Travelsized Beanie
I’m not gonna lie, Bean had a rough trip. It wasn’t his fault and to his credit, he really tried to be happy, but traveling is tough for babies. He was in an unfamiliar place, so it was hard for him feel 100% comfortable. He didn’t nap because we didn’t have his swing or his music, both of which really help him sleep when he just can’t unwind. His sleep schedule was off because of the no napping thing, so he woke up at 3:30 every morning, rearing to go.
I was so disappointed. I had been looking forward to this weekend for so long. Everyone was excited to see him and, naturally, they all wanted to spend some time with him, but he just cried most of the time. It probably wouldn’t have been such a big deal if I had just planned for the tears. But I hadn’t thought about travel from his perspective really. I know when I go home to family, I am just so relieved to be there. You can unwind and let your hair down and relax, and so I was looking forward to being able to pass Beaner off for a while. But I didn’t think about the fact that, to Beanie, this was all really intense. Even though they are family, Bean doesn’t see them all the time so he doesn’t really go to them right away.
Don’t get me wrong, there were definitely bright spots. Mostly due to the fact that my parents brought Beanie’s Christmas present with them to my sisters so that he had something to play with. It was a jumparoo and Bean loved it. It kept people out of his face, really. He had this bubble around him in his jumparoo that let people spend time with him without being too close and scaring him.
Bean is actually a pretty independent baby. He doesn’t like to be held all the time and he’s happiest when he’s rolling around on a blanket somewhere by himself. So, suddenly having all these people who each wanted to hold him and spend time with him was a little overwhelming.
But by Saturday, Bean had settled down a bit. And just in time, too, because we ended up leaving early and heading home Saturday afternoon instead of Sunday morning, partly to beat the traffic, but partly because Bean was so out of sorts. Right before we left though, Bean turned on that charm that we see at home. For a couple hours, he was like a different baby. He was himself – happy, talking, playing. And who got to capitalize on that?
GRANDDAD!
And then later when we had lunch at this cute little soda shop, Nana was the one who got the Beanie lovin’! It was really crowded inside and it was beautiful outside, so we sat out on the patio. Bean wore Nana’s coat because it was kind of windy.
And in thanks for her coat, Bean showered Nana with face pats, hugs, and sloppy wet kisses…
And even Uncle John Michael got some snuggles in…
All-in-all, it was an eye-opening experience to travel that far for that long with a baby. But, you live and learn. Babies cry. And as my Grandmother told me this weekend, it is more unsettling for the parents than it is for everyone else. To my family, Bean was a good baby this week. He hung in there like a trooper and while Chris and I know that he is capable of being so much happier, when you’re with family it doesn’t really matter what your mood is. They see you for who you really are.
And Bean is really a good baby.
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Corinne
It is such a good thing that traveling w/ kids gets easier the older they get! We still do little overnight traveling because my youngest gets so thrown off, and we are very knowledgeable in starting our day at 3:30 when we’re at someone else’s house… But it is worth it 🙂 Great pictures!!!
deepa
We didn’t even travel and had an off weekend. Thanksgiving at someone else’s house really threw off Rohan’s bedtime. We put him to bed upstairs, but he kept waking up screaming, more scared than anything, so he didn’t get to his crib that night until 9ish, 2 and half hours after his usual bedtime. Friday, Sat and Sun were all people-filled, busy days away from home, so Rohan got no downtime with his parents and his naps were all over the palce. I wanted to tell people that he was a really good baby and always smiling, but what can you do? We learned some lessons for next time:)
Lori @ I Can Grow People
I applaud you guys for even attempting to make the trip! I am pretty terrified to take Porter adventurin’. The thought of getting him on a plane scares the bejeezus out of me. Car rides seem a little less intimidating, but not by much. We have managed a 7 hour car ride to visit Aaron’s parents in Boca when Porter was 6 weeks old and that was an experience. The ride itself wasn’t too bad, but once we got there Porter screamed for 3 days straight. Aaron’s mom wanted to hold him 24/7 so it was hard for him to have any routine that he was use to. It was exhausting and I got really stressed out. It was hard for me to relax.
According to your Facebook photos, it does seem like you all did manage to have some good times with the extended family–which is what the holidays are all about! 🙂
Tressa
I’m glad Beanie came around before you left. Like you said, family loves him no matter what. But you do want them to see his real self. The happy playful side. Very cute pictures!
Mindee@ourfrontdoor
Yeah, that’s rough. I’m not a big fan of traveling with babies myself. It gets a little easier when they can watch videos but then goes downhill again during potty training. Next time you’ll know to keep your expectations low. 🙂 The easiest thing though? Make everyone come to your house!
Michelle
We traveled with Henry (6 months) to Atlanta- a 6 hour drive. He did good, but was the same as Beanie, a little out of sorts. We then decided to drive to Tallahassee to see my husband’s father and he/his dad went to the Gator game. So I was left with a baby who DID NOT sleep. He kept not sleeping at night- it was so bad that I ended up driving him around in the car at midnight and 5 am (for an hour each time). It was the only way to get him to stop screaming. I’m with you- travel for the little guys is tough! My husband keeps asking, “so we’re realllly traveling for Christmas?” We might be at home this season! 🙂 Thanks for sharing- makes me feel a little more sane! 🙂
Liz, JM, and Leo
Oh my goodness – Leo probably traveled more than the average baby (our first ten-day trip was when he was 7 weeks old) – we had two weddings before he turned 3 months old and then we moved out of our house and lived at various places for two months and then, you know, we moved to China ;). So I can relate. It’s not easy, but it IS worth it and babies are wonderfully flexible in the end.
I found the 11 month stage to be the hardest – we spent a weekend in Shanghai and he basically didn’t sleep unless he was in bed with us (which meant we didn’t sleep). It stunk. But we lived through it and it was, again, worth it!
Then we traveled all summer this past summer and he did remarkably well – yes, off his game at times, for sure – but really well. Of course, home and routine is best, and this travel-less Fall has been great.
With kids, you’ve just gotta do it. Keep on truckin’ on – and be not afraid. Take care to try to set yourselves up for success (bring as much routine with you as you can) – but just don’t make any huge plans at your destination other than to take care of your Bean and try to eek out any other good times to be had.
It’s also good to get that first big travel behind you so you rack up some experience :). It’s pretty helpful to know what to expect.
Anyway – if you want any travel tips – let me know – I’m really well traveled with a baby :).
Love you and miss you!
Liz
PS – I’m having trouble with your website (have no idea what the problem is though) – the top border (where you can click on “Marriage Confessions” or “The Man Cave”, etc.) is askew to the left – and I can’t access “Marriage Confessions”. 🙁 I’ve been going through withdrawal!
Katie
Oh, thanks for the pep talk, Liz!! You are totally right. Just keep on truckin’! We miss you guys, too!!! And until the computer issue works itself out – try the link from here: http://marriageconfessions.com/confessions
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