traveling with bebe

It's been awhile, I know. Sorry about that, but it's been a doozie of a month. That said...

We did it: travelled across an ocean, between countries, a camel ride into the desert, and back again. Yeah, that happened. And it was awesome.

On a serious note, considerations for traveling with a walking, talking sort of baby:

• Chill out.  Don't try to force your expectations.  Roll with the punches.  Let the kid have more cookies than normal... or more movie time than normal. Trust me, it's better than a screaming baby when you're trapped on an international flight.
• Ergo baby carrier: worth the $. Camel ride was a cinch.
• $15 Walmart umbrella stroller: worth it to not have to carry the baby in airports and customs lines, or worry about said stroller breaking.
• Security lines are significantly more awesome/less of a whipping with a baby. People let you get away with all kinds of crap (Full Nalgene of water? It's for the baby? Proceed!), and will even move you to the front of the line if the baby starts screaming.
• This travel crib. Maybe pricey, but worth it for a lightweight carry-on size crib. It was super helpful for Addy to have a consistent place to sleep.
• Snackage. Bring lots of snacks. I say this from the perspective of a parent of a kid with an allergy, and sorting through labels in a foreign language wasn't very awesome. Maybe snacks are easier to buy along the way for others.
• Diapers: don't sweat diapers. People have babies all over and diapers are available.
• Mamas: wear a serious scarf. It can also serve as a nursing cover, blanket, or sling carrier.

Traveling with our daughter was generally delightful. She made us and herself tons of friends, and was totally a trooper. Was it harder? Of course, but absolutely worth it.