one bag and carry on his LL Bean tote with all of our travel necessities. I’ve gotten a lot more relaxed with the overpacking though. You should have seen me on my first trip!
Kim says
Found you recently from my visits at Maybe Matilda and LOVE your blog! It’s always nice to find fellow bloggers who are in the midst of motherhood with little ones. 🙂 Great job traveling with that adorable baby of yours! We have a 2 1/2 year old daughter (and another baby girl on the way any day now), and we’ve yet to travel on a plane. The most we’ve done are numerous 8-hour car rides to New Jersey. It sounds like you were well prepared! Also, I noticed you’re using an Ergo Baby Carrier–I have one and absolutely LOVE IT! Best money we ever spent on a baby item. :)Thanks for sharing your fun vacation with us! I’m sure I’ll be returning to this post eventually for some baby travel tips…
Kim
Little Rays of Sunshine
Mrs. Chic says
I loved reading about your trip and your baby trip on plan experiences!! So helpful, so far we’ve only gone on road trips with Avery but we are in the midst of planning a family getaway that most likely will require a plane ride and maybe a boat 🙂
daisy says
How great that your folks bought diapers and stuff ahead of time so you wouldn’t have to worry about lugging all of that.
Glad you were able to get away for a while. Sounds like it went smashingly!