Baby Talk :: Flying with a Kiddo

Happy Tuesday mamas....it's time for another edition of BABY TALK!

Here's the rules:
{1} Write a post on ANYTHING baby related...pregnancy, parenting, products, stories, advice, you name it!
{2} Grab this button and put it somewhere, anywhere in your post!

<div class="BUSY-BEE-button" style="width: 250px; margin: 0 auto;"> <a href="http://fawver.blogspot.com"> <img src="http://i1170.photobucket.com/albums/r529/knfawver/baby-talk-button_zps829f6bd6.jpg" alt="BUSY BEE" width="250" height="250" /> </a> </div>

{3} Publish your post on Tuesday!
{4} Come back and enter your post in the super neat link-up tool found at the bottom of every Baby Talk post.
{5} Check back and read the other blogs who have linked up!

Easy as pie!

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Two weeks ago I took Kenley to Colorado for my grandma's 80th birthday. This trip marked Kenley's first time on an airplane and marked my frist time flying with a baby. You should know that I am a very nervous flyer. I haven't always been, in fact up until a couple of years ago I absolutely loved to fly and would actually laugh during turbulence. Now when I feel a bump I am certain I will be crashing to my death. Irrational and ridiculous? YES.

To say that I was nervous and stressed out about this flight would be a HUGE understatement! Before leaving for this trip I had a million questions running through my head in regards to surviving the flight and making traveling with a baby as easy as humanly possible.

How much earlier than usual do you recommend getting to the airport?
What should I carry on?
What baby gear do I need to bring?
How do we make sure Kenley's not "that baby"? 

After surviving two flights with a 10-month-old (who was an absolute perfect angel on both flights BTW), I have some tips and tricks that worked for us. 

1. Research the airline's baby / small child policies ahead of time. Each airlines does it a little different so be sure to double check what the rules & regulations are. We flew Southwest and they were INCREDIBLE. They allow you to check a car seat & stroller FOR FREE along with TWO bags. So I was able to bring our suitcase, pack n play, car seat and stroller for $0.00! I was required to bring a copy of Kenley's birth certificate to prove she was under 2 years old, but that was it.  
2. If you can afford it, get your baby their own seat! Unfortunately this was not in our budget, BUT we were lucky enough to have a spare seat next to us on the way there and it was amazing! Kenley was able to have her own space to move around and play and it made the flight so much easier. 
3. Bring snacks, lots and lots of snacks. I don't know if this is true for every kid but NOTHING keeps Kenley's attention longer than food. I brought two bottles (one for take off and one for landing) along with a bunch of little finger snacks and a squeezie bag of apple sauce. 
4. Pack only what you need for the flight. I brought a couple of diapers and food in our carry on for the flight and bought everything else once we landed. It was so much easier than trying to squeeze a ton of baby stuff into our suitcase. 
5. Bring a new toy. I grabbed a couple of new toys before the trip and didn't let Kenley see them until we got on the plane. I don't know about your kid, but mine is entertained significantly more by something she's never seen. 
6. When in doubt, turn to Mickey Mouse. Kenley is OBSESSED with Mickey Mouse, like screeches with glee when she sees him obsessed, so I made sure to have a bunch of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse shows downloaded to the iPad along with some new Mickey books for us to read.
7. Try and be calm. This one was FOR SURE the hardest for me. But as with anything else, if you're calm your baby is calm. Kids cry. Kids throw fits. A plane is no exception. No one wants to be the lady with the screaming kid, but you can't help it. Just do what you can and try not to worry about everyone else.  

Do those of you who have flown with your babies have anything to add? 

Flying with a Kiddo

Two weeks ago I took Kenley to Colorado for my grandma's 80th birthday. This trip marked Kenley's first time on an airplane and marked my frist time flying with a baby. You should know that I am a very nervous flyer. I haven't always been, in fact up until a couple of years ago I absolutely loved to fly and would actually laugh during turbulence. Now when I feel a bump I am certain I will be crashing to my death. Irrational and ridiculous? YES.

To say that I was nervous and stressed out about this flight would be a HUGE understatement! Before leaving for this trip I had a million questions running through my head in regards to surviving the flight and making traveling with a baby as easy as humanly possible.

How much earlier than usual do you recommend getting to the airport?
What should I carry on?
What baby gear do I need to bring?
How do we make sure Kenley's not "that baby"? 

After surviving two flights with a 10-month-old (who was an absolute perfect angel on both flights BTW), I have some tips and tricks that worked for us.

1. Research the airline's baby / small child policies ahead of time. Each airlines does it a little different so be sure to double check what the rules & regulations are. We flew Southwest and they were INCREDIBLE. They allow you to check a car seat & stroller FOR FREE along with TWO bags. So I was able to bring our suitcase, pack n play, car seat and stroller for $0.00! I was required to bring a copy of Kenley's birth certificate to prove she was under 2 years old, but that was it.  
2. If you can afford it, get your baby their own seat! Unfortunately this was not in our budget, BUT we were lucky enough to have a spare seat next to us on the way there and it was amazing! Kenley was able to have her own space to move around and play and it made the flight so much easier. 
3. Bring snacks, lots and lots of snacks. I don't know if this is true for every kid but NOTHING keeps Kenley's attention longer than food. I brought two bottles (one for take off and one for landing) along with a bunch of little finger snacks and a squeezie bag of apple sauce. 
4. Pack only what you need for the flight. I brought a couple of diapers and food in our carry on for the flight and bought everything else once we landed. It was so much easier than trying to squeeze a ton of baby stuff into our suitcase. 
5. Bring a new toy. I grabbed a couple of new toys before the trip and didn't let Kenley see them until we got on the plane. I don't know about your kid, but mine is entertained significantly more by something she's never seen. 
6. When in doubt, turn to Mickey Mouse. Kenley is OBSESSED with Mickey Mouse, like screeches with glee when she sees him obsessed, so I made sure to have a bunch of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse shows downloaded to the iPad along with some new Mickey books for us to read.
7. Try and be calm. This one was FOR SURE the hardest for me. But as with anything else, if you're calm your baby is calm. Kids cry. Kids throw fits. A plane is no exception. No one wants to be the lady with the screaming kid, but you can't help it. Just do what you can and try not to worry about everyone else.  

Do those of you who have flown with your babies have anything to add? 

Link up every Tuesday!

Baby Talk.

Happy Tuesday mamas....it's time for another edition of BABY TALK!

Here's the rules:
{1} Write a post on ANYTHING baby related...pregnancy, parenting, products, stories, advice, you name it!
{2} Grab this button and put it somewhere, anywhere in your post!

<div class="BUSY-BEE-button" style="width: 250px; margin: 0 auto;"> <a href="http://fawver.blogspot.com"> <img src="http://i1170.photobucket.com/albums/r529/knfawver/baby-talk-button_zps829f6bd6.jpg" alt="BUSY BEE" width="250" height="250" /> </a> </div>

{3} Publish your post on Tuesday!
{4} Come back and enter your post in the super neat link-up tool found at the bottom of every Baby Talk post.
{5} Check back and read the other blogs who have linked up!

Easy as pie!

-----------

Hello gorgeous mamas! I am taking a break from baby talk this week as I have had no time since returning from my trip to compose a post. The link up is still attached below, so please continue to share your posts! I look forward to reading them and I'll be back with some sort of riveting baby information next week! :)

Baby Talk.

Happy Tuesday mamas....it's time for another edition of BABY TALK!

Here's the rules:
{1} Write a post on ANYTHING baby related...pregnancy, parenting, products, stories, advice, you name it!
{2} Grab this button and put it somewhere, anywhere in your post!

<div class="BUSY-BEE-button" style="width: 250px; margin: 0 auto;"> <a href="http://fawver.blogspot.com"> <img src="http://i1170.photobucket.com/albums/r529/knfawver/baby-talk-button_zps829f6bd6.jpg" alt="BUSY BEE" width="250" height="250" /> </a> </div>

{3} Publish your post on Tuesday!
{4} Come back and enter your post in the super neat link-up tool found at the bottom of every Baby Talk post.
{5} Check back and read the other blogs who have linked up!

Easy as pie!

-----------

Hello gorgeous mamas! I am taking a break from baby talk this week as I have had no time since returning from my trip to compose a post. The link up is still attached below, so please continue to share your posts! I look forward to reading them and I'll be back with some sort of riveting baby information next week! :)

Whirlwind.

Happy Monday everyone. Please excuse the extreme blog absence...life in our house has been a complete and total whirlwind these past few weeks. We have been so busy with so many fun plans but the constant go-go-go is really starting to take a toll. Needless to say I am really looking forward to a low-key fall. Since I have been the world's worst blogger, I figured it's due time to catch you up on all that's been coming and going in our world. 

Kenley and I just got home from 4 days in Colorado with my family {full recap coming Wednesday} but before we left we had to say goodbye to Jason's grandpa who passed away last Monday. I didn't have the chance to get to know Grandpa Al very well, but when I did meet him he was a kind and funny man. This is a difficult time for Jason's family but I hope everyone can find peace in knowing that Grandpa Al is reunited with Grandma Carol and they are both watching over all of us...together.

As far as the fun stuff goes, there's been a lot of it...

We had the Gopher Football season opener {can I get a "hell yeah" for a 3-0 start to the season?!}

Kenley went on her first boat ride, and LOVED it! 

I volunteered at my sorority's recruitment which resulted in 44 new members for our chapter!!! 

photo credit

We went to the Tim McGraw concert at the Minnesota State Fair, which was AMAZING! He came out wearing a Gopher track jacket and my head literally exploded! 

photo credit

We went to Duluth to watch our friends Steph & Steve tie the knot! 

Then, there was just one more MINOR little thing that happened among everything else: 

MY BEEB HAD HER BABY! 

After 40 weeks and 2 days of excitement, anxiousness and planning little Weston was welcomed into the world and he is just PERFECT! He made last week a bit nuts with his delayed arrival but thankfully he got here safe and sound and is a healthy boy AND he obeyed his Auntie Beeb and was born before Kenley and I had to catch our flight to Colorado - barely!


I am once again linking up with the gorgeous little Sami!

Baby Talk :: Family Friendly Food.

Happy Tuesday mamas....it's time for another edition of BABY TALK!

Here's the rules:
{1} Write a post on ANYTHING baby related...pregnancy, parenting, products, stories, advice, you name it!
{2} Grab this button and put it somewhere, anywhere in your post!

<div class="BUSY-BEE-button" style="width: 250px; margin: 0 auto;"> <a href="http://fawver.blogspot.com"> <img src="http://i1170.photobucket.com/albums/r529/knfawver/baby-talk-button_zps829f6bd6.jpg" alt="BUSY BEE" width="250" height="250" /> </a> </div>

{3} Publish your post on Tuesday!
{4} Come back and enter your post in the super neat link-up tool found at the bottom of every Baby Talk post.
{5} Check back and read the other blogs who have linked up!

Easy as pie!

-----------

Today I am once again linking up with Julie + friends for their Kid Test, Mom Approved link up party. 

I've talked A LOT about feeding Kenley, but what's one more post? Right? 

In case you missed the previous posts, you can get caught up here: 

Breastfeeding

The End of Breastfeeding
Starting Solids

What to Feed My Baby, When?

DIY Baby Food

Since I've already kind of covered the bases, I thought today I'd share a typical meal plan for Kenley now that she is 9, almost 10 months old. 

Kenley is still drinking 5 formula bottles / day - which in just over two months we get to be done with! WAHOO! I am so ready to be done with formula and introduce cow's milk. Other than that Kenley is all about solids. She has been introduced to pretty much all of the foods she is allowed to have {no cows milk, no eggs and very little sugar - which is my request}.

So here's what a day in the life of Kenley looks like. 

6:30-7:00am - 5oz bottle when she wakes up. 

9:00am - Yogurt for Breakfast. Her favorites are YoBaby & Gerber. 

9:30am - 5oz bottle before morning nap. 

12:00pm - Lunch which usually consists of oatmeal cereal, cottage cheese & some sort of fruit mix - either one of my purees or an applesauce-to-go squeeze. She'll usually have a bottle around this time as well.

2:00ish - Snack time! Kenley is obsessed with the little Yogurt Melts but also loves veggie puffs, lil crunchies and wagon wheels.

3:00pm - 5oz bottle before afternoon nap

6:00pm - Dinner! Dinner time is so much easier now as Kenley will usually just have a teeny portion of whatever Jason and I are having. For example, last night she had a turkey meatball (cut up of course), some whole grain brown rice and broccoli. If Jason and I are eating something I don't K is ready for I will usually give her a homemade veggie puree, some black beans and some rice cereal or some avocado. I think black beans and avocados are her favorite food right now, which makes her Mexican-loving-mama extremely happy.

7:30-8:00pm - BEDTIME! After her bath and before she goes to bed Kenley has one more 5oz bottle. 

I couldn't be more proud of the good eater that Kenley has become! Not only does the kid eat A LOT but she really loves everything she tries. For now I'm keeping her away from sugary foods and juice because she has her whole life to enjoy sugar. For now I want her to continue to love healthy fruits and veggies! 

So there you have it! I'd love to hear what you other mamas are doing for baby food & schedules. I'm always curious to hear what works well for other families and get new ideas!

And before I go, I want to wish my dear friend Carolyn a HAPPY DUE DATE!

Let's get that little Beebo out of there! 

Family Friendly Food

Today I am once again linking up with Julie + friends for their Kid Test, Mom Approved link up party. 

I've talked A LOT about feeding Kenley, but what's one more post? Right? 

In case you missed the previous posts, you can get caught up here: 

Breastfeeding

The End of Breastfeeding
Starting Solids

What to Feed My Baby, When?

DIY Baby Food

Since I've already kind of covered the bases, I thought today I'd share a typical meal plan for Kenley now that she is 9, almost 10 months old. 

Kenley is still drinking 5 formula bottles / day - which in just over two months we get to be done with! WAHOO! I am so ready to be done with formula and introduce cow's milk. Other than that Kenley is all about solids. She has been introduced to pretty much all of the foods she is allowed to have {no cows milk, no eggs and very little sugar - which is my request}.

So here's what a day in the life of Kenley looks like. 

6:30-7:00am - 5oz bottle when she wakes up. 

9:00am - Yogurt for Breakfast. Her favorites are YoBaby & Gerber. 

9:30am - 5oz bottle before morning nap. 

12:00pm - Lunch which usually consists of oatmeal cereal, cottage cheese & some sort of fruit mix - either one of my purees or an applesauce-to-go squeeze. She'll usually have a bottle around this time as well.

2:00ish - Snack time! Kenley is obsessed with the little Yogurt Melts but also loves veggie puffs, lil crunchies and wagon wheels.

3:00pm - 5oz bottle before afternoon nap

6:00pm - Dinner! Dinner time is so much easier now as Kenley will usually just have a teeny portion of whatever Jason and I are having. For example, last night she had a turkey meatball (cut up of course), some whole grain brown rice and broccoli. If Jason and I are eating something I don't K is ready for I will usually give her a homemade veggie puree, some black beans and some rice cereal or some avocado. I think black beans and avocados are her favorite food right now, which makes her Mexican-loving-mama extremely happy.

7:30-8:00pm - BEDTIME! After her bath and before she goes to bed Kenley has one more 5oz bottle. 

I couldn't be more proud of the good eater that Kenley has become! Not only does the kid eat A LOT but she really loves everything she tries. For now I'm keeping her away from sugary foods and juice because she has her whole life to enjoy sugar. For now I want her to continue to love healthy fruits and veggies! 

So there you have it! I'd love to hear what you other mamas are doing for baby food & schedules. I'm always curious to hear what works well for other families and get new ideas!

And before I go, I want to wish my dear friend Carolyn a HAPPY DUE DATE!

Let's get that little Beebo out of there! 

Link up every Tuesday!

Mama Needs Some Help

You guys I am in a rut. Lately I've been feeling so blah and haven't been able to pinpoint why. Finally I've opened my droopy little eyes and realized it's because I look like a hot fricken mess.

When I daydreamt about being a mom, I always thought of myself looking something like:

I always said that I would still put on make up and get dressed for the day even if I had nowhere to be. I figured myself to be a person who kept a spotless house despite the mass amounts of toys and the mass amounts of time spent at work - not at home. 

Nearly 10 months in and I'm accepting the fact that I look more like:

I'm struggling to find the energy and motivation to "do it all". 

Of course I want my house to be clean. Of course I want to cook myself and my husband a delicious and healthy dinner every night. Of course I want to always remember to put on deodorant. 

I know I am a good mom. I think I'm a pretty decent wife. But right now, I am a terrible Kristin. My confidence is at like a 2 and it's time I do something to change that.

In past months I've set some goals for myself to help me take better care of ME but I think they were just a little too lofty and not a single one has been accomplished. So, this month I am setting a couple of little goals to help make steps towards taking better care of myself and getting my "momjo" back.

{oh Giuliana, how do you do it?}

1. Get a damn haircut. I will not be getting a mom-cut but I do desperately need to do something with this gnarly mane situated a'top my head. 

2. Get some fresh air and burn some cals. There is no reason why I can't take 30 minutes out of my lunch break each day to enjoy a little walk. This month I would like to do this a total of 10 times - not asking a lot Kristin! 

3. Revive the wardrobe. Ideally I would go on a massive shopping spree and replace everything in my closet but if I had that kind of money I would just hire a maid and a chef and all my problems would be gone. The goal on this one is to treat myself to a couple of new outfits and/or items to liven up my wardrobe. 

4. Spend 15 minutes cleaning each day. Our place isn't that big and we aren't that messy so realistically if I just spent 15 minutes after putting Kenley to bed picking up or dusting or folding laundry our house would be in much better shape. 

Alright people. Wish me luck. If I can't achieve these teeny little goals this month then I might as well accept that I'm on the fast track to mom-cut and house coat.