I could feel the panic coming. How on earth were we going to survive a 4-hour flight with our 19-month old who had never been on a plane before, got bored easily and couldn't sit still for more than a few minutes?? And after we landed, would we even be able to enjoy our vacation in between diaper changes, temper tantrums and naps? Then I found some resources from other traveling toddler families out there that helped me take some deep breaths and reset. Websites like Away We Go reminded me to set realistic expectations and prioritize your kids' needs and interests (happy kids makes for a happier trip!). I learned that most airlines allow you to check strollers and car seats for free . I started making a packing list and vacation travel game plan featuring lots of snacks, activities and other toddler hacks. And guess what... Our first flight with Koda went pretty well and our first family vacation was so much fun! Not perfect by any means and we had some difficult moments, but we jumped in and soon found our stride . If you too want to arm yourself with some strategies for traveling with toddlers, here are the best and brightest I found!

Sunshine, salty breeze, rolling waves and sand. Are you planning your next vacation? Maybe just dreaming about it for now? There are few things more fun and relaxing than a beach getaway, but with little ones it can turn into a mad scramble for sunscreen and shade. As idyllic as it looks in pictures, it is no easy feat to keep babies safe and happy on a beach trip. There are diapers and burp cloths and nursing covers to think about, all while trying to keep yourself and your little one from getting sunburned or hangry. It can be a lot to juggle! Lucky for you and me, there are some great tried and true (and a few new) tips for venturing out onto the sand with baby. Read on!

Some ideas and tips for creating a baby registry