Love-Hate Relationship with Packing

I love trips. Love love love them. Hate packing.

Don’t you?

There is just something about deciding what I will need for an extended period of time + fear of forgetting something that makes me a little bit crazy. Throw packing for a tiny human into the mix and Lord Jesus, there’s a fire. Kidding. (But there is a crazy lady running around the house the night before departure checking and re-checking suitcases to make sure everything is “there.”)

So imagine my dilemma when the hubs and I decided that we would only bring 1 carry-on suitcase and 1 big suitcase for the THREE of us on our 17 day euro-trip. I mean, this didn’t even seem to be real, viable, option because my natural inclination is to pack, you know, everything.

Fortunately for the grown-ups in the house I’ve recently been on a journey in clothing minimalism (more on my wardrobe capsule journey here if you’re interested) so I wasn’t too concerned about what to pack myself. As for  C, well, he’s a guy so naturally is especially happy with fewer clothing options to choose from. So it was really Little S who was going to take up most of the suitcase room… for all the parents reading this, I’m sure that’s a total surprise.

So how did we swing it?

C & I decided to pack 9 days worth of clothes with options that could easily go from day-to-night. We were okay with having to wear things more than once if it meant a lighter load. Underclothes/socks-wise, we decided to take enough to last the entire trip because we weren’t sure what the washer/dryer situation would be like AND with that kind of thing we figured it was better to be safe than sorry. Plus, this gave us more space for everything we would need to take for Little S.

So here is the breakdown:

His:

3 pairs of shorts,  1 pair jeans, 9 shirts, 2 t-shirts, 1 swimsuit, 2 pairs of shoes (sandals + boat shoes)

(This could actually make more than 17 outfit combinations)

Hers:

2 skirts, 2 pants, 2 shorts, 8 tops, 2 dresses, 4 pairs of shoes (3 sandals + 1 heel), 2 vests,1 scarf, hat, 2 swimsuits, 2 coverups

(This could also make more than 17 outfit combinations)

Tiny Human:

Things to wear

19 outfits, 8 pjs, 3 pairs of sandals, 2 new packages of diapers, 3 new packages of wipes, 2 reusable swim diapers, 2 swimsuits, 1 rash guard, 1 hat, 2 pairs of sunglasses

Things to eat

2x 12-pack of applesauce, 2x 12-packs of goldfish, 1x 12-pack fig newtons, 3x 12-pack of Plum Mighty-Four

Things to play with

Window Clings, Tegu Travel Blocks, Melissa & Doug Water Wow, 2 favorite lift-the-flap books, DIY pipe-cleaner/jar activity, Melissa & Doug Peek-a-Boo Panda, Llama, DIY Quiet Book

Other Things:

Ergo Baby Carrier, Umbrella Stroller, Carseat, Carseat Carrier, Backpack

Soooo how do you handle packing for long trips?

-S