Packing.. help me.

[Seattle_mom]

So, not quite a vacation, but...

We're moving in one month. We'll be staying in a furnished apartment while we house hunt. We have two kiddos, one 3, and one is 16 months. What bare essentials would you take with you to last you a month?

So far I have:
boppy (16 month old still sleeps on it)
toddler bed rail for the beds
box of toys and books
dvds (mostly for the 4 day car trip)
baby monitor
swimsuits (since the complex has a pool)
double stroller

what else do I really need? And I wonder if I can get away with using cloth diapers while I'm there, we have access to a w/d.

[FingerInEar]

What about booster seats, or a high chair for the little one? Do they normally manage without, otherwise they might find it hard.

I'd take anything that really makes it 'home' for them. It will make the transition easier.

[mama.waddle]

I would take some special favorite foods, especially for the car trip. And don't forget any loveys or pacifiers, special blankets, etc.

I hope it goes well for you. I hate the 2.5 hour drive to my parents' house, I can't imagine 4 days.

[Mommy2Five]

You might keep a notepad handy and as you go through your day, jot down the things you notice that you would probably not be able to do without.

So far as the fabric diaper question...is the washer in your apartment? If not, how difficult will it be to access it as regularly as you need? Also, you say its furnished, will the cloth potentially cause more damage (from leaks) to those furnishings than disposable would? I have never used cloth diapers myself, so I don't know if that is a valid question or not!

Good luck with your move! Hope you find your new home quickly so you can settled.

[Kay]

You also will want to be sure and bring safety devices such as plug covers, door knob covers, etc. Hotel rooms can be dangerous because we often forget to baby proof there.

[babymama]

Unless the w/d are in the apartment I'd be worried about using cloth. Especially since its a furnished apartment and not just a hotel which expects such issues to a degree without costing you an arm and a leg.

Plug covers, etc are a need. I just saw cute kits at Target the other day that come in little totes.

[Seattle_mom]

It's actually a furnished apartment in a hotel

I have found that cloth leaks *less* than disposibles, not more. And add to that my son gets rashes from every type of disposible we've tried. We are given access to the industrial machines they have at the Inn for washing sheets and stuff. It's a mom and pop owned place, and she was fine with cloth dipes when I talked to her.

[alexis]

I think I would end up doing the notepad deal as well. You would be surprised the things you might not think are that important. My girl can eat at a bench seating table fine but she doesnt like adult chairs just yet so a highchair would be a must for me.

[misty]

Just in case you have forgotten, throw in few sippy cups and bottles for the baby if you bottle feed. Music such as their lullabies if you use those. If they have a small boom box that would come in handy too.