Safe Travels

Well, we made it through another road trip to my in-laws.  Each way we drove 21+ hours over two days, with one hotel stay each way.  This required planning and panic, but in the end, things went well.  In fact, way better than anticipated. 

Some may dread a visit to relatives because of the people, but we dread it because of the allergies and asthma.  In the past few years, any visit usually involves several doses of Benadryl and Albuterol, and on one occasion a visit to the emergency room.  Thankfully that did not happen this time.  We even brought along our babysitter for an added set of eyes and hands.  We warned her of all that could happen, not exaggerating past experiences.  Again, thankfully all that warning and anticipation were for naught.  Phew!

So what extra steps did we take to be able to travel with our Allergy Babe? 

• We took with all her medicine, including her nebulizer and extra Benadryl. 
• We packed food, from Gluten Free pasta, soy milk, spices, etc. that would be needed over the course of our trip.  While we could shop along the way, it made it easier to have many of the items that are more unique or harder to find. 
• I baked chocolate chip banana bread to have as a snack or for breakfast on the way down.
• I cooked and froze meatballs for our first night on the road, so all we'd have to do was heat it up in the sauce pan and cook pasta.
• We try to stay in newer hotels or newly remodeled hotels.  They must have a kitchen that has at least a 2 burner stove-top.  This trip we lucked out with a hotel that was open less than a month.  The advantage is the HVAC system is new or newer, and the surfaces and bedding less used, hence less possibility of allergens embedded in furnishings and carpeting.
• We eat only foods that are safe for the Babe, so lunch on the road is usually packaged deli meat (not safe from a counter due to cross-contamination), avocado, hummus and potato chips.  Yes, we get tired of this, but it serves the purpose and can be found along the way.  I also pack fruit and sometime cut up veggies.
• We take with a clean sheet to cover the hotel sofa for her to sit on.
• We take the Babe's pillow with.
• We wipe all hotel door handles, remotes, light switches, and other things that she might touch with Windex or Clorox wipes, as soon as we get in the room.
• I carry hand soap that is safe for the Babe.  Its not pleasant to go into a restroom that has soap made with dairy protein.  Our first stop en route had that, although we suspect the container might have been refilled with some other soap.  Even so, we stick with what we know is safe.
• At my in-laws, we run an air purifier in the room she sleeps in.
• My in-laws wipe down their leather family room furniture, wash floors, wipe down surfaces.  My mother-in-law opts to cover tables with plastic cloths as added protection.  Its a lot of work in preparation to have us.

There were probably more things we did or watched out for along the way, but the key is to remain observant and vigilant.  We reminded the Babe to keep her hands out of her mouth and off her face.  Yes, silly faces are fun, but hives aren't.  So, while we may seem over-protective or over-cautious, we came home in one piece (mentally and physically).  There was a lot less stress this trip. 

Over the period of time we were actually with family, the Babe got to have a great visit with her great-grandparents our first afternoon in Florida.  Then, each day thereafter she spent time in the pool, played with lots of toys, and was overall entertained most of the time between playing with her grandparents and our sitter.  We also went to the aquarium one morning, where she got to see her favorite Jelly Fish.  She definitely had fun at Papa and Grams, and I think the adults did, too.