San Francisco With A Baby
If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. You can also receive updates via email. Thanks for visiting!
My husband is attending a conference in San Francisco this week so Baby M and I tagged along. We decided to leave Little E at home this time. I didn’t think it would be a good idea to tackle a new, big city, a three hour time change, a 4 month old and 3 year old all by myself. I know, I’m such a wimp. But, no worries, Little E is happy as a clam having “5 sleepovers” with my parents. Little E and my mom are having so much fun that I worry he will not want to come back home. Just kidding, well maybe I am worried, just a little.
I didn’t really think it was that big of a deal to fly accross country and tour the city by myself with a 4 month old. But, apparently, to some people it is. I have had so many people say how brave I am to go on a vacation with a baby. “Wow, you’re so brave to do this.” “Good for you, it’s great you’re so adventurous with a baby.” Or, my favorite, the one I heard today, “Well, it’s better than staying home and being bored.” What?! Did you have children?!
I just smile and say thanks. But seriously, people, this is not adventurous. Adventurous is keeping both of my kids entertained at home when it’s 100 degrees outside and I am way too wimpy to even open the front door. I might melt, you know. Adventurous is taking a 4 month old and 3 year old to the grocery store. (I still haven’t figured out where to put the groceries when the baby is in the front of the cart and the toddler is in the back. Maybe this is why I can’t make dinner when my choices are goldfish, bottled water or pop tarts.) Adventurous is going to the park and trying to make sure my 3 year old doesn’t fall as he’s climbing up the mountain climbing wall while sitting on the bench trying to feed the baby somewhat modestly. And I just have two kids!
So, I don’t really think taking a baby to San Francisco is that adventurous. But, it is interesting sightseeing with a baby and we have had a great time! She doesn’t really have much of an opinion on where we go as long as I stop and feed her every once in a while. So, it’s been kind of fun doing whatever I want to this week. The funny thing is I am normally a total planner, list writer, organized freak. Maybe that’s why every morning this week I push the stroller out the door of the hotel with absolutely no idea where I’m going. It’s been fun just winging it. And as much as I miss Little E, I have enjoyed the “girl time.”
Well, to all you moms who are at home this week being “bored” with your kids, get adventurous and take a trip to your local grocery store! And if you have figured out where to put the groceries, please let me know!




July 25th, 2008 at 12:58 pm
Well done, Mommy Steph. I’ve always traveled with my kids and loved it and the best moments were when something unplanned happened and we got lost or stuck somewhere and had to wing it.
I love your writing!
July 26th, 2008 at 12:19 am
What a great adventure. And I’m sure Little E is feeling very grown up and gaining some independence with his sleepovers at Grandma’s.
July 30th, 2008 at 1:07 pm
[...] Mommy Steph @ the Mommy Stories blog talks about taking her baby on a tour of San Francisco. I found this story interesting because I recently took my son to New York City for the first time. [...]
August 1st, 2008 at 2:16 pm
LOL!! I love this post. You are quite right, the most adventurous thing I do is getting to the grocery store and figuring out how to get what I need before one of the guys has a meltdown. I had tons of fun at our “playdate”! We will have to meet at a park next time so we can chat more while the boys run off their energy (if that is possible…)
October 2nd, 2008 at 11:58 pm
i am going to san fran with a 4-month-old as well and it is refreshing to hear that you did also! how did you get around? carrier or stroller? what type of public transportation did you use? my husband will be at a conference all day so i will be alone most of the time with baby and therefore have only one set of hands to travel. want to know where to go and how to do it easiest!!!