My Favorite Travel Diaper Bag

I received this Oilcloth Changing Tote as a gift when I had my second daughter. And,to be quite honest,I didn't think I would ever use it. But soon we were preparing for a flight- our first with the new baby and a two-year-old. And that is when I realized just how wonderful this tote is.

Because it is oilcloth anything you might get on it wipes right off. Plus, it's all-in-one. No changing pad to pull out; just unfold and you have all your diaper changing necessities in easy reach.

It is lightweight and so easily portable- no lugging a bulging bag (you already have enough in your carry on!). And because it folds so nicely I didn't have any difficulties about it being an "extra bag".

And it's chic. I get so many compliments on it. When we are at home it resides in the "mommy vehicle", packed and ready to go.



The Oilcloth Changing Tote is available from The Essential Bebe. Right now it is not listed on their web page so drop the ladies a note and they can take care of you. And don't forget to check out their other great stuff. We also have the Petite Love; it goes everywhere with us.

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Dublin, Ireland

I have mixed feelings about Dublin. Well, it's more than that. I really wish we hadn't gone into Dublin. I wish we had explored other parts of Ireland instead.

That said, Dublin is a great city. It's vibrant, has great public transport and amazing history. It's just not a great city to explore with a one-year-old. Had it just been my husband and I, I am sure we would love it the way we love London. We had two days in Dublin.

Our final B&B was located outside Dublin in Dun loaghaire (pronounced leery). Lissadell Guest House was very nice. The room was spacious, with an ensuite bath and wonderful breakfasts. The owners are not on site but are only a phone call away. We spoke with John Goldrick at length one morning as we enjoyed our breakfast; he is a warm gentleman and exudes Irish Charm.

We were close enough to a DART station to leave the car at the B&B. Public transportation in Dublin is exceptional. We had no problem hopping on and off the trains or catching a bus or cab if we needed one. Dublin is a terrific city for walking; everything was closer than we thought it would be.

Because of Brenna's age she didn't really appreciate our attempts to view the Tara Brooch; we didn't even attempt Trinity College to see the Book of Kells. And DIT (Dublin Institute of Technology) was holding their graduation at St. Patrick's Cathedral the day we planned to visit.

So we spent our time trying to find things that would keep her amused.

We visited the Dublin Zoo. Dublin has a wonderful zoo. And because we were there in November it wasn't at all busy. We were able to get up close to everything. And we timed our visit just right- the monkeys were being fed. It's great fun to see monkeys eat.

Dublin is full of parks, the most well known being St. Stephen's Green. If you're a shopper there is a mall right next to it. But we were there for the park. We wandered around for quite a long time. Brenna had great fun picking up leaves and watching the ducks in the lake.

But mostly our time was spent just wandering around the city, taking it in. And shopping on Grafton Street. Tip: go early.



Dublin is beautiful:
Ha'Penny Bridge: in the 18th century it cost half a penny to cross- now it's free. Which means that this is possibly the only thing in Dublin that has gone down in price.
Dublin's icon (whether they like it or not): Molly Malone
Old Dublin: It's a museum called Dublinia and has much about the Vikings and Normans.
The original wall of Dublin.
A bridge across the lake in St. Stephen's Green.

And I really look forward to visiting again... When the girls are much older.

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Eating Around Ireland

You can get anything you want in Ireland. But why would you want McDonald's, TGIFriday's or anything else you can get at home? Open yourself to Irish food.

If you stay at a B&B- and possibly even a hotel- you will be offered a traditional Irish Breakfast. There is enough food offered at this meal to get you through early afternoon.

You will be offered eggs along with sausage, bacon, grilled tomatoes, black pudding, and white pudding. On the side is Irish brown bread served with sweet Irish butter and the famous Irish preserves. Top off breakfast with a cup of Irish breakfast tea. Quite often oatmeal, cereal and yogurt will be an option, too. Which was terrific for our daughter.

Because breakfast was so filling we often just stopped at a market to grab yummy Irish cheese, bread and fruit for lunch and snacks.

At dinner we asked the B&B owners for their recommendations. We had delicious fish and chips, wonderful stews, amazing foods freshly prepared from local produce. Always ask a local where they like to eat. They will never steer you wrong.

We did plan to eat at one restaurant: Gallagher's Boxty House in Dublin. Boxty is best described as a thin potato pancake filled with meats, vegetables and sauce. So yummy.

Open yourself up to the traditional tastes of Ireland. Try the black pudding. Enjoy the brown bread. And take afternoon tea.

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Some of the Best Stuff in Ireland is Unplanned

As I said in a previous post, driving is really the best way to see Ireland. Some of the greatest sights were unplanned.

Like the beautiful village of Fethard. We were driving from Cashel to Dublin and decided to do a bit of exploring along the way. Somehow we lost our way and came upon this lovely walled town.

After departing Fethard we soon found ourselves on roads with no signs. Completely unsure of where we were we pulled off the road to attempt to get our bearings.

With our map open on the hood of the car we tried to "find" ourselves. And almost missed this beautiful view of the mists on what I assume are the Slievardagh Hills. The mist burned off soon after but it was spectacular when we saw it.

After figuring out- kind of- where we were we noticed that Kells Priory was between us and Dublin. I had considered that as a stop but, had we not gotten lost, we probably wouldn't have made the stop. Kells Priory is an enclosed medieval site. It sits along King's River and features a lovely walk to the site if you park by the old mill. Like most Irish ruins the land is privately owned but the owners graciously allow visitors (and the ruins are maintained by the State). We did have to dodge some sheep droppings but the site was so impressive and expansive that it was worth it. There is lots of room for kids to run about. Since you have to be your own guide here take a minute to stop by the post office in town and purchase a book about the Priory's long and embattled history.

Outside the Priory walls are St. Kieran's Church, a lovely ruin for exploring as well, and Hutchinson's Mill (you can see it behind the Priory three photos up) which sits on King's River.

Leaving Kells we got onto a main highway and pointed the car toward Dublin. Soon, however, we began seeing sings for the Moone High Cross. Now,I don't know about you, but to me High Crosses are one of the great sights of Ireland.

Moone High Cross doesn't disappoint. At 17 1/2 feet high it is one of the best preserved High Crosses in Ireland. It stands, protected, in the ruins of the abbey along with fragments of another cross as well as descriptions of the carvings and the significance of the High Cross.

The cross sits back about a quarter mile from the road; to enter you walk through a cleft in a stone wall. You can almost feel like you are stepping back through time. When we were visiting a very friendly horse was penned next to the path. He let me pet his nose; I wish I had known he would be there, I would have taken an apple for him.

So, on my advice, take your time and stop for anything that looks interesting. It may be one of your favorite memories.

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