Tips for flying

We have been here nearly a week already, the time is whizzing by. Our house is gorgeous, although there is a rather high balcony which fills me with fear. Coco is banned from being outside without an adult right beside her at all times. The house itself is lovely though. A huge open plan space with big french windows on all sides which you can have open with the mozzie screen pulled across keeping Coco in, with the illusion of being out - if that makes sense. The family that owns the house are half Canadian, half British and so there is a kind of Canadian hunting lodge feel to the decor. Strange that may seem for the 30 degree heat and sandy beaches that is the Caribbean, but somehow it works.

Already, we have fallen into our usual routine. Up for a run (well that was only this morning but I am hoping to keep it up!), take Angus to work, back for breakfast, jobs, play and then our morning swim. We are very lucky to have a little plunge pool just outside our back door which is perfect for Coco to practice her swimming in.

We are continuing with the exercises we were given in Fort Lauderdale and Coco is back to happily going underwater, jumping in and holding onto the wall when she needs to but she still refuses to kick her legs - apart from in the bath! She is brilliant at it then! I know it will come, but the quicker she is actually swimming the better. It is a constant worry when you are around all this water. Anyway, after being warn out in the pool, we have a spot of lunch and then a sleep. Coco's sleeps have been awesome since we have been here, 2 - 3 hours every afternoon and still 11 - 12 hours at night! It is perfect as I have a whole ton of work on at the moment. Did I say work?!

When it cools down a bit, we hit the beach for a couple of hours, meet with Daddy and then come home for supper and bed! Not a bad routine I would say.

So, back to the blog title - I was thinking this morning how amazing Coco was on the flight last week and how, although we are now well practised at long-haul (Coco has wracked up 14 flights now!), there are always things I could improve on, things I discover and things I forget. Seeing as we are about to embark on the holiday season, I thought I would share my top tips with you all in the hope they might help now or in the future. Feel free to add any helpful comments!

- Don't have too much hand luggage, put as much as possible in the hold. Carrying stuff is a real pain.
- Select toys carefully. A magnetic drawing board is BRILLIANT! No mess and hours of entertainment.
- One new, wow, toy to be brought out in an emergency situation. We had a plastic train this trip that did the trick!
- Loads of snacks. Airlines can sometimes be funny about food especially for infants. I shamelessly go for fun food, again it's a great distraction. Pringles and animal crackers are a firm favourite.
- Coco is a thumbsucker which is great for take-off and landing but if not then lollypops work.
- Whatever works! Coco loves her bottle but only has one at nigh time. However, I buy a pint of milk in the departure lounge and she has several bottles on a long-haul flight.
- Download some children's favourites onto your laptop. The in flight entertainment can sometimes be limited so don't rely on it. I went for Peppa Pig, In the Night Garden and some children's earphones.
- Stick to a similar routine as you would have at home and hopefully that might include a sleep?!
- Be prepared to walk up and down the aircraft a lot!
- If you are going somewhere hot, pop a summer dress in your bag for landing. Long queues are better if children aren't overheating.
- We have just discovered reigns - again, perfect when travelling if you get one that is a rucksack as well for a nappy and a drink!

Hope this is helpful for any of you who are about to hit the runway. As I say, any other tips would be gratefully received!