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Mother's Day: Is It Safe For Kids To Go In a Hot Tub?

We checked the weather right before we left for Phoenix, Arizona, in February, so we knew that it would be mild, but not hot (mid 60s).  This led me to a dilemma - would TJ be able to swim in the outdoor pools at the hotel (they were heated, but still. . . ) or would he be happier in the warmer outdoor hot tubs?  Thankfully, before we left, I did a little research. 

Turns out, hot tubs really aren't safe for little ones.  According to the Mayo Clinic, children should avoid hot tubs and spas until they are tall enough to keep their heads completely out of the water.  Babies, toddlers, and little children can get overheated quickly in hot tubs, much faster than adults, so the water temperature can be a risk. 

Even if you decide to let your older toddler have a brief splash in a relatively cooler hot tub, no one (child or adult) should ever dunk their head underwater in a hot tub.  The high water temperature encourages the growth of certain microorganisms, and an earful of hot tub water could lead to an ear infection.  NOT something you want your child to have on the airplane ride home!

Another danger to be aware of with head-dunking - long hair can get caught in spa drains and lead to drowning.  I've noticed that most public pools do not allow children under 12 in a hot tub.  Considering the grisly details of what could happen in one of those bacteria-laden soups, I think I'll ban TJ until he's considerably older.

Five Family Fun Features For: Phoenix

It's been a while since the last FFFF, so here's a new list of five things to do with kids, this time in Phoenix.  Mind you, although each of these activities was researched for their kid-friendly appeal, we didn't experience all of them with TJ on our recent Phoenix trip because we raised the white flag and focused much of our time on item number one:

1. Do Nothing.  Okay, technically it's not nothing, but even pre-TJ, our favorite things to do in Phoenix were just enjoy the weather (at least for non-summer visitors) and whatever hotel we're staying at.  TJ seemed to agree, as his favorite activities on this trip included checking out the Phoenix playground scene and spending as much time possible at the hotel pool.  Which leads to #2:
2. Room With A Pool.  Again, if you're like us, one of the reasons you're traveling to Phoenix is for the weather.  So, if you're going to be spending some time at the pool, try to choose a hotel with a good one.  We really like the Hilton Tapatio Cliffs, which we've stayed at both with and without TJ.  They have a great pool setup, with several smaller pools spread throughout the sprawling cliffside resort. They also have the Falls Water Village, which contains a number of gorgeous pools, cabanas, mini waterfalls, a 138-foot water slide, and even a zero-depth entry to one of their main pools for the little ones.  In addition, the Falls Village hosts a "Kids Korral" in the summer, with programs for kids 5-12 (or younger if accompanied by an adult)  On top the great pool scene, Tapatio Cliffs is an all-suite hotel, which gives both kids and adults all the space they'll need.  Or, in TJ's case, absolute silence to sleep. 
3. Airport to Fiesta in 15 Minutes.  Phoenix has tons of great Mexican restaurants.  You almost can't go wrong picking a place.  Of course, Mexican food tastes even better when eaten with happy kids, which is why you might want to stop at Tradiciones in the Phoenix Ranch Market, just a few miles from Sky Harbor Airport.  The food and margaritas are great, but the huge restaurant's family friendly touches make it a must-stop.  If your kids are entertained by either strolling mariachi bands or made-to-order balloon animals (or in TJ's case, a made-to-order balloon mariachi) you may have time for appetizers, entrees, and dessert.  If you could possibly find room for it all. 
4. Spy Ten-foot High Cacti.  If you don't think your kids will get excited about a trip to the Phoenix Botanical Garden, just tell them you're dropping them in the middle of the desert (because who wouldn't love that?).  That's really what this garden feels like.  The 50-acre exhibit contains more than 100 desert-based plant species, but the true stars are the enormous cacti that greet you at seemingly every turn. 
5. Do Stuff.  We had a long list of kid-friendly Phoenix attractions we never managed (nor actually tried) to cross off, including: the Phoenix Zoo (which was voted one of the nation's top 5 zoos for kids and is right next to the botanical garden); Out of Africa Wildlife Park; McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park; Steele Indian School Park; Arizona Doll & Toy Museum (right across from Pizzeria Bianco, but it unfortunately closes an hour before the pizzeria even opens), and Castles and Coasters.  Again, since we weren't industrious enough to actually get to these places with TJ, the links will provide more information than I ever could.  Let me know how they are. . . .

Mother's Day: Get Organized By Making A List Before Traveling With Kids

This may seem obvious, but my tip for this week is, before traveling, write a list of the things you need to pack.  A written list really helps you get organized the night before the big flight/car ride, and is essential the morning of when you are running around crazy trying to finish up last minute packing, turning down the heat, locking the doors, and making sure the oven is off (something Travelin' Dad makes fun of me for because I have to do like 12 times).  I've thought about trying to keep a master-printed list (since it seems like I pack some of the same things for each trip), but I've decided it's better to write down a new list, from scratch, before each trip.  Things like the destination, whether you are staying with family/friends, weather, and the activities you have planned really affect what you need to pack, so create a fresh list for each trip.  I'm sure you'll come up with a system that works for your own family, but here is how I organize my list:

• Diaper Bag:  Bottle of milk, snacks, snack trap, bib, emergency pacifier, straws, a few diapers, wipes, hand sanitizer, blanket, froggie (TJ's lovey), and table toppers.
• Travelin' Mom's Carry-on:  Books, activities for plane, extra change of clothes for TJ, Travelin' Mom's wallet, and cell phone.
• Travelin' Dad's Carry-on:  Trip documents, DVD player, battery, lots and lots of Elmo's World, more books, Travelin' Dad's new iPod (he says it's to transport TJ's lullabies, I say it's so he can chill out on the plane while Travelin' Mom constantly engages TJ), iPod speakers, digital camera, and cell phone.
• Suitcase for all three: (putting TJ's in a smaller bag inside the massive suitcase, so his stuff is together)  Essentials for TJ include a favorite toy or two, sound machine, crib sheet, appropriate clothes for the particular destination, and his shaving kit (no, he doesn't shave, but he does need his toothbrush, comb, Ibuprofen and dropper, nail clippers, thermometer, and baby wash).

Just as my Mom taught me, I cross off each thing once I have it packed.  I circle the few things that I can't pack until last minute (like TJ's milk). That way ,the morning of the trip, I can quickly see the final items that need to be packed.  This gives me plenty of time to yell at Travelin' Dad that he isn't moving fast enough before we get out the door (I wish I was kidding, but I'm not).  Hey, traveling with a kid can be stressful! But the list can help relieve a bit of the pre-travel jitters.

Trip Report: Phoenix, Arizona

Like many avid travelers, I'm particularly susceptible to Griswold-itis-- trying to squeeze too many activities and events into too short a trip.  Which means we often return home entertained and enlightened, but exhausted.  Our MLK weekend trip to Phoenix reminded me that this equation needs to change when children, especially young children, are involved.  And, not just for the child's sake, but for everyone's travel well-being. 

We got off to a pretty fortunate start on Friday.  Despite TJ skipping another carefully-scheduled mid-flight nap (we're officially done hoping TJ will sleep on a plane) and arriving somewhat close to bedtime, we pushed our luck and stopped for some Mexican food between the airport and our hotel.  Knowing we were facing a potential public meltdown, the travel gods smiled upon us, as the restaurant unexpectedly contained two of TJ's favorite things: real guitars (in the form of a strolling mariachi band) and balloon guitars (How many Mexican restaurants have a complimentary balloon animal guy?  And how many of those guys know how to make a balloon guitar?!)  We seriously considered eating the rest of our meals for the entire trip there.

Unfortunately, Saturday did not go as well.  TJ had trouble adjusting to the hotel room and woke up early.  We then spent a long morning at the Phoenix botanical gardens (the kid likes cacti almost as much as guitars) and, after a nice Mexican lunch with a side of mild meltdown, settled in for a long nap. . . that never occurred.  Undaunted, we spent an active afternoon at the pool and then I got the brilliant idea to give Pizzeria Bianco a second try (I'd eaten there once previously and, although I enjoyed it, I was still trying to figure out how it entered the discussion for world's best pizza).  This, despite it being a 25-minute drive each way.  After struggling to park, we were greeted by a line of almost 200 people, even though the place didn't open for another 10 minutes.  So, we dragged TJ kicking and screaming back into the car and drove around for awhile as my two backup restaurants also failed.  Then, after more than an hour of driving and about ten CD playings each of BaBa Blacksheep and the Farmer in the Dell, we settled on a great restaurant five minutes from our hotel.  Thankfully, a miserable TJ soldiered through the meal and eventually cried himself to sleep that night.  I think I did the same. 

So, the next morning, I waved the white flag and decided to follow the path of least resistance.  And you know what?  We had a great day.  Rather than tour some other far-off attraction, we asked our hotel's concierge for the nearest playground, and TJ enjoyed playing outdoors for the first time in several months.  We then had lunch at the same place as the day before (traveler's blasphemy) because it was convenient and good.  And you know what?  The food tasted even better with three happy diners.  After TJ finally took a nap, we had a fun afternoon at the pool.  Then, rather than attempt to check anything else off my culinary to-do list, we asked the concierge for a nearby southwestern or Mexican dinner recommendation and again were pleasantly surprised.

So, sure we may not have hit many well-known attractions or dined at bunches of buzz-worthy restaurants, but we spent one-third as much time in the car, which equaled more time spent outside, enjoying the 50-degree temperature differential between Phoenix and home.  Most importantly, TJ was happy, which made us happy, which made for a great getaway after all.

Three Ways to Track Your Family's Frequent-Flier Miles and Hotel Points

It’s hard enough to keep track of your own frequent flier miles, hotel points, and various other loyalty program goodies.  If you’re the family travel planner, you may also be charged with keeping track of your spouse’s and kids’ reward accounts.  I’d call it a thankless task, but learning that your toddler just paid for his own seat with his frequent flier miles is a pretty good thanks.  And, in this age of airlines shortening the mileage expiration time period, it’s more important than ever to keep on top of your family’s accounts. 

That’s why I came up with the brilliant idea to create a website where, once you input all of your loyalty program information, you need just one log-in and password to access all of your family’s various accounts.  In fact, my idea is so brilliant, it's already been executed. Several times.

Here are three options to explore for keeping track of your families frequent flier miles and hotel points:

1. MilePort Mileage Manager.  MilePort is a free product from frequentflier.com.  Once you download the software, you can track account data from 121 different online loyalty programs. 
2. Miletracker.  Miletracker is a free downloadable application brought to you by USA Today.  It claims to track "more than 120" frequent flier and loyalty programs.  So, maybe Mileport literally does it one better. 
3. MileageManager.  Mileagemanager differs from the other products mentioned in two main ways.  First, it's not free-- you pay $14.95 for an annual membership.  Second, rather than downloading a program for use on your personal computer, MileManager is web-based and does not require a download.  While the other sites tout the safety of your account data only being downloaded to your personal computer, MileManager sells itself as simpler (no downloads required) and more portable (because it's web-based, travelers can access their information from any comptuer). 

This isn't an exhaustive list of loyalty program trackers, but these are three of the main options.  I haven't spent enough time with each program to do a detailed compare/contrast, so that will be coming soon in a future post.  I'll have that up just as soon as I finish work on my next great invention-- it's an oven that cooks things like ten times as fast as a regular oven, using something called "microwaves."  I haven't figured out what to name it yet, but stay tuned. . .

Mother's Day: Keeping A Travel Journal

A friend of mine is visiting Tokyo and asked for some tips since Travelin' Dad and I had a 24-hour-whirlwind stopover there in 2005.  So I dug out my handwritten travel journal.  Without that journal, there is no way I could have told him the name of the amazing tempura shop at the Shinjuku station, or warn him of the $20 cover charge to have a drink at the Park Hyatt's New York Bar (where Lost in Translation was filmed - well worth the money, by the way), or tell him which sushi stall we ate the freshest most delicious sushi (for breakfast!) just outside of the bustling Fish Market.  There are several reasons why it is great to keep an old-fashioned, written travel journal:

• Practical Reasons:  Let's face it, memories fade.  Even though you think you'll never forget the name/location of that amazing outside bar in Madrid where the bartender actually bought you back every third drink, you will forget.  I find that being a mother has lessened my memory even more - between keeping on top of play dates and all the other millions of details that go along with kids, I just don't have the same brain capacity as I used to.  So for very practical reasons, it is great to keep a travel journal to record details like flights, hotels, expenses, restaurants, and activities.  There are some destinations that you may go back to again and again in your lifetime (for example, a favorite summer beach vacation), and you'll want a written record so you can repeat great experiences (and avoid bad ones).  And even if you won't ever get back to the same destination, you will be a great source of information for your friends with kids, co-workers, family members, etc.
• Sentimental Reasons:  I got a little misty-eyed when I read my travel journal from Tokyo and Southeast Asia.  It generated so many feelings about the wonderment of travel.  I laughed at so many things I hadn't thought of in years - including a funny story about that tempura shop.  Travelin' Dad kept trying to ask for the check (as best he could considering no one spoke English and we didn't speak Japanese).  After multiple failed attempts and our waiter making bewildered pointing gestures at the table, we realized the check had been tucked into a little pocket underneath the table for who knows how long! Aside from getting pleasure from reading your own journals later in life, these mementos can be passed down to your children (won't TJ get a kick out of the fact that Mom and Dad sat in the same seat as Bill Murray!) and kept as family heirlooms.  I'm obviously a fan of blogging, but there are so many more personal details that can be captured by a travel journal that it is well worth the effort to keep a written record.  It is also a great place to stash little souvenirs like restaurant cards, post cards, or ticket stubs.
• Living In The Now:  Traveling with kids can be hectic.  There is something about forcing yourself to write in a journal every day.  I like doing it at night, so I can review the day in peace and quiet, while the impressions are still fresh.  Writing makes you stop and appreciate the experiences of that day. 

So next time you travel, stash a special hard-covered journal in your suitcase and enjoy the many benefits of recording your thoughts in writing.

Foreign Transaction Fee Settlement May Suffer From Vet Lag

A while back, I discussed the ongoing foreign transaction fee class action lawsuit and how you might stand to see some returns on your foreign travel.  In very short, if you used certain Visa, MasterCard or Diners Club cards for transactions in a foreign country between February 1, 1996 and November 8, 2006, the lawsuit says you were overcharged from one to three percent in foreign transaction fees and are entitled to a refund  (if you think you belong to the class but never received a claim form, download one here).

A recent Chicago Tribune article does a much more thorough job of spelling out the class action's specifics and the different refund options.  Unfortunately, the article also mentions some distressing news on timing:  Plaintiffs' counsel stated that the judge will not review the settlement until March 31st and that, even if the settlement is approved, it can take another eight months for refunds to be paid out.  And, that's assuming nobody objects, as a successful objection could tack another year or more onto the payout time frame.  Translation: we poor, aggrieved travelers may not see our money until December 2009 or later. 

If you'd rather look on the bright side, by the time the refunds are finally paid out, maybe the dollar will be worth something against the pound and the euro again.  Maybe.   

Great (Travel) Expectations

There are several good ways to prepare your child for his first airplane flight, or even subsequent flights.  There's the good ol' fashioned "talk to him about the trip" method.  There are also many books telling kids what to expect when they fly, such as Richard Scarry's A Day at the Airport, Airport, Going on a Plane (First Experiences), and the aptly named We're Going on an Airplane!  All good stuff, as your travels will go more smoothly the more your child understands where you're going, what's going to happen, and what's expected of him. 

But, there's one gift TJ received for Christmas that has quickly become our favorite travel prep prop:  The Little People Lil' Movers Airplane.  Almost immediately, TJ started chartering pretend flights to destinations he'd been before.  Then we'd discuss what the passengers would do when they got to a specific destination, who they might see there, even what food they might eat ("Pizza" for New York, "Chuy's" for Texas.  I'd say he's got the basic idea.).  So, then we extended the game to include upcoming trips. 

He now knows he's going on a plane to "Ara-zo-na-na" in a few weeks, where, according to TJ, he'll see "cacti", "dip chips" in salsa, and hopefully, "swim- pool."  He hasn't mentioned Daddy racing to the bottom of a fishbowl-sized margarita, but that's really not essential trip prep info. 

So, if you're looking for a fun toy that will also help prepare your child for an upcoming trip, give the plane a try.  Although I will warn you, it's not all fun and games with the Lil' Movers Plane.  Due to freshly cleaned floors, yesterday's pretend trip ended in an ugly incident where the plane skidded off the runway and collided with a full LeapFrog Phonics Bus, flipping it over.  Fortunately, the plane passengers and all three frogs on the bus survived.  But, I don't think poor Lilly will ever play the guitar again. 

Mother's Day: Winter Coat Car Seat Safety

With winter in full swing, it's important to re-evaluate your child's car seat safety.  As we all know, it is imperative that car seat/booster seat straps fit snugly against your child's chest.  Travelin' Dad and I were driving TJ to a park the other day to play in the snow, and TJ was dressed in his puffiest winter coat (the one in which he looks like the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man), and although we were just going around the corner, I had a gnawing feeling that it wasn't safe (as I had to extend the straps quite a bit to fit around the monstrous coat).  After a little research, I realized just how unsafe that trip was.

According to the Texas Department of Public Safety , in a collision, the extra fabric and padding in a winter coat will compress and cause slack in the harness system, which allows the child to move forward during a crash, increasing possible injuries.  The Regional Emergency Medical Services Authority (REMSA) also warns that a winter coat or snow suit changes the way the child fits into the car seat, and there is a chance the child may be ejected from the car seat or that there is just enough space between the child and the straps to cause serious injuries.

So, I get it.  No heavy winter coats while strapped in the car seat, whether on a long road trip or just going around the block.  Some potential solutions are:

• Put TJ in regular clothes (jeans, a onesie, and a sweater), warm up the car in advance, and throw the winter coat in the trunk to be used after we reach our destination.  Although Al Gore may slug you with his Nobel Prize if he witnessed this un-green solution. 
• Buckle TJ in regular clothes, and then put a blanket over him (making sure it sits on top of the harness system and isn't wrapped around his back).  Watch TJ kick the blanket off 30 seconds later.
• On warmer winter days, dress TJ in his thinner corduroy jacket - the harness straps still fit snugly against his body.  (Next time if he is in the car without any jacket, make sure to again tighten the straps.)
• Buckle TJ in regular clothes, and once the harness is secure,  put his coat on backwards, pulling his arms through the sleeves.  Watch TJ get mad because the coat hampers him from easily digging into his snack trap.

If you want to determine if your winter coat is too big to be safe (like the Stay Puft Marshmallow coat), or acceptable (like the corduroy coat), REMSA recommends the following test:

1. Take the car seat into your house.
2. Put the winter coat or snowsuit on your child.
3. Put your child in the car seat and buckle the harness as you normally would before car travel.  Adjust the straps to the appropriate fit for your child.
4. Take your child out of the car seat without loosening the straps.
5. Take the coat off your child.
6. Put your child back in the car seat again, and buckle the straps without tightening them.
7. If you can fit more than one finger under the harness at the child's shoulder bone, the coat is too thick and is not safe for use with the car seat.

By following these few precautions, you can make sure that your child stays both warm and safe this winter while riding in the car.

When Reserving Hotels With Kids, Be Direct

Kids not only change the way you travel (goodbye two-hour meal in nice restaurant, hello early bird special wolfed down before 7:30 bedtime), they change the way you book your travel.  Or, at least they should, if you want things to go as smoothly as possible. 

Pre-TJ, Travelin' Mom and I were not adverse to rolling the dice on a blind Priceline.com hotel bid.  We knew full well we may get the worst room in a hotel, or that our special requests may not get the same attention as those of customers who booked directly through the hotel.  But, we were low maintenance travelers and okay with the cost/benefit trade-off.  And, to be honest, we usually had perfectly fine experiences booking rooms through Priceline or non-bid third-party booking agents like Expedia or Travelocity.

But, as anyone who has ever booked through a third-party site knows, you are trading some things, like flexibility and easy recourse for problems, for the price discount.  At least for us, this price break is no longer worth it.  Here's why:

• Traveling with children is a lot more unpredictable.  Suddenly we're not nearly as confident booking a non-refundable rate, whether through Priceline or directly through the hotel.  You may know when you feel a nasty cold coming on, but your 2-year old may not tell you he's getting a cold until he's sneezed the evidence all over your shirt. 
• We're more picky travelers with a child.  We're less apt to put up with a noisy room or the eau-de-previous-guest's-pack-a-day-habit still wafting in the room. 
• We're more needy travelers.  We usually need to make sure a crib is on hand, or that we can reserve a suite, or that there's a working microwave or mini-fridge in the room. 

So, to sum up, we've become unpredictable, picky, needy guests.  Yikes.  If I were a hotel employee handling us, I'd certainly pass us off our requests and problems to a third-party booking agent every chance I got.  For that reason, we've decided we just won't give them that chance anymore.  My apologies to front desk employees everywhere.

Take Your Kids Soon: The Great Barrier Reef

I've read one too many articles about how the Great Barrier Reef is dying a little more every day.  Some studies predict that 95% of the reef may be gone by 2050.  So, these grim stats have spurred a new type of entry called "Take Your Kids Soon," where we'll discuss places that will be very different by the time your kids are your age.  Granted, these aren't the easiest destinations to go with kids (I won't claim to have toted our child to these spots yet-- I'm pulling from my pre-TJ travel experience for now), but they will be very much worth your while.  For example, the Great Barrier Reef. 

Travelin' Mom and I aren't exactly marine biologists, but we do like to snorkel in any destination that affords us the opportunity.  Where does the Great Barrier Reef rank on our snorkeling trips?  It would be an understatement just to say it ranked first.  I'd say it actually offered better scenery than all of our other snorkeling trips combined.  We'd love to go again.  You know, before it dies and all. 

That said, getting to Australia from the U.S. is a long trip.  From Los Angeles, you're looking at fourteen hours.  But, if your kids are good plane travelers, good sleepers, or especially susceptible to Benadryl (No, I haven't tried it myself, but it's an intriguing idea sometimes), it's worth it, because Australia is an incredibly easy country to travel in once you get there.

In terms of visiting the reef, you have two main options.  First, you can stay in a port city and take day trips (or even overnight trips) on a boat.  Cairns is the most popular port city, but is somewhat touristy and overcrowded as a result.  If you don't mind another 90-minute drive (Aussies claim 60 minutes, but a large chunk of it is a white-knuckle drive along a narrow hillside, which makes for gorgeous views and slower speeds), you can head north to the smaller town of Port Douglas, which has the added bonus of a tropical rainforest (their motto is "where the rainforest meets the reef").  Once in town, you'll have several activity booking kiosks at your disposal, most likely in your hotel lobby.  Other port cities include Mission Beach, Townsville, Gladstone, and Bundaberg.    Reef day trips are relatively inexpensive (as low as $60 AUS), allow you to visit multiple dive/snorkel spots in a single day, and are a great introduction for beginners.  For a more scuba/snorkel-intensive visit, you can also book multiple-night stays on several boats. 

If you want an even more unforgettable experience, you can also stay right on one of the Great Barrier Reef islands.  The islands' advantage is that you can do some amazing snorkeling right  off the beach nearly any time of day, tide permitting.  The islands also provide boats that will take divers out or take snorkelers out a little further from shore.  There's an island to suit every need, from the incredibly plush Lizard Island in the north (which doesn't even take children under 12, mind you) to the more spartan, your-clearly-here-for-the-marine-life accommodations of Lady Elliot Island in the south.  Other islands residing between them both geographically and on the price scale include Heron Island, Wilson Island, and Green Island.  As you might guess, the more plush your island, the more you'll be paying.  For example, Lizard Island will run you about $800 AUS PER PERSON per night, while Lady Elliot Island looks like a veritable bargain at around $250 AUS per person per night (and an additional $80 AUS or so for "children", although they don't indicate the age cutoff).  These rates do include all meals and your snorkeling equipment and trips.  Check each island out individually for other included amenities.  Like amazing sunsets viewed from near-private beaches. 

One warning-- although these islands are incredibly convenient for exploring the reef, getting there is another story.  For example, our trip to Lady Elliot Island (Yeah- the cheapest island.  That's how we roll, at least when trying to stretch out a month-long trip) required a flight from Sydney to Brisbane, Brisbane to Bundaberg, and then a small four-seater prop plane from Bundaberg to the island.  On the bright side, the Bundaberg portion of the trip afforded us great aerial views of the reef, as well as a touch of Aussie airport humor.  

Mother's Day: Traveling With Glass Baby Bottles

Everyone has heard about the possibly unsafe chemicals found in baby bottles, namely bisphenol A.  As a first-time mother, I try not to freak out about too many things, but this is one news story that really made me feel sick to my stomach.  Instead of trying to find a plastic BPA-free bottle, I figured I'd rather be safe than sorry, so I went with what I thought was the easy route and bought glass bottles.  I wasn't alone - about the same time I purchased TJ's glass bottles, they were selling out.  TJ seemed to like the glass bottle, I loved feeling he was safe (at least until the scientists come up with some other new discovery, like how organic milk is actually bad for babies or something), plus the bottle had a cool retro-look.  What isn't so cool is traveling with a glass bottle.  I worried about just shoving it in my diaper bag (what happens if the glass cracks or breaks), or giving it to TJ on a plane (what if he decides to chuck his bottle against the back of the tray table while demanding an Elmo DVD)?  Fortunately, here are two possible solutions:

• Babylife sells the wee-go bottle.    This glass bottle comes with a plastic protective cover (don't worry, Babylife assures this plastic is non-toxic) that helps protect the bottle from breakage and bumping into other items in the diaper bag.  Choose from a variety of colors (like "sky" or "ocean," or as TJ says, "ba-leeuw").  At $18 a pop, the bottles are pricey, but probably worth it to avoid glass shards in your diaper bag. 
• Silikids sells a similar product called a Siliskin Baby Bottle.    A translucent silicone sleeve encases a glass bottle so that it is easier for the child to grab and hold, and avoids slippage.  The Siliskin bottle is a little cheaper ($12 for an 8 oz. bottle), and also comes in several colors.

Don't let the travel factor hold you back from purchasing a glass bottle.  These products should help you avoid accidents (at least the bottle-breaking kind).  Another benefit - your child's bottle will be easily identifiable at any playdates.