Trip Preparations: The Packing List

We leave this Friday. My trip preparation work today consisted of diagramming what each of us will be carrying in the way of luggage. I showed my husband and he looked at me incredulously and said, ‘do you think I am type-A?’ I got the hint and asked, ‘why? Do you think this is a type-A thing to do? It’s just that I am a visual person.’ I really am not, but it sounded like the right excuse.

I was very proud of my drawing. There were 4 stick figures: my dad, my mom, Matt and me. My dad had a carry-on sized roller suitcase, my mom a tote bag and a stroller, Matt had a large rolling suitcase and a 3066 cubic inch backpack, and my figure had the same backpack, a healthy back bag across the front (diaper bag) and a stroller. These 2 backpacks worked brilliantly on a trip to Disneyland. http://www.ebags.com/ebags/weekender_convertible/product_detail/index.cfm?modelid=15026.

The quandary today is that I decided I need to bring a pack and play, a portable crib. Neither the apartment nor the house we rented has a baby bed. I had high hopes that I would be able to fit everything for myself and the girls in the 2 backpacks and diaper bag, but I am finding this minimal luggage dream elusive. By the way, one of my top 5 favorite websites is: http://www.onebag.com/popups/what2pack.pdf. It will help you bring the least amount of luggage possible.