More travel tips

We just got back from a week visiting friends in DC, with more observations about how to make it work with Mini-Me on the go:

* we were staying in very small quarters - sharing a one-bedroom apartment with dividing walls instead of doors. Having our own space and time was very important, so we implemented the tradition of the bedtime walk, just the two of us without our hosts. We also scheduled some morning naps in the lounge of the apartment building, with Mini-Me sleeping in her stroller and Mama playing computer games or reading.

* now that Mini-Me is "sleep trained", it is not so important where she sleeps as much as when. We got off cycle when we flew in and it took about two days to recover, but after that, she would nap pretty much wherever we plopped her down - packing box, swing, stroller, on the bed - as long as we watched for signs of tiredness. The new rule of thumb is: go by the baby or by the clock, whichever comes first.

* the inclusion of a spoon in the restaurant toys buys us about a half an hour during meals out. We carried an extra lanyard and slipknotted it around Mini-Me's spoon so it wouldn't end up on the floor. Spoon-banging on the table may be annoying to the people sitting around you, but it is at least cuter than fussing and crying.

* we flew with the stroller and car seat for the first time. I imagine different airlines have different policies, but on Jetblue infants flying get a stroller and car seat checked for free, even if they are lap infants. Get claim checks for both right when you get to the gate so you can pre-board without delay. You have to collapse the stroller yourself at the end of the jetway right before you get on the plane. Click all the car seat straps together to make sure nothing is loose. Also you have to send the car seat and stroller through the X-ray machine, so if your Mini-Me is sleeping in it when you go through the security line you are out of luck.

Despite the difficulties (and the fact that Mini-Me had her six month growth spurt our last night there) we had a great trip. Our friends got along with Mini-Me really well, and Mama enjoyed getting to hand her for meals or a leisurely shower.