Tuesday, April 03, 2007

Headin' to G-City & a side of questions

Plane Ticket to G-City - 35,000 Amex Points
6 Nights at the Marriott- 25,000 Amex Points + several quetzals
Meeting my daughter for the first time - PRICELESS

The trip has been scheduled and confirmed!! I am heading to G-City in three weeks!! Let the countdown begin!!

I am SO excited about going. There are so many things to buy & pack. There in lies the question part of this post. I know you all have given this advice before but it wasn't for me. Remember, I am a first time Mommy so I need to know all the tricks of the trade!!!

For instance, what diaper ointment do I need? Do I use it every time I change a diaper? When do you use powder?

What if I don't get an update before I leave? How do I decide what size diapers to buy? She weighed 5.7lbs. 5 weeks ago.... What wipes are the best???

Do you need a stroller for an 8 week old baby?? Will a sling or snuggly work ok??

What do I absolutely need to take with me???

Come on ladies, lay it on me!!! I need to earn more Amex points for the next trip!!!

10 comments:

HollyGee said...

Ok, some advice for you, my friend.

You can never have too many onesies, blankets or bibs.

Bring a bouncy chair, they make travel ones, email if you need an exact model. I would go ahead and buy #1 diapers. Boudreaux's Butt Paste ROCKS(I have dedicated two whole posts to this stuff in the past)!!! I only use the butt paste when a rash is involved and I only use powder after a very wet diaper or a bath.

Wipes, you might want to get the sensitive skin ones, your sweet girl might have a sensitive bum, you never know:) No go on the stroller, a sling or a snuggly would be great.

Pharmacies, in GC, deliver...so if you run out or need anything, they will deliver it to you.

And last but not least...CONGRATS!!! Only I wish you were going a week earlier. I will be there from April 18 -23 and I am allowed to go places with little man so I would have been able to visit with you.

:)-A

Carrie, Rich and the Kids said...

Hi Shannon,

I found your blog from Candy and Holly. Ok. We visited our daughter at 4 weeks old. 0-3 month clothes will be fine. She wore them until 5 months. A sling will work great. You can probably rent a stroller (we did at the Clarion). Size 1 diapers go up to 12 pounds and there is no way she is going to be near that yet. I like the unscented wipes and use the Grassroots Best Seat in the House diaper cream from Kohl's. It is all natural. I use it after a messy diaper and before bed to avoid any rash.

I brought everything but the kitchen sink with me, but like Holly said the pharmacies deliver and the hotel staff is so nice and helpful.

Bring some bottles (I don't like the kind in Guatemala). I swear by Dr. Brown's. No bubbles and a lot less gas.

A bouncy seat is really helpful and I also brought an activity mat minus the arches.

Agree with Holly--tons of bibs, burp clothes, and blankets!

Congrats on the DNA and have a wonderful bonding trip and time with your daughter. It is worth everything!

Candy said...

Girl you better call me tomorrow...Oh my gosh I am so excited for you...Plane day in Tulsa and I will go with you to get all your travel needs....Oh I have a some things you can borrow too...Call me

Cameo said...

I'm so happy for you!!!!! Have a GREAT trip!!!!!

Ginger--Maya's mommy said...

Congrats!!! I am so happy that you are getting to go visit. This time with your daughter is priceless. What dates will you be there? I will be there 13th-23rd. E-mail me so that we can get together. I agree with Holly about the butt paste. I also think number one diapers. Maya is only in #2. She is 13.3 pounds. I hope that we can meet up. I can also leave the hotel with Maya. See you there.

Bekah said...

What they said! :) This was helpful for me as well since I have been gathering and packing.

Lori said...

D. All of the above!!

They pretty much summed it up! My advice on the Marriott. Ask for a baby bath, the concierge will deliver to your room. Also ask for a baby room key. It is on third floor and as soon as you have baby they will give you one! Their is airline offices right in the lobby of the Marriott. Ask for the airport forms that are needed when leaving the country. Filling them out at the hotel ahead of time is much greater then at the airport. Backpack style diaper bag or book bag style is the way to go! If you have room, pack extra butt paste, diapers and wipes in a smaller wipe container for your diaper bag. Other diaper bag contents, extra outfit/onesie, formula (formula container sorter thingy) Holds three compartments of measured formula, bottle and liners if you use the insert type, a blankie or smaller/lighter blanket, extra pacifier if you are using them. I used my diaper bag for my personal bag getting onto the plane and then when I got there I converted it all to be a diaper bag while in the country!! This is handy to just grab and go so that you don't have to pack or repack everytime you want to step out of the room! Also have extra bib for the daiper bag!

nikki said...

Shannon,
I agree w/ everyone.
I would also pack those blue poop bags. They sell them everywhere, a hotel room can get mighty smelly w/ a few nasty diapers sitting around. Have a great trip.

Natalie said...

I agree with pretty much everything! Email me or call me if you have any other things you're wondering about...I'd love to help even though I'm not a complete "pro" at this visit trip thing yet.

Lori said...

I forgot to mention - if you can leave the hotel(not sure if you can or not)- out the back door of the Marriott to the right and across the street is a grocery store on the corner - has everything you would need. To the left and across the street turning left again is a whole block or more of artisan shops - very close. McDonald's is on the corner to the right from the front door of the Marriott and if you keep going right around the corner of McDonalds - that brings you to the artisan shops as well.

The back door of the Marriott is located - if you go towards La Vista cafe/restaurant in the hotel and take a left before the restaurant up the small set of stairs follow through the glass doors and to your left it will put you out on the pool patio - walk across the pool area and go up the stairs (or walk across the upper patio area) and you will end up in the gym. Follow the hallway past the receptionist in the gym area and as you turn right to head down another hallway - there is a glass door on the left it will put you into a parking area (gated) walk through the gate on the other end of the parking lot and that will put you on the sidewalk and you can go left(artisan shops) or right(grocery store) to get to the various places! I hope that makes sense - you need any further info just email me at Loriwestrum@hotmail.com

The Westin is behind the Marriott across the large street (four or six lanes). If you are careful you can cross it!