Hello lovelies! Happy Hump Day.
A picture recap of our Memorial Day weekend trip to Atlanta is coming later this week, but today I wanted to share what I ended up packing in Ava’s diaper (carry-on) bag for our flights this past weekend.
You may remember that while Ava flew a lot in her first 1.5 years, the last time she has been on a flight is last September when we went to the D.R. for my friend Arlene’s wedding. Almost a year ago. Basically a lifetime of a difference in babyland! I now have a true-blue toddler, so I started doing some research (online and polling people with toddlers) for this trip so I’d be fully prepared.
Here is what I packed.
The Lily Pulitzer Palm Beach Tote was the perfect bag to use as Ava’s diaper bag on the trip (and for the rest of summer!) It was really the perfect size and wasn’t too heavy for me to carry on my shoulder while pushing Ava in her stroller or holding her hand walking.
Let’s start with the “activities” items first:
- New books that Ava had gotten for her birthday (I had purposefully hid them from her for this trip).
- A mini Etch A Sketch – she loves this thing.
- Post – Its (several people told me their toddlers loved placing sticky notes all over their seat and window, keeping them entrained for many minutes. I will say Ava wasn’t a fan of them).
- Water Reveal Pad(s) – more on this below!
- A couple of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and Thomas & Friends episodes saved on my iPad for backup (not pictured).
- Ava’s plush Mickey Mouse that she sleeps with (not pictured).
Soooo thankful for all the people who told me what in the world these things were and those who got Ava several for her birthday. Not only are they cool for kids, but adults too! These pads kept Ava entertained the most during the flights and at restaurants. I can’t recommend them enough.
In addition to activities and toys, Ava can be entertained with food (as most kids are!)
- (Food) “Pouchies” (what Ava calls them)
- Cherrios
- Happy Baby Organic Yogis – Ava loves all the flavors
- Peaches
- Sippy cup with water
I am happy to report that Ava did great on both flights. Most of her time was spent looking out her window (yep – her window. The joys of having a 2-year-old – paying for her own seat now!), having a blast ordering her own tomato juice from the flight attendant, talking to Mickey and showing him what was outside her window, coloring on one of her water-reveal pads, and eating.
QUESTION:
What are some things you do to prepare your toddler for airplane trips?
I was so nervous for my son’s first flight (he was ~1yr), I prepped for everything and he ended up sleeping through the entire thing (it was only a 2 hour flight). I wrote about it here (http://stitchesandpress.com/2016/04/06/first-baby-free-vacation/). His second flight, he was closer to 2, and it was terrible! Now that he is over 2, we just booked a trip where he will have his own seat and I’m crossing my fingers that the extra space make everything go a little smoother! : )