Last year's vacation I was even more nervous than ever. We were flying to Texas with a not-quite-three-month-old baby. But we were spending the best part of a week at the beach and the rest of it just hanging at a hotel with some of our friends and Colin's family. So planning was actually a breeze. I had no worries about packing (other than the fact that I didn't fit into . . . oh . . . ANY of my summer clothes!) Luckily enough once I experienced the ease of flying with itty-bitty-tiny Cassidy I was able to relax and really enjoyed my vacation.
(Cassidy on her first plane ride)
Not the case. I'm totally freaking out.
Part of it is that Cassidy is almost-sixteen-months old. That is a lifetime of difference from three months. Eating is different, sleeping is different, PLAYING is different!
EATING: At three months she nursed and that was it! So for food - we were good! I had to make sure I packed the pump and a bottle for back up, but that was easy. Now we are feeding ourself (what a big girl!) but that means high chair and toddler plates, bowls, forks and spoons! Oh yeah and sippy cups, not to mention we still have to take a bottle because we haven't quite gotten rid of the LAST one she has (right before bed every day).
SLEEPING: At three months sleep was - well there was a lot of it to begin with. Plus she would sleep wherever and whenever. At night she either slept with us, or on the floor on a little pallet that we made for her. We didn't have to worry about her moving around or whatever. Nurse, sleep, we were good! Now is a whole other story. First of all - it takes her about 20 minutes of wiggling, screaming, and/or talking to herself in her crib to GET to sleep. Once asleep she wiggles and rolls and moves. Sometimes she wakes up and has to talk/sing herself back to sleep. None of these things work well with Mama and Daddy in the room. Unfortunately we're CAMPING in a TRAILER. Cassidy, Mama, and Daddy will be sharing a very small room - with bunk beds. No room for a pack and play - and it could cost us as much as $70 to get it there and back anyway (could be free, but airlines are very unclear on what flies free and what you pay for!) So - this could potentially be a problem.
PLAYING: At three months playing was pretty much tummy time and listening and looking. We took a few toys, but nothing to speak of. Now . . . well, entertainment is a must. And I'm worried about taking the wrong toys - or not enough toys - or wasting space taking toys that end up not being used at all.
Yes I'm obsessing.
I'm also nervous about me. Last year I definitely felt, well - fat. But I was also realistic - I'd just had a baby and gone through a difficult pregnancy so - even though I wasn't happy (or comfortable) with the fat I kind of felt like it was part and parcel. This year - despite the fact that I've lost 15 pounds (yay me!) I am still significantly overweight and really struggling with my self image. I'm loathe to start packing. I also worry that I'm going to fall off the Weight Watchers wagon while I'm away (try saying that five times fast!). I really REALLY don't want that to happen.
Ugh. I can't even look forward to my vacation because I'm stressing about it so much. I'm going to shut up now because I'm starting to feel even more obsessive about it. Grrgh!