Showing posts with label baby. Show all posts
Showing posts with label baby. Show all posts
Traveling with an infant is no easy task. There is no such thing as traveling light. To make things even more complicated they demand feedings every few hours, frequent diaper changes and lots of snuggles.
So when I decided I wanted to take my daughter to Chicago to visit my friend the thought of driving alone with a baby and stopping often to feed and change diapers seemed stressful. What if I had to stop in a not so safe area? What if she cried a ton? Oh man what if I get a flat tire? My mind raced with every worse case scenario.
Flying was another option. Since I was heading from Detroit it seemed like a waste of time. By the time I drive an hour to the airport, park my car, go through security, and then wait to board my flight, I could be on my way.
Then if dawned on me. Take the train! Ok, I know they have a terrible reputation for never being on time, but since I would be traveling with an infant it seemed like the most logical choice. I went here and reserved my seat and I have no regrets.
Here are my top 10 reasons why traveling by train is an awesome choice when traveling with a baby!
1. You can nurse whenever your baby demands. No need to stop and find a safe place to park your car and nurse. Also on a plane it can be awkward depending on who you are sitting next to.
2. Complimentary Wifi- While traveling I was able to entertain myself by surfing the web.
3. Electricity- Yes this was awesome! I could charge my phone and my camera battery.
4. Space. When traveling by train you have tons of space. The seats are spacious and there is plenty of over head room to store diaper bags and personal belongings.
5. Cool People- At first I wasn't sure what to expect when traveling by train but I must say I met some very helpful and cool people that ride the train. I had a few good conversations with passengers and everyone was willing to help me load on and off the train.
6. Walk around- It's nice to get up and walk around when traveling. Especially with a baby. When she got fussy I would baby-wear her from car to car. She loved it and fell asleep every time.
7. Beverages and Food- It was fun jumping cars and grabbing a bite to eat from the cafeteria car. Best yet...They serve beer!
8. Soothing- The natural sway of the train was very soothing for my daughter and put her right to sleep.
9. Reasonable- Tickets were reasonable and my baby tagged along without a cost. Two and under ride for free.
10. Scenic- It's enjoyable to travel by train and see the country side. Plus you sneak through some cute little cities.
Have you ever taken the train with children? If so I would love to hear about your experience. Would you recommend traveling with a baby by train?
Dear First Pregnancy,
Oh how much I envy you! You sleep when you need it, have the freedom to complete your to do list at your own leisure, and can walk out the door to go to that prenatal yoga class. I was once you. I was once pregnant for the first time. What a happy journey that was for me. I remember that pregnancy. I had plenty of massages, had regular visits to the gym and did water aerobics up to the end. I had a summer baby so I floated in our pool in my bikini and had that sun kissed glow. I recall during delivery the nurse mentioned my nice color.
Wow did I have it made! I clearly remember getting out of the pool one hot summer afternoon and heading to get a pedicure after spending the day reading how to care for a newborn baby. Afterwards, I would came home and took it easy and before our leisurely evening walk.
Wow did I have it made! I clearly remember getting out of the pool one hot summer afternoon and heading to get a pedicure after spending the day reading how to care for a newborn baby. Afterwards, I would came home and took it easy and before our leisurely evening walk.
My diet was well thought out and I made time to cook yummy meals. I even took the time to record calories on My Fitness Pal. My baby's nursery was completely organized and of course my bags were packed and ready for my hospital visit. Oh how much I envy you first time pregnant mamas to be.
Now fast forward two years and I'm in the last few weeks of my second pregnancy. My hip aches from a nerve my baby is putting pressure on. I would love to do some water aerobics or yoga to help it, but instead I am chasing that first baby around. I am much over due for a massage and this late in my pregnancy I sure could use one!
Dinner is an afterthought, let alone recording calories. I need to feed the little guy and then clean up the aftermath. I eat so fast that most times I couldn't even tell you the portion size I had to eat. Eating is for survival not to journal.
Our pool sits out back and the rafts await for someone to lounge in them. But as a mother of a busy toddler, floating in a pool is nonexistent. They advise pregnant women to get their rest. Rest... what's that!
My bag for the hospital is not packed and I am a week from my due date. I don't have the nursery complete and my to do list is much too long to tackle. Oh how things have changed! I remember that first pregnancy. At this point in my pregnancy, I had everything ready and I was waiting anxiously for the arrival of Baby 1.
So when people ask me if my second pregnancy is different from my first. My answer is "OH YEAH" the first pregnancy was all about me and this pregnancy has nothing to do with me. So to those first time pregnant mamas, enjoy those 9 months and take it all in. It's the last time it's all about you.
Tomorrow marks the beginning of my last trimester. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I can officially say "I feel and look pregnant". People can safely assume I am pregnant and ask me when I am expecting baby without risking offending me and bending over to pick up my 19 month old is not as easy as it was 4 weeks ago.
When it comes to energy I can put in a full days worth of work and feel fine but I know tougher days are nearer. My sleeping patterns are beginning to be interrupted by the need to use the restroom or the big move of switching from my left side to my right. Usually sometime during the night I will feel some baby movement and a good kick in my side. It's these sleepless nights that will eventually make my days a little less productive and eventually turn into weeks and months of restless nights as I care for our new baby. It is something that comes natural as we prepare ourselves for the world of baby.
When I think of my last trimester, I think of a long list of things that need to be done. My first thought is, I need to make a list and get things done. Unlike my first pregnancy, which consisted of getting the nursery ready, having a baby shower, baby prepping and organizing; this seasoned mommy is making a more relaxed "to do" list. Some of these things are....
1. Take a nap when Beckett is napping.- Sounds like a pretty unproductive list huh!?! But in the reality of things, it is very productive. If I am dragging and not taking care of myself, my entire day is shot. I'm short tempered with my son and that's just not fair to him.
2. Do something fun and toddler friendly with my son while we have this special time together. It won't be long and we will have to slow down a bit. Not completely but a little. So until then, we are going to the zoo, visiting a farm, having play dates, going to the library and finding fun things to do.
3. Lots of walking- The weather is breaking here in Michigan and we are finally getting outside again after a long winter. It's time for some fresh air. I plan to walk a lot this last trimester. I may even start up Map My Walk and make weekly goals for myself. This willl be good for my mind and my health.
4. Kick butt at work- I plan to take a long leave from work and I like when I end the school year with a bang. I will need to have everything organized and ready for someone to kick start my schools off in the fall. Having everything prepped and in order will make a huge difference in my ability to relax and enjoy baby when I am off.
5. Big Brother Gift- I plan to organize a special gift for Beckett. Before the baby is born we will go to Build a Bear and make a bear together. I will record my voice saying "I love you" and I will give it to him at the hospital. This way he will have it while I am in the hospital with the baby.
6. And of course some baby prepping. Find our newborn tub of clothes, get a dresser for baby, have diapers ready and get out the pumping tools. The usaul prep for a baby but this time I'm much more relaxed. I know that a baby needs very little.
The biggest challenge I face during my last trimester is making time slow down. I can't wait to meet and greet the new addition to our family but at the same time, I know how important it is to enjoy the "now" and that's how I am going to make my to do list as I prepare for our new baby. I will simply ask myself...What is important to do "now"? Maybe it will be to play toddler games with my little guy who is only 19 months for this month or take a nap because "now" is the time to do so. Or maybe it is something important like complete a big project at work. Either way I'm living my list by the "now".
When I was preggnant for my little guy I had it made. I rested as needed and made sure I always had a healthy meal to eat. Yoga classes and exercising at the gym was consistant and I felt great! It was fun to show off the bump and I even had fun buying maternity clothes. I guess you could say I was floating on cloud 9!
Now my little guy is 18 months old and I am six months preggnant and I am spinning in circles and EXHAUSTED! My house is a constant battle to keep clean, preparing healthy meals is no longer an enjoyable hobby, it's a must, since I have a little one to feed. I try to continue to eat healthy but sometimes the stress gets the best of me, and I find myself eating a little too many sweets. I have a serious sweet tooth. Working out is always on my mind. Durring my fist pregnancy I had to push myself to go and now I wish I could go. Time goes fast when you are trying to keep up with a toddler. In reality its a workout in itself.
Some days I foget I am pregnant because I am so busy with my day. With my first, that's all I EVER thought about. It consumed my every thought. I thought about the nursery, my registry, baby names, my delivery, the week to week changes and now I'm due in three months and I am not sure about any of these things. I'm sure I will kick it in high gear when the "nesting" kicks in. The fact that I am sitting down to write this makes me think that I am in the beginning stages of "nesting". Thinking about things is a very good start.
Every pregnancy has its story. The first for me was a fairy tale and my second one so far has been a fast roller coaster. It's starting to happen. I''m getting bigger and feeling pregnant. I'm a few weeks from entering my third trimester and reality is striking. We're having another baby!
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