As a new family of three the idea of traveling with our baby seemed foreign. After all, who wants to be the parent of that annoying and loud cry baby! So for the longest time we avoided flying especially because our child fit the mold of that travelling nightmare. That is until our dear friends brought up the idea of a trip together to Maui. My husband and I lit up at the idea. Just two years before we vacationed there and it was paradise. We loved seeing so many single couples but noticed many multi-generational family members enjoying the pools, the ocean and all the fun Maui has to offer together. So we agreed this would be a fun family destination. We were booked and excited until our nerves reminded us who we would be travelling with. Yikes! So we researched online how to travel with kids, what to pack and what backup measures we would need to take if he got out of hand. I've got to send lots of kudos to Momaboard the site is filled with some wonderful travelling pointers from a high-flying mom. Also a shout-out to my very dear friend Lana (who we travelled with and whose daughter, two months younger than Edward, probably has enough air miles for a future flight), whom patiently responded to my delusional texts and calls.
The fact we booked our flight early in the am, before nap was so ideal. When we got to the chaotic airport, Edward was amused with the people, the planes and most of all the "truks". He got a lot of energy out by running through the terminal by the time we were boarding he looked ready to knock-out, we were so pleased. We scored big when we had an extra seat in between us for him. He fell asleep in his carrier once we were in flight. When he woke he was comfortable seating like a big boy, watching videos and munching on walnuts (it was all he wanted to eat, go figure). No crying at all.
Once we arrived in Maui, we gathered our things and waited for our friends to arrive from their destination, they got in about 30 minutes after us. Once we said our hellos and picked up the rental, we made a long pit stop at Costco before heading to our paradise destination. We all were so excited to be together, the kids took time to warm up to each other but it wasn't long before they were drinking from each other's sippy cups and sharing meals from their bowls. It was adorable to watch them interact all day long and on a daily basis for 7 days.
Our awesome 2 bedroom condo with a wrap around lanai was amazing. We had pool and ocean views, which were thoroughly enjoyed while our babes napped. We were also right above the Coi pond, which the kids absolutely loved! They ran out there every morning and would hilarious fishy faces. Cooking was easy as the dads really took it upon themselves to get in lots of BBQ-ing practice. Practice makes perfect, as we enjoyed some amazing meals. Yay for dads!
The days were long as the kiddos never adjusted to Maui time and were putzing around asking for food around 5:00am. But they made up for it by taking long naps and getting to bed by 7:30pm.
About halfway through our trip, Lana and I started talking about how wonderful it's been and how we both wished we could stay longer; at that moment we both realized how lucky we are to be on vacation together with kids and hubby's that get along. It was such a treat and something we will absolutely do again.
When it was time to head home we were all very somber. We packed our things and checked-in to our flights. When we all arrived at the airport we had a lot of time for running around, but I think Edward was just to wound up. Poor thing could not get comfortable nor could he relax on the flight. He was so exhausted and we were so frustrated that we finally began walking him up/down the aisles in the carrier. It worked as he finally fell asleep.
Once we landed and got home, we quickly unpacked and got settled. The next morning when Edward woke up he looked sad, could he be missing his new friend? With his blanket in hand, he walked over to the window to only find the concrete pavement and parked cars. I asked him what he was looking for and he looked at me and made the fish face! He broke my heart...he missed Maui too. But as in life nothing lasts forever and it's the experience that makes us who we are. As an 18 month old, Edward is very lucky to have experienced such a lavish trip. I know trips like that for hubby and I weren't apart of our memory until we were many years older. Nonetheless, we equally enjoyed it and would go back if we could.
Have you ever travelled with friends? Would you recommend it?
Love Lots,
Mommy SF
The fact we booked our flight early in the am, before nap was so ideal. When we got to the chaotic airport, Edward was amused with the people, the planes and most of all the "truks". He got a lot of energy out by running through the terminal by the time we were boarding he looked ready to knock-out, we were so pleased. We scored big when we had an extra seat in between us for him. He fell asleep in his carrier once we were in flight. When he woke he was comfortable seating like a big boy, watching videos and munching on walnuts (it was all he wanted to eat, go figure). No crying at all.
Once we arrived in Maui, we gathered our things and waited for our friends to arrive from their destination, they got in about 30 minutes after us. Once we said our hellos and picked up the rental, we made a long pit stop at Costco before heading to our paradise destination. We all were so excited to be together, the kids took time to warm up to each other but it wasn't long before they were drinking from each other's sippy cups and sharing meals from their bowls. It was adorable to watch them interact all day long and on a daily basis for 7 days.
Our awesome 2 bedroom condo with a wrap around lanai was amazing. We had pool and ocean views, which were thoroughly enjoyed while our babes napped. We were also right above the Coi pond, which the kids absolutely loved! They ran out there every morning and would hilarious fishy faces. Cooking was easy as the dads really took it upon themselves to get in lots of BBQ-ing practice. Practice makes perfect, as we enjoyed some amazing meals. Yay for dads!The days were long as the kiddos never adjusted to Maui time and were putzing around asking for food around 5:00am. But they made up for it by taking long naps and getting to bed by 7:30pm.
About halfway through our trip, Lana and I started talking about how wonderful it's been and how we both wished we could stay longer; at that moment we both realized how lucky we are to be on vacation together with kids and hubby's that get along. It was such a treat and something we will absolutely do again.
When it was time to head home we were all very somber. We packed our things and checked-in to our flights. When we all arrived at the airport we had a lot of time for running around, but I think Edward was just to wound up. Poor thing could not get comfortable nor could he relax on the flight. He was so exhausted and we were so frustrated that we finally began walking him up/down the aisles in the carrier. It worked as he finally fell asleep.
Once we landed and got home, we quickly unpacked and got settled. The next morning when Edward woke up he looked sad, could he be missing his new friend? With his blanket in hand, he walked over to the window to only find the concrete pavement and parked cars. I asked him what he was looking for and he looked at me and made the fish face! He broke my heart...he missed Maui too. But as in life nothing lasts forever and it's the experience that makes us who we are. As an 18 month old, Edward is very lucky to have experienced such a lavish trip. I know trips like that for hubby and I weren't apart of our memory until we were many years older. Nonetheless, we equally enjoyed it and would go back if we could.
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| Thank you for the memories!!! |
Have you ever travelled with friends? Would you recommend it?
Love Lots,
Mommy SF
