Traveling Mercies

As many (all?) of you know, we just got back from a trip to Puerto Rico to visit Geno's familia.  Traveling long distances with a 16 month old is no small feat, but thanks to the makers of items like ziploc bags, white noise iPhone apps and press-on window shades, we made it through.

We flew with Mateo last year to Virginia Beach, so he had technically been on a plane before, but this trip was definitely longer and more of an adventure given his squirminess and mobility.  In advance of our flight I did a lot of research, both in talking to friends and looking up random tips online, in order to make the trip as smooth as possible.  Almost all of the advice I received got put to use, so thanks pals for your wisdom.

In that same vein, here are some ideas and observations that I'd like to share for whatever they are worth:

• Whole milk is practically impossible to find in an airport.  I love that fast food restaurants are all about fighting obesity (ha), but what's wrong with a fatty milk option when you're selling fatty sandwiches and fries?  Once again, Starbucks, you brought peace to my family.
• Ziploc, ziploc, ziploc.  I can't remember who suggested to me the brilliant idea of putting a single diaper, small package of wipes and bio-bag in a ziploc to bring into the tiny airplane restrooms for a diaper change, but you deserve a Nobel prize of some sort.  (Making things work in cramped spaces is an art, so it was probably one of my NYC friends.)
• Even if you're going to a very, very hot place, bring many different types of pajamas.  You just never know what kind of crazy air-conditioning antics might occur.

It definitely took a lot of effort to be well prepared to travel with Mateo, but I can't say enough about how much it was worth.  This trip could very well have been the most amazing I've ever been on, in part because of how much Mateo *loved* it.  There is something incomparable about seeing joy and excitement in the face of your child.  Next stop, New Zealand.