De Plane De Plane Boss

As I write this, I am on hold with Frontier Airlines for approx 46 min.  So I apologize if this post is a bit long.  What else can I do?  They have put some sort of hold on my reservation and won't let me check in online.  Just to make things that much more fun travelling with a 1 yr old and 5 yr old by myself, I now have to stand in line at 6 am.   Perhaps they have put my infant lap baby on that "special list," because I named her after a foreign country far far away.  I am so not kidding.  They seriously have a special list.  I know this because my Dad was on it, and had to write all sorts of letters to Homeland Security to prove that he wasn't some sort of terrorist.  I guess it doesn't matter if your name is India or Bob. We didn't have this issue with her at Christmas when we went to Disney.  Maybe it was because we were flying with George Clooney and she has her own special Secret Agent Super Spy Batline to call because she flies so damn much and has a gazillion frequent flier miles so they are super duper nice to her.

Whatever...... I need a break.  For example, last week at the Gyno for my annual I was asked by some random Nurse before my appointment if I was there for another pregnancy.  Um, unless Jesus had something to do with it ...nope.  My longtime Nurse Donna saw the whole thing go down, and stopped me just short of my usual smart assed "No just fat" comment.  She wisked me off before my BP could get any higher, even skipping the weigh in process because she knew it would just make things worse.  After 10 min or so of calming down- BP 126 over 80.  :)  It just sucks because I have lost 7 lbs the hard way in the last month and I was feeling all good in my yoga booty pants. 

So I am taking the two stinky children for a visit to the the land of rain, Starbucks and Nordstroms.  First stop after getting off the plane....... Ikea of course.  So excited.  Can't wait for the one here to open soon.  Love me some big blue and yellow box store.  Where else can you dump your child for an hour to play while you shop for 500 tea lights for $1 and eat meatballs and chocolate cake.  If Ikea sold clothes it would be all over.  I would just move into one of the model bedroom units for the weekend, and camp out.  Hum...clogs anyone?  We do have other things planned besides shopping.  I think?????  I plan on stuffing my belly full of some fresh sushi, and Calla plans to play till she drops.

In honor of our upcoming trip where I will wait in line for an hour to check in with my 2 children who will be cranky because it will be super early and McDonalds is on the other side of Security, I am posting on "Favorite Things Tuesday," all of the things I can't live without while travelling with kids.  Now I understand this part of the blog doesn't mean a fig to some of you who may not have kids.  Or have kids that can take themselves to the bathroom on a plane unassisted, while you actually get to read Us Weekly and drink a Bloody Mary at 8 am.  So sorry.  Check back next week.  Not sure what "Favorite Things Tuesday" might be just yet, but I promise it won't be about steak knives or duvet covers from Ikea.   Although it is tempting. :) By the way I am not including pictures.  Just click the links.  It is late and I am still on hold.    

Here we go:

JuJu Be Be Quick - Those of you who know me well know I have a serious bag problem.  JuJuBe's are some of my favorites, because the company and its people are so cool.  The Be Quicks work for tons of things from diapers and wipes, to a bag to hold chargers, socks, makeup or coupons.   Everyone needs like 10.  http://www.shopjujube.com/Product.aspx?l=00040005000000000000&p=JJB01237

Car seat bag - Best use of Babies R Us gift card.  Seriously.  Car seats go free on a plane, and when you stuff the travel bag full of diapers, and extra purchases from Ikea for your office under the car seats and zip er up, then they also fly under the radar for free.  http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3091046.  Forget the ones with wheels.  More to break and I have had this one for 5 yrs now. 

Maclaren Volo Stroller - Best stroller to travel with.  Turns on a dime, really lightweight, folds up super small, has a carrying strap, and storage basket.  Had mine for 4 yrs, and it is still going strong.  The B.O.B. is not easy to travel with and this one is great.  A bit pricier then an el cheepo one, but I haven't replaced it yet.  I don't remember paying that much for mine, and I also may have used a trade in coupon too. http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=4316463

Ergo carrier - When I don't take a stroller I take the Ergo.  I have back and shoulder issues and this carrier doesn't hurt, and can be worn front or back.  It also fits great if you have a short or long torso.  Besides I like how it makes me look like a crunchy mom who knits, makes her own peanut butter, and knows what to do with Royal Jelly and Vitamin B 12.  I have an older style one, but seeing as they change the design every year, older is relative. 
http://www.ergobabycarrier.com/

100 things for small children to do on a trip cards - These things are great as long as you pack a backup dry erase marker.  Because without fail your younger child will either loose the lid, or eat the tip off the marker.  These will keep a 5 yr old entertained for while.  http://www.amazon.com/Things-Little-Children-Activity-Cards/dp/0794521223/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top/180-8563123-0998239

Skip Hop Pronto - Portable changer.  Turns any bag into a diaper bag.  Love this thing.  Nuff said.  http://www.skiphop.com/product/202000.html

Some of the other things not worth looking up that I can't live without also are:

Food -  Duh.  Most importantly candy. ie. Haribo gummy bears.  - We buy these by the 3 lb bag bag at my house.  (Yes, I am aware this is a problem like the bags.)  Orange Tic Tacs also work well for potty bribes when you and your 2 kids are shoved into an airplane bathroom, and one is refusing to poop while the other sits in the sink pulling out all of the Kleenex and maxi pads because there is no where else to sit.  You can't exactly leave them in the row by themselves, because in the event of an emergency landing how would they open the exit door and engage the blow up slide.  Now what the hell is Octomom supposed to do when she flies?    

Some form of electronic equipment. - An ipod / pad to watch movies play apps, a travel dvd player, a leapster, or a Nintendo DS.  Now before you send CPS after me, I like electronic things.  They have a place, and this is one of them.  Besides if the batteries last long enough then you might just get down to business with the Us Weekly figuring out why the Bachelor has anger management issues and can't get his shit straight. 

Ok that's it.  Gotta get up at 4:30 am to shower and go on a witch hunt to find the birth certificate for my blond haired blue eyed baby who is named after a foreign country, and isn't allowed on the plane.       

Namaste :) 
-Cara