Second vacation: Jamaica!

Our little family did it again. We went on our second "real" family vacation since Savannah has been born. Our first vacation with Savannah was on a five day cruise when she was seven months old. This time we took a five day vacation to Montego Bay, Jamaica! Savannah was 14-months old this time around, walking, eating "big people" food, and sleeping much better. We still took my sister Abby, who is 16, as a "nanny". And we're thankful we did. Savannah took GREAT naps during the day 2-3 hours in the late morning and one-hour naps in the late afternoon. So Abby was able to stay in the room with her while Caleb and I lounge by the pool in the warm sun.This was going to be Savannah's first plane ride AND first time to a beach.

We left our house Tuesday night and stayed at a hotel near the airport so we could catch our 10:00 flight without fighting traffic or having to wake up too early. We used our credit card miles to buy the plane tickets and were able to upgrade to first class on the way to Jamaica (it wasn't available on the flight home). Having the extra space was NICE! Savannah didn't sleep a wink on the flight, so she was kinda cranky, but over-all she did great. The attendants and even the flight captain just loved Savannah and were so good to her. 

Once we landed, we found our transportation to our resort and were on our way. This is when Savannah finally decided to take her first nap of the day (at 3:30pm). She slept through check-in and didn't wake up until it was time to go find something to eat. It was raining when we arrived in Jamaica and we were all tired, so we didn't do too much for the rest of Wednesday. 
The weather was perfect for all the other days that we were there. We all enjoyed being outside, playing in the pool and just having no real responsibilities for a few days. Savannah loved the pool and all the attention she got from just about everyone. We made friends with a couple from Orlando, Florida and they had their 20-month-old little boy, Alejandro, with them. Savannah and Alejandro had a great time together, as you'll see in pictures! It was nice to meet new people and having a little play mate for Savannah. 
The people of Jamaica just thought Savannah was the cutest thing ever (we happen to agree)!! They didn't understand why I "tied those things around her head" (aka as bows on a headband), so I had to do a little explaining on that one. They often asked to take a picture of her...even some of the other people on vacation asked to take a picture of her. She was not short on attention, that's for sure!
We made our way through the grueling customs and immigration...a two hour process... on Sunday. On the flight home, we were in couch class, but Savannah got a 1.5 hour nap in the morning before we left the resort, so she was really, really good on the 3.5 hour flight home...even without sleeping on the plane. And once again, all the travelers around us were so sweet to us and Savannah. Some of them were playing peek-a-boo with her and giving her gold fish snacks. 

Getting ready to board our plane.

Savannah and I with our captain and flight attendant.

On the plane.

At the resort...finally napping.

Views from our balcony.

Savannah's first morning in Jamaica!

Feet in the sand. She did NOT like this!

Finally, she played in the sand, a little.

Savannah and Alejandro.

My little beach baby...

They loved her...she wasn't sure about them...

Savannah and aunt Abby on the balcony after one of many long naps.

She liked the sand better by the end of the week.

Alejandro leaning in for a good-bye kiss!

The time away was wonderful and we are so thankful that we are able to take family vacations like this. Savannah was a fantastic traveler and we were glad to have Abby's help. We're already looking forward to our next family vacation!