As we prepare for baby #2 and store our suitcases for awhile I’ve been giving a lot of thought to this blog and what it really means and how I can keep writing even when I’m not on the road.

While we aren’t preparing for a big trip somewhere we are preparing for a very big and special event that will involve a  “trip.”  Baby Lee #2 will soon be making his or her first trip.  That is, his or her trip into the world.  I hope to make it as smooth and simple of a trip as possible for the newest member of our family.

I’ve had a lot of people ask me about my last pregnancy and preparation and mostly about how I was able to have natural childbirth (that is no drugs, no intervention) and give birth to a healthy and very happy 9 lb. 3 oz. little girl.

While I certainly had mother nature on my side and perhaps some good genetics (and birthing hips..), for the most part I believe it was preparation.  Just like preparing for a big trip with children to make it as simple and easy as possible, I did the same for preparing for labor and delivery and a successful natural birth of Stella.

I have only positive memories of her birth.  Yes there was pain and yes it was a lot of hard work but I can only say that it was euphoric and as amazing as some of the stories you read…contrary to many beliefs, it can be amazing.

We recently met with our doula (that’s a birth coach for all ya’ll out there who don’t know what this is, technically it means “a woman who mother’s a mother…”).  She said she tells our birth story all the time to inspire other mother’s that it doesn’t have to be painful.

She validated what I’d been saying since I gave birth to Stella and that was that it was a very euphoric (picture the coolest acid trip you’ve ever seen “captured” in a movie…I have no idea what tripping on acid feels like but can only say that if I did and from the depictions I’ve seen in movies, I think that’s what happened to me).  Everything was fuzzy/hazy and euphoric.  She said she remembers watching me in the hardest and intense moments of “pushing” and that I looked like I was having an out of body experience, eyes dilated, etc.  It was a relief to hear her say these things as it was how I felt but no one seemed to believe me or understand.

Many people believe that a baby’s personality is shaped from day one of conception.  A child’s personality/aura/soul can be influenced both by nature (your given disposition) and nurture (how things in your life influence who you are).  During my pregnancy with Stella and now with this baby I have done everything in my power to be positive, stay happy and healthy.  I also prepare for the baby’s birthday as much as possible to ensure a calm and easy entry into the world.  I believe it goes a long way into having a happy baby.  (Of course, this theory could be thrown out the window if we end up with a fussy baby for #2!).

So as I prepare for the simple travel of our new baby into the world I hope to document some of my preparation and even give you an inside peak into both my labor and delivery via this blog, Facebook and Twitter updates.

My goal here is to hopefully show a positive birth experience and inspire others to try to go the natural route for the health of both mother and baby.

As many well know, the best plan for a healthy birth is no plan.  You must stay open minded, plan for the unexpected and be flexible, but most of all breath and try to relax!

If you are interested in how things unfold and just want to see if “I can do it again” (hint, I do too) then follow me on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/dreamalee

You know that saying about “plumber’s with leaky faucets…”  Well, that’s me.

I think maybe  I should have re-read my own blog posts and tips before going on vacation to Mexico…

Things I forgot and have even mentioned on my blog…

1.  Swiss Army knife…hungry toddler without a knife to cut up fruit stinks…at least for now she doesn’t mind the little “birdie” feedings, that’s me biting the fruit, removing it from my mouth and then giving it to her…yes, I know YUCK…but you do what you have to do.

2.  Bottle of dish detergent…I always have this.  I did in fact remember to pack some laundry detergent and shout wipes for dirty clothes (we were gone for 12 days after all) which sufficed to clean her sippy cup but what a pain.

3.  Emergen-C packets…I always pack these for before and after the flight to help fight off colds and replace lost nutrients, etc.  I forgot them…AND…of all places…we needed them.  Can you say “MONTEZUMA’s REVENGE…”

We had a nice trip to Mexico, despite a few days of not feeling well.  It was the first trip in YEARS that we have limited working to 1-1.5 hours each day and actually took a nap while Stella napped almost every day.  While owning your own business is fantastic, it means you never go on vacation.  This is the most we’ve been away from “the office” in a very long time.

Club Med Ixtapa was nice.  We aren’t really the all-inclusive type of vacationers but it was nice to not have to think about what we were going to eat each day and to relax by the ocean and pool.

Pluses of the resort:

1.  Tons of activities…you name it, they had it.  I did a little water aerobics and yoga each day.  The afternoon sunset band was very nice…too bad I couldn’t have that sunset cocktail.

2.  Above average food and on occasion really good food. (Nut-crusted Red Snapper at Luna Azul restaurant..very nice)

3.  Babysitting and childcare options if you needed.  This resort is the most KID FRIENDLY place I’ve ever been to. They even have a baby welcome package and give you a stroller upon arrival.

4.  Beautiful setting and nice beach.  Waves were a bit big for little ones but there is a nice quiet cove at the end of the beach.  We even had a family of iguanas in front of our room.

5.  Palapas on the beach and by the pool.

6.  Friendly staff, or better known as GO’s.  (Although they are required to “visit” with the families in the dining hall during meals…which most of us found annoying.  We really didn’t want small talk on vacation).

Minuses:

1.  Tons of activities.  It never ever seemed “quiet” or relaxing.  Always music going and activities to participate in.

2.  Food choices.  While they adverstise 5 restaurants, in fact your only option most of the time is the very large (and decent) buffet.  If you did not get in line at 11:45AM to make a reservation at 12 noon for the NEXT night’s dinner at one of their 2 sit-down restaurants (they aren’t both open each night, they rotate), then you were stuck at the buffet.  You really didn’t have any other options either during the day unless you ate a very late breakfast or lunch.

3.  Rooms.  I have no idea why any hotel on a beach would build ANY rooms without some sort of outdoor area.  Just about everyone on the trip had a room without a balcony or porch as the jump in price was insane.  We had splurged and gotten a family room so Stella would have a room to nap in and we didn’t have to be quiet.  When we asked to upgrade to a room with a balcony they wanted another $900 for 7 nights…This would probably be my biggest complaint.

4.  Nighttime activities…I felt like I was on a cruise ship or in Vegas…Enough already.  Every night.  How about a quiet night to listen to the waves and look at the stars (which were breathtaking).

5.  Not very environmentally friendly.  While they had the usual signs about reusing your towel and I did notice they had 2 trash bins around the grounds, one for organics and one for “inorganics” but people just threw their trash in whichever bin they felt like.  I had made a conscious effort of bringing “earth friendly” diapers and wipes in an effort to not leave as much behind but clearly my small efforts didn’t make a dent in things.  I should have brought a water bottle for Justin and myself in addition to Stella’s as I cringe to think of how many plastic cups we went thru there.  They did have reusable plastic cups near the beach for mixed drinks, etc. but overall, NO recycling and they could make MUCH bigger efforts to cut down on waste.  How about give every visitor a “Club Med” water bottle that can be re-used during their trip?  It would be perfect for the active vacation that they promote and would also go a long way in reducing their waste.  They also “bombed” for mosquitoes every AM and PM and had a note that their bug spray had been EPA approved.  I think they should get rid of the moss covered pond on the grounds and in front of the hotel rooms (Iguana) and that could go a long way of helping with the problem.

Overall it was a great trip.  We had a ton of friends there and the wedding was beautiful.  Dave and Evangeline spent a lot of time organizing a really nice wedding.

Stella had a lot of little friends as well (of the 100 guests, 30 were children).  I don’t think we’d go back to a Club Med as I’m not sure it’s our thing but for some families it would be perfect.

We didn’t take advantage of any of the child services, as for us, the vacation was time to spend with Stella.  We did go in on 3 nannies for the wedding night and 7 of the kids were watched while we enjoyed an evening alone.  Amazingly, they all did fall asleep.  Stella insisted on sleeping in the big bed with the older children.  It was nice to have so many options for childcare if we wanted it.

Stella mastered the art of pulling her own suitcase on this trip and picked up a huge vocabulary of words.  She also thought she didn’t need my help swimming, to her disappointment!

After Mexico we were off to Vegas for 3 nights for work.  We stayed with Justin’s brother Brandon and his mother, Nanna, came out to watch Stella for us.  It was a nice visit and productive business meetings.

No more flying trips planned for the Lee’s until after baby #2 arrives.

It was weird to think as we packed, vacationed and came home that the next time we go on a plane there will be another child with us.  I’m sure things won’t be so easy next time!

The one thing I would say that we did right was to get Stella her own seat.  It made a world of difference.

On a final note, it’s interesting how people assume traveling and vacationing with children is work.  While yes, it is more tiring, for some reason I feel happier traveling with Stella.  In some small way I think she also brightens the day of some travelers as well.  I can’t even count how many people she made smile on a random Wednesday (full of business travelers) just by the sight of a 19 mos. old little girl lugging her own suitcase (that was as big as her) through the airport in Vegas.

I also found the vacation really relaxing and truly enjoyed just spending time with Stella.  I have heard a lot of parents say that vacation is just like being at home with kids but only harder becauses there is no routine or familiarity.  I don’t feel that way at all.  I see it as a time to throw out routine, experience new things and break the rules when you are on vacation.  It’s a time to have fun with your kids.

Until the next trip….