Two more travel bits: transportation and sleeping arrangements

Because we took the car seat, we were able to take a cab to and from the airport, which was much easier than public transportation when we were running on fumes after our overnight flight.  While in Paris, we took the Batobus (touristy and slow, but beautiful views of the city!).  It was relatively easy with the stroller.  We had to go up/down one flight of stairs at each stop, but that was certainly easier than changing trains on the Metro.  We took the bus two days, which was hot but otherwise the best way to travel.  There's a designated stroller area in each bus - what an invention!

The apartment provided a pack-n-play but we ended up not using it.  They didn't provide linens for it, but we could have made do.  Zack just didn't seem interested - maybe because it's so low to the ground and the sides are so high?  So we ended up co-sleeping with him.  He sleeps better that way anyway, and we took turns, so everyone got some nights of uninterrupted sleep.  So we're going with a mini-crib with a proper mattress for future grandparent visits.  I'm hopeful it'll be big enough to get Zack to the point that he can sleep in a real bed (at least one with bumpers attached).  And it's small enough that my parents will be able to take it on road trips with them.

Travel avec bebe

We have just returned from an amazing week in Paris.  Zacky was a terrific traveler.  He even enjoyed some sightseeing - that's a photo of him and Daddy admiring the stained glass windows at Notre Dame.  We learned a lot about traveling with him, and I'm looking forward to our upcoming travel adventures.

Z's newfound nursing ability certainly made the airplane travel easier, since we didn't have to worry about keeping milk cold, warming it up, or cleaning pump parts.  Nursing in Paris was a little more of a challenge when he was hot and distracted.  In some ways, pumping might have been easier and saved some time. But we didn't encounter any discrimination or disapproval (maybe because we were doing touristy things and were obviously American?).  And we even got some help - a lovely cleaning lady at the Orsay found us a cool, quiet spot. In general, tourists and locals alike were charmed by Zack.

We got lucky in several instances: a flight attendant who moved us to a row with an empty seat on our outbound flight, a ticket agent who put Zack and me in a row by ourselves from DFW to OKC. 

We found some gear and arrangements extraordinarily useful:

• Our Graco Snugride carseat and Snugrider stroller frame: Z loves his car seat anyway, so he was always comfortable.  And we were able to easily take it apart to lug him up and down stairs.  The frame is light enough that Mom and I had no trouble with it while one of the guys had the baby and carseat.  We had thought about babywearing him exclusively, but I'm glad we didn't try.  He's ridiculously heavy, and he found the mei tei much too hot.  We just about did the wheels in; but at that price, I have no problem replacing the frame if necessary.
• The Brest Friend travel pillow and Bebe au Lait nursing cover: For a nursing newbie like me, it made a world of difference not to have to hold Zack in the right position.  The pillow inflates and deflates easily.   And I had no problem with the slipcover, unlike some of the reviewers.  Here we are at the Louvre: 

• Renting an apartment: We went through Paris Perfect, which is owned by an American, so the apartment came with comfy beds and proper pillows and showers.  With three sleeping areas, we didn't feel on top of each other, and we were all able to get some stretches of baby-free sleep.  We were able to eat at home and do laundry. 
• A foam bath cushion like this one: We have the Munchkin brand one from Target.  I use it at home as an insert in his plastic tub.  But it worked great in the sink for travel, since it smooshes easily in to a suitcase and weighs nothing. 
• A Diaper Dude backpack
• The Very Hungry Caterpillar: Z is so little that we didn't take a ton of toys or activities, but this is one of his favorites (thanks, Grammy!).  We attached it to the stroller bar at just the right height for him to see and kick, and he had lots of fun.  
• Lightweight swaddle blanket: perfect for swaddling on hot summer nights and for using as a sunscreen over the stroller
• The grandparents: delightful travel companions and invaluable baby helpers

Not so worth it: the best-laid plans

• Our itinerary: We tossed most of our plans our first day, when we decided that one activity a day was sufficient with the baby.  We could have done more touristing, but it would not have been worth it.  We were able to have leisurely mornings with croissants, do a little sightseeing, and have some rest time before dinner.  It was just a taste of Paris, rather than a complete tour, but it made for a relaxing vacation.
• Dinner reservations: I paid a concierge recommended by the apartment agency to make our dinner arrangements.  We only ended up using one reservation (it was the first night, and we were tired, so it still might have been worth it, but...).  We canceled several because our plans changed.  With a less-ambitious touring schedule, we just weren't in the neighborhoods I had planned.  But we had to cancel one reservation because we didn't think the restaurant was appropriate for the baby; and we were turned away from another that refused to accommodate a baby. This was frustrating because I had specifically asked the concierge to make reservations at appropriate restaurants.  Fortunately we were familiar with the neighborhood and eating early enough that we had no trouble finding dinner.  

Despite that wrinkle, the food was amazing.  We had four delicious dinners out, all at restaurants that were more than happy to accommodate the baby and his stroller: Au Bon Acceuil, Cafe Constant, Cafe de l'Alma, and La Fontaine de Mars.  We recommend all of them!  The staff at Au Bon Acceuil and La Fontaine de Mars were particularly kind to Zacky.

Blue Christmas

I love the Christmas season; or more, precisely, I love Advent: the candles, the dark stillness, the anticipation, the carols on the radio, the lights on houses. But starting about 5 or 6 years ago, Christmas Day started losing some of its sparkle. With friends married and having babies, I felt "too old" for Christmas, which is, as Kenny Rogers sings, for kids. That feeling seemed even worse this year, whether because we're closing on in the two-year mark of infertility or because the pregnancy/baby announcements seem to be coming fast and furious. I couldn't even drag myself to church on Christmas Eve. Though the midnight service is not designed for children, there are always infants dressed in Santa outfits or other furry wear. I couldn't face it. Fortunately, Christmas morning brought a flight to Kauai, where I was able to escape from it all. But the blues have lingered. I had thought I might spend part of this vacation working on a "Dear Birth Mother" letter, but I seem frozen and unable to start it. I did spend a few hours on rainbowkids.com and found the cutest little Korean girl with a hearing impairment. I'd bring her home tomorrow if I could!

Just another day in paradise

When we are visiting Brent's folks in Scottsdale, we love to eat at Paradise Bakery. Their cookies are fluffy and soft and delicious. I was thrilled to find their sugar cookie recipe online. They tasted just like the real thing!

Shout out

This delicious turkey-cranberry-walnut salad was one of the highlights of our short detour to Storm Lake, Iowa. We are now huge fans of the Grand Central Coffee Station.

Fresh and local

We were homesick for Orcas from the moment we left. While we were there, just about everything we ate was fresh and local -- the fish, the meat, the vegetables, the fruit. The colors and flavors were unbelievable. So we've been trying to recreate it at home, which means lots of (expensive) trips here and here. We also wanted to try to recreate a fabulous dinner Brent had at the Inn at Ship Bay. So we present, "Bad-ass Pasta Primavera":

I splurged on fresh, local pasta (though next time, I'll go back to the regular stuff). The veggies -- grape tomatoes and a couple of kinds of squash -- are from local farms. The "sauce" is a citrus vinaigrette (lemon juice, lime juice, zest, olive oil, sugar, and salt) and lots and lots of goat cheese.

Tonight, we went with an old stand-by, Broiled Salmon with Marmalade-Dijon Glaze:


We used wild Coho salmon -- get it while it's in season! It made the dish. I have been using low sugar (but no artificial ingredients!) marmalade for my orange recipes lately, and it's great. On the side, I sauteed local (of course!) chard with garlic and oil and warmed some leftover homemade wheat dinner rolls. The mix of salty-bittery chard and sweet salmon was perfect!