Anyway, consider this blog "that person". There have been some heavy things weighing on me lately and I'm really struggling to put it into words. Thus, you've gotten some extra fluffy posts lately. So sorry.
I think I've turned a corner and am starting to feel better - or maybe I've just found ways to distract myself. Perhaps only time will tell.
In the meantime, I have a potentially controversial question to ask you.
This little fam of mine is headed to San Diego, Santa Monica, and Santa Barbara in a couple of weeks. I seriously cannot express to you how absolutely beyond thrilled/excited/nervous I am! Traveling a serious passion of mine (inspiring my International Business major in college, as silly as that sounds) and I've been craving someplace new to explore!
My question is this:
Have you ever used a baby monitor in a hotel before?
Eek!
Ok, Bill thinks this is a no-no, but hear me out. Eli goes down at 7 pm typically. This is usually fantastic b/c Bill and I then get some quiet adult time. But, when we've stayed in a hotel, this has meant that one of us has had to stay in the room once he goes down. And, since most hotels don't have suites, the room is usually dark and must stay rather quiet for the sleeping baby.
What if Bill and I wanted to have a dinner at the hotel restaurant? We would not leave the hotel, and would be only minutes away.
Another point to back up my side -- he typically does not wake up until 7/7:30 the next day. Now, I understand all this could change, especially while we're in a new place.
Ok -- send me your thoughts!
Love!
Well, I'm definitely curious to know what's going on in that pretty little head of yours. Hopefully you'll fill me in soon. Tomorrow?! I've had so much on my mind too lately, and it paralyzes me from things like blogging (and housecleaning, unfortunately).
ReplyDeleteYou know how much I hate to talk about controversial parenting topics (hahahahahahaha-couldn't resist)! I do have some thoughts about this though. My concern is not really about Eli's safety. He'd probably be just fine. However, if something did go wrong, how quickly could you get to him? If the fire alarm went off, for instance. How much time would it take to get back to your room? Using the stairs!! These are the freaky, unlikely scenarios that go through my head. Could you even hear a monitor from more than 100 feet away? Or see him since I think you have a video monitor? Would you really pay much attention to the monitor if you're trying to eat dinner? You'd be a basketcase the whole time, so I'm not sure how much fun you'd actually have. Sorry I'm so negative. I don't even leave my kids alone in the car to run into a store. Paranoid? Probably!
I knew a girl who used to leave her little kids home alone while they were sleeping. Sometimes through the night. Freaked me out!
My suggestion would be to bring in take out or get room service. Have white noise in the background for Eli and enjoy your time alone! You could also use a big sheet for a curtain to separate the room. Or stay at Embassy so he has his own room!
Thanks for your thoughts! I had called the Hyatt this morning to ask about using a baby monitor, and they just called back saying that the hotel has its own radio frequency that basically hinders any baby monitors from working. So, I then asked about using a different technique I'd read about where you call your cell phone from the hotel room phone and just leave it on mute & speakerphone (on your cell end) so that you can hear anything that goes on, but she said there is a charge for using the room phone, so that's out as well. All signs are pointing to pushing Eli's bedtime a little and just staying in once he's down!
ReplyDeleteAnd, I think you're right - I'd probably be a wreck the whole time and only be gone like 15 minutes!
I'm not going to judge your friend for leaving her kids at home, but HOLY COW!! I have to admit I've had that wish a couple of times while eli was napping, but there is no way I'd actually do it! Sheesh!
I do have suites in the criteria for our Santa Barbara hotel (which I haven't booked yet!!)
PS - we're on for dinner tomorrow night! What else can I bring besides the salad?
You know what Derek and I have done? Put the pack-n-play in the nice dark and quiet bathroom. When we were sure she was asleep we could read, watch a flick, play cards... or whatever :) We usually pull her out of the bathroom before bed (considering most of us take a shower or pee before bedtime). Just a suggestion! I know it's not the same as dinner out, but still some fun time to yourselves.
ReplyDelete@Jenn
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jenn! That's a brilliant suggestion I had never considered! Our hotel experiences have been interesting so far, so I'm anxious to try this out!
Thanks for sharing and reading! I love reading yours -- so encouraging! Thank you!