Flying with a Baby

I obviously can't pretend to be an expert on travelling with a baby when I've only ever flown with her twice, but I thought I'd share the things I learned and found helpful. I have to say, we were lucky that Ruby slept for the entire time on our way to England and at least for half of the flight on our way home.

{happy parents, sleeping baby}

Some of this advice depends on which airline you're flying with. As we were briefed on flying with an infant, the flight attended told us that during takeoff and landing, the baby had to be upright in the burping position (facing backwards, over a shoulder). Well, there went my plans to nurse her on takeoff/landing. On our flight to the UK, I nodded but since she didn't come back, I still nursed her on take off. On our returning flight, I listened and nursed her until we were taxiing, then moved her into position for take-off and she was A-OK. Just be ready to nurse the baby or give them a soother once you're in the air in case their ears did pop.

Since there was a chance I couldn't nurse her upon landing (let me tell ya, it's difficult to time that out when your baby wakes up hungry and it isn't quite time to descend), we brought out the soother. Ruby is funny with soothers and sometimes she wants nothing to do with it. But, ya know what? Even if she's playing with it in her mouth, it still makes her swallow and it helped her little ears from popping. So even if your baby won't take the soother, bring one and just hold it in while they move it around. It works :)

{unimpressed with the soother, but hey, no ears popping!}

Make sure to have diapers and wipes within reach so you don't have to do too much juggling when the baby needs a change. Again, depending on your airline and plane, some (like the one we were in) have one larger washroom that makes things a lot easier for changing a baby. Also, get your spouse to do it (I'm too nervous about hitting turbulence with the baby while in the washroom, so Nick did all the diaper changes - lucky me).

Last tip (advice from my lovely cousin) is to bring your breastfeeding pillow. Yes, you have to drag it around the airport, but once you're seated, the baby is comfy and it leaves your hands free so that you can eat, read a book, etc. I can't imagine having to just hold the baby in my arms for a 7 hour flight! The pillow was definitely worth it and even the flight attendants were impressed.

Hopefully some of these tips are helpful for anyone ready to travel with an infant. The anticipation of the flight was much worse than actually living it :)

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Ruby's First Trip to England

{four generations} 

We are back from England! Actually, we've been home for a few days but the jet lag was a killer so I couldn't bring myself to do much until now.

We had such a lovely time introducing Ruby to her aunties, uncles, cousins and especially to her great grandmother. Her granny and grandpa were also very excited to see her again. Every morning we would wake up, stumble downstairs, I would drink I giant French Press of coffee (all to myself) while Ruby was enveloped in cuddles.

We had lots of time to catch up, as well as do some sight-seeing and tourist activities. We had family dinners, trips to the pub, sing-alongs, walks around town, a trip to Liverpool to see my cousins, a trip into Chester for shopping, we visited a beautiful garden that had a monkey forest, took a trip to the beach in Wales, and we even got a night out with friends while granny and grandpa looked after Ruby.

Here are some pictures of the trip...

Off to England

We are taking Ruby on her first international trip. We're heading to England so she can meet the rest of her family and friends. To say I'm anxious about travelling with her is the understatement of the year. Not only have a developed a brand new extreme fear of flying, I'm also nervous that she will scream through the entire night flight and we will be the most hated people on the plane.

Realistically, she's pretty good at night, so I'm hoping that she will just snuggle up and snooze (that way Nick and I can get some shut-eye as well). Jet lag will be a whole other story...

When we get back, if all goes well, I'll share some of our tips for travelling with a baby. Until then, I'm relying on the tips from some of my favourite bloggers:

A Cup of Jo
Aspiring Kennedy

I love their tips. These ladies have babies/kids that are seasoned travelers. Let's hope that before long Ruby can join those ranks!

Anybody out there have any last minute tips for me?

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A Day in Edinburgh

After a drive up the coast, we ended up in Edinburgh, Scotland for a night. We like to plan mid-week getaways when we visit England, since everyone is usually sick of us by then and needs a break ;)

One day in Edinburgh: was it enough? No. Did we get to see a lot of beautiful things? Yes we did. Honestly, all you need to do is walk around the city to see the amazing architecture. The contrast of a few modern buildings nestled within the old stone ones is so beautiful.

Views of the city.

 Edinburgh Castle. Aka the hang out for Mary, Queen of Scots (and other Royals)

The Royal Mile. Aka the cobblestone road leading up to the Edinburgh Castle. Lots of shops, pubs and whiskey.

The sweet set-up in our hotel (which was one little alleyway down from The Royal Mile)

 Dining. We opted for pub food for dinner (obviously). I chose a Yorkshire Pudding filled with mashers, peas and local sausages. We washed our dinner down with Scottish beer at a pub in the Grass Market area.

After a night of heavy food/drinks, we opted for a lighter breakfast at the Elephant House, which, I'm told, is one of the cafes that J.K. Rowling sat in while she wrote Harry Potter. I was pumped! (Nerdy? nah!) It also boasts a beautiful view.

There were a ton of things that we didn't get to see and do, but I'm really glad we were able to take some time out to visit such a beautiful and bustling city.

Ps. To make sure you don't sound like an idiot, make sure you don't call it Edin-BURG...not that I did that or anything...

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Holiday in Review

While everyone is getting back to school and work today, I'm relishing in the afterglow of our amazing vacation. We spent 10 days touring through the UK, visiting family and friends, and enjoying our holiday.

Some highlights include:

+ cooking and baking with the family
+ going to the beach in Wales
+ learning to play Cricket
+ eating proper fish and chips
+ playing Croquet while drinking tea
+ sipping on Pimm's
+ going to see the North Sea
+ visiting Newcastle-upon-Tyne
+ crossing into Scotland
+ visiting Edinburgh
+ spending time with my cousins in Liverpool
+ getting together with friends (remembering old times and making new memories)
+ dancing to musical songs with my sisters-in-law
+ playing Cow-Monkey-Fish-Goat (I'll post on how to play another day)
+ going for Cream Tea with the girls (tea and scones)
+ watching our cousin play guitar/sing at a local pub
+ meeting the furry new addition to the family
+ long lazy mornings just spending time together

Here are some pictures, if you'd like to see...

Travel Plans

I'm so so excited today. Why, you ask? Because in two weeks today, we will be going on vacation. Where, you ask? To the UK! We haven't been there in over two years and we are loooong overdue for a visit.

Not only will we be seeing Nick's family and my cousins and our friends (which I absolutely can't wait for), but we're also taking a mini-break and going to Edinburgh. I've never been to Scotland, so I'm looking forward to that. Mmmm Scotchy Scotch Scotch and deep-fried Mars bars :)

If anyone has any recommendations of what to see/do in Edinburgh, please let me know! Count down to holiday time is on.

Have a super-fun weekend.

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California Highlights

Two people, 500 miles, six hotels, six cities, one amazing trip and we're back from the Golden Coast - sigh. We left beaches and sun for cold cold weather.

To sum up the trip in one word? Incredible. I would recommend taking that trip to anyone and everyone.

See/read more about it after the jump!

California here we come!

Later Skaters! We're off to Cali for our road trip! We've got our official California soundtrack (thanks Katie!) and we're ready to go :)

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I couldn't be more excited. Thanks so much for all the great suggestions of things to do, places to see, and what to eat. We've got all of our stops booked, and we'll take the rest as it comes.

I won't be posting during the trip, but I'll be posting pictures on Instagram, so if you want to keep up, follow me here.

Have a great weekend/week/weekend!

xx E.

Hotel, Motel, Holiday Inn

As you may have noticed (at least I hope someone noticed), I haven't really been posting this week. That's because I was away on a three-day training seminar for work.

Going away for work usually means one thing: I get to stay in a hotel.

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I'm always sad to be away from home, but there are some nice things about staying at a hotel.We don't have a TV in our room (I never have), so watching TV in bed is my all time favourite part. Also, they deliver the newspaper to your room. They make your bed and fold your towels. They cook for you. It's like a mini-holiday.

There are also some things I don't like about staying at a hotel. Every night, I wake up startled and confused, because I have no idea where I am. This particular trip, the ice machine was right outside my room. Who needs ice at all hours of the night? Apparently everyone on the 12th floor. Nothing like the sound of ice tumbling into a bucket to keep you up at night. And even though TV in bed is awesome, the cable at hotels is never that great...they didn't even have the Food Network. Now that was disappointing.

It was an interesting trip, but I'm so glad to be home. There's nothing like sleeping in your own bed.

xx E.

Ps. how amazing is this tree-house hotel? and 8 other cool hotels from around the globe.

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Bajan Vacation

Well, as much as it pains me to write this, I am home from Barbados. We had such an amazing time! We did everything from celebrating my father-in-law's birthday with a pirate themed party, to body boarding at Dover Beach, to swimming with sea turtles, to dining at some amazing beach-side restaurants.

We indulged in fresh seafood, and sampled local favourites like Banks beer, island curry and macaroni pie - we all know I couldn't have gone all week without macaroni.

Here are some snapshots of the week:

Birthday Bob

Parental Pirates

Mahi Mahi (cooked on a lava rock)

Out for drinks with Husband

Gorgeous beach and turquoise sea

Local Wildlife

I couldn't have asked for better weather, or a more beautiful setting. Best of all, we got to spend time together with our family.  

xx E.

ps. Thanks so much to Bob and Ali for such an unforgettable holiday

Island in the Sun

In a couple of days I will be saying farewell to winter, grey skies and this...

Work :(

for a week in sunny Barbados. We are having a double fam jam. Husband, his family, me, my family. My father-in-law turns 60 next weekend and this is his birthday present...more like a birthday present for everyone! We have plans to see the sights, surf, relax by the beach, eat fresh seafood, indulge in local cocktails and spend lots of time together.

I've been packing in my mind for the last few weeks. Day dreaming about resurrecting my summer clothes and shoes has been getting me through the long winter days. Now the time has come to actually pack...

Here's my list of essentials for a beach/warm weather vacation:
1. Sunscreen - I plan on having great skin as long as possible, and that includes some serious sunscreen application
2. Hat - I've opted for a big floppy beach hat
3. Bathing suits - bring a few options for mixing/matching
4. Summer dresses - easy to thrown, light weight, and you'll always look pulled together
5. Bright nail polish - now's your chance to rock that bright shade that you may have been shying away from
6. Magazines/books - It's always great to have something to read by the pool/beach. I just bought The Hunger Games - I'll let you know how it is

Of course I will end up packing way more than that. I always over-pack, it's just my nature. The good news is that I have figured out how to save a little bit of room in my suitcase: limit the number of pairs of shoes. I know, I know, as if I am saying that, but seriously, I've learned from all my various travels that I always have too many shoes and I always end up with one pair in my carry-on bag on the way home, poking me in the side. It's not right.

I've limited my pairs of shoes to 4:
1. Ballet flats (similar)
2. Pretty/sparkly flats
3. Flip flops (for the beach)
4. Casual sandals (similar)

On a day out shopping/sight seeing, I can wear either the ballet flats or casual sandals, out to dinner I can wear the ballet flats, sandals or sparkly flats, to the beach I can wear the flip flops. I think I've got it covered!

sneaky sneakers; sunnies, beach hat & purse; beach reading material;
summer dresses; metallic flats

I am considering bringing sneakers...but that will depend on how much room I have after I fill my suitcase with every summer clothing item I've ever owned :)

Have a great week!

xx. E

ps. Any suggestions for things to do/see in Barbados?