I have insomnia lately.  I stay awake and night thinking about everything.  Right before I am about to fall asleep I start having vivid recollections of my kids being little.  I would load one in the baby carrier, the other in a stroller.  I would have a larger diaper bag, clip on toys, extra bottles, formula, bottled water, diapers, wipes, changes of clothes, and sometimes my purse.

I am a total minimalist.  I have traveled so much with my 8 year old, she has packing down to a science.  She lugs her suitcase out and rolls her clothing together by the day, puts it in a large size ziploc, labels them with a black sharpies.  She knows the wear your sneakers, pack your sandals rule.  She even packs her most important items(in this case, swimsuit, Nintendo Ds and toothbrush) in carry on, in case our checked bag gets lost.  My 5 year old is a great packer too but less practical.  She brings 5 shirts and 5 pairs of pants and a dress.  She mix and matches, not carrying if orange leggings with yellow polka dots match her green and red stripped shirt.  I wait until she is a asleep to straighten out her suitcase or I pack her stuff with mine  The last time we checked in she opened her suitcase to reveal 3 dinosaurs, a polly pocket, Littliest Pet Shops, My Little Pony a box of granola bars and her Happy Napper.

So for the first time in a long time I am going to Blogher in NYC by myself.  And I am freaking out.  I can easily pack for 3 but for just myself!?  I am thinking about outfits and shoes and comfort.  I am even taking the car seats out of my car for the trip.  I plan on thrift store shopping with my friends so I will have room to bring new items home.

Of course I plan on shopping for the girls while I am gone as well.  They already offered to come with me even though I told them it is for adults only.  But I may take them up on their offer to help me pack.  Because they are better at it than I am.