Last Thursday my mom, sister, and I left Baltimore and headed down to St. Pete's Beach, Florida for a much needed girls vacation and to celebrate my mom's birthday. We couldn't have picked a better weekend to go because the temperature dropped back into the 40s/50s at home and was mid 80s the whole time we were in Florida.
A few of you asked on instagram where some of my stuff was from so I've included links below the picture.
If you could pick up on the vibe from my posts leading up to our trip I was extremely nervous to leave my babies for four days. I was scared about irrational things like plane crashes or car crashes but I'm also a huge control freak and the boys spend all day every day with me so I was very nervous they wouldn't be able to cope without me and would cry the whole time. I did a really good job keeping it together until about an hour before I was supposed to leave and then I just lost it and cried all the way to the airport. Thankfully with the help of some xanax (I'm a nervous flier) and a glass of wine I was fine by the time we boarded the plane.
So how did everyone do? GREAT!! Once we landed in Florida I was officially in vacation mode and had very little problem getting used to having no responsibility. It was so nice to sleep in, read books, relax, and just be on my own time. I feel so refreshed after this trip and it made me appreciate my boys and staying home with them so much more.
The boys, Kyle, and my in-laws did great. They had so much fun together! Every day was an adventure with a trip to Annapolis or to our local animal farm, along with chick fil-a trips, ice cream, and all the fun stuff we don't get to do all the time. My in-laws also loved getting to spend 4 days with the boys and really enjoyed their time with them.
If you are thinking about taking a trip and leaving your babies I saw GO FOR IT!! If my mom hadn't have scheduled the trip and given it to me as a surprise I honestly don't think I would have gone but I'm so glad I did. You and your kids will be better for your time away. As much as I love being a mom I also love just being Natalie and it was nice to have time away to remember who I am without my mom title. Kyle and I are already planning an anniversary trip since I know I can leave my boys and they'll be ok.
I promise I will be back to regular posting next week!
Anyone have trouble leaving their kids the first time? Anyone still not left your kids yet?
Im so glad to hear that you had a nice, relaxing time, and that the kiddos were a-okay as well! I'm sure that helped you to relax even more and really enjoy yourself!!
ReplyDeleteOh, I'm so glad everything went well with leaving the boys! I am going to Germany in July for 10 days (yikes) with Bill' family and I'm freaking a little. Hopefully, I will be able to be on vacation mode knowing Cam is with my parents :/ Your trip looked like so much fun! I love your suit!!
ReplyDeleteI'm so proud of you little mama!!! And I love hearing about your trip. You know I've left Brody quite a few times, but I'm actually the most nervous for a week long trip Matt and I have coming up next month. It's not that I know we won't have a blast, but its that Brody is at the absolute most precious age now and really takes notice that we're gone. I know he will do fine and he is in good hands but 7 nights/8 days is the longest we've ever left him!!! I'm certainly looking forward to some pregnant mama relaxation. It would just be a lot better if I could enjoy some good libations along with my relaxation :)
ReplyDeleteMy first night(s) away were actually for work so luckily I was super busy the entire time so it keep my mind off little one. However, I did ugly cry all the way to the hotel and mumbled over and over that she would forget me. It wasn't my finest moment but I was proud of myself.
ReplyDeleteLove your bathing suit by the way!
That's awesome! Glad you enjoyed yourself and were able to truly relax!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad to hear you had a wonderful time and got the perfect relaxation! I think 3-4 days away does wonders to refresh a mama's batteries!! The first time I left the girls they were about your boys' ages and I was so miserable that the trip was a wash for us. But it was just what I needed to pull off the bandaid and subsequent trips have been way more fun (and relaxing) and easier to plan!
ReplyDeleteWe are planning a trip to Charleston for 4-5 days in October, shortly after Finn turns 2, and I've been nervous ever since my husband first brought up the idea. But this makes me feel better about leaving him and enjoying some time with just my husband.
ReplyDeleteI was the same way when we were planning to go to Punta Cana, such a nervous nelly - but we had the BEST time and the kids were fine! They were spoiled and had fun. I agree that it's good for them and us to leave and get a refresher! So glad you three had fun together, I loved following along on IG :)
ReplyDeleteYay for a ladies trip! Your bathing suit is gorgeous (and I'd be tempted to wear it with jeans haha). Glad the boys are fine and I know they were so happy to see you :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun girls trip!! I'm obsessed with that Trina Turk bathing suit now. I always love her designs. Glad to hear everything went well on the home front too!
ReplyDeleteAlly - Life as I know it
I didn't leave Hunter for the first time until he was a year and a half! And it was for my SIL's wedding out of the country so I was gone for 5 days!! It was hard the first day but then I loved having no responsibility and being able to relax! Now we are getting better about letting him spend the night with a grandparent so we can have a little time off.
ReplyDeleteGlad your trip was fun!
Looks like a fabulous trip, and yay for everything going great back at home too. Cheers to more girls trips in the future :)
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing trip!! Your pictures are beautiful. I think the ocean is probably the best place to go to relax! I love your suit - it's perfect! I left my middle guy at 18 months and would never do it again - he search the house for me every morning and asked for me often. My husband was nice and didn't say anything until after but I was already a wreck leaving him and then that broke my heart. We didn't leave him or his brother again until last fall - at 4 and 7 :). We have a fun trip planned in May, and I'll leave them again, but KC will come with us (she's still nursing so it's a must, but it would have been a fun adult only trip).
ReplyDeleteSo glad you had a good trip and everyone enjoyed their time! I LOVE your swimsuit, you look amazing!
ReplyDeleteThat bathing suit is so pretty and it looks great on you! And your looking so great as well! I do believe in vacationing away from your kids once a year.. its so good for you as a mother. Time to recharge and then you come home with a better mindset and appreciation for your kids! We stay home mothers never get an opportunity to just 'let go' or 'turn off' on a daily basis.
ReplyDeleteThe first time I left both kids I was a hot mess, but it has gotten better every time since and I come home so refreshed and ready to "mom" again. I am always as excited to get home as I was to get to wherever, so it makes those trips so much better! I'm so glad you went and had such a good trip!
ReplyDeleteaw im glad you had a good time!! h and i talk about traveling all the time but we dont know when we'll feel ok to leave violet with grandparents.. im thinking a year old or two?!? xo jillian - cornflake dreams
ReplyDeleteLooks like you had an awesome time! Love your swimsuit and all that you packed. I just ordered the pom-pom tunic from jcrew!
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, we were at St. Pete Beach for our Easter vacation! Loved it. So relaxing and amazing weather. It looks like you had a fabulous time with your mom and sister. My girls and I just planned a weekend for Columbus Day and I'm already nervous about it so I'm happy that you felt it was worth it!
ReplyDeleteYour trip looks fabulous! So glad you were able to get some R&R! Xo, Stephanie
ReplyDelete