• Style
  • Home
  • Family
  • Life
  • Culture

A Girl Named PJ

Our St. Thomas babymoon

February 18, 2014

st. thomas ritz carlton babymoon

When we first learned I was pregnant and due in February, one of my (irrational) fears was that there would be a blizzard the day I went into labor and we wouldn’t make it to the hospital on time. After all, we live in Omaha, Nebraska, where we typically get our fair share of snow each winter.

I definitely wasn’t expecting temperatures in Omaha to be in the 40s and 50s with snow and ice plaguing my family on the East coast in the week leading up to my due date. Now I’m concerned they’ll have trouble traveling to the Midwest after the baby is born!

All of this crazy winter weather has me longing for the chance to return to St. Thomas, where we enjoyed a warm and relaxing babymoon back in early December. I never posted photos of our beach vacation and would love to share a few of the highlights with you now, if you’d like to see them.

st. thomas ritz carlton babymoon

st. thomas ritz carlton babymoon

st. thomas ritz carlton babymoon

We were lucky to have the opportunity to stay at The Ritz-Carlton in St. Thomas thanks to my cousin’s Friends and Family discount. Besides The Grand America in Salt Lake City, where Alt Summit is held, I’m not sure I’ve ever stayed at such a fancy hotel with such unbelievable service.

The property was gorgeous — and expansive. When I was too exhausted to navigate the hilly grounds by foot (an unfortunate pregnancy side effect), chauffeured golf carts were available to drive us from here to there.

st. thomas ritz carlton babymoon

The bravest thing I did on our babymoon was wear a bikini in public. I tend not to flaunt my bump (you’ll rarely find me in super form-fitting clothing when I’m pregnant), but I challenged myself to step out of my comfort zone on this vacation. At first I was super self-conscious, convinced that everyone was staring at me, but I was eventually able to stop wondering what others might be thinking.

This is funny: Multiple women over the course of our trip randomly asked me if I was having a boy. Regardless of whether I was wearing a bikini or a one-piece bathing suit, they said it was easy to tell based on how I was carrying.

st. thomas snorkling

st. thomas snorkling

The second bravest thing I did on our vacation was snorkel. As much as I love the ocean, I prefer being above rather than below the water. Swimming next to fish and other sea creatures creeps me out.

Still, I agreed with JB that an afternoon snorkeling excursion on the resort’s luxury 53-foot catamaran, Lady Lynsey, would be a memorable experience. We relaxed above deck, taking in the sights of the surrounding Virgin Islands, on the way to our snorkeling destination. After swimming among mostly blue and yellow fish (the reef was somewhat disappointing), we enjoyed appetizers and an open bar on the way home. Even the virgin drinks were delicious!

st. thomas ritz carlton babymoon

st. thomas lobster

We made it back to shore just in time to see the evening’s fresh catch, lobster and mahi mahi, arriving by boat. Did you know that Caribbean lobster don’t have claws? So strange!

That night we shared a delicious lobster dinner at Sails, the resort’s oceanfront bar and grill. Randomly, we were seated at a table next to two businessmen who were also from Omaha, and after chatting for a bit, they surprised us by paying our bill!

st. thomas ritz carlton babymoon club level lounge

st. thomas ritz carlton babymoon club level lounge

On our second-to-last day, we were invited to experience The Ritz-Carlton Club Level lounge. (Thanks, cousin!) Our new keys allowed us access to the deliciously air-conditioned oasis, where we enjoyed complimentary food and beverages for the rest of our time at the resort. We even spent part of our last night in the lounge playing Blink, eating dessert, and drinking cocktails. Well, hot tea for me.

st. thomas ritz carlton babymoon paddleboarding

st. thomas ritz carlton babymoon paddleboarding

st. thomas ritz carlton babymoon paddleboarding

st. thomas ritz carlton babymoon baby bump

It rained for most of the morning on our final day, but we took advantage of a brief window of sunshine to use the resort’s water equipment one last time. I was determined to stand up on a paddle board, a feat even more challenging when you’re pregnant. I didn’t last long on my feet, but I didn’t fall off my board like somebody I know…

At the time, I remember feeling huge in my bathing suit. Compared to how I look now at 39 weeks, my bump in these photos is barely noticeable!

st. thomas ritz carlton babymoon massage cabana

Our final activity was a couple’s massage in the resort’s seaside cabana. Shortly after our session began, the rain returned, this time bringing with it the faint rumbling of thunder. It actually added to the relaxed ambiance (although it made our golf cart ride back to the spa a bit harrowing).

Unfortunately, my massage was cut short when I began feeling sweaty and lightheaded. Despite using a maternity pillow with a cut-out for my belly, I just couldn’t shake the fear that I was somehow hurting the baby while facedown on the table and worked myself up into a panic. Rather than risk fainting, I asked the masseuse to stop.

***

This was our first vacation without Levi, and the peace and quiet was just what JB and I needed to recharge our batteries. There are only two things I would have done differently: packed lighter (we didn’t need to check two suitcases) and traveled when I was slightly less pregnant. My appetite and energy couldn’t always keep up with everything The Ritz-Carlton had to offer!

Did you go on a babymoon? When I was pregnant with Levi, we only made it as far as Kansas City for a getaway, so this trip was an extra-special treat!

PS – The bag that JB carried on our trip (he’ll also use it as a diaper bag!).

(Our iPhone and DSLR photos)

Related Posts

  • How to survive a road trip with kidsHow to survive a road trip with kids
  • What to pack when traveling with kidsWhat to pack when traveling with kids
  • The strange thing that happened on my kids’ first day of kindergarten and nursery schoolThe strange thing that happened on my kids’ first day of kindergarten and nursery school
  • What it’s like to raise boys (and how we’re celebrating One Big Happy Mother’s Day)What it’s like to raise boys (and how we’re celebrating One Big Happy Mother’s Day)

SHARE THIS POST:

Pin on Pinterest
Pinterest
Share on Facebook
Facebook
Tweet about this on Twitter
Twitter


5COMMENTS | Family

« Are you an app hoarder?
Hospital newborn photos »

Let’s Discuss

  1. Sarah

    February 18, 2014 at 9:43 pm

    This looks so fun and your bump looks great!

    Sarah
    aroseinthecity0.blogspot.com

    Reply
    • PJ

      February 19, 2014 at 8:21 pm

      Thank you! It was the perfect getaway — I just wish we could do it more often!

      Reply
  2. Courtney

    February 19, 2014 at 8:47 am

    Great pics – and looks like a great vacation! We didn’t do any extravagant travel during my pregnancies (we never do anyway!) but we headed to a northern Wisconsin resort for a long weekend during preg #1 and we spent a weekend in Madison WI just the two of us when I was pregnant with Phoebe. I’m already dreaming of getting away again sometime…

    Reply
    • PJ

      February 19, 2014 at 8:24 pm

      Thanks! Getting away without Levi made it very apparent that we need to take more trips just the two of us. I’m perfectly happy going on weekend road trips! Besides, who knows when we’ll have the money/time to take such an elaborate vacation again 🙂

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Babymoon | Jess & Rupe are Having a Baby! says:
    April 3, 2014 at 9:41 pm

    […] http://www.bunnyanddolly.com/st-thomas-babymoon/ […]

    Reply

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

PJ Photo (lefty)

CONNECT Social Links (righty)

LET'S
CONNECT

Pages Menu (lefty)

ABOUT PORTFOLIO CONTACT

120×600 AD Banner (righty)

“WORK With Me” Linked Graphic (lefty)

Archives Button Link (lefty)

Subscribe Links (lefty)

SUBSCRIBE

RSS FEEDLY BLOGLOVIN' EMAIL

Search – full width

DIVIDER IMAGE

Featured Series Squares

FEATURED
SERIES



DIVIDER IMAGE

Friends & Sponsors Ads

FREE
DOWNLOAD


DIVIDER IMAGE

RECENT
PINS

Day 12 | No photos from today (well none worth sharing) because I sat in front of my laptop from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. working on deadline. My busy work day also meant that my kids didnt get very much of my attention. My husband kept them occupied for some of the day but I dont think they got any schoolwork done. Oh well we all deserve a lazy day every once in a while. I know I do! | So whats this photo? Just some of the amazing birthday presents I received from my friends this weekend! (Dont worrDay 11 | Emotions have been running high the past two days and everyone has a short fuse. Asa had a full-on temper tantrum because he didnt want to color his drawing of a rainbow and nearly lost his cool while practicing Typing Club. I wish I could do more educational activities with them like taking alphabet walks and tallying up different items around the house but Im totally overwhelmed with a huge deadline this week. In fact I had to keep working after the kids went to bed and now its nearlyC-Quarantine Day 8 | Ive felt anxious many days this past week but today was the first day I had the blues. Not sad about anything specific. Just ... sad. Cabin fever? Exhaustion? We decided to get out of the house to look at the cherry blossoms in Bethesda. The Kenwood neighborhood was quiet so we parked and walked down a side street keeping our distance from the few other people out and about. But with cars parked on one side of the road and moving cars to trying to pass them & the pedestriansOn the first day of #socialdistancing my true love made for me Nutella-filled croissantsyummy!  On the second day of social distancing my true love made for me banana muffins with a crumb topping.  On the third day... Nope. Tomorrow we work from home/homeschool our kids so its cereal for everyone!  #onedaycv #covidquarantine
Follow Me on Pinterest More Pins
I HAVE MORE TO SAY
JOIN MY NEWSLETTER
Exciting updates, bonus content,
exclusive giveaways

LET'S
CONNECT

A LOOK INTO MY LIFE
FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM

    Copyright © 2021 A Girl Named PJ / All Rights Reserved / Disclosure / Privacy Policy