Panama: Planning

Let me tell you this…coming from a seasoned traveler…planning a trip when you have a small child is no easy feat.  You want to make sure you have everything you need but you don’t want to take too much stuff.  Here are some of the challenges that we faced planning our first trip with our daughter.  When I get back, I’ll be sure to update you on all the unforeseen ones!

Challenge 1: When to fly? OK, This was a toughie…  We could fly the shortest travel time and depart extremely early and arrive at a decent time (daylight) or travel later with longer hours and arrive at dark.  We chose the early fight, which means we will be leaving our house at 3:30 am.  I know what you’re thinking…she must be smoking bath salts to wake her child up that early…I will let you know how this goes when we get back!

Challenge 2: Where will we stay? We are not usually the types to stay in a resort, but I would be lying if I told you I didn’t consider it for our first trip out of the country.  The idea of convenience temporarily blinded me.  After I gathered my senses, I started looking at rental houses.  I could not stand the idea of the three of us cooped up in one room (can you imagine the nap time boredom?).  For just a little bit more money (about 300 dollars for the week) we could have a house on the beach with a pool.  I started daydreaming about yoga in the gazebo while Sutton napped, breakfast on the lanai over looking the ocean, and cocktails on the porch after a long day of surfing…this could be really nice! 

 Challenge 3:  Where will our child sleep? Our pack-n play was huge and heavy! Since we had decided to stay in a rented house instead of a hotel, we need to provide the sleeping arrangements.  Our daughter is too small for a bed, and too large to sleep in the car seat.  Baggage fees are be seriously ridiculous and we would already be traveling with a surfboard, car seat, stroller, and luggage.  After some research online, I found the perfect option: the Baby Bjorn Travel Crib.  This thing only weighs 11 pounds and can fit inside our checked suitcase.  Not to mention, it is very easy to use!! I am oddly excited about a purchase that I will not actually be the one to use it…motherhood is an interesting state. 

So today, I started thinking…other than packing…I kinda got everything together.  But then I had a thought…could this be the calm before the storm? Is it really going to be this easy? I feel like I’m bracing myself to the proverbial “shit to hit the fan” because there is NO WAY it could be this easy.  There is still the biggest unpredictable factor that no amount of planning can prepare us for and her name is Sutton!

Don't let that innocent face fool you!