We got invited to our travel orientation today. The meeting is set for Tuesday Sept. 16th from 8-10 am so that means that I will have to miss a day of school (bummer!) At the meeting they will give us information on what we can expect once we get there, what to bring for ourselves and our child, information on tours and on how to get around while in South Korea. We are very excited about this and I will probably start to pack a bag for the baby. So since we are thinking about traveling TO Korea, that also makes us think of traveling BACK from Korea and how that trip will be a little more interesting. It will be about 20 hours on a plane with a 9 month old. We are very open in saying that we are a little scared about this part! So, it inspired me to have the FIRST EVER NORMAN NEWS CONTEST! The rules are easy:
- Leave a comment with an idea of how to keep a 9month old busy/happy on a plane.
- Leave an e-mail address for me to contact you if you win!
- US addresses only
Any idea will enter you into the contest. Names will be entered into an excel speadsheet (by the EXCEL master Jason) and a random program will be created to choose the winner. The winner will be announced on Monday Sept 15th after 9:30 pm.
Here is the prize:
- Homemade soap and bath salts by me!
- I will let you choose the scent from what I have and the color! I will mail them to you!
Good luck everyone!!
9 comments:
#1 is to make sure that "The Baby Whisperer" (aka Jason) is sitting next to you.
#2 bring a bag of teething type toys for him to chew on. (I'm sure he will be teething at that age and the toys are usually quieter than rattles.)
#3 have a good stock of food.
Can't wait until that day!! You guys will do a great job!
Love, Gma Debbie
fly overnight!
mirrors, textures, teething and cause/effect toys are pretty big hits with kiddos his age. he may just want to chill and take in all the people walking past you to the bathroom. :) at any rate, lots of food is a good idea...especially a bottle going up and coming down for the pressure change. a pacifier can do the same trick. and to be honest, i've found that everyday objects are usually the best toys: i.e. glasses cases, keys, anything with velcro or strings, cell phones, cups, utensils, etc... all this to say, use what you've got with you...a few toys are a good idea but he'll probably play with the sky mall magazine or air sick bag more, talk to him a lot, run around the cabin every now and again, let him play with the faucet in the bathroom, feed him frequently, and snuggle him up with a nice blankie and rock/bounce with him. also...don't care what everyone else in the plane thinks if he if fussing or crying. he's your son - the child you've been hoping and praying for for so long. there will be frustrating times and you will get exhausted...but it's the best kind of exhaustion you'll ever experience. enjoy this time of bonding. we can't wait to meet your son, jason and fawnda. :)
Fawnie and Jason,
How EXCITING!!!! Planning a trip is always fun, but this is over the top! To be packing YOUR BABIES bag!!! Wooo hooo! I know that for Ava, the life savers when traveling when they are teething, and when are the little ones not teething? The best is oragel, Baby Tylenol, and gas drops!!! And a big chunky necklace on you is great entertainment! And if Jason can wear a key around his neck on a lanyard, (just ask Tim) you should be set! Keeps them close where they like to play and look up into your face. Helps the toy not to be dropped also! Ooooh I can't wait to meet him. Any of your fear will be so pushed out by your JOY, and just going through your list from your contest, will keep you and your little man busy!
Love you,
Auntie Jill
Jason and Fawnda,
Angela doesn't have internet right now, but she wanted me to tell you that her best travel survival tool has always been a portable DVD player with a Baby Einstein DVD. They say it saves them from many crying breakdowns in the back seat.
Love again,
Auntie Jill
here is a comment that my friend Kelley wanted to add:
Okay, so whether or not this wins the contest, I highly recommend
these tips as we were able to have this during our flight from
Thailand. On the long plane trip, make sure you ask for a bulkhead
seat because most likely they will have a bassinet that will hook
onto the wall, that is if you even want to lie the baby down after
just meeting him:). It is also easier to get out from there to walk
around. On the short flights if you can't get the bulkhead(the
armrests don't go up and it just seemed more comfortable to hold the
baby and pass him when they were, see if there are 3 seats next to
each other that you could trade or move to. And last but not least,
see if they have a first flight certificate for the little guy. Kind
of a fun keepsake:) Well the baby is calling for a little moo
juice. Hope this helps if you didn't know about it already.
Kelley
There are some other tips like drinking on the way up and down to
help with the ears popping and stuff like that.
First off, I'm so excited for you guys and I love that you're taking this time you have to thoroughly prepare for your adventure ahead!
You've already been given some great ideas on how to keep a child that age occupied. Distractions will certainly help take his mind off of being overwhelmed and since my brother is a kid at heart, I know you'll do great with that. If I were in your shoes, knowing this going to be a new experience for him, the most difficult might be knowing if he's fussing because he has a headache or upset stomach from flying or simply overwhelmed. So, in trying to find ways to eliminate those unknowns, I did some research and these are the best tips I found. Most of which I'm sure you already know!
#1 Bring/buy some securities from the life he has known thus far while you're there--hopefully they can give you his favorite blanket or security item. You could buy the toys you've observed him playing with during your visit with him so you have something familiar he can associate with you two.
#2 It's a given--Air Planes have poor circulation. It is suggested going unscented that day to prevent any unnecessary headaches. Also, make sure you have something to fan him with while on the plane. Kids love the feeling of a rush of air on their face. Make it a game!
#3 I read that kids should be drinking/swallowing during take off and landing as well as any rough turbulence to prevent any inner-ear problems in flight. I know you already know this, but bringing some of the formula or food he's used to eating will help prevent him from refusing the bottle or food when it's necessary.
#4 The new mom inside me says to bring an ear or under arm thermometer and Children's Tylenol just in case he's teething or really not feeling well from his new 20 hour environment. According to my chart (provided by our pediatrician), the recommended dosage for 20- 23 lbs is one and one half droppers. Anything above gets two full droppers of the concentrated Tylenol per dose (that's not on the box) =)
#5 I read on airline websites that if you keep the flight attendant informed, they will prepare the changing table for you (so you don't have to mess with it while holding your baby) and will warm up your bottle for you in advance (in hot water).
#6 And the simplest, most practical tip I found was to bring safety pins. You then have options to pin up a blanket for privacy!
Wow! Tons of great tips!
Mine are : the DVD with Baby Einsteins. Cheerios, Wagon wheels, sweet potato puff snacks, teething bisquits. Bottles with milk and pacifier if baby takes one. Compact toys with bright colors and moving parts. Peekaboo books. Kids love animals--pictures cards or toys.
Good Luck! We are so excited for you!
Jason and Fawn,
Just say the word contest and people really up the ante,you said you win by entry but it looks like they are being judged by content.So coming in later in the competition make it challenging.
First off I think you two have everything you need to survive a trip which requires you to hold and love your awaited baby boy!
My suggestion is to be friendly and open with your travel companions, once people know your situation they will be more likely to be kind and helpful.I am praying that God will place some of his angels on that plane (Be looking for them).Everyone loves a stroy with a happy ending. Happy Holding,kissing and hugging. You can maybe bring pictures of extended family, kids like photos.
Like grandmas maybe.
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