By the time I "got our stuff together" to leave for the transit center, I threw over my shoulder to my husband, "See? This is why people don't take the bus." What an intimidating proposition, making sure I had the necessities--the possible necessities--for four children, including one infant. Knowing, of course, that if I didn't have that one thing, this would be the time I would need it.
Take diapers, for instance. If we used disposable diapers, I would grab a handful, which would fit compactly into my backpack. Because we use cloth diapers (the whole saving-money concept along the lines of taking the bus to Anchorage) the same amount of diapers takes up quite a bit more space. Not only did I have the diapers to worry about, but I had the wraps, which are the waterproof component I secure around the diaper. Then there were the plastic bags in the event that the baby used the diaper(s), which means I needed to make space for the used diapers once they were in the plastic bag. And just how many should I bring? The day before, she pooped at least four times. So in my mind, I must account for the possibility that she will, at some point, need a diaper, but possibly a great many diapers, and poopy ones at that. More planning.
I packed water, I packed food. I packed four changes of clothing for the baby. Yes, four. Not that she's ever even needed that many clothing changes in one day, but my optimistic self assumed that she would take advantage of that opportunity on a day that I am farthest from our clothing options at home. I packed sweaters for all three older kids and one for myself. I packed a baby carrier in case the baby boycotted the stroller. By the time we were ready, I had three children on foot, one in the stroller, the stroller itself, a backpack on my back, and a second bag in the bottom of the stroller. We were ready. I felt like braying.
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