spontaneous getaways!

It was Ryan's first day back to the office after weeks of working out of town.  Aaralee and I were back home and settling into our daily routine, happy to have all of the amenities of our own house. Two weeks of trying to entertain her in a hotel room was exhausting, and I was content to stay home for awhile after the chaos of travel.  I changed my mind within 5 minutes of my husband's return from work that evening.  He'd found himself with some rare downtime between the normal never-ending tasks at work.  He could spend it trying to keep busy in the office, or we could go somewhere on vacation.  As happy as I was to be back home, there is never a time in which I'll turn down the opportunity to go somewhere.  Travel is a part of me, an addiction for which there is no cure.  To justify the trip even more, we'd be gone for my birthday.  

We discussed our options and tried to decide where to go. A road trip? An all inclusive vacation? Camping?  After much contemplation we settled on a trip to beautiful St. Lucia.  Normally out of the realms of our budget, it was the low season and thus way more affordable.  Booking a trip four days before departure also helps when it comes to price reductions.  We splurged on the all inclusive package and prepared for a week of binge eating... my favourite! 

I took our clothes from the Oklahoma trip out of the suitcase just to wash them before packing them all over again.  We flew out on the red eye for a tiring start to our vacation, but the bonus to night flights is that my baby and husband actually sleep on planes. Myself, not so much.  After a connection in Toronto and a long day of travel we arrived... we were in St Lucia! This new destination brought Ryan and I to a grand total of 37 countries visited each, and it was number 4 for our miniature jet setter.  We rode the windy steep hills to our resort across the island and checked into our own little slice of paradise.  We had a one bedroom suite on the side of a mountain complete with a gorgeous ocean view.  I was giddy with excitement and eager to start vacationing!

The next week consisted of delicious meals (filet mignon being my personal favourite), playing in the pool, lazing on the beach, and of course fruity, yummy cocktails.  Although it had only been 2 months since our last beach vacation, the experience with a 9 month old baby was completely different than it had been with a 7 month old. On our last trip Aaralee couldn't crawl or stand. This time around, she was cruising down the beach and climbing everything in reach.  She loved splashing in the water and eating tropical fruit... and sand.  

I spent my 28th birthday cruising along the shores of St Lucia on a catamaran island tour. We took in the beauty of the majestic Piton mountains, walked in the crater of a volcano, and ate lunch at a cocoa plantation.  Ryan went snorkelling as I enjoyed snuggles with a sleeping baby.

  Upon returning to our resort we headed for dinner. Aaralee didn't grant me my wish of a peaceful meal, but the cake at the end made up for juggling a fussy baby. 

Later on in the week it dawned on me that we could enjoy every dinner with our baby if only she'd sleep through them.  I put her in her wrap, where she'd promptly fall asleep and Ryan and I would enjoy a peaceful meal... albeit a bit sweaty with a sleeping baby tied to me.  

The week came to an end far too soon, as it always does. We'd had a wonderful time in St Lucia and I feel so lucky to have had the opportunity to take a trip with my little family before Ryan's job picks up and takes him out of town yet again!