Yep, you read that right. After our last adventure with London in Maui (check out that post here), we caught the travel bug and popped over to Miami Beach to celebrate Grant’s 40th Birthday. Yes, Hawaii was supposed to be the big bang, but I decided we needed a little sunshine to ring in his 40th.
As a kid celebrating New Year’s Eve, I sat home in pjs with my fam. I watched the glamorous parties on tv, and wished to one day be a part of them. I longed to get dressed up, decked in jewels, and caked with makeup. I’ll never forget that feeling. That year I was with my family. My aunt and my cousins were visiting. It was the last New Years we spent with my aunt, who was like a second mother to me. She passed shortly after, from cancer. I wished that I had been even more grateful of those moments back then.
Aloha Lovebugs! We are back in action, and missing the Maui sunshine oh so much! What an adventure it was to escape with baby London for the first time, to a place that is so special to us. We’ve waited for what seems like forever, to able to do this, and it was everything we had hoped for! From stargazing, to restaurant hopping, hiking, swimming, and eating our way through paradise, we visited our favorite places and spaces, as well as some new finds. It truly feels like our second home. We felt lucky to share this adventure with our baby boy as well as our parents. We stayed in a different hotel than my parents, and therefore we were able to experience the best of both places, which I will share below. If you are making the journey to the rainbow state anytime soon, I’ve listed all of the details for you below. If you will be traveling with an infant, I shared our experience along with our tips, wins, and challenges here. Bon Voyage (and take me with you, please)! Mahalo!
For a good year, fear stood in my way of adventure. I held off on journeying to the places we wanted to go. See, the furthest we had traveled was to Maui, during our babymoon of my first pregnancy. As you know, after the loss, I was devastated. It was the last happy place that I remember being, with memories that were unforgettable, and unfortunately the only ones I have. The decision to return made me fearful. I rejected the idea on our babymoon with London, yet we always dreamt of bringing our baby to that very place that meant so much to us.
It’s been close to four months that I’ve spent in destination Mamaville, without a solo date night, and we were anxious to get out on the town. However, we decided to head on an epic adventure, to close out the end of my maternity leave. We traveled to Maui, as it is the very place that has been so special to us. For years we wished that we would bring our future baby to an island that feels like our second home. That wish finally came true.
For the past 3 months, (well 12 months if you include the pregnancy), my brain has been consumed with all things baby related. What exactly would we need, in terms of strollers, clothing, and other baby gear? It’s overwhelming to say the least, and the fact that we live in NYC makes space so limited. Ever since baby London arrived on the scene, I’ve definitely limited the baby gear down to my favorites and must-haves. Please keep in mind that while each baby is different, here are my favorite products that work best for us. You may find that your child may have their own list of must-haves. I thought that I would share ours, in hopes that it would help you on the journey to Mama-ville.
“Hey! How’s the baby? You look great. I hope you’re still writing.” Oh no…busted. When recently asked these questions, I realized that my writing has come to screeching hault. Ever since London was born, my world has been spinning in the best, but craziest way possible. My hands and brain are rarely free to put words on paper.
Lately I’ve given much thought to a simple phrase I’ve heard throughout my life, mostly when it comes to brand new challenges. “You know what to do.” I’ve heard these words spoken in the very beginning of my career, often accompanied with,”figure it out.” Everyone says this to me. The confidence is appreciated, however I feel as though it’s the theme of my life. I’ll admit that when I asked a question or felt lost, and received either of these two responses, it left me with my wheels spinning. I’d ask for advice, but would come out completely empty handed. As a result, I’d feel fairly overwhelmed.
Over two weeks have passed since the birth of baby London, and I’ve officially crossed over the the other side. Hello Mamaville! Yes, I believe it’s actually a destination. From my birth story to postpartum thoughts and all the feels, here’s the report.
August 2nd, 2019. That day goes down as the sweetest in our lives. At 4:47pm, our rainbow baby boy London Martin, came bursting into the world.