Prepping for the newest member

 Upon having Micro, and expecting Micron in a few more months weeks, Mr. Fliz and I can reassuringly say, we're somewhat experienced in infant care. Finding out we were pregnant with Micro was first and foremost, a blessing. Then the reality of it hit us, "Omg, we're having a baby." So began the endless work of preparing for our baby.

I read this piece by Kimberly Palmer for U.S News & World Report online a few months back. It has very good suggestions for parents to trim their budgets when it comes to preparing for a baby. It's a quick read and I have a few more things to suggest on the subject. Yes, I'm trying to be a conscientious consumer and trying my best to be a "green" mama (within my means, but hey, I'm trying). I'm just trying to save us all some sanity and money, ok.

Each parent(s) is(are) different in how they conduct and manage their lifestyle. Adding a child to the mix, complicates things and can be difficult. When you first find out you'll be having a baby, for some, having a beautiful nursery laden with all the coolest and most modern gadgets is a romanticized notion. The reality is, many of us can't afford those luxuries and we we'd rather have less clutter to deal with. Before hitting the registry and going 'scan happy', consult with friends that know you well that have kids already and are familiar with your lifestyle. They'll be best to talk to about what gadgets worked for them, and what they think you may or may not need. Like the piece above said, most parents end up registering for useless items (yup, we got a wipe warmer, waste of space) and end up with a bunch of non-essentials. The best advice my best friend gave us was wait til the baby came to see what else we'd need--just get the basics.

I know, I know---how many late night trips does one need to make to the grocery store or Babies R Us. But really, your baby may not like those NUK pacis, or like the nipple that came with that Dr. Brown's baby bottle. Save yourself the misery, and commiserate with other new parents at Babies R Us as you schlep some gifts to be exchanged or returned, and getting what you really need. Lucky for us, we didn't have to do this (we didn't find out the sex of Micro so most of the gifts we got were all pretty useful and needed). Though we did find ourselves at Babies R Us in the middle of the night trying to figure out what else we needed. 

There's nothing wrong with hand-me-downs. Unless you're super rich, using second-hand items for your new baby isn't the worst thing in the world. Be wary of borrowing or purchasing used car seats, cribs, high chairs, mattresses, etc...that may wear and tear faster. Baby clothes--is a perfect example. If Micron turns out to be a "little princess," well then, my best friend has me covered there. With two girls under her belt, she's passing on some of their clothes so that I won't have to go out and spend too much money buying clothes for Micron, for where there is already no space in my apartment to park it.

Utilize your online resources to find discounts or free stuff. Craigslist or Freecycle are great ways to search for baby items you don't want to splurge on.

You may receive a ton of gifts and gear when you're having your first baby. Fortunately for us, we had four baby showers and everyone was very generous... to the point our tiny two bedroom started to feel like a walk-in closet (that still is the case today). Baby items take up A LOT of space. Our second bedroom became a guest bedroom/baby room/office all-in-one.

A little planning and some resourceful thinking, you are on your way to one of life's greatest gifts--your new baby. So enjoy what's left of this thing called "sleep," privacy, and a night alone. Heck, taking a shower is a luxury. Before you know it, that stork will drop your baby on your footstep faster than you think. Besides, the only thing a child needs in this world is LOVE.

My walk down the aisle

This year, while the rest of America may have been grilling and chilling on July 4, and enjoying some fireworks, Micro was busy making his debut down the aisle. Micro made his first wedding appearance. He was the ring bearer at his aunt's wedding. 

Of course I'm a proud mama. His first walk down an aisle. You ask, "Did he?" You betcha! 

Friday night rehearsal didn't go too well as he was tired and having too much fun running around the grass with his cousins. The wedding ceremony was held outdoors (a perfect distraction for any kid--when you have beautiful green grass and flowers everywhere, it's an invitation to par-TAY!). Micro was to walk down the aisle holding hands with his beautiful cousin Miss J, one of the flower girls. Everything went fine until they saw the crowd below staring at them and Miss J got the nerves. So I ended up walking down with her, while Micro took off and actually walked down the aisle holding the ring pillow and successfully gave it to the Best Man. Mr. Fliz and I were all smiles. Fireworks were set off in our hearts as we saw our young toddler partake in this event.

The best part of it too was Micro's outfit--a barong tagalog. How adorable! He looked like a little gentlemen. Ahh, how time flies and Micro is growing too fast.

Mexico--here we come!

We just came back from a family vacation (truth be told, we were traveling for two weeks). Five nights in Cancun, Mexico. And yeah, the previous post, alludes to the fact that I did travel with Micro while 6.5 months pregnant. Am I crazy? Probably and yet, I'm happy that I did it. 

Unfortunately, during our return trip, we were greeted by some unexpected family news which had us changing our plans and flying back to the East Coast within a few days of our arrival from Mexico. So in two weeks, we had taken a total of EIGHT flights! This made for some of the most uncomfortable traveling I've ever endured in my life. 

I developed tailbone discomfort from all the cramped spaces and was always thankful when I wasn't inside an airplane. Thankfully, Micro managed to be fairly well-behaved for most of the flights. However, it was still tough for Micro. He had been surviving on several catnaps since our time in Mexico and it was continuing with the unexpected travel to and from the East coast. But he's our little traveler and has valued the open space of several airports. 

 
For more complete coverage of our trip, click here to begin. I've posted a review on TripAdvisor of our hotel as well. 

And then upon our return from the East coast, my husband and I escaped for a weekend to ourselves in Carmel, Ca. Suffice to say, my traveling days are done...FOR NOW. Wait til next year when I have Micro and Micron to lug around.

Traveling with toddler and pregnant...oh no! Make it hassle-free

I've posted before about traveling with an infant (at least my own experience, that is). This summer we're off yet to another adventure, south of the border, another beach destination. It's no secret to many of our friends and family that my dream job is to write about food & travel. Throw a toddler in the mix, a very pregnant mommy, and international travel, may sound like a recipe for disaster (or adventure! c'mon where's your adventurous spirit?). It doesn't have to be.

My best friend who now has two little girls and has only traveled to the Philippines once with her family (and at the time, had only one little one) is going overseas to Hong Kong for a trip in the next few months, and said she'd be hitting me up for suggestions about traveling with kids. Now, there's a tremendous amount of information and resources out there from experienced families and mommies whose entire blogs are all about family travel--go check them out yourself (I list some on my blogroll to the right). What can I offer that they may not have covered? Hmm, good question? Let's see, I think I have a few.

While many mommy bloggers post about great destinations for families, what type of gear to bring, and the best toys to occupy your kids while on the plane, I'm going to offer tips on packing light and right. Preparation is key. If you're anything like me, I'm a HUGE procrastinator when it comes to packing. I hate to pack, but love to travel. I've yet to reconcile the two. Many parents will overpack. Having traveled quite a bit, my best advice is to minimize non-essentials (so that leaves more room for souvenirs and no paying for that extra bag).

Research your destination. Where you will be vacationing is just as important as what you'll be packing. Knowing as much as you can about where you're headed to, aids in how much you'll need to pack. If traveling outside the U.S., check car seat restrictions (or lack thereof) and laws. Do you need to bring a car seat if renting a car (or will the rental car agency offer to rent you one)? Is it easier to use public transportation (such as trains or metros and put your baby in a sling or bjorn) where lugging a stroller might even be harder? Travelers forums are great resources to post questions and look up answers.

What supplies for babies or toddlers can I purchase at the destination without having to pack it and use up luggage space? If you're traveling internationally, it can be hard to gage whether a nearby convenience store or pharmacy will carry the diapers you prefer or the right formula your baby likes. If possible contact the concierge or someone at the front desk of your hotel or check traveler forums for possible stores where you can purchase baby items. They have a good lay of the land and can offer useful advice. Last year, we traveled to the Caribbean with Micro, and packed enough diapers and baby food jars to last us the first 3 days. During the middle of our vacation, we made a stop by a grocery store to purchase additional diapers and baby food. Through some research and smart planning, I knew that stores in St. Maarten/St. Martin carried U.S. brands of baby essentials (you'd be surprised how some places are stacked full of baby/toddler items).

If you're staying over a friend's or family member's place that don't have kids or kids the same age, think about renting baby gear and a bucket of age-appropriate toys on the cheap. No need to purchase expensive travel beds (let alone lugging them around the airport--isn't a stroller and car seat, plus your own luggage, enough to make you NOT want to travel with kids) for babies and packing all 10 of babies' favorite toys (of course, don't neglect to bring your child's favorite 'lovy" though). You can rent that stuff and have it delivered and picked up (ah, hassle free!) to/from your destination. Besides, if you're traveling to a family-friendly place, let your baby and toddler explore their new surroundings. Children are fascinated enough by sights and sounds rather than that large musical toy.

When traveling with kids still in diapers, try to set aside the changing pad, diapers/wipes, and change of clothes in a smaller bag (if possible) or use diapees. Make sure it's accessible in your carry-on and you won't have to lug the entire carry-on bag to the bathroom while handling your child.

Pregnant and traveling? Always check with your doctor to see if you're ok to travel. That includes asking about any necessary shots, foods/activities to avoid, and have your doctor provide a copy of your medical record that has information about your blood type, any pregnancy-related issues, and what not, in the event you need medical attention abroad. I would not recommend traveling (unless for emergency's sake) in your 8th month and beyond. By then, putting on a pair of shoes is hard enough. If you're comfortable traveling during pregnancy, make sure you stay plenty hydrated (don't be ashamed to ask for TWO water bottles from the flight attendant whenever they hand them out). Bring along healthy snacks and make sure to eat small meals throughout the day. Pack your prenatal vitamins, relax,  and enjoy!

Hmm, that seems like I've covered a good amount of things to think about and provided some, relatively helpful advice (hopefully, if not, let me know in the comments below). Traveling is hard enough when we do it without kids. It's important to keep in perspective that it won't be pretty at times and that hiccups are bound to happen--anticipating that, will make you more sane during those trying moments. If things go haywire, it'll be a family story you can always share and remember together. Learn to laugh about it later on. (Maybe I should share with you guys my own misadventures while traveling--and that's pre-Micro. Imagine what it's like now?) Best of all, traveling is important, not just for you, but for kids as well. There's a whole world out there to learn about. Make travel a part of your child's learning experience.