The Week I Went Crazy and Made Stuff

Last Sunday, Rob suggested that the girls and I go to California this weekend for one of my best friend's wedding and my mom's birthday. The only catch was that I would have to travel with the girls alone. Ugh. This presented all sorts of potential nightmares with all the stuff I would have to transport and only the two hands God gave me. So I channeled my inner Dr. Frankenstein and created a few items that would help to make my life easier.

I figured that I would need to take the double stroller. Even if Grace didn't want to ride, I'd be able to put stuff in the extra seat. I also thought that it would be beneficial to have a car seat with us so that whatever child I wasn't messing with could be strapped into a seat so as not to wander the plane. I also would need to transport snacks, entertainment, tons of diapers, extra changes of clothing for everyone, you know, way beyond what would fit into my diaper bag. So Rob and I got our thinking caps on and started to create.

First off, the car seat. There's obviously no way that I could carry a gigantic car seat through the airport along with the other bajillion things I'll have to have so with some nylon webbing and carabiners we created a quick-release strap system to hold the car seat in place on the back of the stroller. We also added a gigantor carabiner to hold one of my bags (the other one will be on my shoulder or in the stroller in G's seat).

Easy enough. Now how about a challenge?

This is my beloved stroller all folded up. One thing I love about this double is that is folds so compactly (it was one of the few doubles we checked out that we could fit into our little trunk and it's narrow enough to fit through standard size doorways. I totally love this stroller, can you tell?). The problem with this stroller is that when the stroller is folded all of the fabric is on the outside of the stroller and I was concerned about it getting ripped up on the plane, so I thought I'd whip up a little bag for it. Hello, Dr. Frankenstein. I felt a little awesomely crazy creating this bag from just my little 'ole imagination, but I was so pleased when it actually worked!

I even put a zipper in (proud moment!). It was a little touch a go there for a while, but it amazingly worked. When we were putting it on for the first time, it wasn't fitting and I had a little freak out moment and told Rob to "MAKE IT WORK!!!!!" He did. I was just trying to put it on wrong.

Muah hahahaha. I was pleased as punch last night when it actually fit. Nothing feels better than a project you semi-expect to fail actually works out.

I also made a little bag to contain the portable DVD player and accessories. I think eventually I'll put a shoulder strap on it, but it was necessary for now.

And as if I didn't have enough on my plate last week I also made a pack and play mattress pad out of PUL (which the sell at JoAnn's now, woot!) since we're using it as Ruby's crib and it was needing a little protection. And I made a dress for myself that actually turned out. I think I'll make the straps a little narrower, but for now, it's fine.

And that was my week. Whew! Good thing JoAnn's is walking distance from our apartment here in Louisville, so we got a little exercise every time we had to run to JoJo's for something. Now if you think of it, feel free to send up a little prayer in my behalf Wednesday morning while I'll be braving the wonderful world of air travel with little'uns.

p.s. Here is a photo of Grace that she demanded I take and post. I guess it wouldn't really be a post on the blog without a pic of at least one of my sweet girls, right?