The plan is to play with old friends for a few days until Todd gives me the word that he's headed to Sacramento (we may only have a few hours notice on this - who knows with that darn army). Then go meet up with the sexy demon and do some apartment hunting before we hop a flight back to Utah. All the timing is variable, so I only bought a one-way ticket out. We may be there a week, it may be two or more.So the question is, how much baby gear do I pack? Todd and I are masters of carry-on only, but I'm pretty sure that went out the window last December first, due to the arrival of the cutest baby on the planet.
Aaw, so sweet!I did not buy Hazel a seat on the plane. She'll be riding on my lap. But do I still bring her carseat (and consequently haul it all over the airport all by my lonesome, while juggling Haz and all our baggage) or do I shell out the $12 a day to get one with our rental car? I can just see me limping through the terminal, dropping things here, there, and everywhere, while Hazel cries and wants to get out and play.
Which brings me to the stroller. In my mind, it's a lifesaver. Hazel's got a spot to be other than my arms, there's a basket to help carry some of our hud. But it's no umbrella stroller. It's a chunky Graco.
This thing is enormous.But can I really live for two weeks without either of these items? Are they more than worth all the agony of lugging them around? I kind of suspect they are.
So would anyone with airport/baby travel experience please let me know how important these things are, and tell it to me straight: how much of a pain is that carseat in the airport?
10 comments:
i always thought you checked the carseat with luggage and stroller goes with you up to the gate right? some of todd's luggage can go in the rear seat of the car with Hazel or maybe the stroller would fit there. I think you could make it work and I don't think you will want to live without it. But you didn't ask my advice :) since I don't have airport baby experience.
my brother and sister-in-law are mass family travel experts - they hauled themselves to Australia to live for two years with 3 kids -- I will email her for advice
Oh my goodness! I miss I had some kind of advice to give you but... nope... none, I'll ask my sisters-in law.
Check the car seat and all your luggage, i HATE taking that thing (car seat) through security anyways. Take the stroller back and leave it at the gate.
I usually do travel w/ my umbrella stroller though, just because it fits through security better and it's easier for me to fold up with one hand. But every once in awhile the big stroller is worth it, if there's going to be lots of walking once we get to our destination.
Just bring a back pack with all your stuff for the flight, it's not that long of a flight so you shouldn't need to much.
That's my advice. :) Have fun!
I would check the carseat as well...for sure don't lug it through the airport -- and even though you didn't buy hazel a seat, you can check the carseat for free.
i always travel with a stroller. we do have a semi-umbrella one. great to have and you can gate check it (the only crappy part is security because you have to fold it down and send it through the machine.)
as far as when you are with your things...i carry my kids in the bjorn and then load up the stroller with the carseat and the suitcases, etc. even in my small stroller, i could totally put the suitcase topped with the carseat and had it work great.
about your trip...let us know if you have time to see us! we would love to play with you guys (but i get busy schedules when traveling so don't feel obligated.) so glad todd will be home soon!
oh, and with the packing of clothes, etc...if you are around where we are, you are more than welcome to do laundry if the need arises.
I had to travel with my two kids by myself, and I would have to say the stroller is a must. You do just check the seat at check in and then you have the stroller through out the airport. I had to get a sit and stand stroller, and it is not huge, just long, and it worked great in the airport with my kids. It gives you the help you need when you don't have others to help. The Security thing is a pain having to fold it up and take your shoes and baby shoes etc off but once you get through that it's a brezze to have stroller. I always had lots of nice strangers that help me get through secuirty. Most understand because they have been there in there lifetime doing the same thing your having to do. Once you get to the gate you just get a pink tag and check at the gate and then you pick it up at the gate when you get off the plane, so it ready for you to use in the next airport. You'll do great, it just takes going through it to figure it out. it's not so bad, just be prepared to we worn out, it's work to travel but so worth it.
i'm with kesley and courtni. and congrats that your LONG year is almost over!
Key advice: take as little as you can get away with. Get a cheap stroller and hang a tote bag on the handles for some of your incidentals. It is lighter, folds up so easy, and won't kill your trip if the airline breaks it. My sister has done this several times. Also, laundromats are a-plenty in Cali. Take a week's worth of clothes and launder. Buy diapers there. You aren't going to third world Asia, take advantage of that.
i traveled with ashli a lot her first year...sometimes on my own too. check the carseat...they should have big plastic bags to put it in, just ask. take the stroller and gate check it. i had to fold it up for the security check while holding her...it's a pain, but doable, and sometimes you might get help from other passengers. do you need a pack n play for her to sleep in while you're out here? let me know if you do :)
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