Flying Trans-Atlantic with 2!

I wasn't naive.  I knew flying trans-Atlantic with two under 3 wasn't going to be easy.  I can't say I was pleasantly surprised but I did learn a few lessons that I will be using when I have to do this again (yes I will have to do this again....alone!)

First thing to mention is we didn't purchase a seat for Maddy.  We were trying to save some money and this was the obvious way to cut a few dollars off the trip.  We did take her car seat with us plane side (we almost always baggage check the car seat if we have a lap infant) in the hopes that there would be open seats on the planes.  This turned out to be a great plan as we were able to get a seat for her on 3 out of the 4 flights!!  She's at an age where she doesn't just "sit" on your lap or "sleep" on your lap.  She's also too little to really go without a seat for comforts sake.  It was such a blessing to be able to put her in her seat when she fell asleep without worry.

The second thing we changed up was the way we travel inside the airport.  Up to this point we haven't been a stroller family.  We've found it way easier to strap the kids to us and babywear through layovers and plane changes.  I decided to gate check our stroller for use in the airport mainly for use in Germany over the long layovers.  Mara is getting older and heavier.  It's just not feasiable to carry her, but at the same time she's too little to really walk these long distances on her own.  I'm so glad we did this because not only did the stroller do its baby duty but it also served for toting all of our carry ons.

Other things to note:

1. Let the toddler watch as much tv as she wants.  Airplanes and long haul travels aren't the time to inforce things.  We were in survival mode and if she wanted to watch Elsa for the 4th time I was game.

2. Bring lots of snacks.  We didn't have a ton in the house so weren't able to.  I know the girls would have done better if I would have been able to pull out some of their favorites in clutch moments.

3. Bring sleeping things.  This is different for every child.  We borrowed an inflatable pillow for Mara this time and it was ok.  I wasn't sold on it but it made me think about looking into something like it for the next flight.  Maddy was ok with her seat but still maybe could have used something to keep her head stable.  It flopped around and she kept waking up on the flights.

Lessons learned:

1. When flying with 2 kids and 2 adults get a 4 row seat whenever possible so that parents can do one on one coverage.  This also made for a happy mama.

2. Take turns.  When only 3 seat flying options are possible or if one child has to fly in lap switch up roles.  Its EXAUSTING for one parent to always be on no matter the duration of the flight.  Trust me.  Josh fell asleep on the last leg to Tbilisi while the kids were wide awake.  This mama was exausted and so angry by the end of the flight ;)

3. Ask for help and take your time.  Traveling with kids takes longer than traveling solo.  Make sure you have plenty of time for layovers, customs, exiting and entering the plane, etc.  Just causes less stress overall.

This flight wasn't easy.  Man traveling with kids never is.  I am glad we did it if only for the experience before I attempt it on my own this summer (am I crazy?!)

Madeline-13 Months

Weight: You continue to hover around 20 lbs and 27 inches as far as I can tell.

Health: You were cutting your molars for the majority of this month which was really hard.  You didn't drool but I could tell you were in a lot of pain.

You were so over the sticker 

Social: You really interact with all around you.  You ask to be held and then proceed to take whomever is holding you around on your whims.  "get this" "go there".  You're so sweet you get away with this often.

Diet: You are still so demanding when it comes to food.  It doesn't matter what it is you have to try it if someone else is eating it.  This goes for drink too.  Last night at dinner you had 3 different water bottles around you simply because others were using them too.  You still really love: rice, chicken, pasta, cheese, apples, bananas, etc.

We are still nursing a lot (maybe 5 times daily), more so with the teething.

Clothes: You are still in 12 month clothing.  We are straying away from any onsies as it's hard to snap them underneath your diapers but you still fit comfortably in any regular long sleeve shirts.  Your pants are slightly too short so we may be moving up to 18 months in a month or two.

Mama's Favorites: I love watching you carry around your dolly.  You are obsessed with it and will walk around all day with it by the arm.  You pat its back and give it to us to "love".

Crying: There isn't really much crying unless you wake in the middle of the night or are hurt.  Otherwise it's mainly a whining cry to get whatever you think you need at that moment.

Sleep: You are going to bed at night around 8 pm and sleeping till 8 in the morning.  You've been waking up 2-3 times a night lately and it's killing me.  I'm hoping that it's a combination developmental stage and teeth.

You do your one nap a day around the noon hour.  This nap is usually 1.5-2.5 hours.

This Month: You traveled in the states visiting your cousins, aunts and uncles.  We also came back home to Georgia and spent a few weeks getting back settled into life here. 

Baby Likes: You love to eat.  You love your sister.  You love to do whatever she is doing.  You love your dolly.  You love Buddy.  You love to watch your Daddy leave from the window and greet him when he comes home.  You love to sit down to eat dinner.  You love going on walks in the wagon.

Milestones: You are walking!  You finally got enough confidence to go for it.  It was literally 2 days later and you are walking more than crawling.  It's so cute to see you waddling along.  You have mastered the stairs and can easily get down as well as up.

Best of Times: You're happy attitude always.

Worst of Times: Jet lag....

Sister Diaries: Mara gets frustrated easily with how you want to be where she is always.  I see her needing alone time to play and try to give it to her.  She still loves being near you and asks to play with you alone in her room.

Maddy's First Birthday

Like Mara's first birthday, we ended up in Illinois at my parents to celebrate.  It was really fun to continue this little tradition and my mom was super excited to host again.  Since we would be traveling only a few days prior I knew I would have to forgo my usualy party philospy of making everything and purchase the decorations.

Decor

Thank goodness for my mom and her picture printing!

We went with a confetti/sprinkle theme and kept it super simple! I ordered some balloons, confetti, happy birthday banner, paper flowers and candle.  Josh also was super helpful getting everything assembled and I think its the least amount of party prep I have ever had to do!

So many of our family, including my cousins, their girlfriends, my brother, Mallory & Patrick, family friends, Drew.  It was such a blessing!

Birthday cake and smash cake

Rocking the same skirt and shoes that her sister did!

Give me cake!

Maddy and Mara had a ton of folks to keep them entertained and defintily twisted my male cousins into pushing them around the house in both the car and little semi.  Maddy dug into her cake a lot faster than Mara did.  She even went in for a face plant.  I quickly stepped away from that situation and took to slicing the cake (no baby clean up for mom!)

We opened presents and just visited with family until everyone had to leave.  It was such a great day!

We let Mara in on the fun

I think I'll just eat the box instead

Yes Aunt Mary gave empty bottles.  Perfect gift for a one year old!

So many family and friends!!

Teamwork

Christmas

This year we spent Christmas here in our home in Georgia.  It was our first in this new home and Maddy's first making it special.  We do a lot as a family leading up to the day to focus our hearts and minds on the real reason for the season.

I really wanted to minimalize the gifts because one the girls have too much and two like I said I just wanted to focus on the true meaning of the holiday.  We decided to limit our gift giving to one larger present and stockings.  The girls got each other one present too.  The rest we let grandparents, uncles, aunts, etc. send.

Bike helmet from Aunt Mary

It was one of those perfect mornings involving lots of snuggles in bed before heading downstairs.  Thankfully Mara still doesn't get too excited (or frankly remember) when its Christmas so we can still delay the morning some.  We headed downstairs and started opening!

The girls both got bikes from mom & dad as well as a wagon from Grandma and Grandpa.  Aunt Mary came through with a fun Little tikes camper that is still fought over daily.  Nana and Papa gave Mara a cleaning set which she uses daily to help our housekeeper and Maddy loves on the dolly they sent.

Before Christmas Eve Service

Josh and I decided not to exchange this year and gifted each other a handwoven Georgian rug which we bought later that month.  I loved watching Maddy experience the holiday for the first time.  Mara was not into it her first two Christmas's and even was a little overwelmed last year.  But Maddy was all into it and loved pulling the paper off and exploring the gifts!

Matching pjs for Christmas Eve!

Baby's first Christmas

The rest of day was kind of low key.  The kids played and Maddy took her nap.  We headed to church service at 4 and then to a friends house for dinner after.  Dinner was so nice and I was thankful to be able to celebrate with an amazing meal and friends!

Stockings were hung by the chimney with care

Maddy was obsesed with this dolly from Nana and Papa

Christmas kisses from daddy at church

Madeline-12 Months

Weight: At one year you were 19.5 pounds and 27 inches! You're smaller than your sister but still doing well on the growth charts.

Health: Just the same little cold that everyone has around here.  You are cutting your bottom molars so you have the fussiness, runny nose and pain from that!


 Social: You are super social still and love to be around other kids.  I am amazed how much you enter your own world when you are with your sister or older friends.  You rarely look to mama and dada and just do your thing.

Diet: You can be very demanding when it comes to food!  We are already hiding when we are eating around you because you insist that you need some too no matter what it is.  Your favorites are: yogurt, cheese, beans, chicken, rice, carrots and peas.

We are still nursing a lot (maybe 5 times daily), more so with the teething.

Clothes: You are still in 12 month clothing.  You have good length still on the pants and shirts.  We have a lot of warm weather clothes in this size so we did have to purchase a few winter things to make up for it.  I hope we'll get a  few weeks of the warm stuff before we have to pack it all up because you out grow it!

Mama's Favorites: I love watching you with new family members and in new situations.  You go with the flow and adapt really easily.

Crying: You have found your voice in this department and sometimes the crying whine is worse than your sister's toddler whinning!  But for the most part it only comes when you are tired, hungry or angry.

Sleep: You are a one nap girl.  You go down for your mid-day nap around 12 and sleep from 1.5 hours to 2.5 depending on your morning and previous night.  Night time usually happens aroudn 8 and you sleep till about 8-8:30 with one random wake up during hte night.  I still try to sneak in and give you a top up at night.  I've found if I don't do this you wake at like 2 which is really hard on me (I need to go to bed earlier...)

We had a *blank* of a time getting you back on the time zone.  Man we were going crazy here on the sleep deprivation.  We used melatonin and lavender and thankfully after about a week we had you back to the correct cycle.

This Month: You traveled on your first long haul plane ride back to the states.  You also got to meet your grandpa, cousins and aunts/uncles.  You turned 1!

Baby Likes: You love to eat.  You love your sister.  You love to talk to people on skype.  You love Buddy. You love to show off your walking skills.  You like to crawl up the steps. You love to jump on the couch with your sister.  You love trying to do everything your sister does.  You love to crawl to daddy when he comes home. You love your dollies and giving hugs.

Milestones: You are walking assisted and will walk with the puss walker.  You traveled to the states for the first time.  You met your extended family and we celebrated your first birthday.  You got your bottom molars.  You crawled up the steps for the first time unassisted.  You saw snow for the first time and went sledding. You give hugs when asked. You met Santa and celebrated your first Christmas.

Best of Times: You're happy attitude always.

Worst of Times: Jet lag....

Sister Diaries: Mara gets frustrated easily with how you want to be where she is always.  I see her needing alone time to play and try to give it to her.  She still loves being near you and asks to play with you alone in her room.