We’re leaving tomorrow on our trip to Ireland and the UK! It’s so crazy to think that 24 hours from now, we’ll be on an airplane en route to Dublin. I can’t WAIT to get there, but I’m a little nervous about how the trip’s going to go… you know, many many hours on a plane with a 1.5 year old. Cue the screaming emoji. (Maybe it will be fine. Probably it will be fine!)

In the Checked Baggage

My stuff

Clothes – Six tops, four pairs of pants, and a couple long sweaters. If we were not taking a child, I’d trust myself not to get my clothes dirty, and I would bring fewer tops. But knowing my little man, I’m sure he will wipe something all over my shirt on the daily, so I’m bringing enough to get by until we get to a washing machine. Also underwear! 🙂 And lots of warm, comfortable socks and pajamas.

Toiletries – I’m trying to use up a bunch of sample shampoos and conditioners I’ve been hanging onto. (This will also mean less stuff to pack on the return journey, which is always a plus.) Also bringing a travel size of this Dr. Bronner’s Castile Baby Soap for us all to share as body wash and several lotion and deodorant samples. And throwing in a couple of washcloths because most European hotels don’t provide them!

Hair dryer and straightener

Makeup – The tiniest amount, just the essentials.

Laundry detergent pods – I picked a few of these Seventh Generation ones up, and while I don’t think they’ll explode on the plane, I stuck them in a Ziploc just in case.

Luca’s stuff

Clothes – I’m packing ten outfits for the man cub. Five are nicer outfits (aka, real pants with zippers!), and five are more “play” outfits (like sweats and tee shirts). On our fifth day abroad, we’ll have access to a washing machine, so I’m only taking enough to get us through those first five days. We average about two outfits a day when we’re out and about or here at home, so I’m hoping it will be enough for the trip. Also, lots of warm socks for him too.

Warm pajamas – Part of the time, we’ll be in hotels where I’m sure we will be plenty warm, but we’ll also be staying at a tiny, 200-year-old, wood-stove-heated cottage in the Middle of Nowhere, Ireland, so I’m making sure to bring warm pajamas: four pairs of fleece footies and a fleece sleep sack.

Toiletries – Diaper cream (we love the Grovia MagicStick), lotion (this one is my favorite), and the same body wash/shampoo we’re all sharing.

In the Diaper Bag

• Regular essentials:
  • diapers (tons, in case we’re delayed), diaper cream, wipes
  • lotion
  • snacks and Camelbak for water
  • change of clothes (and pajamas because it’s a nighttime flight)
  • hand sanitizer
  • NoseFrida snot sucker and saline spray (we never leave home without it!)
  • wet bag for any clothing that gets wet/dirty
• Gallon Ziploc bags for containing other messes that we’ll just throw away
• Hand towel – this was a good tip that I read in several places (in case of spills on the plane)
• Gum for me and Ben and raisins for Luca (to combat ear trouble on takeoff and descent)

In Ben’s backpack

• Important documents (print-outs of all reservations, copies of credit cards, etc.)
• Passports
• Phones and wallets
• iPads, chargers, and earbuds
• Laptop and charger
• Magazines

In the carry-on suitcase

Special toys/activities for Luca

• Gel window clings (I bought the ones at the Target dollar spot)
• Water reveal pad
• Day at the Airport book
• Puppy sticker book

Change of clothes for all of us (just in case!)

Cold weather stuff for me and Ben – hats and gloves

Cold weather stuff for Luca – two jackets, hat, mittens, and rain pants

My bag of “make or break” items. These have all seriously determined my mental state on trips! Not having these essentials is such a pain. There’s nothing worse than a broken nail that you can’t fix or chapped lips and no balm.

• Nail clippers (adult and baby) and file
• Lip balm (and a backup!)
• Hand lotion
• Hair ties, clips, and bobby pins
• Pepto, Advil, Dramamine (We hardly ever take medication, but on trips, you never know.)
• Hand sanitizer (and I’m also bringing Clorox wipes. Although I almost never use them, planes are disgusting, and if someone is hacking up a lung or blowing their nose every five seconds, I’ll want to have these on hand for peace of mind.)
• Shout wipes

My bag of face care and dental stuff:

• Pacifica rose water wipes
• Thayer’s rose petal witch hazel
• Yes to Coconuts coconut oil stick
• Shea Moisture lip balm
• a bunch of cotton balls and q-tips (nice-to-have items that I never travel without; it’s the little comforts!)
• travel toothbrushes, toothpaste, and floss
• Listerine (we never use this at home, but after a nighttime flight, it will be nice to have)

Hand breast pump and bottles in case Luca won’t nurse

European power adapters

Vitamins and medications

Umbrellas because all weather reports indicate RAIN. Lots and lots of RAIN.

Sunglasses because I enjoy having my unrealistic hopes tangibly dashed to the ground.

Ireland road map in case Google Maps doesn’t work, or we can’t get service, or the directions are wrong, or, or, or!

Toddler travel gear

• Travel car seat
• Umbrella stroller
• Cozy stroller cover
• Tula baby carrier

Wish us luck! Back later this month with lots of updates, I’m sure! Can’t wait. 🙂

xo!