A Recon Trip to REI...

We were on a mission today to find the Kelty, Transit. It's a baby carrier/backpack for babies a little bit older, can hold up to 40 pounds of baby. I forget how much I love this store. It has EVERYTHING you could possibly need... we found kids backpacks (REI Squirt, has a H20 system/hose) and the types of shoes we plan on packing with us. The shoes we want to have are trail running shoes, and also waterproof type sandal shoes for the girls. Of course, we are partial to Eagle Creek for our actual rucksacks. Going tonight made me realize just how much stuff we are going to need for this trip. They didn't have the Kelty's but we put our name on the list for the end of the month. I could have stayed the whole time looking at the First Aid Kit Stuff. But on another note, individually wrapped things are much nicer for a person packing a bunch of stuff. Not that great for the environment, but great for your comfort while on the road.

Packing for Disneyland... "It's A Small World After All..."

Jar: 16.77 USD

I love that song.

We always joke that on an overnight, or short drive trip we always take more than if we were going around the world. The difference is not in necessity, it's in what you actually carry from day to day. Let's face it folks, we don't really need anything. Okay, I retract that just a tiny bit, because when you have babies, or small kids, you actually might need certain items. We are going with the intention that we are splurging a bit, and taking advantage of Disney's specials (meal plans, ticket and hotel deals) which are actually, quite reasonable. We are celebrating Grammy's Birthday, a night at Disney's fancy restaurant, The Blue Bayou is on Saturday.

Ask yourself these questions when you pack...

• Are we driving or taking a plane?
  
• How long is the trip?
  
• What will I be carrying with me at all times? The kids?
  
• What's the weather going to be like? (www.weather.com)
  
• Are we on a budget and taking food in? Drinks? (Check with your destination about what is acceptable to bring in, some places don't allow you to bring certain things, but with infants there might be exceptions.)
• What are my baby's essentials? (Allergies, special creams, prescriptions etc.) Do we have enough of that?
  

As for packing to amusement parks for infants and toddlers, I have broken it down to these key items (for a 3 night, 4 day trip)

Infant: (6 mos)

32 Diapers (8 diapers a day x 4)

6 Swimmer Diapers

about 200 wipes

1 disposable changing pad

6 sets of PJ's

6 tubs/jars of baby food

4 small pre packaged tubs of rice cereal

8 sets of clothes

4 onesies

two teething rings

4 pacifiers

one pack of pacifier wipes (handy and also safe for them to eat right after I wipe it off)

two stroller toys (to switch out)

about a dozen plastic rings (to hold toys in place)

6 disposable baby spoons

2 baby bottles

1 extra nipple

Water Babies Sunscreen

Floppy hat

two sweaters/jackets

1 muslin Blanket

1 regular blanket

1 heavy blanket

4 pairs of socks

1 beanie

The nice, heavy, comfy stroller with lots of room on the bottom. =)

4 bibs

8 burp cloths

formula (2 cans)

bathing suit

Toddler (2 years old, not potty trained)

32 diapers

8 swimmer diapers

about 200 wipes

antibacterial hand sanitizer

1 disposable changing pad

1 beanie

1 blanket

sunglasses

1 muslin blanet

6 sets of PJ's

2 tee shirts

2 pairs of pants

6 sets of clothes

2 bibs

floppy hat

robe

stain spray

sippy cup/bottled water

some extra money for amusements

bathing suit

For both:

changing pad

sunscreen

pack of 500 wipes

diaper rash cream

baby powder

baby bath soap

1 large trash bag for dirty laundry

2 gallons of bottled water

First Aid Kit (geared for infant and toddler needs, basic adult ones- see my post on First Aid Kits & Safety)

My bags for this trip?

The JuJuBe Be Prepared, and the DadGear Backpack. Click here to see or buy these bags. The JuJube will be kept at the hotel, and the backpack kept light and easy to lug around with essentials and valuables (phone, wallet etc.) So when you leave the stroller at the stroller parking lots, you can take it with you. =)