Jamaica

When I last posted, I had just put Isaac to bed and was packing (at the last minute, surprise, surprise) for Jamaica. Marissa got married there and Meg and I wouldn't have missed it for the world.

Back when Marissa told me she was engaged, I was just barely pregnant, but didn't know it yet. When she asked me to come to Jamaica I said, "Of course!" not knowing how hard it would be to leave a beautiful (not to mention, breastfed) baby at home with his daddy.

After building up a supply of 120 ounces of frozen breastmilk, I kissed my sleeping baby and worried hubby goodbye and started to get pumped (no pun intended) for tropical weather in December.

By the time we got to the airport, I was excited. Even though I missed Isaac and Zach like crazy, I had a blast. The wedding was at the brand new Sandals Whitehouse Resort, and everything was gorgeous. Since Meg and I left our families behind, we were literally the only non-couple at the resort. We were super famous among the staff, especially after our night of non-stop dancing.

I don't think I've ever been to a wedding where I didn't cry, and Marissa's was no exception. I've known the girl since I was 6, and I've never seen her as happy and comfortable as she is with Brad. Sadly, I didn't have room for the camera in my little wedding purse, so I didn't take any pictures of the actual day, but see Meghan's blog for a few.

Below are a few scenes that I did capture.... Meghan, me, and 'Sa

the main lobby

the jerk restaurant...mmmm, spicy

the beach and ocean

the main pool
why, yes, that is a swim-up bar

the happy couple

my goofy boys while I was away

My two main concerns about the trip were that Izey would have enough breastmilk while I was gone and that when I came back he would take to breastfeeding again. The doc said it was a toss up--some babies do, some don't. Well, when I got back, there were ZERO ounces left in the freezer, but nobody went hungry, and when Isaac woke up at 5 the next morning, he didn't bat an eye at hopping right back on the breastfeeding wagon. Thank God for that answered prayer. There was one scary day during which my milk supply was low, but the more you nurse, the more milk you produce, so I just nursed him every two hours all day and we were back in business the next day. It really made me realize just how important nursing Isaac is to me. I would have been really sad if I had unintentionally weaned him.

I got home at around 10pm and had two days to do MOST of my Christmas shopping and pack up for the 5 days we spent in Michigan. Below is Isaac conked out after one of our several trips to the store in those 48 hours. So happy to be back with my angel.

Zach told me when I got home that he knew the week without me would be hard, but he had no idea it would be sad. He kept thinking, "This is what it would be like if something happened to Kate." He was so lovey-dovey when I got back. He wouldn't let me out of his sight and even came home from work a little early on Friday. Both of the nights that we were home he sat in Isaac's room with me while I nursed him before bedtime. He said on the second night, "I put him to bed every night that you were gone," and I realized that he liked that and was going to miss it.

He also said he experienced the "burden of being in charge" (his words) and realized what a responsibility that is. It was good to know that not only does he understand how I think about Isaac all the time, but that he's also great at taking care of him when I'm not there. I knew he was a good dad, this trip just confirmed it.