Travel expert

I am starting to think that I have become somewhat of a travel expert since I have now taken 4 round trip airplane rides with 2 kids and only 1 of those trips was accompanied by another adult (thanks Mom!). So I thought I would share with you some of my tips that I have learned the hard way in case anyone is thinking of traveling with little ones.
1) Car seats: There are many theories regarding car seats and do you keep them with you or check them with your baggage. I have done both and here is my preference, since I have two kids in car seats, I prefer to check the car seats with my luggage. Some airlines will let you do this without counting it as your  free bag. However, with Southwest it counts toward one of your free bags. My daughter car seat came with a carrying case that I saved for some odd reason (but has really come in handy) and for the infant car seat I bought a car seat bag from Buy Buy Baby
2) Stroller: Because I have a 4 y/o and 1.5 y/o I have toyed with the idea of double stroller vs single umbrella stroller. I have done both and have come to the conclusion that a double stroller is a life saver when traveling in an airport esp when you have a layover and have to change planes/terminals etc in a short amt of time. This has saved me! You can gate check the stroller upon entering the aircraft free of charge and they deposit it to you as you exit the aircraft. The double stroller is also great because you don't have to drag your 4 y/o through the airport or keep an eye on her when you know that she is sitting safe in the stroller and you can briskly walk or in some cases run to catch the next plane. And if you are lucky enough to have a decent lay over you can walk the children around until the little one falls asleep.

3) Mommy Hook: This has been a lifesaver not just in the airport. While traveling, I use this to hold my camera bag, my carryon/diaper bag, my daughter's book bag/carryon keeping my hands free for my littles and the stroller. Seriously, if you have kids you need to get this!
4) Seating choice: I always choose a middle seat and a window seat and here's why. The window distracts my older child for a little while, my younger child loves to open/shut the window panel. Seriously a good 20 min, of entertainment. I can also put the younger child down to move about a little between the middle seat and the window seat. Also, I always try to make light of the fact that I have two kids and comment to whoever chooses to sit next to us. They will usually say something like: "Do you mind if I sit here?' and I will respond, "As long as you don't mind loud children!" That way they have been warned. And sometime we get lucky and get the whole row to ourselves.
5)Entertainment on the plane: As I mentioned earlier, the window is a fine source of entertainment for toddlers along with the lap tray and the reading material in the seat back pocket. Even my 4 y/o will thoroughly look at the safety packet to review 'the rules'. Another thing that entertains a toddler surprisingly is the plastic cup they serve drinks in. I always ask for mine and my older child's with a lid and straw. It's impossible to keep from spilling while holding a toddler and dealing with an older child. My 4 /yo loves to eat the ice and my youngest loves to pull the straw out and put it back in. I thought this was a one time thing but we had two flights in one trip and both flights he played with his empty cup and straw for at least 20 min! It was awesome!

6)FOOD: People have differing views on this, however, after having several worst case scenario's on airplanes I have come to find it is best to have an arsenal of snacks on hand. My favorites are the mini kit-kats that come in a resealable bag because what kid doesn't like chocolate. They are small and soft enough for a toddler to easily handle and I don't have to keep open individual candy bars, Some others include goldfish, Twizzlers, cereal bars, and fruit snacks. I usually also have a bag of Swedish fish or M&M's stashed away for my sanity :) However, keep in mind that goldfish can be easily ground into the floor and apparently they don't have vacuums on airplanes! I always bring a water bottle for each traveler (empty of course) and once we are in the terminal I buy a huge bottle of water and divide it among the water bottles for the ride.
7)Extras: I have learned the hard way to always have a change of clothes for each traveler especially for mom :) If you don't have them you will need them! make sure you have extra wipes in case your child gets airsick on the lady sitting next to you!

I have traveled solo with kids enough to experience the worst of it including a screaming child for an entire 2.5 hour flight d/t bedtime, stopping the bottle and paci the same week we traveled. (not recommended) A nice stewardess even put lavender oil on me in hopes of calming him down and he finally fell asleep as we landed! Ha! I have been thrown up on along with the lucky girl who choose to sick next to me as we landed thanks to turbulence that made my 1.5 y/o air sick and even had the pilot trying to help me clean up the mess on me, the baby, the plane and the poor girls leather boots! I have been pooped on mid flight and had to change a diaper and clothes (his not mine) in the seat since we weren't permitted to leave our seats at the time.

Happy Travels!