Airplane Toddler Travel: How it actually went

Despite my hopes of a smooth trip, we had an extra 3 hours added to our layover in TX, which meant that an 8 hour travel day turned into 11. Thankfully we only had a few meltdowns (and by "we," I include myself in the tally- I definitely had a meltdown during our layover.)

But instead of re-living all the negatives, here are some tips for unexpected layovers:

1. Make friends with other passengers. As soon as we arrived at the next gate, Man-cub D began to run around and greet people. His friendliness helped me meet other passengers who later played ball with Man-cub D, let him look at their vacation photos, watched our luggage while we made a few trips to the bathroom, and most importantly, kept us updated on the "maintenance" they were doing to our plane. 
2. Let your little run around! They've been sitting on a plane and/or will be sitting on a plane for hours, so you may as well let them get all the energy out that they can.
3. Tell yourself that no matter how bad it is, at least you aren't driving.

Airplane Toddler Travel

Man-cub D greeting the airplane passengers behind us. 

We move across the country next week! Papa M will be driving all of our belongings, and then Man-cub D and I will fly out to join him three days later. We were able to get a "practice run" in because we flew to Oregon for a family reunion last week. Here's what I learned from that trip:

• Car seats are bulky. Yes, you can check them at the curb or at the normal check in instead of at the gate, but I'd much rather not worry about it. So we will be borrowing one until we can fly out.
• I will only have the diaper bag (as my small item) and a backpack as my carry on. I will also have an umbrella stroller to transport Man-cub D in. That's it.
• To make this happen, I have to pack light. Here's what I'm eliminating:
• My laptop. One of our planes actually had small touch screens for each seat, and I figure I can just use my phone and save myself a few extra pounds in luggage.
• Clothes. I'm staying with my mom during the three day period when we move out to when we fly out, and I'm planning on borrowing some of my sister's clothing during that time so I don't have to pack as much. 
• Toiletries. Borrow at my mom's house. All I'll have are man-cub D's things, like his liquid multi-vitamins. 
• Books. I only need to bring one for Man-cub D. (It's a large look-and-find one that he loves).

What would you eliminate on a airplane trip?

Man-Cub Mamas are Moving!

If you couldn't tell from some of the previous posts, us man-cub mamas (and our man-cubs) are moving! We'll be living it up in the midwest and east coast by next month. As such, you will be seeing a lot of posts related to moving and adjusting to new states/ homes. We are excited for this next chapter and hope you will enjoy the ride with us.

Toddler Obsessions

Toddlers go through phases of obsessions. Sometimes it's the usual things you'll hear about: cars, animals, tv show characters, etc. But sometimes, your toddler may become obsessed with something more unusual. Man-cub D is currently obsessed with identifying and touching eyebrows. He is also convinced that any sound that comes from the sky is a helicopter. Feeling that I needed some reassurance, I asked my friends to share stories of their toddler's weird or random obsessions. So here are my top 10 favorites:  

Toothpaste. He loves it! He carries it around. Brushes his teeth constantly! Chews on the tube. And even wasted an entire tube on brushing his dinosaurs' teeth.

My daughter was into singing on the toilet. Many times she wouldn't get off until she felt she was finished singing.

My kids liked to play in the dog kennel or the laundry basket.

Moles! I know it sounds so strange but my little boy searches for them.

My belly button. To this day, it is my four-year-old's comfort object. Any time he falls or is sad or is going to bed, he wants snuggles solely so he can have my "tummy button." It's been that way since he turned one. It's embarrassing when he's digging through my tucked in shirts to get to it in public. But he is soooooo obsessed with mommy' tummy button.

My son has been fixated on keys (everything becomes a key or a lock) and measuring tapes (he measures everything).

My daughter was and is obsessed with packing things into bags, containers etc. Still waiting for her to grow out of that.

Spoons. He used them for everything his imagination could come up with. We had to put the spoons up high in the cabinet and bought him his own plastic ones to lose around the house.

There was a time when my son would only eat hot dogs, canned mushrooms, and mandarine oranges.

Both of my girls have a thing about freckles. Whenever they find what they think might be a new one on their legs or arms they have to come running to show me and be reassured that its okay. They count the ones on my arms and get concerned that I have so many more on my left arm than my right arm.

What are your toddler's weird obsessions?

When Messes Drive Me Crazy

Sometimes I feel like Man-cub D and I have two different perspectives on the messes he makes.

My perspective: messy baby, messy counter

D's perspective: advanced artist and speller

So on days when D is making an absolute mess at the table or on the floor, I try to remember his creative perspective.  Photo credit: screenshots of Matilda.

Toddler Conversations: All Gone!

The scene: we are sitting at the table for breakfast and Man Cub D has just finished off the last of the blueberries.

D: More?

Me: There's no more left.

D *thinking I misunderstood*: Another?

Me: They're all gone.

D *why does she not understand?*: Another!

Me: We don't have anymore. All gone!

D *she's hiding them from me*: ANOTHER!

Me: You can't have another because they are all gone.

D: Another! Another! Another!

Me: Well this conversation is fruitless... *ba dum chhhhh*

Join us later today for a repeat of this conversation when D finishes off the last banana.

Would You Rather Have a Toddler Who...

Always wants to be held in public places or always wants to run away from you?

Sleeps through the night but is up for the day at 6am or wakes up twice but sleeps in until 9am?

Is constantly constipated or poops four times a day?

Gets a new tooth once a month or has four teeth come in at the same time?

Hates getting dirty or loves playing in the mud?

Insists on doing everything themselves or wants you to do everything for them?