(no subject)

[bronwynrh]

We are going to NYC in mid-September to attend the wedding of some dear friends. We've both been to the city before, and as far as I'm concerned I'll be happy to spend some quality time at the Met and take a ride on the Circle Line Ferry. If any of my NYC pals want to meet up or have a performance on the 14th or 16th, let me know!

Jeff and I disagree on an important detail, and he suggested I poll you good people to see what you think.

[Poll #1026959]

ETA: Is it just me, or am I detecting a gender bias?

Comments

[tonya.livejournal.com]

I would NOT want to travel with a baby that young. It was hard enough traveling with Josh when he was 15 months! BUT if I HAD to go, which it sounds like you kinda do (or at least you really really want to)... I would have to take the baby. I think a baby that young should not be away from his or her parents, especially mom, for that period of time. Especially while nursing.

[bramey.livejournal.com]

I think I'm thinking the same thing, although it may be easier at this age. A 5-month old is far more malleable than a 15-month old... I worry, but just can't imagine being away from him for that long.

[tonya.livejournal.com]

Depends on the 5 month old. I didn't even like going to a restaurant or grocery store with Josh at 5 months because all he did was cry and fuss. :)

[bramey.livejournal.com]

Good point.

I take Samuel to the grocery store every Friday... maybe I should take him on a test-trip to the zoo or something. Maybe if I can gradually increase his time out and about, he'll get better and more used to it. So far, he's not too bad about it. Hmmmmm

[tonya.livejournal.com]

Well, Josh was like that at home and anywhere we went, just like Isabella seems to be. I can barely go out in public with Bella right now... even if I'm carrying her she's crying half the time!

Good idea taking him on a few outings to see how he does.

[bramey.livejournal.com]

He loves going to Lowe's - his grandma and grandpa take him there almost every day!

[travellight.livejournal.com]

If you can stand to leave him, then this is a great opportunity for you both to be completely off-duty.

If you're going to agonize over what he's doing anyway, you should bring him with you. It's not like you don't like him or something.

[miza-ni.livejournal.com]

I just traveled from FL to IL with my almost four month old. It was a pain at some times but it was worth it as I wouldn't leave him on his own. Especially since he's a nursing baby, just think of all the pumping you'll have to do to keep up your milk supply if he isn't with you!! You'll have to pump every two hours, which is nearly impossible to do discretely in public, personally imo it's easier to have your baby with you and nurse him on demand :) Plus, unless you really *WANT* to leave your baby at home, I don't see any reason to do it. My in-laws are dying for our DS to have a weekend at grandmas so to speak - but we won't do it until he's after a year and not reliant on breastmilk as his primary nutrition.

[bramey.livejournal.com]

I'm thinkin' my pashmina will be a lifesaver when it comes to NIP!

[liminal-space.livejournal.com]

Just remember that your two-months-from-now baby will most likely be a completely different animal than your right-now baby, so try not to determine how traveling with him then will be by traveling with him now. I mean, you can probably get a good idea, but still....

Plus, there's the plane, train, automobile factor. Each has pros, each has cons -- we talk about long trips that I nix right away because I don't want Seija breathing all that recycled air for long periods of time unless I can keep her in a plastic bubble. Long car rides can mess up sleep schedules beyond belief. Trains...smell funny.

Just from my limited experience, I know that traveling with a baby means that a LOT of the trip's focus is not on having a good time or doing stuff, it's on making sure the baby is settled, comfortable, entertained, safe, not disturbing the rest of the world with lots of fuss and muss.

As far as the available sitting options, I can't comment; I am SO paranoid and cautious about that. I refuse to even contemplate letting anyone remotely a stranger touch my baby, much less watch her -- with all the crap that goes on, I want fucking references, dna samples, and nanny cams available. ;))

[bramey.livejournal.com]

As far as the sitters go, I'm willing to trust the bride's referrals but I know what you mean.

I'm not going to not go, but I can't imagine not taking Samuel with me.

I'd rather drive to NY than fly, but I know that ain't gonna happen. It's the flying part that bugs me most. The rest I can handle.... I think.... Jeff doubts we want to deal with any of it.

*sigh*

[bramey.livejournal.com]

by the by, did you get my e-mail?

[two-roads.livejournal.com]

Honestly, I would never consider leaving a baby that young behind for even one night. Actually, Noah was almost two before we left him with his uncle for one full night (8PM to 11AM) on our anniversary.

ESPECIALLY if you've childcare all set up, it'll be fine! :)

[bramey.livejournal.com]

I didn't want to consider it either... I'm firmly in your camp on this one :)

[wistfulunicorn.livejournal.com]

who better to keep him that his grandparents who absolutely adore him! I still say go, have fun and don't worry about Sam. He will be well cared for. You can show him off when he gets a little older (which being a proud Mom I'm sure you want to do).

[bramey.livejournal.com]

I'm not worried about him so much. I'm more concerned about how I'd handle being away from him - and he won't be weaned at that point. I'd rather sit in front of a Renoir at the Met with Samuel at my breast than have to walk away from the painting because it's time to go pump.

[two-roads.livejournal.com]

P.S. We regularly (i.e. every month) take six-hour car trips to visit family up north or over in Milwaukee with the twins (who are now 4 months old) and Noah (who is almost 3). We've been doing that since Noah was 3 weeks old - and started taking the babies when they were a month old. It definitely isn't the most fun cartrip in the world, but obviously it isn't awful or we wouldn't do it so much :)

[bramey.livejournal.com]

I love looking at your twins, by the way.

[two-roads.livejournal.com]

Awww, thanks :-D

[corto.livejournal.com]

see... you're going to want / plan / long-for weekends with hubby away from baby... but you're still in bliss land and this weekend isn't a "Loves Chance To Escape For A Weekend"... it's just a wedding. Go, enjoy, bring baby, take pictures. He'll have a blast ... and you wont if you leave him at home.

You will leave him and have great times... but somehow, I don't think this is that time. :)

[bramey.livejournal.com]

This is what I'm sayin'!

[corto.livejournal.com]

bring 'em. :)

[adaon.livejournal.com]

Obviously I can't speak from personal experience, but my parents took me on a trip to Colorado when I was about 9 weeks old. My mother said she'd never do that again! (And at this point -- she's true to her word...)

The difficulty wasn't transporting or attending to me, but that I fussed and cried at every new noise. Certainly hindered their enjoyment of the trip, but mainly she realized I needed to be gradually introduced to unfamiliar noises and environments. Too much stimulation at once for too long a time, I suppose!

My vote would be to leave Samuel with the grandparents, but I'm not entirely sure I'd leave a baby who is breastfeeding...

[adaon.livejournal.com]

Oh and I assume the sitter means that babies aren't specifically invited to the wedding ceremony itself, right?

While I'm certainly in favor of bringings children and infants to public places (I don't even really mind crying babies in airplanes and restaurants all that much), I've attended weddings where babies wailed loudly at just the wrong times in the ceremony.

I vote no for babies at weddings and movie theaters.

[bramey.livejournal.com]

Oh I certainly agree and yes, the wedding sitters (1 for every two kids) will be for the wedding and maybe for the reception, too.

Samuel has been pretty angelic through most of his trips to restaurants and shops. The key is timing the trips properly.

As for flying, I just hope I can keep him content at my breast for the ups and downs.

[sayga.livejournal.com]

i've flown a lot with both kids, since kira was a baby, and only one time was kira awake for the entire plane ride, and she was 2 years old. before that, she always fell asleep during take off and woke during landing.

2 weeks ago, we flew from AZ to OH and maelle slept soundly in my wrap on me the entire time. 3/4 way through the flight, a lady leaned across the aisle and said, "either that is a very good baby, or you gave her cough syrup!" LOL! nope, no cough syrup. but neither of my babies have EVER cried during a flight. i have ear problems on descent and I cry more than they do!

[bramey.livejournal.com]

I'm not going anywhere without him, and I think he'll be just fine. It's a matter of convincing my husband, now.

[mysterygal11.livejournal.com]

If his grandparents can take him for the weekend, I'd go without him. It will be easier for you to coordinate everything, and it will allow Samuel to bond a lot with his grandma and grandpa.

[mysterygal11.livejournal.com]

Oops...I see I'm in the minority here. :-) Either way, I think it'll work out fine.

[bramey.livejournal.com]

He bonds plenty with my parents, since they take care of him while I'm at work :) He's a fussy little fellow at his other grandparents' house and his daddy doesn't even want to leave them over there.

Oh well.

[sayga.livejournal.com]

i am currently on a trip to help my sister move into her new house with my baby (2 kids!) and it's going fine. i end up wearing Maelle in one of my slings most of the time. this morning i was out picking raspberries and making jam with her on me.

2 weeks ago, we were in ohio (from arizona) with both kids as well. on the night of my gramma's 80th birthday, she hired 3 babysitters and they watched the great grandkids while we went to the party. i let them watch kira, but wore maelle most of the time, because she won't take a bottle. otherwise, i would have let them watch her too.

in another 2 weeks from now, i will be taking my 3rd trip with maelle, to my friend's wedding. once again, i pretty much just plan on wearing her everywhere and nursing whenever she gets hungry. it's worked so far!

take him!

[bramey.livejournal.com]

I plan on it! Now to see if my husband gets mad enough to stay home and leave me going alone. I wish he'd just try it instead of insisting the baby will ruin the whole trip. I really don't understand it.

One more note from the nosey aunt!

[wistfulunicorn.livejournal.com]

The elder opinion: When is the last time you and Jeff had some alone time! You have parents and baby at home. I know you don't want to leave him but do remember marriages do need personal time. We always enjoyed our alone moments even though we missed Greg. When we were reunited we were all refreshed.

Re: One more note from the nosey aunt!

[bramey.livejournal.com]

I'm constantly plotting an escape for just the two of us... I'm just not ready for it yet.

[histygirl.livejournal.com]

Hi, i thought i'd check you out. :^) May i friend you?

I didn't vote, but i pick doable.

Samuel is soooo cute! If i saw him IRL i'd have to restrain myself from pinching him! *L*