So here we are…Day 1 just after midnight local time in Atlanta.

Just got Stella to sleep in her crib.   She was too excited in a new place and with the time change.  Justin and I are catching up on work and realizing we are finally on our way!

Day started at 6AM PST for final packing and getting our townhouse ready for our tenants to move in.

This is the first adventure where I actually didn’t just pack one large backpack and a carry on…

While I had hoped to pack minimally – traveling for 6 months in 2 seasons and working along the way required a much larger wardrobe than I’d normally have allowed…

Justin’s Dad, Wellington, came over to help us get ready and take care of Stella.  I think he was very sad to see his little Granddaughter leave.

We flew out of Vancouver at 11:45 AM (flight didn’t leave until 12:15 but beyond that, it was a very uneventful flight).

Stella actually napped twice on the plane and was no trouble.  Justin and I even got to watch a movie.  We were quite lucky.  Thank goodness I’m still nursing…(tip to you mom’s, it’s the easiest and best thing for making for a smooth flight with baby).

We arrived in Atlanta at 8pm and were at the hotel by 9pm.  Justin gave Stella a bath and ordered room service while I ran to the store for some supplies (diapers, waters, beer and some food for Stella as she will have a babysitter tomorrow).  Team work!

TIP:  We’ve tried going out for a meal after a long day of travel and realized it’s not the best idea.  Just plan to order room service or take-out when you arrive at your destination.  Everyone will be much happier for it.

Tomorrow we have a babysitter coming (niece of a work colleague so it will be nice to not have to worry about a stranger babysitting Stella in a strange city) as we are attending an internet marketing conference until Tuesday.

My Dad arrives from Virginia on Saturday to watch Stella the rest of the weekend.  He has not seen her since May so he is in for a treat.

Child care is the hardest part about traveling for work (which this blog will be spending quite a bit of time talking about as well).  We only want to leave Stella with someone we trust and know.

So on to some tips from the road on how to make traveling easier with baby…

I will also be giving my general impression of airlines, hotels, cities, etc. in regards to how child friendly (and sometimes environmentally friendly) they are.

Delta Airlines definitely showed some improvements over other airlines I’ve flown with Stella.  Hands down United stinks when it comes to children.  Delta check-in staff were very friendly and helpful.  Stewardesses were polite and always asked as they came by if they could get anything for the baby.

The best part of Delta today was we both had our own personal TV and there seemed to be more room in coach than other airlines.  They also came through the cabin twice with beverage and snack services (they actually offered you a real pack of crackers, peanuts or cookies…on both trips through the cabin).  Sad that this little bit of food seems so generous…where are the airlines of yesterday!

I’d give them a B- (mostly for not providing a paper ticket for Stella – see below).

C- on environmental consciousness (I have yet to see an airline sort their trash as they come through the cabin.  But Delta did sort out the newspapers so I have to hope that they recycled that).

Tips on checking in:
Generally, if you fly with a baby in your lap you have to have a paper ticket.  This means you can’t check-in at the kiosk and some airlines require a paper ticket be sent to you prior to departure (generally for international flights).  Check with your airline when you book your ticket.

Delta was the exception to the rule.  They only gave me and Justin a ticket and said to just tell security that she was noted on the mother’s ticket as baby in lap.  We’ve flown 5 times with Stella prior to this on several airlines and we always gotten a paper ticket for her.

Delta’s policy caused us a hassle at every check point (there are many when leaving Vancouver as you clear customs in Vancouver versus at your destination in the US).

Vancouver airport:
Beautiful and clean airport.  Generally speaking, child friendly.  I have NEVER had any issues with bringing food (and breast milk) through customs and security.  They also waive parents with small children through to the front of the line for security and clearing customs upon your return (unfortunately, clearing on the US side they aren’t as nice).  The check-in counter people are always very friendly (no matter what airline) and often just “waive us thru” even when we know we are over the limit on baggage weight.

In the US departures lounge there is a mini-museum with indigenous artwork and information as well as a children’s play area.  They are also doing a lot of improvements to prepare for the Olympics in 2010.

I’d give Vancouver airport an A-

TIP:  When you go through security it never hurts to POLITELY ask if there is a line that families with small children can go through instead of waiting in really long lines.

TIP:  Always be POLITE and say EXCUSE ME.  It will get you so much further in the airport as most people are really rude and families tend to just take too much time going thru security, etc.  It doesn’t hurt to have a cute kid who laughs and chats up the staff.

Atlanta airport:  if you’ve ever been it makes you feel like you did after a long day at Disney World with tons of people frantically running around and it’s hot.   Horrible! They really need to do something about that airport.  And I can’t stand to have to get on those little shuttles when I land.  I just want fresh air!  Atlanta does have a ton of shops and restaurants however.  It still gets a D!

Sheraton Airport Hotel
Staff gets an A+ so far.  Very friendly and they even drove me to the Grocery store tonight.  We have Gold Status/Starwood Preferred so it helps.

TIP:  if you are going to do a bit of traveling it is worth looking into joining any and all preferred programs you can find.  Same goes with frequent flyer programs.  You almost always get better treatment and a little nicer service (if nothing else) by being “a member.”  And who couldn’t use a little more help when you are traveling with a child.

So that’s it for today.  I had a ton of ideas and tips for all you traveling parents and want to be traveling parents but they will have to wait.

Until tomorrow.

Holiday

I figured there was no better time than the present to finally start a blog…

Tomorrow we embark on yet another adventure, but this time with baby!

This will be my fourth “adventure;”

“mini-retirement” as the internet world likes to dream about;

or, as I like to say “skedaddle”***.

My first “skedaddle” was right after graduating from the University of Virginia (1996) and finding myself with no job and realizing my degree in “Foreign Affairs” really didn’t mean that much.  So I decided to go put my degree to a test and experience some “foreign affairs” in Europe.   Went alone…had very little cash…sold everything and worked 3 jobs to get there.  Had the most amazing educational and mind broadening experience of my life (at the time, 22 years…).

The second “skedaddle” was after Justin (my husband), was laid off from the telecomm industry in 2001.  I quit a high profile lobbying job – living the “dream” life in Washington, DC – to join him on a round the world trip throughout SE Asia.  Words can’t even explain how amazing that trip was. Enlightening and liberating.  It was truly the biggest “skedaddle” I ever did.  We did not really talk to anyone back home for nearly 4 months.

The third and most recent “skedaddle” was when we drove cross country for 2 months after fleeing the crazy world of DC to join the laid back life of Vancouver (2005).

So, what to do when your life includes an adventure every 2-3 years and then along comes baby (2007). Of course, first thing I thought was…no more “skedaddling.”

One year later and here we go, off on another “skedaddle…”

Can’t say this has been the easiest one to plan but that brings me to the subject of the blog.

How do you travel with a baby?  How can you make it as simple as possible?

Well stay tuned because I’m going to share with you all the preparation and even take you step-by-step as we travel for the next 6 months.

Tomorrow we leave on a direct flight from Vancouver to Atlanta.  First stop, Atlanta.  We will be attending a conference on Internet marketing.

So what about baby (Stella)?  I’ve packed her one small wheeled bag and I’m carrying on a few items.  The only other thing we are taking for her is her stroller (the luxury item because it’s a 3 wheeled Mountain Buggy).  The best stroller for off-roading and just about anything else…I log more miles on my stroller than I do my car. (More recs to come)…

Believe me…you can travel lightly with a baby if you try!

***I must lend a reference to my use of the word “skedaddle.”  Recently I read a book about a crazy family from West Virginia who were “always on the run” and their father used to say it’s time to “skedaddle…”  The Glass Castle: A Memoir by Jeannette Walls.

While her memoir chronicles the adventures (and misadventures) of a very disturbing family, I like to think my “skedaddles” are a bit more enlightening and I’m better for it afterwards…I hope some day Stella will agree.