Tuesday, August 02, 2011

On Baby Travel

So, not surprisingly, you were torn between best and worst idea ever. So, a couple things...

First, yes, I would feel a little guilty going and leaving both girls home. Mostly for missing them, but a little bit for leaving The Boy with them all by himself (and likely with his mother's help:-)) Not that he would complain...(in fact, he may be trying to talk me out of this...more on that later).

But mostly, I just think it will be really fun! And sure, she won't ever remember any of it, but I will, and Munchkin will, and that has to be worth something, right? I am sure the flight will be a pain, but for a couple of reasons I am not overly concerned about that. And once we are there, I actually think she will do really well (assuming I can get her sleeping schedule adjusted to the time change!)

She generally does very well with being busy, regardless of what it is. New places and things and people keep her very interested...she just needs to be fed, have a chance to run around a bit, and always have her stuffed bear (a bear dressed as a bee...don't ask). I wouldn't take her to the Louvre for four hours, but she will do really well with general sightseeing and riding around in her stroller (and yes, I will need to borrow a single stroller!). And then we will be at the beach for a couple of days, which will be easy, too...she loves the beach.

So, yes, it may turn out to be a bad idea, but I think it will be really fun. Frenchie's Mother and Sister were super excited to find out, too, which definitely matters (not all that cool to just show up somewhere with a baby;-)). I'd say I am 98% taking her...although The Boy may still try and talk me out of it...so we will see...

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On another unrelated note...has anyone ever seen Sunshine Cleaning? Watched it last night and really liked it. But I am sort of a sucker for sister-stories...

5 comments:

Nilsa @ SoMi Speaks said...

You don't have to justify to us why you are (or aren't) taking LK with you. If you want to take her because it'll be fun or because it will alleviate responsibility for The Boy, whatever your reasons are, they're all yours. There are no right and wrong answers here. Just make sure whatever you decide that you have fun, because FRANCE, HELLO!!!!

Kari said...

Do you have a baby carrier? They are handy in Europe (and on flights). Can you borrow a single stroller from one of Frenchie's friends/family? The European strollers are so much nicer (and easier to get around with in Europe as they have a lot of neat features to deal with stairs, cobble stones, etc). My nephew went to Spain when he was a little younger than the twins and did swimmingly well. The three of you will have a blast. Oh --- I almost forgot -- often when you have a baby with you, you are allowed to go through the fast custom's line!
Have a wonderful time in France!

Rachael West said...

Either way I'm sure you girls will have a blast :-). Sunshine clothing? Nope I need to see if I can nexflix it tonight in the hotel room!

cindy said...

If you do take her, have fun, and please report back what works and what doesn't work as far as traveling with a baby, getting them to be quiet/comfy on long plane rides, etc. I'm gonna have to deal with that soon. (<--ulterior motive) :)

I have a Bumble Pooh! Is that the bear in a bee costume you're referring to? (I know, I know, you said don't ask.)

Irene said...

We took our kids on a trip to the US when the older one was almost 3 and the younger one was just 6 months old. It went fairly well, only annoying thing was that I didn't get any sleep on the plane because one of them was always awake. But after landing I was stopped by a lady who said she sat two rows behind us and confessed that she was a little concerned about quiet time when she saw us but was positively surprise how well behaved and quiet our kids were. So I think taking one of the twins might be stressful but also can turn out to be easy.
I know my son won't remember anything but he surely took in all the sights and was fascinated by them and to see that he enjoyed himself was great. I would do it again.
And as Kari said, one of the stewardesses helped us with our carry-on stuff and led us right through customs with no waiting in line which was a huge help.