We are really starting to get organized for this trip of 18 days in Australia with about 10 being in a Hotel and 8 with family in the suburbs.
Our daughter has had recurrent ear infections for the past few months so we are happy that she finally got the all clear and that the weather is warm, so hopefully she will remain well until we fly.
I have ordered special ear plugs for everyone for the flight, just in case, I don't need anyone extra grumpy on the 15 hour flight. We leave at 10pm at night but our son never slept at all the last time we did this flight, so I am planning on a repeat. That way if I get sleep it will be a bonus.
We got our gogo travelmate yesterday. Now we have wheels for his car seat!!! I am very excited, that we don't have to carry it through the airport. And if he doesn't want to sit in it we can load it up with our carry on.
Also started stocking up on table toppers, disposable bibs and cups and wipes. Things are a lot more expensive in Australia and most people with kids eat in most nights of the week, so some of these products may not even be available. It also makes sure that we have space in our bags to bring home goodies.
Things still to do:
Mom needs a new passport in her married name as it is about to expire.
Need to make sure everyone has enough clothes/shoes in the right sizes for the weather.
Get carseat approved for travel from airline.
Might need to order new wheels for our double stroller.
Find a container to put our toiletries in, for our checked baggage. Looking for something that if an item breaks or leaks that it won't go through the entire bag.
Make a decision on travel cot vs inflatable air mattress for each of the kids.
I hate the noise of the inflatables everytime they roll over and they like to jump on them, so any suggestions or feedback on the travel cot would be greatly appreciated.
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Monday, February 26, 2007
Great customer service at Sheraton Anaheim
Well I can't say enough good things about the customer service at Sheraton Anaheim.
We stay at the Sheraton almost every New Years Eve and go to Disneyland for the night and then get there again before the crowds on New Years day.
On our way back from our first road trip to Vegas with an almost 3 year old and a 16 month old, we were stopping at Anaheim for the night to break up the trip and to let the kids get their Mickey fix. We got to the hotel my husband had booked to save a few extra dollars and as soon as I walked into the room I knew it wasn't going to work. The mattress on the bed was about 4 inches of foam on a box spring. I injured my back at 21 and didn't want to have a miserable nights sleep and then have to get up and spend the day with Mickey like that.
So we immediately called the Sheraton and explained our predicament. They were able to get us a room for that evening and were even able to find us one with a fridge for our daughters bottles. I was so happy to have the situation resolved, but became even more ecstatic once we got the hotel and saw the size of the room. It had 2 queen beds at the far end of the room, a sofa on oversized chair along with an entertainment system, refigerator. There was still enough space for another queen bed without making the room feel cramped. There was also a huge closet. The bathroom is a little tight but the space in the room more than makes up for that.
The Sheraton and their ability to cope with our last minute request made the vacation a success for all.
Great Rates for AAA members at Sheraton’s Worldwide! Save up to 50%!
We stay at the Sheraton almost every New Years Eve and go to Disneyland for the night and then get there again before the crowds on New Years day.
On our way back from our first road trip to Vegas with an almost 3 year old and a 16 month old, we were stopping at Anaheim for the night to break up the trip and to let the kids get their Mickey fix. We got to the hotel my husband had booked to save a few extra dollars and as soon as I walked into the room I knew it wasn't going to work. The mattress on the bed was about 4 inches of foam on a box spring. I injured my back at 21 and didn't want to have a miserable nights sleep and then have to get up and spend the day with Mickey like that.
So we immediately called the Sheraton and explained our predicament. They were able to get us a room for that evening and were even able to find us one with a fridge for our daughters bottles. I was so happy to have the situation resolved, but became even more ecstatic once we got the hotel and saw the size of the room. It had 2 queen beds at the far end of the room, a sofa on oversized chair along with an entertainment system, refigerator. There was still enough space for another queen bed without making the room feel cramped. There was also a huge closet. The bathroom is a little tight but the space in the room more than makes up for that.
The Sheraton and their ability to cope with our last minute request made the vacation a success for all.
Great Rates for AAA members at Sheraton’s Worldwide! Save up to 50%!
Sunday, February 25, 2007
LAX to Sydney with a 6 month old
We really wanted our new baby boy to meet the rest of the family. My family is unable to travel to the US due to family obligations and health conditions, so we have decided to go to them.
My husband needs no excuse to travel and he loves Sydney. The prospect of a 15 hour flight with an infant was a little daunting at first, as was the idea of packing enough of the right clothes etc.
We decided to stay in a serviced apartment instead of a hotel so that we would have a kitchen and laundry available. After much searching we were able to find one we liked at a reasonable price, close to town.
After the mistakes of our New York trip we ordered a new stroller that is more suitable for travelling. Good thing I decided that in January, when last years stock was on sale, as the other half nearly fell over when I told him the price. Going to rent or borrow a pack n play and rent a car seat so that we don't have to bring so much with us.
Well with all that planning you'd think I would have remembered that diapers (nappies in Australia) are ridiculously expensive. Make mental note to bring extra diapers next time.
The flight was interesting, we spent most of it watching to see if the little one was breathing. We have a monitor under his mattress at home to watch him breath and 15 hours of not having that and not being able to clearly see his face was a little nerve racking. As was the turbulance, we kept thinking he was going to fly out of the basinett that was attached to the wall. Turns out there are straps that are meant to be used over the basinett and that during turbulance you are meant to take the baby out of the basinnet and hold them. We found this out on our domestic flight. We also found out that if you feed the baby on take-off and landing to help the babies ears and the flights are close together, baby's belly might get full. We had a little accident on the plane .... but the flight attendants were great about it.
Personal note, if you fly longer than an hour flight make sure you bring diaper sacks with you. If your little one poops it saves you and everyone else smelling it until you land.
After a few years of living without public transport it is weird to be on a train or a bus with a baby. You forget that you should fold everything up whilst waiting for the bus, so as not to take up too much space and allow people to get on and off.
Had a great time catching up with old friends and showing hubby and little man around my home town.
My husband needs no excuse to travel and he loves Sydney. The prospect of a 15 hour flight with an infant was a little daunting at first, as was the idea of packing enough of the right clothes etc.
We decided to stay in a serviced apartment instead of a hotel so that we would have a kitchen and laundry available. After much searching we were able to find one we liked at a reasonable price, close to town.
After the mistakes of our New York trip we ordered a new stroller that is more suitable for travelling. Good thing I decided that in January, when last years stock was on sale, as the other half nearly fell over when I told him the price. Going to rent or borrow a pack n play and rent a car seat so that we don't have to bring so much with us.
Well with all that planning you'd think I would have remembered that diapers (nappies in Australia) are ridiculously expensive. Make mental note to bring extra diapers next time.
The flight was interesting, we spent most of it watching to see if the little one was breathing. We have a monitor under his mattress at home to watch him breath and 15 hours of not having that and not being able to clearly see his face was a little nerve racking. As was the turbulance, we kept thinking he was going to fly out of the basinett that was attached to the wall. Turns out there are straps that are meant to be used over the basinett and that during turbulance you are meant to take the baby out of the basinnet and hold them. We found this out on our domestic flight. We also found out that if you feed the baby on take-off and landing to help the babies ears and the flights are close together, baby's belly might get full. We had a little accident on the plane .... but the flight attendants were great about it.
Personal note, if you fly longer than an hour flight make sure you bring diaper sacks with you. If your little one poops it saves you and everyone else smelling it until you land.
After a few years of living without public transport it is weird to be on a train or a bus with a baby. You forget that you should fold everything up whilst waiting for the bus, so as not to take up too much space and allow people to get on and off.
Had a great time catching up with old friends and showing hubby and little man around my home town.
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
New York City in January with a 4 month old
Our first vacation with the baby and we left sunny California for Indiana and then New York for 3 weeks. You would think we were moving with the amount of luggage we had.
Someone should really tell you that those travel systems are great if you never go on vacation or if you have a 7 seater vehicle for only 3 people. We had a stretch town car on the way to the airport and the stroller had to come in the back with us it was so big. Just a Graco Quatro Tour but still.
It was January 2004 and it was the coldest winter on record in New York. -17 below F with wind chill. And here we were trying to go shopping and site seeing with the 4 month old in a snow suit in his stroller with a rain cover over the top to shield him from the freezing wind.
That was not nearly as funny as trying to get a cab or should I say two at Grand Central Station with our mountains of luggage.
Someone should really tell you that those travel systems are great if you never go on vacation or if you have a 7 seater vehicle for only 3 people. We had a stretch town car on the way to the airport and the stroller had to come in the back with us it was so big. Just a Graco Quatro Tour but still.
It was January 2004 and it was the coldest winter on record in New York. -17 below F with wind chill. And here we were trying to go shopping and site seeing with the 4 month old in a snow suit in his stroller with a rain cover over the top to shield him from the freezing wind.
That was not nearly as funny as trying to get a cab or should I say two at Grand Central Station with our mountains of luggage.
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