Hi everyone! It’s been a while since I last shared a life update here, so I wanted to let you know what’s going on in our lives out here in the middle of the Pacific.
We recently bought our tickets to fly back to the mainland this summer. (Mainland is what everyone in Hawaii calls the continental US.) I’ll be flying solo with the kiddos at the end of June, and we will spend 2 months visiting my family in the Atlanta area, at the beach in SC, we will go up to Maine to see Tom’s family, and I’ll go to West Point for a week by myself for some training for my Army Reserve job. Then my mom will fly back to Hawaii with us at the end of August (she just retired from teaching last week and I’m so glad she has more flexibility now!). We have the Delta American Express Platinum credit card so we bought my ticket with that and we used the free “companion ticket” you get once a year on Jack’s ticket, and I’ll have Caroline in my arms. We’ve been Delta loyalists for years and years (I’m from Atlanta, which is Delta’s hub so grew up flying the airline) and the Delta AmEx has so many great perks. (Not an ad, just a big fan.) You get one companion ticket a year if you have the Platinum or Reserve card, which I think is pretty amazing. (We actually just upgraded to the Reserve card which allows you free access to the Sky Club too.) It’s saving us a bunch of money so I’m really happy we have the card! Anyway, just wanted to share that with you guys if you happen try travel a lot and typically choose Delta.
I am really nervous about traveling with both kids by myself on such a long flight, but I’m praying it will go well. I’ve bought some new crayons, a Disney sticker and coloring book, and I’ll buy a few other things to help the time go by for Jack. We also have the iPad, and this case is such a lifesaver with a toddler. It stands up by itself and has two handles/arms that Jack can use to carry it. My iPad is 7 years old, but it’s still going strong! Jack does best when he sits in a carseat on a flight, so I bought this handy strap (under $20!) that allows you to attach the toddler carseat to your rolling carry-on bag. You can even put your child in the carseat and wheel them around if you need to! I don’t think I’m going to do that because Jack is pretty heavy and it would be a massive arm workout and the idea of changing planes in LA with it makes me nervous, but it definitely beats having to lug a giant carseat around like a pack mule.
I can’t decide if we should bring the Double BOB jogging stroller (as seen above) or our Uppababy Vista (set up as a double) with us. Jack cannot roam free in the airport because he doesn’t listen well, so I’m going to have to bring a stroller through security with us and check it at the gate. If you’ve traveled with either please let me know your thoughts! The BOB would be easier to fold up by myself while wearing a baby, but then that would have be our stroller for two months and that thing is so stinking wide. Such a tough call!
Now onto other things…
Jack had his audiology appointment this week and we found out that he has fluid in both ears that may be preventing him from hearing well. He will have another ear drum test before we leave on our trip and immediately after, and if there is no change then he will be referred to ENT and will get tubes in his ears. I really hope that we end up going that route because it seems to be the diagnosis that makes the most sense, so far. He has been prescribed Zyrtec to see if it helps clear up the fluid before his next audiology appointment. I talked about it on my Instagram Stories and saved it in my highlights if you’re interested in hearing more details.
Caroline is 9 months now and is such a ravenous eater! She will eat anything and it’s so refreshing after dealing with Jack’s pickiness for a year and a half. We tried purees but she isn’t great with a spoon and seems to prefer being able to feed herself. We just cut up little pieces of food and she’s great at feeding herself now (although a lot does end up in her lap). Avocado, green beans, black beans, sweet potatoes, bananas, spaghetti, turkey burger, eggs…the girl will eat anything! Such a relief because she still won’t take a bottle from anyone and I’m going to have to leave her with my parents for a week in August. Whenever I share photos of her eating I always get asked about her bib with sleeves. It’s from IKEA and is the greatest thing ever! She plays with regular bibs that hang down in front of her, so this is the only way to keep her clean without her being distracted. I highly recommend grabbing one next time you go (only $5.99)!
Here are a few purchases I’ve made recently that I highly recommend.
I’m wearing the “mama” shirt right now, actually! And I plan on wearing the linen pants on the flight because they’ll be comfy and easy to use the restroom in while wearing a baby. I’ve been wearing the waterproof Birks on a daily basis and they’re suuuuuuper comfy and cute (I have pink but there are a few different options I linked to in the widget above), and I love that they can get wet. And the striped off-the-shoulder top is a fantastic price and looks like it’s much nicer than Old Navy! I can’t wait to wear it with some white shorts or jeans. The white shirts are both from Target and I’ve worn the sleeveless button-down one a couple of times already. Great with a pair of shorts and easy to nurse in.
I hope you all have a relaxing weekend! Sorry it’s been a while since I last posted and I appreciate you sticking with me!
Girl for the airport wear Caroline and just buy a cheap umbrella stroller for Jack. They fold up nice and small and may even be able to be carried on to the plane. Then when you get here just find a used double stroller on a resale page.
Anonymous
June 19, 2018 / 12:39 am
What will you plan to do with the stroller when using the restroom? I'm wondering if that might be a reason to bring the Vista since it would probably fit in a handicapped stall and allow you to keep Jack buckled up.
Also, don't forget to ask for help while you're traveling. I bet most people would be happy to help with something simple. I know as a mom, sometimes I'm hesitant to offer because I don't want to intrude but would be happy to help if asked.
Yay for coming back to the mainland! I agree with what Ashley said, definitely wear Caroline and get a smaller stroller for Jack. I know so many friends who have done the same and it's been so much easier.
I just did the double BoB with my 2 year old twins flying – I was really happy to have it for our trip and it was not bad at the airport. At both airports they actually put us through a special security line (read we got the cut the line) because it doesn’t fit, so that was also a win in my opinion.
I'm definitely planning on wearing her a good bit of the time but think I want the option of putting her in a stroller if I need to. I also want to be able to run while I'm on my trip so I think the double bob may be the best option, plus it'll work on the beach better than anything else. Your idea is a great one though!
That's so good to hear! Were you able to fit it in a bathroom stall? I just thought about that and realized I've never tried that before. I think it'll be good to have too so I can run with it and also it'll do better on a beach.
That's a great point! I'm not sure if it fits through a stall door, I definitely need to check on that before we leave. And that is wonderful advice about asking for help. I have a feeling I'm going to need it!
Girl for the airport wear Caroline and just buy a cheap umbrella stroller for Jack. They fold up nice and small and may even be able to be carried on to the plane. Then when you get here just find a used double stroller on a resale page.
What will you plan to do with the stroller when using the restroom? I'm wondering if that might be a reason to bring the Vista since it would probably fit in a handicapped stall and allow you to keep Jack buckled up.
Also, don't forget to ask for help while you're traveling. I bet most people would be happy to help with something simple. I know as a mom, sometimes I'm hesitant to offer because I don't want to intrude but would be happy to help if asked.
Yay for coming back to the mainland! I agree with what Ashley said, definitely wear Caroline and get a smaller stroller for Jack. I know so many friends who have done the same and it's been so much easier.
I just did the double BoB with my 2 year old twins flying – I was really happy to have it for our trip and it was not bad at the airport. At both airports they actually put us through a special security line (read we got the cut the line) because it doesn’t fit, so that was also a win in my opinion.
I'm definitely planning on wearing her a good bit of the time but think I want the option of putting her in a stroller if I need to. I also want to be able to run while I'm on my trip so I think the double bob may be the best option, plus it'll work on the beach better than anything else. Your idea is a great one though!
That's so good to hear! Were you able to fit it in a bathroom stall? I just thought about that and realized I've never tried that before. I think it'll be good to have too so I can run with it and also it'll do better on a beach.
That's a great point! I'm not sure if it fits through a stall door, I definitely need to check on that before we leave. And that is wonderful advice about asking for help. I have a feeling I'm going to need it!