I have been reading Melody Beattie’s “Journey to the Heart“ this year as we travel and there are SO MANY good tidbits in this book. If you haven’t heard about this book, or seen it before I would definitely recommend it. Each day there is a (usually) small snippet to read as kind of a daily wisdom. Truthfully somedays I forget to read for a day (or 5) and then I get to read a few days at a time which I actually like sometimes. Today for Mother’s Day I got the chance to catch up on my readings and one of the days in particular stuck with me. This one is dated for May 9th. It reads:

“Stay present for each step of your journey. We don’t go from one place to another in a gigantic leap. We get there in increments, by going through each feeling, each belief, each experience one step at a time. 
Sometimes when we pray for miracles, what we’re really praying for is help in skipping steps, for shortcuts. The simple act of acceptance, of returning to each step of our path, can often bring us the miracle we need. Then we see the truth. The real miracle is one always available to each of us: it’s the miracle of acceptance. We can go where we want to go, one step at a time.

Stay present for each step of your
journey. Trust each stage. Many things
are possible for you if you accept that
the fastest way is one step at a time.”

Staying present is something I have been consciously working on for at least a few years now. I have a tendency to get stuck in my head sometimes. It can be about worries I have for what might happen. Or something already happened, but not as I would have envisioned or liked. I have been finding myself doing exactly as Melody’s wisdom says. Wishing for a way to skip ahead to future plans that seem more exciting. But what that is doing is causing me to miss out on the great moments that are happening everyday! 

Every so often I need a reminder to stop thinking about what I have planned in the future. Look around me and appreciate something about the day I am presently living. Mother’s day weekend was a great time to practice. The holiday weekend felt so different this year. It was my first Mother’s Day weekend celebrating as a mother myself.  While we didn’t do anything super fancy, it didn’t matter.We spent the weekend with friends doing outdoor activities and enjoying each others company. And for the first time in quite a while I stopped wishing I could just fast forward to my next exciting plan. 

Melody is SO right in the end when she says that the fastest way is one step at a time. When you are living presently you are enjoying each moment more. Enjoying each moment makes time seem faster. Rather than spending time waiting we need to be enjoying the journey each day. The other thing that comes up for me when thinking on this is my connection to the people and world around me. Without the important family and friends in my life, the journey wouldn’t be worth it. And sometimes I don’t think that I share my love and appreciation enough. This year, that is something else I would like to work on. 

So, happy Mother’s Day Y’all! And Happy Mother’s Day, Ma! (Who I’m sure hasn’t heard it enough in my lifetime.) I love you and appreciate all you’ve gone through with me in life. I wouldn’t be who I am today, or be here at all without you.  I’m sorry we weren’t around to celebrate with you this weekend! 

xoxo, Briana

I’ve always had a bug for traveling ever since I was a kid. Of course the allure of a new place and exciting activities/plans make a vacation more enjoyable. But I also like planning my airport days so that they are the most enjoyable for me as possible. Now as a FTM traveling intimidates me a bit more. A baby in an airport and on a plane could be either a breeze or a disaster. (And this isn’t always determined by how well I’ve planned!) Valerie has now been on over a handful of flights (including one international trip) and here are the tips I’ve discovered on flying with an infant:

 

Call the airline to find out your specific airlines policies on traveling with a lap child.

Make sure you call the airline you will be flying with after you’ve secured your tickets to add your little one as a lap child. Ask about any specific policies they have about traveling with an under 2 infant. If not mentioned, as about any extra bag allowance or stroller. I would also ask about a breast pump bags (if you carry it separately from your diaper bag). Some airlines allow them to travel with you and not count as your included carry on or personal item. Or, if you will have formula, I would ask about what you can bring with you.

You will want to double check that your departure and return flights are with the same airline also! You may need to call a second airline to ask about their policies. I would make sure that your little one is added to your flight back home and assure that you wont run into any issues with anything on the return trip because of policy differences. 

Dress for Success! Planning your travel attire can make all the difference.

So far each time I’ve planned a day of airport travel I’ve tried something a little different each time. What I’ve found is what I choose to wear can make the biggest difference. When I am picking my airport outfit I have a couple clothing preferences: Shoes that are easy to get on/off, a comfortable nursing specific top/sweatshirt combo, and a wearable baby carrier. If I keep these three things in mind I will be as prepared as possible for flying with an infant.

Comfort for me really is the key.

Ultimately, if I’m comfortable in my clothes I can push through most airport irritations. I will always wear slip on shoes of some kind WITH SOCKS! Even if its hot, or if it’s a short flight and I can shower when I get to my destination I make sure I have socks on for going through security. It could just be me, but I am not a fan of being barefoot in the airport. Having socks is also convenient on the plane in case you end up feeling cold on the plane, so for me they are a must.

Give baby easy access to their milk on tap. 

Flying with an infant for me as a breastfeeding FTM means that I also need quick/easy access getting her milk. Also, knowing that I will most likely wearing a baby carrier most of the day means that I need a nursing friendly shirt for certain. I don’t want the hassle of trying to pull my shirt up enough for her to feed in a carrier while we walk through the airport. (Nor do I want that much of my midriff exposed while I breastfeed anywhere really.)
Breastfeeding access can get complicated if you don’t consider what layers you might need while you are traveling also. Because we will traveling, I invested in a couple different sweatshirt options that are nursing & baby wearing friendly. This way I can add/remove a layer to keep us both comfortable and keep nursing access even when I am wearing Val in a baby carrier. (If I didn’t have a nursing specific sweatshirt, my alternative choice for a layering garment would be an oversize zip up sweatshirt with a hood or an oversize cardigan.)

The right carrier choice is important!

The final piece of my airport wardrobe is a wearable baby carrier. I want it to be “wearable” so that I can have it on under my sweatshirt to save space in my carry on if possible. There are multiple different carrier options that fit this requirement that I personally like for the airport. My favorite for going through security would have to be my Mumsie overalls though. There is no fuss getting baby in and out of my Mumsie and they are technically my pants so I can’t take it off and forget it somewhere. They also cause the least amount of extra bulk since its the least amount of additional fabric to wear. (If you haven’t seen these yet, check them out!) I will do another post to talk about the different carriers I like to use for different reasons, because it is honestly kind of killing me to list a favorite here. 

The only kind of carrier I am sure to avoid in the airport is my ring sling. The metal part of the ring causes you to have to take it off going though security. Other carriers like wraps or half buckle carriers that only have plastic clips can be worn through security which is much easier. Nothing is more stressful than trying to juggle your shoes, laptop, stroller, and a baby in a security line. Whew!

The Doona is a game changer when flying with an infant
(and the storage bag attachments for things + storage sack for Doona at gate)

This may be singlehandedly one of the best investments I made for us when it came to traveling with a baby. Everything about a Doona simplifies traveling with your infant. It is both a carseat and a stroller. The wheels simply up/down to switch between use cases. Making adjustments as baby grows is super easy. You can use it with or without its base which just tops the cake for traveling more simply. The hardest part for me was figuring out how to get the carseat to release from the base when used in the car. The Doona folds up small enough to go through security on the belt with your baggage if necessary, although a couple airports have just manually looked over the Doona and brought it through a separate gate when I’ve flown.

Plus, there are multiple attachment accessories that really optimize it perfectly for travel. My favorite is the attachable storage bag you can use when the Doona is being used as a stroller. The Doona has a couple compatible options for drink/bag holders for the handle of the stroller. There is also extended sun shades, a rain cover, and multiple other accessories. I found that the storage bag for the back is the only real must for me. It is great to use for storage since you don’t get the typical bottom basket other strollers have. When flying I keep an extra blanket, an extra book or two, and the small bag I use to put the Doona in at my airport gate. 

 

Make sure to bring only the essentials with you in your carry-on or diaper bag.

Want a pro tip on flying with an infant? Make sure you pack your carry on to allow easy access to your essentials. Depending on if I am flying with my husband or if I am traveling alone with the baby I may organize myself a little differently, but generally I want to make sure I can quickly grab the necessities: diaper change things (obviously), snacks (both for baby and you!), water and extra clothes for you & baby in case of a blowout or spill. Normally I also keep an extra baby carrier at the bottom of my carry on. It doesn’t need to be as easy to access since I wouldn’t need it unless a blowout really made a mess, but its always nice to have a backup plan. 

KEEP. IT. SIMPLE. SILLY.

The last time we flew I brought SO many different things with us on the trip to entertain Valerie. While I had endless toys and snacks on hand, Valerie ended up being far more entertained with the airplane safety card in the seat back pocket and an empty cup from the airplane attendant. Other than some snacks and her sippy cup, she was not really interested in anything I had for her. (Also, we tried to use baby ear muffs we had Val, but she wasn’t down to wear them for long.) I learned to just keep it simple when it comes to entertainment and just bring a spill proof cup, some easy non messy snacks (Like crackers or melties), and 1-3 small toys/books (and a device charged for watching some Ms. Rachel for sure lol). 

 

Breastfeeding during take off and landing.

One tip I got from multiple sources is, if breastfeeding, make sure to try and breastfeed during takeoff and landing. It is supposed to help the baby adjust their ears to the changing altitude. This definitely makes a positive difference in my experience. I will also add that I try to plan flights that depart between 9-11 so that I know Valerie will be up for a couple hours beforehand and therefore be tired and ready to nap around the time we board if thats an option. That way when she gets a good feed in during take-off she also might just take a solid nap.

In tough moments, take a deep breath and go one step at a time.

Thankfully I typically always travel with my husband. Nothing beats having help when you’re flying with an infant. We’ve had our share of tense moments while traveling through airports. In those overwhelming moments I have found it best to remind myself (or listen to my husbands gentle reminder) to just take a deep breath. Decide the next best step and then take it. Stay present and before you know it the stress will have subsided.  

So far, I feel we’ve blessed by travel gods. Valerie has really made flying with an infant seem easy for the most part. And I’ve not encountered any unpleasant passengers while traveling. In fact, most of our flights Val has either been very social and had a blast interacting with the people around us or has slept through the flight entirely. It seems too good to be true. Now that she is really crawling and getting more mobile I know it will change things for us and I am a bit nervous to say the least. I will keep this updated as I discover new tips as we continue to travel together! If you have any tips that you think might be helpful for me on our travels please share them with me by leaving a comment or send them to me directly! 

Until next time, Cheers!

 

 

The past few weeks we’ve been living in Shingletown. It is a small mountain town about 30 minutes outside of Redding, California.  I have been trying to avoid snow by any means, but it’s been snowing the past few days up at our house here. I had forgotten how beautiful the snow is. It isn’t so bad here either. We aren’t up high enough in elevation for the snow to hang around very long. It snows and then melts again within a day or two, sometimes within a few hours. So far life in Shingletown is really laid back. It’s a bit remote out here, but we have been driving into town often to see friends and get to the gym.

The drive into town is also just jaw dropping views one after another. You are surrounded by mountains almost all the way around it feels. Here are some of the shots I’ve got the other day headed into Redding:

We’ve got about two months left here. My goal is to see/do as much as I can until we have to pack up and move to the next spot. While Shingletown itself is small, there are tons of things to do up in this area. I’ll keep updating this post to share the cool places we’ve been seeing. The weather has been tough since we’ve gotten here. California has been seeing a lot of rain lately, which is good for the state! It desperately needed the water and snow pack to help the drought here. However, it has made us not as keen to get outside and explore much.

Our Airbnb is a hidden gem.

Being inside the past couple weeks hasn’t been terrible. The area we are in is peaceful and quiet. There is an acre of property with a fully fenced yard so we can let the dogs out to roam the yard, which they LOVE (and I love not having to walk them out in the rain & snow!). There is a full kitchen, and a small grocery store just up the road for essentials if we need. (Although we have been going down the hill for groceries more often because of the price differences.) We’ve been relying on the wood stove to heat the house since its still pretty cold out up here. I love the way it makes the house and yard outside smell when you pull up.

Out here, we are surrounded by thick forest so no matter which window you peak out it is beautiful and scenic. Bryce, Valerie & I have been just walking the mile-ish up the road and back to get some exercise in when we aren’t going into town to get to the gym. It really feels a little magical living out here. I have liked the feeling of home life we’ve had here. I am excited for the weather to clear up through so we can enjoy getting outdoors more.

Daily life in Shingletown (All the great places we found in town!)

Food & Fun:

(Pictures of Higher Ground Menu)

• Higher Ground Coffee Shop
  So far, our favorite spot in town most definitely. They have pretty good coffee, and awesome people working there. They are so warm and friendly it was easy to feel at home right away. It has been fun to meet and chat with all the local regulars that come in and I could easily see myself fitting in with the life in Shingletown. There is a full breakfast and lunch menu offering with a weekly soup. There are tons of options on the menu & most of their baked goods are made in house also! I’ve eaten there a few times now and I’ve not been disappointed yet. 

(Picture of Pioneer hillside pizza menu & Val inside)

• Pioneer Hillside Pizza
  I’d say the local pizza place is our other potential favorite spot. Although we normally avoid pizza and choose healthier alternatives, we’ve eaten here at least once a week since we got here. The pizza here is really good, I can’t exactly put my finger on what exactly it is about it though. The pizza place is cash only which is kinda cool, but also kinda inconvenient. 

The Shingletown life essentials:

• Shingletown Library
  The library is small, but still has quite a book selection to check out as well as to purchase. There are fax & printing services available & computers that are free to use. They also have audiobooks and movies you can rent. It has been our other hotspot for free wifi. The internet connection is the toughest part about life in Shingletown. Bryce needs to have a solid connection for work. That means while we are here, he’s got to find a couple places that he can work from everyday. Having the library as another resource for a good read AND free wifi is great! 

(picture of  Zita) 

• Shingletown Animal Clinic
  Having to make a trip to the vet is never exactly fun, but sometimes things happen. We recently had to go in to the vet for our older dog Zita. We got an appointment within 24 hours of calling  and went in the next afternoon. I really appreciated the attention & care we got from the vet Dr.Lydon. We got a simple (hopeful) solution to the issue we came in with AND a suggestion to help with her tremor that she’s had for awhile. AND the visit didn’t cost an arm and a leg!  It’s nice to know that we’ve got a reliable source for veterinary care while we are here. 
• Reeds
  Reeds Grill/Market is exactly that. It is the local grocery store, but also has a great deli that offers soups, salads, sandwiches and sides. It is great to have a source for groceries close by since Redding is about 35 minutes away. Things do cost a little more than some grocery stores down the hill though, so we have tried to do the bulk of our grocery shopping when we go into town.   

 

If I had the chance to visit again, I would definitely come back.

It has been SO good to be able to reconnect with our friends here. I know we’ve been missing the community we had when we lived in Oregon.   The only downside is having a long commute into the city and the trek back up to the house is a little rough on a vehicle. We’ve seen multiple cars overheated and broken down on the side of the road so we are being extra cautious with taking care of the van while we are living here. But overall, Bryce & I love the feel of life in Shingletown. It has a small, but great community and really does feel like a hidden gem of a place.