@erynpdx That's what I keep saying too! I think that's what's kept us from taking a vacation for so long. But if I don't take one last "grown-up vacation" to Vegas now, I'm never gonna be able to. Side note, DH has been watching a lot of slot machine videos lately. It's a start
I’m scheduled to go to NOLA for a weekend in March for work, so hubby was already planning to come with me to make it a little getaway. Admittedly, it’s going to be a little weird not being able to drink (barhopping is one of my favorite activities there lol), but I’m really looking forward to it, nonetheless.
I learned the same way (visiting while pregnant) how awesome NOLA can still be even without drinking. So much history there and good food. Plus I could literally just grab a seat on Bourbon and people watch all day, the things you see there!
I'd love to do something. I think my girlfriends are planning on a girl's trip to Disneyland in Feb/March. Hubs is not pleased because he wanted to go with me to Disneyland. So, I'm trying to work out how we can make everyone happy in this scenario. Probably going to do a Thursday-Saturday with the girls and then Sunday-Tuesday with the hubs.
Also, cruises are a great option if you travel before 23 weeks for those avoiding Zika but wanting to be away from the cold. You can just wear bug spray on the days that you go ashore, or stay on the ship instead of going ashore and you should be fine! Most cruise lines won't let you travel after the 23-week mark, so keep that in mind if you go to book a cruise. I found out I was pregnant on a cruise a few weeks ago and would love to go again! Since babies can't cruise until 6 months.
We're going to Maui for our honeymoon...and now babymoon! I'll be 21weeks so hopefully i'll feel better than I do now to explore a bit! Really looking forward to getting away from the cold Canadian winter
My husband and I are going to a ski/snowboard resort in February. I initially booked it for the intention of learning how to ski myself & celebrating his birthday, but it looks like this will be a birthday/baby moon celebration instead! I'm hoping that we can squeeze in a weekend getaway or two once it's Springtime too!
I started to plan a baby moon. Then I looked at my United/Marriott points. I had a ton. So now, instead of a baby moon, we are taking the 2.5 year old to Disney for a week.
I keep thinking about going back to the resort we were married at for a babymoon. When we were married, it was a flight away, but now we live within a few hours of the location, so we go there once each year to stay for a couple nights. We'll actually be there next week over Christmas, which is our third Christmas there (we just flew back to our home state for 10 days over Thanksgiving, so don't feel too badly skipping Christmas). But that'll be the last Christmas we go as just the two of us, and I'm excited to be a family of 3 next year at this time! Going there for a babymoon sounds like a relaxing option.
I'm trying to get to all 50 states by age 50 (I'm 31 and have been to 32+DC/50), so we're thinking Myrtle Beach or Hilton Head to just laze on a beach before the quiet gets broken...
@ketomommy Thanks! I was originally thinking Park City, Utah, but that seems to be more of a winter destination/not great in April, and probably better if you (can) ski and are allowed in hot tubs, so that's sort of out...
We just got back from Vegas about 2 weeks ago. I'm not a huge drinker anyways so I didn't miss out on that. I did sleep a lot more often and I got tired really easily. I stayed in one night and ordered room service while my husband went out. For spring break we are planning on going to either Disney World or to see my hubbies grandma and grandpa in Arizona. We are a very active family so Vegas and Spring break will be our only real "baby-moon".
I would like somewhere scenic and warm (and avoiding Zika risks), but in April that seems to limit us to places like FL or Southern California, which don't seem all that interesting for our last vacation without kids... Let me know if anyone is looking for something similar and has ideas!
My husband wants to go to a pool tournament in Vegas in May and wants me to go. I love Vegas, but the idea of being that far along in the heat, feeling gigantic, sitting in a casino watching pool, and not able to drink anything interesting, sounds very unfun..
@xtinecatherine we're actually going to Vegas the last week of January. Hubby has to work there and I'm tagging a long since I have the time off. I plan on a lot of lounging and room service and seeing a friend that lives there.
I'm new to the east coast so I'm eyeing Bahamas or Grand Cayman (both Zika free!). I've never been to either so lmk if anyone has suggestions. I think we will take our daughter (2.5)
@mnkenned, I've been to both numerous times on cruises, so my opinion is slightly skewed because the cruise ship's only docked there for a day, but I would highly recommend Grand Cayman. The water is beautiful, the island is clean, it's easy to walk most places, and it's more relaxed and less hectic, at least compared to the Bahamian islands I've visited. A friend of mine and his wife also went there for their 10-year anniversary recently and loved it. The Bahamas are probably less expensive, however, and there seem to be some really nice resorts there if you just want to plop at a resort for a few days and hang out by the pools.
I started pricing out a Vegas trip and it's actually less expensive than I imagined! Probably a very stupid question, but you can gamble and eat at any of the resort hotels on the strip, right? Caesar's Palace has some awesome restaurants but my pockets definitely aren't deep enough to afford a hotel room there.
@hestia14 Yup you can walk into any casino and gamble at the tables and make reservations at any of the restaurants. We go with another couple each year and always stay at Vdara. It's newer, very nice, and there's no casino inside which means no smoking, no weirdos walking around, and the rooms are HUGE and gorgeous. The pool and spa are awesome too. It's connected by bridge to the Bellagio and Aria is next door. We won't stay anywhere else!
@mnkenned if you want to go to the Bahamas, I prefer the outer islands. Nassau/Paradise Island is SUPER busy to me. Usually 2-3 cruise ships in port every day. So many resorts. Traffic. Not my personal favorite. But if you go out to Exuma, Bimini, Eleuthera, Abacos, they are beyond gorgeous.
If you want an All-Inclusive, you'll want the Bahamas, as they don't have them in Grand Cayman. The internet might try to let you think they have all-inclusives, but they have hotels where you can add an all-inclusive package, but they are very different from what you may think of when you think all-inclusive resorts, with many restaurants, water sports, etc. being included (like a Sandals, Secrets, Karisma, etc.)
For everyone, I'm a travel agent, so if you want any help with booking a vacation/babymoon, I'd be happy to help, but also, because we are in the Bump Club together, I'm happy to just provide advice to all you lovely mommas!
Thanks @hakele for the tips! based on bump and friend recs I ended up booking an apartment-type villa in Grand Cayman. Would love any advice on renting a boat or a boat tour and any day trip recs with a 2.5 year old! We are headed there in March. My grandfather had a travel agency my whole life - always seemed like such an interesting/fun job. I'm sure a ton of work and stressful when travel plans get disrupted but just seems fun helping people plan vacations.
@greeneyedgirl12, a friend of mine got married long ago in Pawleys Island, which is just south of Myrtle Beach and we stayed at the Litchfield Beach and Golf Resort. It was really nice because you could choose from everything to hotel rooms, condos, and even houses! Some are on the beach, some are on the property and you can walk or take a golf cart to the beach. It was, gosh, maybe 8 or 9 years ago now, so I can't say for sure if it's still as nice, but I'm sure Trip Advisor would help with that.
@asupernovablizzardstorm, if you're looking in the U.S., we love Clearwater Beach on the Gulf coast here in Florida. It's beautiful, the sand is super soft, and the Gulf is calm so easy for kids to play and splash around in. Plus, you can park your car and stay at one of numerous hotels/resorts/mom & pop places and walk the Beach Walk to restaurants. Visit Florida anytime after Easter when all the snowbirds and spring breakers head home. (I live just a few hours south of Clearwater, but married there, and we travel there a couple times each year.) We're likely heading there for a babymoon even though we were just there for Christmas.
Also, obvs not @hakele nor am I a travel agent, but I love to travel and help friends and family research and plan vacations. Kind of a hobby and I can't help myself but throw out places and recommendations when people ask!
@supernovablizzardstorm anywhere on the gulf coast of Florida is awesome. I absolutely love Destin and the beaches up there. That part is doing well post hurricane Michael. The water is amazing. Not too deep, either. And the sand is absolute sugar! Runner dolls is right on point with all the spring break details, too. @runner_doll that was me and then I decided I liked to make money off of it! It usually is already built into every price people find, so I love it. Most of my clients save $, have a better trip, and I get a little something, too! Let me know if you ever want more details.
@mnkenned I’ll look up my favorite boat companies when I have a minute. Check out the turtle farm. Littles love that!
I'm loving these Florida recommendations! We ditched the Hawaii idea and now plan on heading to maybe the Florida Keys in late April. I notice a lot of you are bringing your kids. We are unsure about whether to bring our 2.5 year old with us. On the plus side, our little guy would love the beach and activities. On the minus side, it means no alone time with Hubby and no sleeping in. Hubby prefers the idea of a "just us" vacation.
I'm loving these Florida recommendations! We ditched the Hawaii idea and now plan on heading to maybe the Florida Keys in late April. I notice a lot of you are bringing your kids. We are unsure about whether to bring our 2.5 year old with us. On the plus side, our little guy would love the beach and activities. On the minus side, it means no alone time with Hubby and no sleeping in. Hubby prefers the idea of a "just us" vacation.
We are bringing ours because we just did a no kid vacation this summer. It was really nice for us to spend some time together just us so if you haven't done a trip without your kiddo yet I highly recommend it.
I think Hubs and I have finally decided on Galveston. We used to live in Texas so we'll use any excuse to go back! Anyone been and have hotel recs? We're between 2 right now.
@ameliabedelia-2 Good Luck and let us know how it goes with the kids in Mexico! I’m sure they’ll have lots of fun! Hope the resort has a kiddie pool.
@mnkenned we haven’t gone away properly on a couple trip since DS was born. Just a night or two here and there. Now may be a good time before baby #2 comes and childcare gets harder to arrange.
@realhousewife519 I am totally with you on the struggle with kid or no kids! It's such a hard decision! I know I will miss my little guy so much and it would be so much fun taking him to the beach and all the activities. For us it came down to two things, the money and the fact that with a second baby on the way our chances of date nights and getting away together will become very rare. Everyone tells me we will come back better parents and a happier couple but fighting off the "mom guilt" of leaving a little one behind is dreadfully hard!
Anyone else having major guilt about a babymoon? We're spending a lot of money updating the house a bit, getting new furniture for M so we can move the nursery stuff over for the baby. Also, we're missing my cousin's wedding because it's a few states away and child-free, and it's in my third tri, and I feel guilty taking a vacation to myself when a month later, I'd be missing a big family event (I love this cousin, but traveling at that point and having to find care for M.... ugh).
I'm trying to reign it in cost wise, but DH is remind me if we don't do this babymoon, we're also missing out on an anniversary trip - our 10th anniversary is June 14th. So now it's babymoon/anniversary trip... I just look at the $$$ and feel guilty even though it's not like we'll be traveling for a long while after...
@foodislove I always encourage people to TAKE THE TRIP! You never know what the future may hold. Vacations and new experiences help us build stronger bonds with those that we experience them with. For us, it is a major part of a healthy marriage and our value system. I'm working on that babymoon and baby's first mini-trip already! You should never feel guilty about a trip. It is okay to focus on your family or on your spouse one-on-one for a little bit and get a chance to step away from the energy that is building towards the arrival of the new baby and the work that you need to do for it. Time to rest, recharge, refocus. It is ALWAYS worth it.
Set a budget that you can afford, stick to the budget, enjoy your time away!
I don't know that we're calling this a 'babymoon,' but we are going to Nashville for a few days in March. I hope that DH will be able to get in a round of golf while we're there, because the REAL reason we are going is... for the KICKEE PANTS SAMPLE SALE!!!! Any other Kickee fanatics on here? I have my addiction under control currently, but I am beside myself about this sale.
We are relaxing in Ocean City MD for the weekend right now! It's only a few hours from home. But we're enjoying relaxing without the kids in a luxurious suite with a hot tub😊 Also the first time I've seen snow on the beach! I guess it will be our babymoon, as we probably won't do much else before the baby comes. But it's still good to get away and invest in our marriage❤
Re: Babymoons
Side note, DH has been watching a lot of slot machine videos lately. It's a start
@knottiedc3ef3fa51168d6b but think of all the food! Mmmm...
I'd love to do something. I think my girlfriends are planning on a girl's trip to Disneyland in Feb/March. Hubs is not pleased because he wanted to go with me to Disneyland. So, I'm trying to work out how we can make everyone happy in this scenario. Probably going to do a Thursday-Saturday with the girls and then Sunday-Tuesday with the hubs.
Also, cruises are a great option if you travel before 23 weeks for those avoiding Zika but wanting to be away from the cold. You can just wear bug spray on the days that you go ashore, or stay on the ship instead of going ashore and you should be fine!
Most cruise lines won't let you travel after the 23-week mark, so keep that in mind if you go to book a cruise. I found out I was pregnant on a cruise a few weeks ago and would love to go again! Since babies can't cruise until 6 months.
If you want an All-Inclusive, you'll want the Bahamas, as they don't have them in Grand Cayman. The internet might try to let you think they have all-inclusives, but they have hotels where you can add an all-inclusive package, but they are very different from what you may think of when you think all-inclusive resorts, with many restaurants, water sports, etc. being included (like a Sandals, Secrets, Karisma, etc.)
For everyone, I'm a travel agent, so if you want any help with booking a vacation/babymoon, I'd be happy to help, but also, because we are in the Bump Club together, I'm happy to just provide advice to all you lovely mommas!
based on bump and friend recs I ended up booking an apartment-type villa in Grand Cayman. Would love any advice on renting a boat or a boat tour and any day trip recs with a 2.5 year old! We are headed there in March. My grandfather had a travel agency my whole life - always seemed like such an interesting/fun job. I'm sure a ton of work and stressful when travel plans get disrupted but just seems fun helping people plan vacations.
Any recommendations for a family beach vacation with a 6yr old?and best time to go?
@asupernovablizzardstorm, if you're looking in the U.S., we love Clearwater Beach on the Gulf coast here in Florida. It's beautiful, the sand is super soft, and the Gulf is calm so easy for kids to play and splash around in. Plus, you can park your car and stay at one of numerous hotels/resorts/mom & pop places and walk the Beach Walk to restaurants. Visit Florida anytime after Easter when all the snowbirds and spring breakers head home. (I live just a few hours south of Clearwater, but married there, and we travel there a couple times each year.) We're likely heading there for a babymoon even though we were just there for Christmas.
Also, obvs not @hakele nor am I a travel agent, but I love to travel and help friends and family research and plan vacations. Kind of a hobby and I can't help myself but throw out places and recommendations when people ask!
@runner_doll that was me and then I decided I liked to make money off of it! It usually is already built into every price people find, so I love it. Most of my clients save $, have a better trip, and I get a little something, too! Let me know if you ever want more details.
@mnkenned I’ll look up my favorite boat companies when I have a minute. Check out the turtle farm. Littles love that!
@mnkenned we haven’t gone away properly on a couple trip since DS was born. Just a night or two here and there. Now may be a good time before baby #2 comes and childcare gets harder to arrange.
I'm trying to reign it in cost wise, but DH is remind me if we don't do this babymoon, we're also missing out on an anniversary trip - our 10th anniversary is June 14th. So now it's babymoon/anniversary trip... I just look at the $$$ and feel guilty even though it's not like we'll be traveling for a long while after...
You should never feel guilty about a trip. It is okay to focus on your family or on your spouse one-on-one for a little bit and get a chance to step away from the energy that is building towards the arrival of the new baby and the work that you need to do for it. Time to rest, recharge, refocus. It is ALWAYS worth it.
Set a budget that you can afford, stick to the budget, enjoy your time away!