Every now and again an email lands in my inbox that I just can't say no to, and when I got offered a place on a blogger trip with Beaches to see their two Jamaican resorts, you can guess my answer. The catch was that I could only take one child with me - something that isn't easy when you have three under fives. After much thought and discussion, we decided that Finn and I should go - after a tough year together I was looking forward to spending some special time with him.
This is how I found myself doing a ten hour long haul flight alone with an eight month old - an experience not nearly as terrifying as I had imagined thank goodness, and made easier by the fact Finn has not mastered the art of crawling just yet.
On a bright Sunday morning Finn and I boarded a Virgin Atlantic plane at Gatwick airport heading to Montego Bay. He was an absolute angel all the way there and as we disembarked I had plenty of lovely comments from fellow passengers about how quiet and smiley my little buddy had been.
Finn's face when I told him where we were going |
Travelling with just an eight month old is comparitevely easy when you consider I usually have a 2 year old, 4 year old and 30 something year old in tow and it was amazing being able to really focus on Finn. The jet lag was really tough on him, but I found if I had an early night with him, then the 5am starts were not so bad. Once I realised I could throw on some clothes and head down to the beach with his morning bottle they became even more bearable, and most of these pictures are from our early morning strolls.
I missed the opportunities to capture some of those wonderful holiday moments that are easier with an extra pair of hands or some toddlers willing to jump around, but having a model who stayed exactly where I put him did make some things easier!
Beaches was so well designed for bringing a baby, especially the Negril resort which is all on one level. I could pop him in the sling or wheel him in a buggy with no barriers to what we could explore. He came with me for lunch and dinner, either snoozing away quietly or sat up in a high chair at the table and there was no where I couldn't take him (although I did find Kimonos the restaurant rather loud in the evening).
It was amazing watching him take to the water. Having three so close together there are barriers that stop me taking them swimming at home, but with just the two of us, I could take it at his pace and we went in a couple of times every day. He loved being held under the arms so he could kick his legs and he would smile and giggle all the way round. We went in the sea every morning and it was so warm it must have felt a little like a giant bath to him.
Both resorts offer childcare as part of their all inclusive package and the kid's club is open from 9am to 9pm. I wasn't sure how I felt about leaving him before I went, but after a trial session I realised he loved the choice of toys, the friendly nannies and getting out of the sun and into an air conditioned building for a while. It meant I could enjoy some 'me time' - something very rare with three small children, whilst knowing he was in the best care. I also dropped him off at bed time a couple of nights, settling him into one of the full sized cots so that he could sleep whilst I enjoyed dinner and a cocktail or two with the other bloggers. The freedom was really valuable and it meant that the trip really felt like a holiday.
As a third baby, I know there will be things that Finn misses out on sometimes, he won't get so much of my undivided attention as Dylan did for those first 18 months for a start, and it was really nice to spend such quality time with him. The staff at Beaches were fantastic at making sure we had everything we needed - a kettle for making bottles and a microwave in every room for heating them, a proper cot for Finn to sleep in rather than a plastic travel cot and an accessible room so that I could get in and out with a buggy.
I took Finn on the catamaran cruise, which he decided was a great location for a rather epic nap and the staff were more than happy to help keep an eye on him so that I could go on the deck and they even made a little bed for him from lifebelts and towels. It was great knowing he could do (almost) everything I could ( legal drinking age is 18 still).
It was so nice to spend time just thee two of us. I missed my big boys like crazy, but I know they had a wonderful week full of adventures of their own with Daddy. Finn and I had a truly magical time, exploring paradise in our own way. He is the happiest baby, always smiling and he loves trying to chat to me too. Having some time just the two of us made me realise how lucky I am to have such an easy going little guy, and let me see how much he has grown recently. I feel so lucky that I got to share this experience with my gorgeous little buddy.
oh wow what an utterly amazing adventure and how special that you got time with you little guy one on one! ... I have to say I have always wanted to go to Jamaica and now i want to go more :-)
ReplyDeleteHow amazing to get that special time alone with your son. The photos you captured are beautiful - would suit a canvas for the wall!!
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing experience, and how special to be able to share it with Finn. Beautiful photos too, and lots of memories made.
ReplyDeletewow what an amazing experience. The photos you have captured are gorgeous. I bet it was so lovely to have some quality, alone time with your son although I bet you missed the others like mad xx
ReplyDeleteSounds like you had a lovely time just the two of you :) You have got some lovely photos. An amazing experience too! x
ReplyDeleteOh wow, what a fab experience! I hope you had a fab time :)
ReplyDeleteGemma xx
Such a lovely holiday. I have actually never considered of going somewhere with just my 9 months old baby. Might be a good idea considering I have a 3 year old too sometimes. We have never been on a family holiday before either. This weekend I might consider bringing herself somewhere.
ReplyDeleteAww that looks amazing. What a wonderful trip and time to spend with Finn xx
ReplyDeleteHow magical, what stunning photos you took, just breathtaking and it looks like paradise!
ReplyDeleteSuch a lovely experience for you both, I'd have had to turn it down as there is no way I could have chose between my two now they are older so enjoy the opportunities while they're young ;)
ReplyDeleteoh wow, now that is an experience and what beautiful photos you will have to look back on x
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing experience and what gorgeous photos too! Finn has got so big and his wee face is just delicious! I'm so pleased the resorts catered for your every need! Nice to know! Jamica has always been on my 'to visit' list! x
ReplyDeleteOh wow what an absolutely amazing experience and special time to spend with your little one. x
ReplyDeleteWow what an amazing experience to spend with Finn! I'm not sure i could leave Amelia but i would love to do something like this. Your photos looks amazing. I love going to the Caribbean but have never visited Jamaica before but definitely thinking about it after hearing about your stay xx
ReplyDeleteSounds absolutely perfect Bex. Pictures are gorgeous and what a treat to just spend time with Finn let alone being in Jamaica too! xxxx
ReplyDeleteI got a tear in my eye reading this, how amazing to have such a fantastic holiday with just the two of you! x
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful experience being about to spend quality time with your youngest, Your instagram photo's made it look amazing
ReplyDeleteLooks like you all had a good time and such good adventures, nice to spend time with your young one .
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you had the best time and what an experience for you to share together. We're looking into our summer holiday next year and Beaches sounds perfect - considering we haven't been abroad with the kids before there's just so much to worry about x
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing experience, I would love to visit Jamaica. The beaches resort looks lovely x
ReplyDeleteLooks wonderful! We went to the Caribbean last year and loved it. Would love to go back.
ReplyDeleteAn amazing experience and opportunity. You both look lovely and the photos are great. We took our baby to the caribbean when she was 8 months old also - a lovely age for traveling x
ReplyDeleteWow what a great opportunity - I have four children aged 19 - 3 years and I have no idea who i would choose to come with me! It would cause riots! Great post and photos. Kaz x
ReplyDeleteLooks like an amazing trip - what gorgeous photos of your littlest man!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fantastic opportunity, so glad you had an amazing time, fabby memories to cherish!
ReplyDeleteHe really was so adorable. One of my favourite memories of our trip was of him snoozing away on the floor with 2 big Jamaican men keeping an eye on him! So glad you got to have a little bit of time together, and some time off from parenting x
ReplyDeleteOooo I remember you telling me about this when we were at The Baby Show. Looks like you guys had a fab time, such an amazing opportunity. These photos are getting me excited for Barbados :D
ReplyDeleteYou've captured to holiday beautifully
Charlotte x
You really should be so proud of yourself, such a capable, calm, loving mummy to little Finn. Your boy charmed everyone. So pleased the holiday was such a success and delighted we could spend it with you - shall we all go back again and soak up a bit more Jamaican sunshine?
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteOur family is booked in to Beaches Ocho Rios in early April. We are two adults and three children (1 x five years and 2 x 17 months).
If we can avoid it we are leaving the buggy at home and so I wondered if you noticed whether buggies/strollers were available at the resort and if so are they any good?
I am pretty sure that there were strollers available for hire and they lay flat too which was ideal for nap times. Everything is so close that you can mostly get by without one, but the creche does have them for hire. Have an amazing time, I am very jealous!
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