First flight fright

We had the opportunity to go wherever we wanted. Hawaii...the Caribbean...wherever. But taking into consideration this would be the baby's first flight, I wanted it to be short and sweet. Desperate to get the heck outa Dodge, we hastily booked a short hour and a half flight down to my favorite little escape in Palm Springs. This flight. This vacation. This was all going to be a test for all of us. And somewhere in there I'm supposed to remember to enjoy myself.

This would not only be Delilah's first flight, but this was going to be a first for Chris and I as well. Flying with a baby is one of those adulting thresholds we've successfully avoided. Until now. And let's be honest, Chris was totally 100% unfazed by what traveling with a baby entails. I was the one who panicked for 2 weeks straight. I was the one who thought of all the possible scenarios and what we would were going to need to survive this experience. You're welcome, Chris.

I bought everything from flashy new toys she hadn't seen yet to a headset to muffle the noise of the plane to a travel-stroller that folds up small enough to fit in your backpack. Per the usual, Amazon came through with everything I needed for the flight and all the things I would need to keep her stylishly safe in the sun. When I tell you I was prepared, I was PRE-PARED. Like give myself a pat-on-the-shoulder-prepared.

Part of that prep though included buying her a seat on the plane. It's up to you, but if you can, I suggest getting your child their own seat. Even for a short flight. Her car seat we used in the Ubers to and from the airports and in the rental truck we had in Palmies. But we checked it in with our luggage. Didn't have a reason to use it on her plane seat since she's 13 months old and can sit up on her own. But having her own seat worked out great in our case because she spent most of the time in her seat, quietly entertained by her new toys and snacks. Must always have snacks.

This fake iphone was clutch! Linked below.

Linked everything I took for the flight and scroll down further for links to our vacay-mode style.

THE master fold-up stroller that the airlines recommend + the fan we attached to keep the air flowing around her + the backpack that that stroller folds into.

1. GB Pockit Lightweight Stroller - CLICK HERE

2. Clip-on Stroller Fan - CLICK HERE

3. ZOEA Fold-up Stroller Bag - CLICK HERE

(Scroll down to the very end of the post to see a quick video of the stroller in action.)

This set of bags was perfect for ALL my on-the-go needs for Delilah and myself. One bag had a comb, baby sunscreen, stain removal pen, hair ties, bandaids, Tylenol, chapstick, baby balm...ALL the things in there! The smaller bag was for those emergency SNACKS. Kept these in my carry-on and my daily bag.

Exploreloon Travel Bags - CLICK HERE

Checking in your car seat? Then you'll need the airline-approved Gorilla Grip bag. Folds up into a pouch and has a luggage tag attached. Our car seat did just fine traveling in this.

Gorilla Grip Car Seat Travel Bag - CLICK HERE

While the airplane noise ended up not bothering her, I was ready just in case with these noise-cancelling headphones. The key to the baby keeping them on? You gotta have something infinitely more distracting ready while you put them on.

FridayBaby Noise-cancelling Headphones - CLICK HERE

She loves her fake iPhone which means I LOVE her fake iPhone! Best $10 I ever spent. Our fellow first-class passengers probably loved it too. Because the princess was quiet so long as she had her phone and a snack.

Toy Cell Phone - CLICK HERE

A few of the essentials I carried around on the daily.

1. Ever Eden All-purpose Healing Balm - CLICK HERE

2. Ever Eden Baby Lip Balm - CLICK HERE

3. Babo Botanicals Baby Face Sunscreen Stick SPF 50 - CLICK HERE

We stayed at the Avalon in Palm Springs. Also stayed here for our honeymoon, so there was something kinda special about bringing Delilah. Absolutely love staying there. It's an old property that's been renovated but nothing super modern. It's a chic, rather large, secluded property. Unlike a lot of chic outposts in Palm Springs, the Avalon is kiddo-friendly. Everything is black and white. Clean, minimal decor. But most importantly is the friendly staff who have always made us feel so welcome. It's such a nice, casual vibe. Everyone is most friendly and attentive to whatever your needs be. The food and the service are perfect. Just like the expertly manicured, lush green property the hotel sits on.

We chose to stay in a garden suite and the hotel readily provided us with a rollaway crib and a pack-n-play for Delilah. The Avalon is a very popular destination and it was impossible to book a larger bungalow as they were completely booked up. It really was a revolving door of guests checking in and out and since we were there long enough, we got to know all our neighbors poolside. Delilah made quite the impression on everyone she met. It was cute and refreshing, considering most of us were traveling for the first time since the pandemic started.

Anyway, I've linked our fabulous swimsuits and gear. I've also linked her travel outfits by Mason Grey Los Angeles. Basically, all aspects of this trip are linked in this post. If I can link it, it's here!

Black & White Star Collection Robe + Onesie by Mason Grey LA - CLICK HERE

Amaio Swimwear - CLICK HERE

This white one-piece is from Target and it says, Mommy WHO? Haahaaa!

Xhileration Scoopback Swimsuit - CLICK HERE

I'm wearing a size medium for reference.

This swimsuit is super popular on Amazon and once I put it on, I realized why. HOLY CHICNESS! Definitely a must so I have it in the white too.

HILOR One-piece Swimsuit - CLICK HERE

I'm wearing a size small for reference.

Infamous Amazon, HUGE, black shades - CLICK HERE

Olivia Miller Studded Jelly Sandals - CLICK HERE

(mine are sold out but the link takes you to ALL her jellies)

You can also find them at Marshalls & TJ Maxx.

RuffleButts Baby Black & White Swimsuit - CLICK HERE

COCOSAND Baby Sunglasses with Strap - CLICK HERE

These onesies have long sleeves BUT are SUPER thin! Got these for her to sleep in so she had a little extra something in the air conditioning.

Hanes Onesies - CLICK HERE

Palm Springs sun meant the babe needed full-time sun protection. This was the hat we went with for hikes to art installations and cruising around downtown.

Flap Happy Flap Hat with Tie - CLICK HERE

RuffleButts Baby Seersucker Swimsuit - CLICK HERE

Moon & Back Baby Swim Hat - CLICK HERE

Personalized mini straw tote bag via Etsy - CLICK HERE

And something worth noting for the first-time mommies like myself, as I'm sure you already know, sometimes it just doesn't matter how much you've prepared. When your child delves into meltdown mode, sometimes there's not a whole lot you can do other than take a deep breath, take a sip of your bloody Mary and pray for a swift landing. As is also the case at restaurants. Delilah would go from all-smiles to needing an exorcism in the time it took for me to drink a beer. Sometimes you can have all the snacks, and they just don't give a fuck. So swallow your beer. Get your food to go. And get that child to an exorcist asap. LoL!

Also, a MAJOR lifesaver for us was bringing Delilah's baby monitor. Every afternoon, when it was her nap time, we took her back to the refreshingly air-conditioned room and put her down for a few hours. The proximity of our suite to the pool was just about 200 feet and the baby monitor handled it like a champ. While she napped, we were able to enjoy ourselves poolside, in complete peace for a few hours at a time every afternoon. I'll link the baby monitor we use because it functions off a radio signal, not wi-fi. Which is what gave it the excellent coverage and range.