Baby Trend Single Jogger-Phantom. Photo courtesy of babytrend.com.

We first began using our Baby Trend Expedition Single Jogger-Phantom when our son was around one.  Up to that point, we’d used a regular travel system stroller and though it worked well, it was bulky and difficult to push over certain types of terrain.  It’s not that my husband and I were major outdoor people but we did visit Zion National Park, (since it’s close to our home in Southern Utah) from time to time as well as a few other state parks in our vicinity and we found the travel system stroller just didn’t provide a very comfortable experience for either us pushing or our son riding.  It wasn’t until I tried out a friend’s jogging stroller that I realized what I’d been missing!  It was much lighter and easier to push and my son was clearly much less jostled on the ride.  From that moment on, I was on a hunt for my own jogger!  I did quite a bit of research on the various brands and models over the next few days and soon had a good idea of what I wanted.  I knew I needed something that was fairly light-weight, had a tray table, good storage, and that was on the lower end of the price scale.  The Baby Trend model was on my list and the more reviews I read, the more I liked it.  The fact that it was also available in one of my local stores, (for about $110) eventually sealed the deal and we headed out to buy one.

My niece in the Baby Trend Single Jogger-Phantom.

Having read many of the customer reviews that were available, I was aware of the Expedition single jogger’s possible downfalls.  One of the biggest concerns that consumer’s had was the front wheel which can be used in either a locked or a swivel position.  I’d read on a number of occasions that when the wheel was in the swivel position it tended to vibrate or shake.  While this wasn’t the case with everyone that used this stroller, I found that we did experience that particular problem.  In addition, when in the unlocked position we discovered the front wheel could also behave erratically when we went over a hole in the road or pushed it over loose gravel.  Both of those problems disappear when in the locked position, and since I actually preferred this to the swivel anyway, it has never bothered me in all the time I used it.  To turn a corner with the wheel in the locked position, I’d simply push down on the handlebars until the front wheel was raised slightly then turn.  Even on long walks, winding paths, or crowded amusement parks, this never caused a problem or inconvenience.

The adult storage and cup holders of the Baby Trend Single Jogger-Phantom. Photo courtesy of babytrend.com.

Having addressed that one issue with the stroller, (and one that didn’t bother me) I honestly found nothing else wrong with it.  It was light-weight, folded up easily, fit in the back of my car even with suitcases and luggage, provided good storage, and was comfortable for my son.  When we had our daughter a year ago I began looking for a double jogger.  We had a trip to Disneyland planned and I felt we would need something that would fit both of the kids together.  By the time we actually left for the trip though I still hadn’t purchased one and we ended up taking the single jogger with us instead.  I was pleased to find that although it wasn’t actually designed for two children, it still worked for both of them!  The back of the stroller seat reclines completely so our three-month old was able to lie comfortably in it while the front wheel cover was broad enough for our son to sit on when he got tired of walking.  The five-point harness also kept our tiny daughter from slipping or moving around while she was strapped inside.  The single jogger actually worked so well on that trip that we also took it along when we went on our recent family trip to San Diego, California.  It took both of my kids all over Sea World, the San Diego Zoo, and a variety of other places we visited.

A couple more things I loved about this stroller…  It has a ratcheting sun shade which can be moved to any position to completely shade the child inside; it isn’t attached to the top of the stroller which allows for a wide range of motion.  It also has an adult storage compartment in the handlebars which is large enough for a cell phone and keys and is flanked by a cup holder on either side.  The child’s tray in the front of the stroller also has a cup holder and has a slightly raised edge which keeps snacks from sliding off while the stroller is moving.  The storage compartment underneath the stroller was a good size as well.  I was always able to fit my large diaper bag, sweaters, and sometimes squeeze in an extra souvenir bag or two in there without a problem!

My son, daughter, and niece in the Baby Trend Double Jogger-Skylar.

Although my husband and I (and our kids) really enjoyed this stroller, our soon to be third addition to the family prompted us to finally break down and buy a true double jogger.  The single jogger was handed down to my sister and her little one-year old daughter, and they seem to love it as much as we did!  Since we didn’t have any problems with the Baby Trend brand, it wasn’t a hard decision to go with them again when selecting our double jogger.  I did some more research on the various models and soon chose the Baby Trend Expedition Double Jogger-Skylar.  It has a five-star rating on nearly every website I checked and was still on the affordable side of the price range.  I got ours on the Walmart website for less than $200!  Although I’ve read that the same problem exists with the swivel wheel option for this stroller, it’s not something I’ve ever experimented with; I’ve used it in the locked position ever since I got it since it’s the option I still prefer.

I also read in a number of reviews that this stroller was impossible to fit through a standard-sized doorway.  Although it is tight, I have been able to push the stroller through every doorway I’ve encountered.  The trick is to come at the door straight and head-on rather than at an angle; if I’m at too much of an angle when I try to get through I have to back up and straighten out before trying again.  It’s never been an issue though, so once again, I find I don’t have any real complaints with this stroller.  It folds down just as easily as the single jogger and although it does take up more room in the car (it’s a double after all), it’s not as bulky or cumbersome as many others on the market.

The Baby Trend Double Jogger-Skylar. Photo courtesy of babytrend.com.

I was concerned at first that this stroller doesn’t have a child’s tray or bar in the front.  There are double strollers on the market that offer that option, but they’re all extremely expensive.  Once the stroller arrived however and we began using it, I found I didn’t miss the tray at all.  The outside panels in both of the seats have a net storage compartment sewn in that is big enough to easily fit a sippy cup or snack, and those have worked out perfectly for my kids.  The storage compartments on the bottom have been just as convenient.  I read that some users found it frustrating that the compartment was split into two sections rather than just one large one, but I haven’t had any problems with that either.  My diaper bag, (which certainly isn’t small) still fits neatly under one seat leaving the compartment on the other side empty and waiting for whatever else I could desire to put in it!  There’s also a net storage bag attached to the back of each seat providing even more room and I haven’t even had to use those yet!

The under-seat and back-of-seat storage compartments of the Baby Trend Double Jogger-Skylar. Photo courtesy of babytrend.com

Like the single jogger, the seats on the double jogger lay back almost completely flat and both still have the five-point harness.  This means that even my little newborn will be able to ride comfortably and safely inside.  We’ve used it so far on outings to the mall, to state parks, and most recently, to our County Fair, and it’s been perfect.  It’s still light-weight and easy to push, has the ratcheting sun shade, does great over gravel and uneven pavement, and the wheel cover is still broad enough to fit another child on when they get tired of walking.  At the fair, my son and daughter rode in the seats of the stroller while my husband’s niece took advantage of the wheel cover from time to time when she was ready for a break!

I honestly have no real complaints about either of these strollers, and my sister feels the same way about the single jogger.  They’ve traveled all over with us, and our double jogger will see many more miles as we get ready to welcome the newest member of our family!

For more information on the Baby Trend strollers or any of their other products, please visit their website at www.babytrend.com.

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Baby travelling gear

Possibly the two most important elements of any trip – with or without children – are what you’ll eat and what essential but sometimes forgotten items you’ll bring on your journey. 

Let’s start with a look at mealtime. Not exactly a news flash, is it? When you get hungry, you get cranky. Small children are often small eaters, and often hungry. And that means – often cranky. Small children who are traveling and cranky…well, let’s just not go there. 

Instead, make sure your little ones are well fed and ready to sight-see. Sounds easy, but on an extended road trip or when you’re trying to avoid both fast food and high end establishments, as our family most often does, it can be a juggling act. 

Travel Snacks for Kids 

Here are some tips to make feeding your brood a less challenging endeavor. First of all, whether you’re going by car, plane, train, or boat, be sure to have plenty of that all important beverage at hand: water. Now obviously these days you’ll have to buy your water at the airport after passing security, but this is not a time to save a few dollars and wait for the beverages on board. Any number of delays can happen, and water not only hydrates and refreshes healthy bodies of all ages, it can be a real life saver to the smaller set. A thirsty child trumps a hungry child any day in terms of unhappiness. When we drive by car, we do keep our nalgene bottles handy for ecologically sound refills, but because you never know what water supplies are out there on the road, we also keep two flats of bottled water in our car at all times. And we use them. 

Portable healthy snacks are the next step. Children of all ages will enjoy a crunchy cracker – but make sure it’s low sodium. Excess salt will make kids thirsty and tired. And much of the salt in processed crackers isn’t a sprinkle or two of sea salt. It’s a preservative. A great alternative: unsalted matzoh, available at any grocery store. For toddlers, Zwiebach crispy crunchy bread is relatively low in sodium, and like many foods for small children, just as tasty for older kids too. Pureed apple sauce, mangos, sweet potatoes aren’t just baby food anymore. They can be a dipping sauce or topping for older kids too. Our favorite toppings though are peanut butter and almond butter, both low or no-sodium, available in convenient individual foil packets at Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s, and some Safeway chain stores. If you don’t have a local seller, look on line. Incredibly portable, high in protein, and healthy, too. Bananas are also a great snack, easy to eat, come in their own disposable wrappers. And of course, most kids love candy. And some candy is healthier than others. Read the sodium content and list of preservatives on the labels of the major brands and you’ll be surprised at the difference. We’re big on peanut m&m’s, because – assuming there are no peanut allergies in your family, of course – the peanuts are a small source of protein, and the candy is relatively healthy. I’m a Hershey bar with almonds fanatic for much the same reason.  A bag of chocolate chips mixed with unsalted almonds or pumpkin seeds is also both a great treat and food source. Whatever you choose, try to avoid heavy corn syrup and preservatives in the mix. 

Mmmm…pizza. Sometimes a great food-notion.

And now, inevitably, it’s meal time. Just as you’ve chosen healthy snacks, select healthy dining. No matter how quick and easy, or how familiar, avoid fast food. It’s inexpensive and filling, but not fulfilling – in terms of essential nutrients or dining pleasure. By the same token, you’ll want to avoid the convenience of a possibly overpriced hotel restaurant where the kids are going to have few menu choices amid a hushed atmosphere. Our top pick in any town is ethnic restaurants. Regardless of the diet of our family members – and we have one special diet, one vegan, one meat eater, and one pescatarian – it’s the rare Italian restaurant that doesn’t offer a salad, a meat-free pasta, a meat dish, a fish dish. We also like Thai and Chinese, but not the take-out variety which often presents pre-prepared food difficult to custom order. Surprisingly, given the range of our diets, a family style steak house or diner will often have great side dishes or be able to custom prepare a basic meal without the diet elements we wish to exclude. 

Packing Tips 

So, with meal time and snack-sustenance discussed, let’s take a look at the other top travel concern in our book – packing. 

Packing…don’t forget the kid-essentials.

No matter where you go, no matter what the season, we’ve always been glad when we brought these items along and frustrated when we have not. First, a swim suit, even in winter – we’ve discovered heated pools and jacuzzi’s and not had our gear; and a rash guard for the kids to protect them from sunburn. Second, a night light. A small night light is often handy even for adults stumbling to the bathroom in an unfamiliar and dark hotel room, and it can prevent many bumps and bruises for little ones, as well as offering a reassuring glow. Third, if your tots are very small, bring a cloth high chair along. If you’re dining in your room, voila, your little one can join you at the table. Fourth, paper and pencil – or crayons, or pen – great for drawing, journal making, doodling, note taking. Our kids brought unlined notebooks with them from the time they could scrawl a line on a page. Great entertainment, and handy when you have to jot information down quickly, too. Lastly, don’t forget the guide book. There may be something you missed when you read it the first time, a number or name you wish you had along; or you may simply enjoy reading a succinct summary of the places you are visiting or are about to go to the children if they’re of reading age. 

So there you have it – some tips for things to eat and things to bring that should keep your family happy on the road and off, whether you’re visiting family and friends or exploring an exotic locale. Remember, happy travelers of all ages are well fed and ready for the pool!

Photo courtesy of faqs.org

I was at the park with our 14-month old son one day when he suddenly toddled off the sidewalk and into a pile of particularly malicious woodchips. (By the way, why cities decide to use woodchips around playground equipment is beyond me. They not only cut, scratch, and leave splinters but they’re also extremely tempting for little mouths). At any rate, I made a wild grab for my little one when I saw him lose his balance but to my great dismay, I missed and he landed face first in the woodchips. When I pulled him up again a second later the entire right side of his face was one big scratch. I hurried for my diaper bag to clean him up but the only thing I had with me at the time was a package of diaper wipes. They did the job well enough to hold things over until I could get home but it was right then and there that I realized (as perhaps I should have much earlier) that my diaper bag needed to contain a lot more in the way of first aid supplies than just wipes. We would be leaving for Disneyland in a few days’ time and before we went, I put together a true first aid kit; one that was specifically assembled with my toddler in mind.     

I must say that up to that time, we’d been extremely lucky in the illness and injury departments. Our son didn’t get sick once until he was almost 16 months old and despite the fact that he was walking before his first birthday, that day at the park was his first real fall.  Although we traveled quite a bit, we’d always stayed within the U.S. and I figured that we could stop at the nearest store if something came up. Of course I’ve since learned that injuries and illnesses rarely happen at a convenient time or location; they strike in the middle of the night in an unfamiliar city, along a deserted stretch of highway, or at the farthest point of the trail on a hike. After each new encounter with a vacation sickness or boo-boo I discovered something more to add to my first aid supplies and today I’m happy to say I have a kit that has yet to fail me! The items below are what     

My Travel First Aid Kit

I’ve found to be true essentials for the traveling family.     

1. Fever reducer/pain reliever. I always carry two different kinds of these with me: a children’s acetaminophen, and a children’s ibuprofen. Since these can be alternated to help bring down a high fever I make sure I bring both when we travel. They became a life saver when my son became sick while we were attending a wedding in Acapulco.     

2. A medicine syringe. These make taking the above medications (or any others that you may end up needing) much easier. Not only do they provide a far more accurate dose than a spoon can, they dispense the medicine much better. Since the tip goes directly into the child’s mouth, it prevents most of the spills and dribbles. I always asked for one when I picked up my son’s prescriptions at the pharmacy but they can also be purchased in the first aid sections of most stores.     

3. A thermometer.  Although I really love the thermometers that allow me to take a temperature from my son’s ear, I generally don’t travel with one. The smaller digital kind work best for trips since they don’t take up as much space. They also work better for babies and very young children since they allow you to take a temperature in a variety of places!     

4. An allergy medication. The type of medication you bring will depend on your child’s age and your doctor’s recommendation. Our son went through a period where he’d break out in hives for no discernable reason and I took the medication my doctor suggested everywhere just in case they hit while we were away from home. Of course this medicine also comes in handy for any other allergy symptoms that may be brought on by a new environment!     

5. Alcohol wipes. Perfect for cleaning out cuts and scrapes!     

6. Band-aids. For obvious reasons! I carry a variety of sizes.     

7. A first aid ointment. I love those “Neo To Go” packets made by Neosporin. They fit easily in a small kit and are perfect for a one-time use before putting on a band-aid.     

8. A bulb syringe. Not so important for older children but a must for little babies!     

9. Hand sanitizer or sanitizing wipes. These are great when you need a hand-washing but there’s no soap or water near by. We’ve found them to be especially useful at amusement parks, picnics, and on camping trips!     

10. Children’s nail clippers. They may seem like a strange addition but I can’t count the number of times I’ve needed them!     

11. Gas drops or gripe water. I never left home without them when our son was a baby and now they’re back in the kit for our newborn daughter!     

My Mini First Aid Kit

While these items (and any others your family may need) can be carried in a hard-sided first aid kit, I’ve found they also fit nicely in one of those plastic, zippered travel bags usually used for toiletries. They work great for trips because they take up less space and since they’re soft, can be squished into an already full suitcase.     

In addition to this larger travel kit, I also have a small one that fits easily in my purse or diaper bag. I picked up this miniature first aid kit in the section of the drug store where they stock the other travel-sized toiletries. In it I keep a few band-aids, a couple packets of “Neo To Go,” and some alcohol wipes. With both my first aid kits in tow, I feel safer knowing that I’m prepared to deal with whatever cold or cut we may encounter!

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Initially I saw one of the moms in my Mommy & Me class wearing one.  I remember thinking how comfortable it looked compared to other baby carriers.  I had a Baby Bjorn with the back support (as suggested by my friends who also have children).  I hadn’t tried the Baby Bjorn yet because Christian still couldn’t support his head and I thought he was way too little to be in it.  So, when I saw another mom wearing a baby carrier that I’d never seen before, I was curious.  I approached her to get the name, Ergo Baby baby carrier.  At the time, I hadn’t asked her where she got it, but I wanted to know how to get one and how much they cost. 

Before I officially looked for one, I went shopping at a local shop here in Redondo Beach, CA for new moms called Bright Beginnings & Beyond.  Even though it’s a boutique in the Riviera Village in South Redondo Beach, they have an excellent selection of toys, gear for newborns, clothes, maternity items and much more.  I had been in there quite a bit since I gave birth and completely overlooked that they carried the Ergo Baby baby carrier.  I was eager to buy one, but then noticed the price which wasn’t cheap.  If you include the Newborn insert, which you need with a small baby, I was probably looking at spending close to $175.  I’m pretty sure that didn’t even include tax which is an additional 10% in California.  After seeing it, I decided I wanted one, but couldn’t really justify spending that much money on a carrier after I already had an expensive Baby Bjorn. 

The next time I saw that mom in class, I was eager to ask her where she bought hers.  She then told me she got hers on Amazon.com.  After pricing it on Amazon.com, I found that I could be the proud new owner of an Ergo Baby baby carrier for around $150. 

Since Christian was born, I had spent many days completely occupied with him.  He always wanted to be held no matter what I was doing.  At such an early age, he pretty much slept most of the time.  So many times I’d find myself looking around the house at all of the things I could be doing while he slept on my chest.  I’m stuck on the couch and I can see the laundry needs folding, the dishes need to be done, I need to cook dinner, I need to vacuum and the list goes on.  I was too afraid to put Christian in the Baby Bjorn, so I finally decided to just spend the money and see what happens. 

After receiving it in the mail, I realized how easy it is to handle.  First, click the belt around your waist, then simply slip it on one shoulder, put in the newborn insert, hold your baby against your chest, and slip on the strap to your other shoulder.  It clicks in the back to hold both shoulder straps in place which also gives you more support.  All of the weight is at your waist and the rest is over your shoulders like a backpack.  The straps are wide and strong, unlike the Baby Bjorn.  I’ve heard many other moms say that they don’t like the Baby Bjorn because it cuts into their waist and just isn’t comfortable.  Once I have the Ergo Baby baby carrier on, I barely feel it. 

If you have a small baby, you will definitely need the Newborn insert.  This is a pad that has what looks like a small seat on the bottom to support the weight of the baby and give them a little booster in the Ergo.  The pad attached to it comes up to wrap around them and give them comfort with a little head support.  The entire carrier really envelops them and cradles them.  I imagine they feel like you’re holding them constantly, but now you’re hands free! 

I also love the fact that it has a cover that’s built in to the outside pocket.  When it’s sunny outside, or you simply want to cover their head if they are asleep, you can pull out the attached cover and snap it to the top of the straps on the shoulder.  It protects them, keeps out the sun and gives them some peace.  There is even another pocket in the front for storage. 

Unlike the Baby Bjorn, the Ergo Baby carrier will only carry babies as they’re faced in toward you.  I personally like this because I can see my son’s face at all times and his head is protected against my chest.  I’ve heard complaints about the Baby Bjorn that when you’re walking up steps, the child’s legs are hitting yours, making it difficult to walk.  With the Ergo Baby carrier, their legs are wrapped around your body, not dangling in front of you.  It’s more comfortable for you, and your baby.

So, now that I’m totally in love with the Ergo Baby carrier, I can’t imagine using anything else.  I was able to do dishes while my son slept, clean, cook, walk around, eat, work on the computer, etc.  Even if I wasn’t doing anything special, I had the use of my hands!  I could even go to the bathroom with it on! 

My husband used it just as easily as I did and was just as comfortable.  He preferred to carry Christian on his back, but enjoyed it just as much.  It is adjustable to fit on front, back or even on the side. 

We’ve used it at the airport to board the plane and also while we’re in the seat, on long walks, in church, around the house, and while shopping.  I continue to use it now that my son is almost 11 months old.  He still fits in it and I can put him on my back for hikes or in front for shopping trips when I don’t feel like bringing a stroller.  I can’t say enough great things about it.

And, now that I’m pregnant with my second child, I know when the time comes, I will get a lot more use out of it with a newborn while tending to my toddler.

Since we bought it, I considered it well worth the $150 I spent.  It gave me a life back!

“Spend less time on the road.” “Avoid long road trips.” “Book your tickets months ahead.”

I don’t get it. Why do travel experts advice you against long road trips with young children? If time wasn’t a constraint, I would pick a road trip any day over flying.

After dozens of road trips (lasting between 5 and 15 hours) with my young daughter, nieces, nephews and relatives between the ages of 20 and 70 with varying levels of eccentricity, I am convinced that contrary to popular advice and common wisdom – road trips, in fact, are not as bad as they are made out to be. In fact, with thoughtful planning and a little preparation, road trips can actually be enjoyable for everyone.

Think I’m crazy?

Maybe. But I’m just speaking from experience.

Our family takes a lot of road trips. In fact, we try and avoid flying whenever we can. Just last month we took a 14-hour road trip to Niagara Falls. People warned us that it might turn out to be a nightmare with two young children (my daughter and niece). But guess what? It turned out to be the best trip we’ve had in a while.

If you’ve been avoiding road trips like the plague and are convinced that flying is the best way to go when traveling with young children, then consider some reasons why a road trip rocks.

Flexibility + Spontaneity = Sanity
The # 1 reason my family prefers to drive rather than fly is because we get to choose when we want to leave, stop for lunch and take a break. More importantly, we get to change our minds if the need arises. We love that a road trip allows us way more flexibility than a flight. The other side of that coin is spontaneity. I can’t tell you how many road trips we’ve pulled off within a span of a few minutes. There’s been more than one occasion when somebody just came up with an idea and before you know it we were packed, had our directions printed out (in the pre-GPS, smart phone era that is), and were on our way!
Getting ready for a trip and making sure everything goes as per schedule is not easy when you have young kids and their unpredictable moods, tantrums and emergencies to tackle. Which is why leaving for the airport at least 2 hours ahead of your flight, finding parking space and going through security lines can get somewhat stressful.  So, when time isn’t too much of a constraint and the idea is to have a relaxed family vacation, we prefer to drive. It gives us the chance to accommodate last minute delays and unexpected tot trouble. Taking the car allows flexibility in terms of space too – we get to carry way more than we would be allowed to on a plane. From food, water, beverages and snacks to extra toys, books, CDs and other items to keep the tots entertained – I just love the fact that we can feel at home in our car. To me, it’s like taking our living room on the road. We bring along board games, cards, books, magazines, crosswords, puzzles, coloring books, crayons and more recently the portable DVD player to use as a last resort. I’ve had the experience of flying 20-hour flights with my daughter to visit family on the other side of the planet and well, given the choice, I would pick a road trip over a long-haul flight with kids any day. I shudder when I think about the time I tried feeding my daughter in the cramped Coach seat of an airplane – her food jar in one hand, spoon in another, while balancing her on my lap. Trust me – traveling with a baby or toddler on a long-haul flight is NO fun. On the other hand, consider the freedom of a road trip. Time for a diaper change? Stop at a rest area. Baby getting cranky? Put on her favorite music or read her a story or two. Or allow her a few minutes to stretch her legs and run around during your rest stop. Anyone hungry? Stop for a quick snack. Better yet, bring your own snacks and drinks so you don’t have to waste time taking exits, waiting in line or placing your order at the drive through. (We’re vegetarians who prefer home-cooked food. So taking along snacks, wraps and other items from home is a great time (and money) saver for us.)

Family Time – Before Tweeting, Texting, It Was Called ‘Bonding’
Everyone from Oprah to Elmo’s talking about it. Thanks to our modern day lifestyle, spending quality time with family doesn’t fit into most of our schedules. A long road trip is the perfect opportunity to do the one thing we seem to have the least time for – talk. Not Tweet or Follow or Like or Friend. Instead just have a conversation like the olden days. Our family has some of the best times during road trips. We tell jokes, share secrets, discuss news, books, movies and crushes (when my older nieces and nephews visit). There’s a lot of laughing, teasing, some gossipping and arguing, even occasional sulking, but I’ll tell you one thing you won’t hear – the dreaded, “Are we there yet?”

When my daughter was a baby, my husband and I took turns driving while the other sat beside her and entertained her. We would read books, sing rhymes, do finger plays and play with sock puppets, mimic family members, play peek-a-boo, count trucks or trees, name clouds or just have a good time giggling with her. Those are some of our most memorable moments with our daughter. A road trip gives busy parents and young babies just what they may need but don’t get very often- uninterrupted time and undivided attention. With older kids or among couples, road trips offer wonderful opportunities to catch up on school, friends, workplace gossip, future plans and everything else under the sun. My husband and I have had life-altering discussions in our car – we even picked out our daughter’s name on the 10-hour drive back from our babymoon!

Cost -Hidden and Obvious
This one’s a no-brainer. Families wanting to save on airfare naturally choose to drive. But, you may actually be saving more than you know. Take into account the checked-in baggage fees that most airlines charge these days. And the cost of hiring a cab to the airport or the long term parking fee and a rental car at your destination. Don’t forget – baggage weight restrictions and TSA rules don’t allow you to carry everything you’d like to. Travel gurus advise you to pack lightly and to buy other essentials at your destination. So, you may end up buying diapers, baby food, umbrellas and other items you may need at your destination, adding to your vacation expense. Besides, I don’t know about you – but the last thing my family wants to do on a vacation is spend time at the drug and grocery store shopping for mundane items. When you drive, you have the freedom to bring these items from home. Simply carry cartons of bottled water, juice and snacks in bulk with you instead of buying them individually on the road and paying more.

The Experience – ‘Mommy the plane isn’t moving’
Let’s face it. There isn’t much of a view from up there. When we were flying back after a vacation in Asia, my 3-year-old daughter asked me why the plane wasn’t moving. Well, you won’t face that particular problem on the road. On the other hand, a road trip offers plenty to see, experience and enjoy. Whether it’s panoramic views of mountains and lakes or the skyline of big cities, the quaint simplicity of small towns or the gradually changing scenery as you travel from one state to another – whatever your taste, there’s sure to be something for you to take away from a road trip. Besides the views, there’s something about a road trip that I can’t quite put a finger on, but which is lacking in every other mode of transport. Maybe it’s the fact that you have to be involved in the process and the confusion and wonder that ensues (Honey, where’s the map, Did we miss the exit?, Oh no! I reset the GPS!). Or the freedom to stop and smell the proverbial roses along the way. (We’ve stopped at countless scenic overlooks and picnic rest areas that weren’t in our itinerary over the years and never regretted the few minutes it set us back!) Or the fact that it’s just us…no prying co-passengers or flight attendants, nobody casting you annoying glances because your child is crying. And tell me…who really enjoys waiting in line at the airport security check to have their bags, shoes and bodies scanned? I appreciate why it’s necessary but, given the choice, I would rather travel a little longer by road than be subjected to that every time I go on vacation.

A road trip, even one with kids, can be as much fun as you make it. Of course, certain things help. For example, if two or more people share the driving, if the kids nap like they’re supposed to, if traffic doesn’t hold you up and if the weather is beautiful. But, even if everything doesn’t go as planned, guess what – YOU get to make the call! You can change course, pay aunt Jane a surprise visit on the way, stop for a break, take a nap, capture some memories in your camera and then be on your way. Now which airline offers you that kind of convenience and freedom? I haven’t come across any. And until I do, I stand by my verdict: A 14-hour road trip is so much more relaxing, enjoyable and fun than a 1.5 hour flight!

Do you take road trips with your family? What’s your experience been like? Would you rather fly or drive if given the choice?

Safety First Potty ‘n Step Stool-courtesy of safety1st.com

When our son first began showing interest in the ‘big potty,’ my husband and I dashed out to buy him his own miniature version. We settled on the Safety First Potty ‘n Step Stool.  It can either be used as its own small potty or the seat can come off and be placed on an adult toilet with the potty base turning into a stool.  This was perfect for me for two reasons: 1) I can’t stand emptying toddler potties; I turn a faint shade of green just at the thought, and 2) we would take the toilet seat itself on road trips to use in the hotel rooms and…yep, for stops along the side of the road.  And I literally mean the side of the road.  We had to pull over so frequently at first that my husband was always on the watch for one of the deep, U-shaped pull-outs along the side of the I-15; these were the only safe ones to use as they sit a good distance from the highway.  Sadly, it wasn’t long before we’d memorized the location of each of these along both the North- and South-bound sides of the interstate.  At first I was embarrassed to be seen pulling a potty seat from our trunk but I soon realized that half the cars speeding past didn’t give us a second glance and the other half were occupied by parents of toddlers or one-time toddlers themselves and they’d been there too. 

Once the potty seat was in hand the usual routine commenced: I dug a hole in the ground with the heel of my shoe and set the seat on top of it.  Then I took our son from his car seat, pulled down his pants in the back seat then plopped him down on the potty.  He’d grab the handles on his portable throne and tap his toes together happily while doing ‘the deed.’  Once he was done I’d hurry him back into the car, pull up his pants, and strap him in before returning the potty seat to the trunk.  It was a ridiculous scene but it worked.  The training continued without interruption and it wasn’t long before I’d learned the essential steps that made road trips while potty training bearable.

1.  Take extra precautions.  While your child might wear regular underwear at home, it’s tempting fate a bit to leave them on a beginner for long road trips.  We put our son in Pull-Ups to guard against any accidents.  That way if we ran into something unexpected—he didn’t tell us in time, a road closure, bad weather, etc.—we wouldn’t have to worry.

2.  Keep a couple extra sets of clothes handy just in case.  Beginning potty trainers can still have accidents even while you’re rushing to set them on the seat.  Keeping clean clothes in an accessible spot makes quick changes a lot easier since you won’t have to unload the trunk to get to a suit case.

3.  Bring your own potty seat.  It’s a lot more comfortable for a toddler just getting started on potty training to have the potty or seat that he’s accustomed to using at home.  Bring it with you if possible.  It makes road-side stops and hotel visits a lot easier!

4.  Pack disposable seat covers.  We were fortunate that our son didn’t mind using ‘strange’ potties while we were away from home or the hotel room but often times those bathrooms didn’t have their own seat covers.  We found this to be especially true of the restrooms we used along the road.  Disposable covers are self-adhesive and stick to the seat far more securely than just lining it with toilet paper.

5.  Make sure to bring along some baby wipes or toilet paper.  These come in handy for obvious reasons!

I’m glad to say with our son’s potty-training nearly a year behind us, road trips have become much easier.  That isn’t to say that we don’t still need to make stops, but now he’s usually able to hold it long enough for us to get to an actual bathroom.  The days of hauling out the little potty-seat are past…at least for the moment.  It won’t be long before we’re starting all over again with our daughter.  Hmmm, I hope we still remember where all those highway pull-offs are!

Most articles I’ve read say baby walkers are dangerous, specifically because many babies have pushed themselves down stairs.  First of all, I never leave him in the walker unattended. It also has built in barriers on the bottom to prevent it from going down the stairs.  As soon as either the front or the back wheels happen to fall off an edge, the barriers hold it in position like brake pads.  Another common concern is that walkers can impede their walking development because they don’t learn how to balance themselves. This is a valid concern, however I always give my son plenty of time to play in his Superyard so he can exercise his little leg muscles and practice walking along the gate.  I don’t keep him in the walker for hours, just a very short time to mix things up a bit for him, or if I need to go into the other room.  Plus, he loves it when I push him around and sing to him.  Keeping a close watch on him at all times is very important, and the built in barriers are also good insurance.

Our house is set up so there is a wall in between the living room and the kitchen/dining area.  I always have to keep our son close when I cook or do dishes so I can keep an eye on him.   Initially I bought the walker so I’d have a place to put him while I was in the kitchen, but we found a few other great uses for it!

The Baby Trend walker is very handy to have when I’m either cooking or cleaning in the kitchen.  It has a few toys attached and we always give him other small toys to play with and chew on. It’s great because it’s a nice change of venue, he stays entertained, he’s near me, and I am able to get a few things accomplished throughout the day.

Over time, we also discovered it was great for traveling.  It folds very easily, it’s light weight, and easy to store in the trunk of our car.  We brought it to our sister’s and parents’ house several times and he loves to be able to run around the place.  I don’t have to worry about their house being baby proofed as there isn’t much he can reach.  It doesn’t work so well on carpet, so we are lucky that our entire family has wood floors in all of their homes.  He can maneuver it quite well as he roams forward, backward and even turns around.

Lately, we’ve been using it upstairs in our bedroom to have a place for him to walk around while we’re getting ready in the morning.  He isn’t locked up in his crib alone, and he can see us, play and interact with us while giving us our much needed time to primp.

Over the past few months, he’s grown from just sitting in it and playing, to walking, turning and even running in it!  He starts laughing hysterically as he runs around in it.  I’m certainly glad we have it to occupy him at home and while we travel.

Right now we have it permanently set up in our living room, and there are a ton of Christian’s toys set up in it for him to play with whenever he wants.  We have hardwood floors, so we laied out a set of mats underneath so Christian doesn’t bump his head if he falls.  The mats fit together like a puzzle, and he loves to pull up the edges off and chew on them.  It’s like another toy for him to play with!

We first bought and set up the Superyard when Christian started crawling at around 7 months.  The goal was to give him a safe area to play.  We like to refer to it as his “happy play area”, although some of our friends have made fun of us by calling it a cage.  It’s not a cage, its a happy play area that he can roam around and call his own!

We use the Superyard all the time when traveling by car because it folds easily into one block and comes with a small handle to carry.  It’s light weight and fits easily into our trunk.  In addition to the folded up Superyard, we make sure to also bring the foam mats and a bucket of toys.  We’ve brought it several times to our sister’s house and also to our parent’s place.  We spend a good portion of our Sundays with the family and it’s very convenient to have Superyard.  Our son’s two cousins (5, and 7) also love join in and play with him and his toys.

The nice thing about this contraption is that at least for now it saves us from having to baby-proof the house.  With all the work and chores I need to do each day while taking care of Christian, I think it’s safe to say that this Superyard has saved my life!  Each morning I bring Christian downstairs so he can play in his yard after I’ve fed and changed him.  He usually wakes up around 6am, and by 7am, he’s very eager to crawl around.  I’m pregnant again and for the past month I’ve had a very bad case of morning sickness, so it really helps to be able to relax on the couch while I watch him play in his yard.  I made sure to stock his yard full of toys so he is always entertained. There’s a small cubby area in one end of the yard where we set up a few pillows and blanket for him if he wants to relax.  I’ve seen him crawl over to it several times and lay down.  Even though it’s only for a few seconds, he seems to like it.

Our son is not yet walking, but he is very close.  He’s at a stage where he can pull himself up to stand.  He even walks around while holding on to the railing.  Unfortunately, we know that his days playing in the Superyard are numbered as he is so close to walking.  We’re convinced that once he starts walking, he’ll want out of there.  At that time I’m sure he will actually think of it as a cage.  His level of sophistication is improving and each day while he’s in his Superyard he surprises us with some of his new abilities.  Of course when he gets bored or wants something he will make it very clear.  He’ll get up and hold on to the gate while yelling at us to come get him! 

Our son is still at a stage where he spits up quite frequently.  Sometimes I don’t catch it in time and before I know it, he’s rubbing his hands in it and all over himself.  We have to keep a small rag around to mop up the mess when it does happen.  The nice thing about the foam mats is that it is an easy cleanup.

I don’t know what I would do without our Super Yard!  I absolutely love it and would recommend it to anyone.

In less than two weeks we will be on a five hour flight to Maui with our ten month old son. The primary reason for the trip is to attend the wedding of two good friends.  Of course the prospect of spending a week on the Kaanapali coast at the fine Royal Lahaina Resort can easily qualify as a primary reason for the trip as well! 

Right now the biggest challenge ahead of the trip is figuring out what to bring.  As we all know the airlines charge hefty fees for overweight baggage not to mention the already annoying standard per/bag charges each way.

So, for this summer trip where we’ll be basking in the sun, we’ve narrowed it down to the following:

Pool and beach gear

First, we have 2 different floats we’d like to bring.  One is a whale float where the tail curls around to provide shade for our son’s little head.  The second float is one that has a large built in shade which covers a greater area.  It’s definitely easier to travel with because it folds up into a small circle.

We will also want to bring a few teethers we can throw in the freezer.  These are great for when we’re at the pool because they’re nice and cold and feel good on his gums.  He’s always teething and putting everything in his mouth.

We also need swimmy diapers so Christian can go in the pool without contaminating it.  I usually use the Little Swimmers which work great.  The only real difference between the swim diapers and regular ones are that they aren’t that absorbent, so he won’t feel like he’s soaked up the entire pool in his pants.

I will bring at least 4-5 swimsuits for him so that I can spend lots of time lounging at the pool each day. The swimsuits definitely get dirty between the chlorine and his feedings. I’ve found that Target and Old Navy have the cutest and least expensive options.  Along with that I have to have matching hats to keep his little head cool.  Lately he has been pulling hats off his head as soon as I put them on, so now I’m one step ahead by making sure to use the ones with a little strap underneath.  Also, I will bring the cutest little baby robe I’ve ever seen.  It’s blue and has a little whale on it.  It helps to keep him warm and dry after he gets out of the pool.

One thing we can’t forget to bring are the different types of baby sunscreen that I bought.  I have a baby Coppertone spray which works great for his arms and legs, then I use the Baby Aveeno brand cream for his face. 

I’m not sure how hot it will be there, so I’m going to bring this really cool misting fan that I bought at Target.  If I remember correctly, it wasn’t that expensive and it really cooled Christian down quite a bit when we were in Palm Desert.  Of course the weather in Hawaii will be cooler with the highs in the low to mid 80s, but the humidity level will be much higher than in Palm Desert!

We are also bringing a small pop up tent for tots!  The great thing about this is that it folds up to a small circle just like one of his floaties, so it doesn’t take up any additional space.  This will be great when we hang on the beach.

Airport necessities

For the airport, we definitely need his Graco Snugride car seat, stroller and baby carrier.  Thank God he still fits in his car seat. He’s been using it since he was born.  He hasn’t outgrown it yet, which means we can still use the Snap-N-Go stroller which the car seat fits directly into.  This stroller is great because it’s lightweight, folds easily and great for traveling.  We will transport him from the car seat to his Ergo carrier right before we board the plane.  This lets me be hands free while the airline staff stows the car seat and stroller.  I’ve learned to be careful not to leave anything attached to the car seat when checking it because in my experience it disappears quickly, and they have no idea what happens to it (nor do they care).  When our son was still an infant, we had the newborn insert in his car seat which turned up missing after we got off our flight.  I was really disappointed, but what can you do?  Plus, the Ergo will allow me to safely and securely keep Christian on my lap while we fly, assuming he’ll let me keep him in there.  One time I was told by a flight attendant that I couldn’t keep my child in the Ergo carrier during take off.

Of course, we will need regular diapers.  We only use Pampers which I’ve been using since our son was born.  I was hooked once I realized they had a yellow stripe that turns blue to let us know when he peed!  Since then, I’ve been a loyal customer.  I’ve tried the Costco brand and even Huggies, but they didn’t seem to compare.  So, I’ll also need his Bordeaux’s Butt Paste and Baby Powder for his butt… not to mention plenty of wipes.  Since we’re bringing his diaper bag on the plane with us, I’ll have those necessities packed in there.

I was also told to have tons of snacks for Christian on the plane to help keep in occupied.  Especially ones that take him a while to chew on.  So, I bought Baby Mum-Mums, Earth’s Best Teething Biscuits and Gerber Apple Wheels.  As Always I’ll have his Happy Baby Organic Green Puffs (which he absolutely loves).  All of these will travel well on the plane and shouldn’t take up too much space.  Since Christian will be awake a few hours on the flight before he goes to sleep, we’ll need the snacks to entertain him at least for a little while.

Wherever we go, I never dare to travel without bringing along multiple pacifiers.  We’re at a stage now where we’re trying to wean him off of them and only give them to him either when he sleeps or when we’re in public and he’s extremely fussy.  So, on the plane…we will definitley need them!  They also help with his ears popping.

Feeding

I will be bringing a fair amount of baby food.  Usually I use a combination of Earth’s Best and Gerber, but I think for travelling purposes, I’ll bring the Gerber because they come in plastic containers, as opposed to glass jars.  We will be stopping at the grocery store when we’re there so I won’t have to bring a ton.  We also feed Christian cut up vegetables, beans, tofu, fresh fruit, cheese and an assortment of other food which we can pick up when we’re there.

I also have some boxes of travel packets of Earth’s Best organic cereal.  These are great for not only traveling, but also making cereal outside of our kitchen.  They are individually wrapped packages of cereal, so you just open it and add formula. 

With the cereal, I’ll need to bring a travel food container so I can mix it all up and bring other food to the pool. This means I will also need travel baby spoons and our travel container that holds three 9 oz portions of formula.  This will keep me from having to bring extra milk with me where I won’t have a refrigerator.  And, I will bring plenty of disposable bibs for being out and about along with one full-length Bumkins Bib to use in the room.  I will also need to bring his cooler bag to store his food throughout the day while we’re away from the fridge.  It is a bag that has ice packs built in to keep bottles and small containers of food cold.

Instead of bringing a high chair, I’ve decided to try a new gadget.  On the website onestepahead.com, I saw a harness that I’m going to try.  It’s multifunctional.  When you’re on the plane, you can use it to strap your child to you in the airplane seat.  Since we’re not getting Christian his own seat, this should come in very handy.  Also, you can use it to strap your child to any chair for feeding.  I’m hoping this will work for his feedings.  Time will tell!

Although Christian hasn’t really taken to a sippy cup yet, I think I’m going to bring one to test it out again.  Each time I try to get him to drink out of it, the milk ends up spilling out all over the place.  Or, if I use the Born Free transitional sippy cup which has a nipple-like top, he can’t figure out how to suck out of it.  I don’t know, we’ll try again!

Of course we’ll also need formula.  I’m not bringing a ton of it with me because it’s something we can pick up at the store.  However I will have plenty with me (at least a few days worth) just in case.  We’ve always used Similac Sensitive because it’s the only kind I could get him to drink.  When I first introduced formula to him at 4 months, our Pediatrician (Dr. Christine Curtis) gave us a few bins of the Enfamil.  I was so excited because I know how expensive they are.  I gave some to Christian, and he gagged… multiple times!  So, I had to go to the store and pick up 3 different kinds of formula to see which one he’d actually drink.  Since then I’ve tried to give him the Enfamil again and he won’t touch it.  I even tried the Costco Kirkland formula which someone gave me, but he wouldn’t drink that either.  So, Similac it is!

I think I’ll bring at least 2 Born Free BPA-Free bottles for the formula to use while I’m there.  Since we’ll have a kitchen in our hotel room I think I’ll also bring a bottle brush to clean them daily.

Bathing

It’s tough to figure out how to bathe our son while on vacation without his special bathtub, but I’ve found that when I bring just the padded bathtub mat with me traveling, it works great!  The mat folds up flat and has suction cups lined on the bottom to prevent slipping.  Usually while on vacation, I’ll get in the tub with our son to bathe him to hold him up and make sure I can get him clean especially after a long day at the pool.  I better not forget to bring at least a few tub toys and his Huggies Baby Wash (of which I love the smell).

Clothing

I’m changing things up a little bit when it comes to clothing.  Last time we went to Hawaii, I brought all of these cute little outfits for him to wear at night and show off his baby style.  The problem is that he was always asleep by 5pm before we went to dinner, and when we returned to the hotel room I had to either try and put on his sleeper or just let him sleep in his dinner outfit.  This time I’m going to do things a little differently.  I’m just going to bring an outfit or two for him, plenty of swimsuits, and a ton of sleepers!  He’ll wear his swimsuits during the day and his sleeper at night.  I think he’ll be a lot more comfortable.

Sleeping

For sleeping aids, we always bring his “silky” as I call it, his Sleep Sheep noisemaker, and a comfortable blanket.  His silky is a small portion of a soft, supple blanket that has a small puppy head sewn on the top.  Christian loves to feel on it and have it touching his cheek as he falls asleep.  Also, his Sleep Sheep is a lifesaver!  This travel noisemaker plays one of 4 soothing sounds including whales, rain, ocean and a bubbling stream.  It does a great job in masking the outside noise level changes and lasts up to 45 minutes when one of the buttons are pushed.   I also make sure I have a comfortable blanket for him to sleep with.  The Aden and Anais blanket is perfect for covering him after he’s fallen asleep.  It’s large, think and lightweight which allows some breathing room for him as he sleeps.

Toys and Teething Aids

Also, with our boy teething quite a bit, I’ll bring Baby Orajel, Homeopathic Teething tablets, Children’s Motrin fever reducer and a thermometer. 

As far as toys go, we’ll have to bring a few that travel well and don’t take up too much room.  I think I’m going to buy some new toys that he’s never seen before to occupy him on the plane, but we’re definitely bringing Sophie the teething giraffe, and his Baby Einstein music player that plays classical music with corresponding lights.  He loves these!

I’m pregnant again with our second child, so I can’t forget my Nature Made Multi + DHA prenatal vitamins.  I don’t know why, but it’s so hard for me to remember to take them each day!  I literally have to set the bottle on the kitchen counter so I’ll see it each morning to remind me.  I buy these at Costco in bulk and they’re great!  They’re a lot cheaper at Costco than buying them at the local drug store.

Last but not least we better not forget our camera and extra batteries!  We don’t want to miss any of our tots’ precious moments!  After all, if they are not caught on film did it really happen? Aloha!