New York part two
T, my husband and I are popping back to New York again this week.
Last time I thought I was organised by packing T’s things the night before and that I’d have plenty of time to pack my things on the morning of departure. Big mistake.
This time round I’m determined to avoid last month’s fiasco so I’ve packed our things two days prior to departure.
I also called the airline to check we can take the car seat AND the pushchair. We can.
Feeling much better now. I just have to pack our carry on bags and we’ll be ready to go. I’ll do that while T is at nursery tomorrow morning and then we’ll pick her up on our way to Heathrow.
I’m so looking forward to four days of no cooking, no laundry, no cleaning…
The snow has arrived in London this morning so I’m hoping it won’t cause any flight delays…
Photo credit: Moonman83
Transatlantic travel
T, my husband and I are now back from New York. We had a great time and managed not to miss our flights despite a few adventures at each airport.
This is what I learnt from our first trip as a family to the States:
• T is too big to fit in a SkyCot so until she’s old enough for a plane seat of her own she’ll be sleeping on Daddy’s lap moving forward.
• Next time we’re definitely carrying the car seat.
• Next time I’m definitely packing more nappy bags, who knew I wouldn’t be able to find diaper bags anywhere in Manhattan or Brooklyn?
• Nature Babycare nappies are cheaper here.
• American baby food tastes very, very different to the baby food in the UK.
• American milk tastes even weirder.
• The lightweight pushchair was invaluable, we used the sling only once when T was irritable, otherwise it was the stroller all the way.
• T adjusted to East Coast time almost immediately yet it took her a week to get back into GMT.
• When travelling long distance with a baby do as much research as you can and don’t make assumptions but it’s definitely easier than we had feared.
Photo credit: Foxy Coxy
Not So Yummy Mummy Loves…
Easy-View
T and I do a quite a bit of driving and the Easy-View mirror from Sunshine Kids has become indispensable.
As a number of modern cars are now fitted with passenger side airbags, it’s not always possible to place rear facing baby seats on the front passenger seat. The Easy-View allows you to keep an eye on your little one by means of a mirror that rotates 360 degrees.
Easy-View attaches to the centre of the rear headrest providing the perfect angle to view your baby, without moving your rear-view mirror.
Easy to fit, the attachment adjusts easily allowing the mirror to be positioned for different drivers.
I purchased mine from Mothercare and Easy-View is available from retailers nationwide.
£11.99
Ich liebe Berlin
Berlin was fantastic. I fell in love with the city and it was really lovely to spend time with our family. I switched off the phone and didn’t check email or the internet once over the weekend.
T loved the trip even more than my husband and I did. With a herd of cousins to play with and lots of cool, new stuff to marvel at, our little girl was thoroughly worn out by the end of each day. She also ate a record amount of baby food (without a single raspberry) which impressed me so much I’m considering taking her on mini-breaks more often.
The flight was short and easy so there wasn’t really time for T to cause any mischief on the way out. We were given a seat belt attachment and she sat on our laps during the flight.
We tried to travel as light as possible with only one checked in suitcase for the three of us. Fortunately, we didn’t need to carry a car seat as my sister-in-law already had one that we could use for T. She also gave us a lightweight reclining pushchair to use during our stay.
This proved to be invaluable. We’d planned to use the baby carrier throughout, and it was great for the airport but it would have been restricted our movements over the weekend. Berlin was scorching hot and we did tons of walking on our first day which would have been uncomfortable for T and whoever ended up carrying her. The pushchair was perfect for the long walks and helped to keep T out of the direct sun.
Our hotel provided a cot and as it was so hot, even with the air conditioning, we didn’t need the sleep bag I’d packed. Naturally, I ended up packing more clothes and nappies than T needed but I didn’t forget anything major.
On the way back I took an earlier flight and my husband had sole charge of T for the return journey. Apparently she cried briefly before crashing out and slept for the remainder of the flight home.
Next up, Paris in two weeks but without T this time… I can already tell that I’m really going to miss her…
Photo credit: Lenoz
