Puerto Vallarta and Baby

Back from our first vacation with a baby, I wouldn't call it vacation but more like a trip. Don't get me wrong it was more than nice to escape the brutal winter we have had and soak up some rays Mexican style, but it just isn't the same with a baby. Not bad but different, and my angel made it really easy to want to take her on another trip.The packing was successful, carry on only for the baby and I :) I hate to say it but I told you I could and would do it. Here is a prime example of why I choose to pack light. This is the carry on line at Puerto Vallarta airport

Now this is the check baggage line. I am sure they did not appreciate me passing them all up and then taking their picture. Sucks to be them!

I really dreaded the looks of other passengers as I boarded with a baby. Other than a few eye rolls, we were good. She seriously slept every flight for the duration of the flight, I may be bragging a bit but hey, it may never happen ever again! My goal was to keep her awake during layovers, starve her(not really), then feed her on the plane so she would crash. It worked. We stayed at RIU Palace Puerto Vallarta, all inclusive because it is familiar and we didn't have to do a darn thing....except care for a baby. Easy right? Parent of the year award goes to me again.

The staff loved her and carried her around all of the time. Her favorite was Lidia, what a gem. We would sit down for dinner and they would swarm over and whisk her away....ahhhhh. We ate the buffet every night instead of making dinner reservations at the restaurants on site, but avoiding the fight with bed time is so worth it.

Her naps were taken poolside except for her long nap, then we all went inside for a siesta, this is vacation afterall. Between her naps and daddy walking her all over the resort (probably because she is a total chick magnet) mama bear got to lay out in the sun....ALONE.

Our vacation was filled with a lot of firsts. First time out of the country (yes she has a passport), first time with her feet in the grass, ocean, sand, and the pool, and first plane ride. So many great memories that she will never remember except through photos, and trust me I took plenty.

Would I do anything different for the next trip with our baby? Yep. I would bring a stroller. I may be strong and she may be cute but good lord, we thought about buying one there. Would've been great for sitting up around the pool, great in the airport ( I used my Baby K'tan, but sucked taking it off through security), great for a seat at dinner since the highchairs are for babies who can already sit up. Now I wouldn't bring a double wide, extra long, every part of a stroller but just a compact light weight stroller! Other than that major need, we survived. Until next time :)

Carry On Everytime-A Must Read!

Believe it people. This princess only packs in a carry on for EVERY vacation, from 4 quick days in Mexico to 11 days train hopping in Italy! No lost luggage, no fees, and no waiting at baggage claim. I just walk right on by everyone scratching their head, hands on hips waiting, and trying to figure out which luggage belongs to them on the big conveyer belt. Yes, it can be a hassel trying to find that perfect spot above your seat for your luggage but if there is no more room they will check it for free. So with a rolling bag and a large shoulder bag to fit under my seat, we are ready to go! But packing for our upcoming trip was seriously a challenge and I was excited to tackle it. Pack for me and my baby in 1 lonely carry on and 1 shoulder bag. Don't ever challenge or doubt me, I will prove you wrong :) So this post is with baby things, whatever room she takes up, just think you have that much more space if you are traveling alone. I have a cheap bag from Khols and it seriously is the best, good pockets, expands, and it has been many places. I can't part with my dirty old bag...yet!1.) Pack clothes and shoes in the same color palate or neutrals. Try to pick outfits and shoes you can wear with just about every outfit. 2.) Pack sample size items and travel items such as perfume samples, toothpaste from the dentist, small deodorant and such. I take small shampoos, my toothbrush, and travel toothpaste and leave it there. (Of course remember if you carry on it can only be 3.0 ounces anyways.) Who wants to take your dirty toothbrush home and most of the time I use up my shampoo/conditioner. You can bring the bottles home because you have room and reuse them if you would like, but at .99, I buy new! 3.) Go light. Like makeup, jewelery, and hair accessories. Bring things you can mix and match. You do not need every color eyeshadow you own or every necklace, you should bring a color or piece that matches all outfits. 4.) Start with a good list. See previous Blog post for my Vacation Packing List. I love a list...for everything :) 5.) Condense. Majority of you probably have an iPad or some gadget, so use it wisely. Upload movies, games, newspapers, magazines, and books all on one source for more room in your carry on bag. If you don't want to buy books and magazines, borrow them from your local library using Wilbor.lib.overdrive.com/. Simple. My make-up bag inside my luggage has all essentials that are not liquids. Duh. *see Vacation Packing List blog post

</a Most people find it hard to take only 1 ziplock bag full of their stuff but here I have a few tips for you. Here's mine (with baby): Neutrogena sunscreen (my fav), California Baby sunscreen, shampoo, condtioner, hairspray, 3 perfume samples, lotion ( The Body Shop has awesome travel size body butter in tons of scents), toothpaste, 2 sample size Johnson & Johnson shampoo/body wash combo, baby lotion, and baby Tylenol. * Pack this near the top of your luggage for easy access when going through security. Nobody wants to wait for you to dig it out while your underwear is flying out in the process.

Now let's talk your carry on bag/purse. This should fit under the seat in front of you. If I am not taking my baby, I throw my purse into the bag, but for this trip I am not taking an actual purse. I put things in this bag to keep me busy, full, clean, and organized. Kleenex, hand sanitizer, passports, wallet with id's, credit cards, money, sunglasses, hat (if I am taking one), snacks, iPad, camera, and slippers for when my feet get cold :). This trip I am adding a baby "bag" that I put in my blog post, My Baby Must Haves. Life saver, and it's cute. In this bag for my baby is: extra outfit, teether toy, book, sunnies, wipes, 4 diapers, rice cereal (I poured it into a milk storage bag, folded it over and put it inside a Gerber bowl with lid), spoon, bib, paci, comb, 2 formula packets, bottle, and a blankie. Note: I do not have my electronics in my bag yet in the photo because I use them daily...okay, hourly :)

Here is what I am packing for myself, 5 days to Mexico, all inclusive. We go to the Riu Palace often and so there is no need for us to venture out on excursions. 1.) White/Navy striped maxi dress

</a 2.) Tunic and white shorts. My tunic matches my baby's dress :)

</a 3.) White wrap top with skinny jean/capris or wear with khaki shorts from another outfit. 4.) Pink dress

5.) Khaki shorts and t-shirt

6.) My outfit for the plane is comfy linen pants, easy tank for nursing my baby and wear one of my cardigans.

Shoes I am taking are a flip flop, sandal, and a wedge. All the same color family. Each pair works with every outfit and I am taking 2 cardigans because I am a grandma in disguise, I get cold. Don't forget the essentials, bras and undies.

Now for my darling child. Yes, it was hard not to pack extra because every outfit looks cute on her! I used a Pinterest idea and packed her things in Ziploc bags, then I manually ( with my own mouth) sucked the excess air out of the bag to condense it down. Who needs those vacuum sealed bags anyways when I have the biggest mouth?? Haha Each number refers to each ZipLoc bag. 1.) 2 blankies, 3 pairs socks, 2 pj's, 3 bibs, and 1 onsie 2.) Rash gaurd (aka swimsuit), yellow dress with bloomers, hair bow, coverup, and foot sandals. 3.) Cream hat, cover up, rash gaurd, foot sandals, and pink dress with bloomers 4.) Flamingo shirt with ruffle bottoms, hair bow, pink hat, and rash gaurd 5.) Dress with bloomers, white hat, rash gaurd, cover up, blue hat, and hair bow. I am taking 2 re-usable swim diapers and 25 regular diapers with me as well. Who knew it was so hard to get baby sized disposable swim diapers?! Call me crazy but I am also taking a blow up pool canopy floatie.

So start with a list, colors you want to wear, and go from there. For example, in Italy, I took comfy walking shoes and 2 pairs of boots, brown and black boots. Wear one pair of boots on the plane to make more space in your carry on. I am also notorious for making a graph of the days I am there for mixing & matching outfits. Whatever works for you do it, but take the challenge and pack in a carry on, the airline will love you for it! HaHa Happy Travels! *After we go on our vacation I will make sure and report back with you on what worked and what didn't work when traveling with a baby. To be continued....

Vacation Packing List

If you don't know me, I make a list for everything, even for just 3 items at the grocery store. Now with having a baby, I swear I can't remember anything for the life of me....until I get home. Annoying. With vacation on my mind, I decided to share my go-to packing list for every vacation. Depending on the location, I add/remove a few items. I print this off of my computer, saved in my email for each vacation, and check it off as I go.*I make a pouch in my purse/bag with my meds, chapstick, mini nail file, band aids, hair tie/bobby pin, hand lotion, perfume sample, and feminine products. ( exclude perfume if flying)

Bathroom 🛁🚿 Shamp/conditioner Razor  Face cream Lotion Chapstick Nail file Makeup Flat iron Curling iron Hair dryer Bobby pins-hair ties-headbands Toothbrush & paste Brush/comb Nail polish Perfume Contacts/glasses Sunscreen Deodorant  Tampons Meds: Motrin, BC, Tums, band aids Clothing👗 Dresses Shorts Shirts Tanks/Tees Sandals/shoes Slippers Flip flops Bras-strapless & sports bra Running gear: shoes, tanks, shorts Underwear Pjs Jewelry-watch-necklace-earrings Socks Swim suits Coverups Hats Sunglasses Scarf Belt Stuff👜 Ipad Phone Chargers Books-magazines Passport Itenirary Money ID & Credit card Snacks Water bottle Mints/gum Beach towel Neck pillow Ipod & ear buds/headphones Camera-chargers Beach bag MIO for drinks Arrange dog sitter Have neighbor get mail Stop paper delivery Turn down heat/air Set light timers Movies on ipad Kindle & charger

Let me know if I am missing one of your "essentials"! Happy Travels.