Hi, I'm Elana and I'm an overpacker

Someone once told me that after you are done packing for a trip you should give yourself ten minutes and then take out half the items in the suitcase. Yeah, but no. I consider it a great success if I manage to remove one article of clothing and even that involves major deliberation. What can I say? I like options. At least I do usually wear the majority of clothes I bring. This involves multiple costume changes that may or may not be the result of me trying to justify bringing multiple costume changes.

This used to be less of an issue. When I only had to carry my one suitcase, I could make it as heavy as I wanted. Now, I have to carry my suitcase, plus a tiny human and various baby apparati. Somehow the duty of packing Mr. Monk's suitcase has fallen to me even though my husband is a far more efficient, if a little forgetful, packer. Having to pack for myself and the child forces me to seriously ponder the merits of two wardrobes. Though we've gone on multiple trips with the babe, I still struggle at what he might need while away from his home that he doesn't even know is his home. Clearly I'm going to read to him every day all ten books that I now have sitting on top of his suitcase, right? Maybe I should reconsider the cloth toys. Or, better yet, just fish out an empty water bottle from an airport recycle bin since he finds those endlessly fascinating.