Well, it has been awhile since I last wrote….just got back from a trip to my parents house for my daughter’s 2nd birthday.  I’ve only been back for a few days and already I feel like I need another vacation.  Probably because the weather back east was snowy, rainy and just plain white.  I’m feeling like something tropical or at least warm.  Speaking of warm and tropical, check out these offers from Travelocity…Hawaii vacation packages when you stay 6 nights or longer - use promo code HAW150; Orlando vacations 4 nights or longer - use promo code ORL75; last minute deals to Florida where you get $25 off your package - use promo code FLORIDA25.  Any one of these deals would be fabulous…..Considering I used to live in Florida and LOVED  it…there was so much to do like the beach and Disney World and all of the other theme parks; and then there is Hawaii…I loved the tropical atmosphere where you could smell the flowers so fragrant, the water so blue and the sea turtles (these are good luck).  Anyone else getting that spring fever yet?

I was so wrapped up in the fact that my oldest daughter is now occupying her own seat on the airplane that I forgot to mention a few things about traveling with an infant.  Our pediatrician made some recommendations.  First of all, it is best to wait until after 8 weeks of age, the reason for this is you want to wait until they have at least their first series of shots (because out in big public places like an airport they are susceptible to many illnesses).  The next thing that was recommended is that at take off and landing, you want the baby to either be sucking on a pacifier or to be drinking (either from a bottle or nursing).  This helps their little ears with the change in pressure - just like we as adults would chew on a piece of gum or something to make our ears “pop”.  The American Academy of Pediatrics gives a great list of travel tips when traveling with children of different ages.

Well, we are about to embark on our first cross-country plane ride with two kids.  It was pretty easy with just one child when she could just sit in our lap.  Now that our oldest is turning 2, she is required to occupy her own seat.  And, did you know that children 2 and over who are still in a car seat do not have to be in a car seat on the airplane?  You just buckle them in .  I never knew that until recently.  It might be better this way since she might feel less confined and will have a little “wiggle” room.  I am glad that at least we will now have our own row of seats.  There is nothing like having lap children and being cramped in the seat with total strangers and bumping elbows.  Our youngest will be 4 months old soon and will just sit on our lap.  The only downside to our whole trip is the length of the flight.  Can you say portable DVD player, coloring books and lots of snacks?