Is this a good idea?

I'm 31W with di/di boys and have had no complications yet. I'm pretty hopeful that we'll make it to 38W (Nov. 12, which is as long as they'll let me go), but of course, I realize things can happen quickly and without warning. So, I'm also prepared for early ones who need NICU time. As of right now, both boys are measuring huge and the doctors seem happy.

Anyway, we live in WA and both of our familes are in N.CA. Last night, DH and I were talking about Christmas. Our favorite dog kennel gets booked up really early, so if we're going to travel, we'd need to make arrangements for the pup asap.

Is this plan doable or are we totally being stupid first time parents:
1) Drive the 900 miles to N. CA. Break it up into two days and sleep in a hotel on the way. We'll need to stop every 2-3 hours for feedings/changes etc.
2) Stay at an "extended stay" sort of place that has a living room seperate from the sleeping area, and also has a kitchen.
3) For the most part, tell people who want to see us/babies to come to the hotel. Only go out and about Christmas morning and perhaps Christmas dinner, but use the hotel as a home base primarily.
4) Stay in the Bay Area for 4-5 days
5) Drive home over 2 days again

A couple of things to note:
1) If the babies have ANY health issues (like lung problems, reflux), we won't go.
2) Both sets of our parents are divorced and there are a TON of relatives to keep in mind. Usually when we're down there, it is a constant go-go-go to fit everyone in, but on the other hand, telling people we'll be down in December might prevent them from coming and staying at our house after the babies are born (which could possibly drive me crazy)
3) DH's grandparents are not well. They have no ability to travel to see us, and in all likelyhood this would be the last/only opportunity for them to see the babies and still have the mental capacity to understand what is going on. I'm not even sure if they'll be ok by this Christmas, grandma in particular is going downhill quickly.

Please be totally honest and tell me if this kind of trip with 6 week old babies is a terrible idea. I think it would be ok, but then again, I'm a newbie!

 

I wanted to travel to the UK (I live in Spain) with my two over the summer (they would have been about 6 weeks old had I gone) and I have to say I´m really glad I didn´t. The shock of having to cope with 2 babies, being a first-time mum plus recover from the birth was enough to keep me at home.

I think it really depends on how you feel post-partum and how the babies are. At 6 weeks they tend to go through a change and the babies you had before aren´t necessarily the same ones you gave birth to!! (My DD was a total angel baby until she hit 5-6 weeks and this monster suddenly appeared!! LOL!). Also, there´s so much to take with you. I dont mean to put you off, but I wouldn´t go but I can only speak from my point of view. I hope you enjoy your trip if you decide to go.

 

If you want to go to see your family at Xmas with 6 week old twins I say go for it!

If you make a reservation for your dog but then when the time gets closer you decide you don't want to go, do you lose a lot of money or can you just cancel it? I'd plan on going and once your babies are here you can decide. I don't think that just b/c you have twins means you can't go anywhere.

 

We traveled 10 hours with the boys when they were about 2 months. The good thing about them being so small is that they will still sleep for the majority of it! You may not have to stop every 2-3 hours if they are doing well. We went about 5 hours without stopping on the trip (I didn't want to go longer then that), and then I just made sure we had the right amount of feedings in the day, even if I had to cluster feed.

I would say, as long as their are no complications then go for it. Mine were born 5.5 weeks early and the pediatrician told us not to take them out before their a month after their due date. I think they would have been fine, but I was over cautious. Just make sure no one sees them that is sick or anything. Keep some hand sanitizer around at all times!

 

Could you get a refund or a partial refund from the kennel, if you canceled?

6 weeks was actually a pretty good time for us. More sleep than before, we had a routine going on. And they're still really portable. They sleep a lot. Go for it. But try to get people to come see you at wherever you're staying, or at a place where you can get a nap if you need to, rather than running yourselves and your kids ragged. I mean as much as you can--holidays are crazy any way you cut it.

I'd say go for it (!!!), but have a back-up plan as well. It's your babies' first Christmas, and I can see why you'd want to be with your family. Is there any chance of flying as a back-up options?

 

I'm going to be the downer and say there is no way in heck ( ) that I would take that one with "maybe" 6 week old twins. But that is just my personality. I am not a super-adventurous person. You will be exhausted from being up most of the night with them and 900 miles is an incredilby long way to go to be up multiple times a night. Plus, you will also be recovering from either a c-section or vaginal delivery-just another thought. It will also be RSV season and that can be dangerous for tiny infants or preemies. Just my 2 cents. Maybe a call into your new chosen Ped would be able to help you?? I told you I am a downer.

 

I agree with PP - honestly the hotel stay etc would have been fine, it's the drive. We were seriously zombies for the first 3 months and I can't even imagine driving 900 miles when you have to get up every 2 hours at night.

 

We flew with ours (3 hour non-stop) when they were 8 weeks old to see grandparents and attend DH's business school reunion. It was fine, and one of mine had reflux--I wouldn't let reflux stop you unless you are finding every feeding really hard and just don't feel up to it and it either can't be controlled with meds or you choose not to use meds. It was exhausting; but I'm glad we went because it proved that our travelling days weren't over. Of course, we are travelling for boht T'giving and Christmas; and the boys will be around 9/10 months. I think those trips are going to be far worse (also airplanes). When they are teeny tiny like yours will be; they sleep a ton--ours slept through all our flights. Now they are interested in everything and don't want to be still. I'm dreading the plane trips; but it will be good to get home to see family. And once we get there, there will be no shortage of relatives to hand them off too while mommy and daddy enjoy a beverage and recover from teh airport.

Anyway--I would say go for it. The key is organization. Make lists of everything you'll need for the babies and for yourselves well in advance. You'll have a pretty good handle on this by the time they are a month old or so. Try to borrow the big stuff at your destination--since you are driving, this may not be as much of an issue. I borrowed a pack n play for sleeping from a friend in the area, and I had to rent a breast pump for the week because I sure wasn't dragging my hospital grade pump on the plane with me (I was exclusively pumping at the time). Have someone at the destination stock you for diapers, wipes, and formula if you need it so you don't have to pack so much.

Congrats and good luck! I delivered two boys at 38 weeks and had to be induced--lots of other moms on here have made it to the 38 week mark as well. Wishing you big, healthy babies!!!

 

Normally I would say no way. It's tough to travel with little ones, especially 6 week olds. You need to bring lots of stuff. However, since your DH's grandparents aren't well I would go because you will regret it forever if something happens to them before they got to meet the boys. Take lots of pictures!!
GL!

 

Can you fly? That may be easier!!!! But really, I think either way you will be fine and will have some great stories to tell later Will you be exhausted, yes, but you would be exhausted at home too!!!! Will it be stressful, yes, but it will be stressful at home too!

Go for it!!

 

If you really need to go, fly! It will be so much more less stress for you since you will be exhausted. Its actually pretty easy to fly with babies that young (they sleep so much) and the flight will be short. Then see if you can get people to borrow things for you while you are down there so you don't have to pack too much (or if you can't borrow, you can rent: Baby's Away!).

A couple of things to consider are germs and sickness.. RSV in particular. If you don't already have a pediatrician picked out, you might want to take to your OB about this. If you have pedi, I think this is a totally appropriate question for him/her.

GL with the rest of your pregnancy!

 

we moved from pa to ga when the babies were about 8 weeks old, 0weeks adjusted. they actually slept most of the trip and it took us 24hours driving instead of the 16 its supposed to. i hated it but the babies did fine honestly. at that age they sleep alot, and the car might soothe them? just pack smart, and leave all the stuff you need very close to you. we're hoping to make the trip home (pa) to see family at xmas time. i am NOT looking forward to the drive, and im thinking about plane tickets. then theres the issue with carseats, a vehicle, transporting presents, etc. ugh lol. good luck with your decision!

 

I want to thank everyone for their thoughts and advice, it's been very helpful--so thanks!

We're reluctant to fly, simply because the idea about bringing all of that stuff plus Christmas gifts while handling 2 tiny babies, well, it throws me into a tizzy. We have a nice big minivan, and DH loves to drive, so I'm hoping it will work out. I might give hime a night or two off duty before we leave so he's well rested

But I've now run into another snafu, both of our favorite kennels are totally booked for that week. I'm a little protective of the dog, and where he goes so I'm really in a bind. I'm crossing my fingers I can find somewhere good or the waitlist comes through. A pet-sitter wouldn't work for him, he needs more attention than that. Oh well, I'm hoping something will come up.

Anyway, thanks again!