Cruisin With a One Year Old

Last year was not only our first cruise, but our first cruise with our son. We went on a one week cruise to the French Caribbean through Carnival. Chase was 1 1/2 at the time of our cruise. Below is a complete packing list of things we took with us Feel free to ask about any specific product. 

3-4swim suits with sun-proof shirts - we definitely used all. While we used two per day, the others were able to dry in the cabin 

A comfortable and lightweight stroller that you don’t mind banging around. 

A non-spill cup - in fact I recommend this for the entire family

A&D ointment

Acetaminophen / Tylenol for both adults and babies

Aloe Gel / Cooling lotion

shampoo for adult and baby

Benadryl for both adults and babies

Bottle washer * We found the cutest travel kit on amazon. See main image.

Children’s Dramamine; if your toddler is like mine- forget the sea band, he won't wear it the entire trip. Make sure to check with your doctor first.

coloring book and crayons 

Crib Sheet / blanket

diapers (enough for an extra day just incase you get stranded at the airport)

dish soap

At least two formal outfits for both adults and babies. including dress shoes

Ear drops

eating utensils for baby

first aid kit

food/snacks enough for each day

gas medicine/probiotics or whatever will aid your child with digestion

hair supplies

headphones

Hoodie / LIGHT JACKET

insect repellent 

iPad / tablet and download your toddler’s favorite movies on it. Do not rely on Wi-Fi 

Lanyard for cruise ID (1 for each family member)

Large and small zip-lock bags to keep everything organized and separated, and plastic bags for wet or sandy clothes.

lotion (baby and adult)

nail clippers 

One or two large garbage bags for all your dirty laundry

pajamas

portable fan

portable rack

sandals

shoe rack for behind door to keep toiletries organized

Sippy cups

small pool/beach toys

sneakers

stain remover (tide to go)

sunglasses

sunscreen

swim/water shoes

toothbrush and safe to swallow toothpaste

Tote bag for day excursions

Two outfits per cruise day and a couple of dressier ones AND PANTS FOR RAINY/COOLER DAYS

wipes (baby and disinfecting)

- Chanel Rae

World Science Festival Coming to New York City

Looking for something fun and educational to do with the little people in your life?  The World Science Festival is coming to New York City next month! The family friendly event runs May 29th through June 3, 2018. According to the press release, the festival is an action-packed six days filled with fun science-related activities for kids and adults of all ages. 

The festival a six-day multidisciplinary science celebration featuring plenty of fun activities for kids of all ages. Families can experience hands-on experiments, meet real-life scientists, sail on a ship in New York harbor and engage in fun interactive outdoor explorations.

And Yes mommies, there are tons of FREE events. 

Here is a link to the full catalog of events >.

- Chanel Rae

Gas Relief for Babies and Parents

There are certain things other parents down warn you about. You’re two to three weeks into this new parent thing, and you think he this isn’t too bad, we’ve got this. Then, your baby yells out a cry you haven’t heard before. It doesn’t sound like the sleepy cry or the hungry cry, this cry seems painful. 

Now you start to panic, you call the mom support of grandmothers and besties for all their suggestions as well as the pediatrician. They all say the same thing, its gas issues. In an extreme case, your baby might have colic (Colic is defined as episodes of crying for more than three hours a day, for more than three days a week, for three weeks in an otherwise healthy child).

In most instances, both these over the counter medicines worked for us. As we mentioned in Episode 11 of season 1, we recommend Woodward’s gripe water and Little Remedies Gas Relief Drops. 

Remember we are not doctors or experts, these products just work best for us. Please check with your pediatrician before you give any new medicines to your child. 

-Chanel Rae

Routines or Nah?

I set my alarm for everything. Yes, even to remember to call my mom, there is an alarm for that. With all there is to remember in my professional, personal, and family life staying organized is key. If its a new routine I want to implement, it needs an alarm or calendar notification.

Children tend to be as habitual as us. I found that if I kept a routine for eating, sleeping, and playtime, Chase and I were happy campers. The more we break routine the harder it is to get back to normal. 

What happens if you and your child can’t get into a routine? I say keep trying until you find something that works for your family. If you have a hectic schedule that changes every week, find ONE thing you can do to keep that consistency even if its something as simple as Saturday morning waffles and cartoons. 

The book I mentioned in episode 10, The New Contented Little Baby Book by Gina Ford, covers everything from preparation for birth, helps you week by week with scheduling, as well as separation tips for when the baby is older. Though the book gives great advice, it is not the end-all manual to parenting. Take the tips you like, but ultimately do what works for you and your family. 

- Chanel Rae