Travel Tips - Flying With an 11 Month Old

The thought of flying to Florida with an 11 month (almost 1 year) old was daunting, to say the least.  We weren't able to get direct flights so we had two there and two back.  I read up on it quite a bit, but the best advice I received was to make it feel like "just another day".

Packing was interesting because both Brian and I are used to traveling for weeks + on just a carry on.  With a babe? Not so much.  We checked one bag and it topped out around 49.5 lbs, just a half pound under the 50 lb limit.  If you go even an ounce above 50, there's an exorbitant fee associated.  So, we packed my purse as a diaper bag, a stroller (with car seat attached) and the checked bag.  We were able to rent a high chair and crib in the beach house we stayed (saving a ton of packing room).

We got to the airport 2 hours early.  This meant waking up the babe at 4AM.  She was OK when we woke up, but refused to nap until early afternoon.. While this was a situation I was terrified of, it ended up just fine.  After we got to the airport, we found a Starbucks, bought some coffees, breakfast and a fruit pouch for the babe.  I then proceeded to walk her around for what felt like forever, trying to get her to nap, but.. it didn't work.

Boarding - When you travel with kids, you're able to board first.  The nice thing about this is getting the stroller gate checked early and getting situated in the seat. We split up and I let Brian board first to get everything in place.  Then, Lyla Grace and I boarded last. We survived take off and landing by offering lots to drink and eat.  I tried nursing a time or two, but she was just not having it.

Here are essentials I would pack again, for sure -

Puffs plus this munchkin snack catcher = clutch.  This kept her occupied for probably hours.  We also got a little play phone (because she's obsessed with ours) that we didn't give her until we left.  It was nice because it was "new" and she was excited about it.  The straw cup was helpful to get her to swallow throughout the takeoff and landing.  She's also obsessed with feeding herself, so the pouches of food were perfect.

She didn't nap for either flight, but as soon as she got in the car to drive to Rosemary, she passed out.  The flight home was similar, but in the afternoon.  It was honestly a bit more difficult because she hadn't napped much at all that day and just felt kind of strung out.  All in all, we survived and I won't be too scared to do it again!

Rosemary Beach

We just came back from paradise.  The lovely, so lovely Rosemary Beach, Florida.  Ever so grateful to our friends Katy and BJ who introduced us to this beautiful stretch of 30A on the gulf.

It was babe's first time at the ocean and she loved every minute.  It was also her first flight. She did exceptionally well considering we woke her up at 4AM and she missed her naps.  I'm so grateful for her resilience and patience with us.  Hopefully I can recap later, but for now, here are a few pictures from our trip.

Have you met my baby?

Almost a year ago now, a sweet little girl came into the world and radically changed our lives.  She's given us a glimpse of God's love for his children in the way that we love her.  She's sweet and spunky.  Never stops smiling and is overall a wonderful blessing to us.  She came into the world peacefully and she brings us constant gratefulness that we could be given such a beautiful gift to steward through life.

Since it's been so long since I've blogged, I think I'll start from current and work our way backwards.

Monday Mantra

via flickr

Ah, my mantra right now.  To live a happy life without regrets.  To not worry about things that simply don't matter. Need this reminder daily.  

I'm here!

I promise I'm alive.  Occasionally feeling like I'm holding on by a string, but I'm here.  And making it :). Baby girl is doing well.  Here's some of what has been keeping us busy before she gets here...

Baby V. Shower! (maybe part I?)

A few weeks ago we were blessed beyond measure at our sweet baby shower.  My best friend from junior high planned it and with the help of her moms it went off without a hitch.  It was so well thought out and every detail was done with care.  Everyone at the shower told her they want her to plan a party for them.  And really, she should.  She's wonderful.  My family was all there, and almost all my closest friends were able to make it.  I basically just floated around in a bubble of blessings and overwhelmed gratefulness of how loved we and our sweet little one are.  

I don't have a ton of photos on this computer yet, but I'll share a few.  There were tons and tons of balloons floating, with up to 7 foot ribbon hanging from them. Twas pretty magical.  She also spray painted lots of things gold (like the cute little animals on the table), had lots of flowers and rented chairs and tables that matched the decor. The topper was the little (BIG) giraffe she bought us, decked out with flowers, who we have lovingly named George Henry.  

We got lots of clothes (so cute and little!) and a lot of the must haves from our registry.  We really only have a few things left to buy, all thanks to our generous friends and family.   

I didn't get a good picture of my plate with food on it, but a waffle bar was served with fresh squeezed juice, mint and fruit water, and delicious yogurt (that I'm now obsessed with... it's from Trader Joes and its full fat french vanilla yogurt. yum).  

Here she is.  Isn't her dress darling?

I didn't get a good picture of the balloons on the ceiling over the tables, but this was after many of them fell and we put them all in the room off the kitchen.  We kept all the ribbon and are hoping to make a mobile with it.

Letters

via grey likes baby 

Sometimes when we think about it or have time, Brian and I will write letters to our future little one.  We have a small notebook that we keep them in and it's something I hope she'll treasure some day.  Sometimes the Lord gives us a word for her.  When will be the right time to share it with her?  I'm sure we'll know when that day comes.  

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations." Jeremiah 1:5