We decided to take the ferry to Sweden, rather than fly. Alexander proved himself a reasonable little traveller last time, but there was the issue of Stuff. It is totally possible to cut down on his various items, but life is just that much easier when he's got his gear. His stroller and his toys and enough of his wardrobe to ensure I don't have to spend half my holiday washing spit up out of his sweaters and fluorescent poo from his trousers.
We also had Spaniel along (because we are travelling circus people, right?) and we just thought that it would be easier in Sweden if we had our own car and didn't have to inconvenience everyone by borrowing. So, there we were, us and the kid and the dog, crammed into one of the "dog cabins" on the Tallinn--Stockholm Tallink ferry.
We initially brought the folding umbrella stroller up from the car, but on the way back decided just to carry him. It was sort of useful when we had dinner at the buffet on the way over, but really we still had to alternate getting food, and held him at least half the time, and then we had to find space for the thing in the cabin...we figured it would be easier not to bother on the way back.
It is especially easier if you happen to have a super nice husband who will sweet talk the cafe lady into letting you eat in your cabin so you don't have to drag the kid to dinner. They don't do room service on Tallink, but Goran went and told them about his kid asleep on the floor and his hungry wife, and not only did they agree to plating up some yummy food (I had a pesto chicken with polenta and then a mango panacotta with forest berries for dessert, Goran had beef and then a princess cake-a Swedish thing-for dessert) but one of the servers actually helped him carry it down to the cabin AND gave us wine glasses for the wine that G bought in duty free. Woo hoo!
Alexander slept really well, in the nest that Goran made for him on the floor between our bunks. He made little walls out of rolled up duvets and created a mattress from one of the covers of the bunks we didn't use (all the dog cabins are for 4 people). A rolled out of it and under my bunk once on the way back, but didn't seem worse for the wear. In fact, he was just hanging out under there, trying to eat his feet, and I just happened to realize that the sounds that were waking me up were coming from UNDER me, not next to me. He'd have been happy to stay there I think!
The only other funny thing was me, attempting to keep to our regular routines in the limited space of the cabin.
Spaniel on her "bed" by the door, Alexander getting his customary pre-slumber massage, and Goran climbing all over us while trying to make A his nest. I considered massaging him on the bed, but didn't really relish the idea of risking a night sleeping in baby pee, so we stayed on the floor. It's just one of those things one has to compromise on -- I'm sure Alexander would get longer massages from me if I were not in constant danger of receiving a urine facial, but I doubt he'd enjoy it as much if he was all constrained by a diaper. So, we go for not too long, and on fairly pee-proof surfaces.
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