Traveling with a baby on an airplane

As mentioned in this post, baby Willow went on her first flight just shy of her 4 week birthday.
It was an hour flight each way and from pretty small airports.
We have a 4.5 hr flight next week out of two of the largest airports in the country so this was a big test run for that, to find what works and what doesn't.

I read this blog post of helpful hints from Jamie at C.R.A.F.T. on the subject awhile ago and took most things into consideration.

In my experience, so far, this is what I have learned 

( I am by no means an expert, but this is what worked for us)

1. Wear your baby

I love wearing my baby (since I don't have a stroller), she usually falls asleep and I can nurse her while wearing it and nobody knows 

This  blog post from Our Knight Life on baby wearing and breast feeding really struck with me because I was having so much difficulty and self conscious issues doing it in public. I read the post and started practicing and it has saved my sanity.

Also, when wearing your baby during security, YOU DO NOT NEED TO TAKE THEM OFF. 

2. Ask for stuff

Ask your friends and family at your destination (that you trust)  if they have  a car seat or anything else you may need to limit the amount of STUFF you need to bring.
I know my friends and family were more than willing to help and even offered.

With this trip and the trip we will be taking next week to Illinois, our friends have offered to help and let us borrow. As an option car rentals also rent car seats, but take that at your own risk

3. The rule of 3's

If bringing formula, only make 3 oz or bring 3 oz of water and you will not have a problem

I supplement and sometimes in the car or in public she just wants a bottle. I had one made specifically for take offs and landings which we never used but we had it ready just in case.

4. Fly Southwest

( this is not a paid post and I was paid or perked to promote this company in any way)

So, Southwest does not have assigned seating it goes by when you check in for the flight. You are allowed to check in 24 hrs before hand. If you get a boarding pass in the 'A'  section you are amount the first 60 people on the plane and can pretty much choose anywhere. Southwest also does mommy boarding between the 'A' group and 'B' group in case you muss out and still get a decent seat.

Also, with southwest you can check up to two bags for FREE.

This made my life easier because In The terminal I only had to worry about my baby and the backpack full of all of our stuff we needed. When flying with an infant it's no longer about your entertainment for the flight it's all about there's. 

5. Bring baby's birth certificate or birth record 

I had brought this sheet of paper with me "just in case" because of Jamie's post and I needed it both ways. Although baby is lap sitting with you, they still need there own boarding pass.

6. Clothes for mama
I have found if I wear a "nicer" shirt, I wear a nursing tank underneath so that when I breast feed the nicer shirt goes up and nursing tank goes down and still covers your torso. This is what works for us and makes me feel like I am not flashing the whole world my boobs. You will still have to take off your shoes at security so wear slip ons. I made this mistake the first flight and wore boots in which I singe handedly had to unzip and try to put on while wearing the baby. With any flights bring a sweater cause it gets cold on the plane and be comfortable.

7. Feed the baby
You want to feed the baby or have them suck on something during take off and landings. I had the baby in the carrier in the airports while we were waiting for our flights and she fed while I was walking around so for the flight she was asleep. I AM NOT GOING TO WAKE A SLEEPING BABY to hope they go back to sleep, it doesn't work that way. So during take offs and landings I just put a pacifier in her mouth and we were good during both flights.


(baby sleeping on the plane)

8. Family bathrooms
I now look for these since becoming a mom and they are AMAZING. It is a giant room with a changing table, usually built into the counter not those plastic fold down ones, a toilet, large sink and just room to move and take your time. It was nice to be able to use the bathroom and not think these is someone waiting for me in that long line or I need to hurry up and change the baby.

These are my helpful hints.
 Is there anything you do while flying?


~ Steph ~

baby update: 1 month

Miss Willow is 1 month old (as of last week), I am a little late to the party.

Our time at home started a little rough with jaundice and weight issues, we had to start supplementing and sunbathing our little peanut. As of her 4th day of life she was back up to 6.7 lbs from 6.3 lbs the day before and her jaundice levels were within normal, so we were in the clear.

we attempted a milk in where we stayed inside all day and just nursed the heck out her trying to increase my milk supply. 

At two weeks old, we still had out belly button stub and were showing off our muscles. 

At three weeks, grandma Sena visited from chicago. 

We had another drs apt and she was 7.13 lbs and 21 1/2 in long.

we also started doing tummy time. 

Right before four weeks, we took our first airplane ride to sacramento to meet auntie k and uncle s and meet up with daddy for the weekend. She slept on both flights and did really well until we were on the ground and not moving.

we took a ferry to san francisco for the day

beautiful views from the back of the ferry

on the airplane on the way back home.

Miss Willow at a whole month.

She can hold up her head sometimes, likes the car seat about 70% of the time, loves baths, likes to fight sleep, and eats her hands a lot.

~ Steph ~

It's a ...

GIRL! 

Introducing baby Willow Leigh 

Born August 31st at 758 pm 

Weighing 7lb 1 oz and 21 inches long

We are absolutely in love with her

Things are all rainbows and butterflies here and life with a newborn is hard but it's worth it

~ Steph ~

My pregnancy must-haves

So, I know you see these lists all over Pinterest, 

but low and behold I am a little different and these are the items that worked for me.
(this can be too much detail for some people, so just stop reading now if that's you) 

As I approach the end of the this AMAZING journey, I have compiled a list of things I could not live without during my pregnancy.. they are pretty basic but life savers

1. Well one of the first signs I knew I was pregnant was that my boobs hurt for months. At the beginning of my pregnancy my boobs grew and I was no longer fitting into my regular bras. So, I had a bra fitting at Soma and they measured me a little big and these bras have gotten me through my whole pregnancy. These are the Soma Embraceable bras and I just loved the fit. It's amazing how you feel when your boobs are supported.

2. It took me over half of my pregnancy to find underwear to fit and be comfortable. These are the ones I settled on, they are the low rise cheekini's at Victoria's secret. Problems I had with other underwear is that it would not fit my butt, the leg wholes were too tight or the waist didn't fit under my belly. These just seem to be the best of all those things.

3. MY BODY PILLOW.. I bought a $10 one from target and it became my boy friend. It is the best thing since sliced bread. It supports you without kicking your husband out of the bed.

4. OK so my thighs touch and it sucks especially in shorts and dresses and than add the sun, yeah no thanks. This stuff I use while running for the same purpose and it is a life saver.

5. I lived in maternity yoga pants, they are so comfortable and you can wear them out of the house with out looking like a bum. It's part of uniform these days.

So, there you have it.. my pregnancy must haves to make you feel a little more comfortable.

What are your must haves?

Stay tuned for my work must haves (I work 12 hours on my feet)

~ Steph ~

A different perspective

As I sit in my wonderful little sanctuary of a backyard on this perfect summer evening,

One can't help but wonder what life will be like in the next few days to weeks  with a newborn.

I sit back here with my feet proped up, listening to the cars go by and the neighbor dogs bark sporadically and it all seems so peaceful. 

I know my life will never be the same and

I am just trying to take it all in while I can.

~ Steph~

Bump update: week# 39

  So, this week I got that burst of energy everyone talks about. Holy cow nesting has been in full effect around these parts, look for updates soon.
 This week was much better than last few weeks and the weather has been so nice, which helps everything.
I am still working for anyone that wants to know, my Dr would like me to work as long as possible but this is my last week.

How Far Along: 39 weeks.. wait, what? no way. Yeah that's crazy.

Total Weight Gain/Loss: +24.5lbs (I lost 1/2 lb from Drs apt last week)

Maternity Clothes: Yes, but they are getting tight

Stretch Marks: Yes.

Best Moment this week: Going on some date nights with the hubby and picking up our cloth diapers. Watching P learn how to use cloth diapers was priceless. 

Miss Anything: having my body back

Movement: I feel like it's non-stop, especially at night (when I am usually working)

Sleep: is all I want to do, it's getting more comfortable or maybe I have become a pro at adjusting all my pillows

Food: Loving fruit and anything cold

Anything Making you Queasy or Sick: No my appetite picked up again

Have you started to show:  I FEEL HUGE

Gender predictions: still think it's a boy

Labor Signs: Nope no where near, I got check no dilation or effacement.. lucky me. The bean is still in there cooking 

Belly Button In or Out: Innie

Wedding ring on or off: On

Happy or Moody: Happy, having more energy

Looking forward: To meeting my little bean. I can't believe I am going to have my own human soon.

~ Steph ~



Team Green

This article has been floating around the internet and I found it so true

As you guys know by now, I do not know the sex of our child.

 I really can't wait to meet our little bean, I guess it doesn't really matter as long as it's healthy.

According to these wives tales I was split right down the middle.

I LOVE hearing peoples predictions and why they think that way.

I also feel like I am not inindated with gender specific things, which I really like because who says that girls have to like girly things and boys have to be into sports.

At 38 weeks, I keep going back and forth but right now I think it's going to be a boy.
What do you think?

I am super excited that its almost time.  

~ Steph ~