PR with PR, Part 1

Puerto Rico with Penn Rye!

Over 6 months ago, Doug was asked to officiate a wedding in Puerto Rico for March 2013.  He easily said yes and we've been looking forward to this warm weather long weekend ever since.  We chose to take Penn with us since he is still nursing (and I'm not sure I could part with him for this long yet!).  We've loved traveling with our boys over the years and especially enjoyed the opportunities we've had to share some trips with just one of them at a time.  (Koen went to Australia at 8 months and numerous other trips, Tavin went to Clearwater, FL at 20 months and Penn is now in Puerto Rico!).  It was hard to leave Koen and Tavin in some respects as they would just LOVE the airport, train ride, airplanes, taxis, hotel pools, ocean, etc., but obviously it's nice only caring for one Melder boy vs. 3 when we are out of our usual routine and atmosphere.  

Yesterday we left the house a little before 7am.  We got to the airport, through security and onto our first plane with no problem.  The first flight was just to Charlotte, so it was just an hour and a half.  Penn was very good, but never did end up falling asleep despite his naptime being reached during that flight.  After a few minutes walking around the airport in Charlotte though, he was out cold.

Around this time I got a text from my mom that things were going well at home and a picture to prove it.  Here's Tav helping with the dishes...a favorite of his!  This was actually a huge relief to see/hear as we had a little scare in the night with Tavin before leaving.  He woke up around 9:30pm on Wednesday night crying.  He never does that. He said his ear hurt.  He was shaking and was definitely truly in a lot of pain.  Thankfully after some Tylenol, a good book snuggled up with Mommy and a prayer he went to bed for the rest of the night.  I was so nervous something major was wrong, but it seems that these ear infections he has are just really fighting it out with his antibiotic or something.  

We boarded our packed plane to Puerto Rico and it was Penn's lunchtime.  He nursed great (not my fav to nurse in public, but thankfully I don't think anyone noticed), but then when I fed him his solids he just got beside himself upset.  He was clearly hungry and opening wide for food, but would sputter and cry through the whole thing.  Needless to say, Doug and I both got spattered with sweet potatoes.  Thankfully with his full belly and cruising altitude he was much happier and enjoyed a little playtime before showing signs that afternoon nap was quickly approaching.  My mom had actually given us a travel bed she had found.  We decided to bring it in case it would help the almost 4 hour flight go better and turns out...it did!  Penn, amazingly, went to sleep in about 30 seconds after we laid him in this contraption on the floor at our feet.  He slept for an hour and a half in it!  I had some leg cramps since I had to sit with my legs on my seat, but it was totally worth it to have him getting rest peacefully.  He was super sweaty after his nap, but otherwise seemed refreshed from it.  Once we landed in San Juan, we thankfully quickly received our baggage and got a cab easily.  Our hotel was only 12 minutes away and we were happily taking in the view from our room by 5pm San Juan time.  Not too shabby!

We fed Penn his dinner, took a little walk to get a lay of the land and feel the sand between our toes and then we gave Penn a funny bath.  The hotel room doesn't have a bathtub (bummer!), so I thought I'd try the sink.  We won't be doing that again though as Penn is a little too bright and figured out how to turn the water on.  I guess we'll try some configuration in the shower next time!

Penn went right to sleep without a whimper and slept his usual 12+ hours.  Amazing little traveler!  I was just thanking the Lord this morning for how smoothly the traveling went as well as for our first night being a restful one!  Here's the rested little bug hanging out amidst our pillows while I got ready.  Couldn't he be a little spokesperson for the hotel?

After we got this adorable man dressed, we headed out to breakfast.  We got a recommendation from the concierge that didn't look impressive on the street side, but was totally worth the risk once we got to the sea side.  Check out the waves just crashing in towards the building as we ate!  Penn loved watching the water.

After our breakfast we scouted out our hotel a little more and discovered yet another pool.  We let Penn give it a try.  He was a big fan.

Around this time I got another update from home and I have to share another happy picture of Tavin just loving his grandparent time.  Here he is super smiley about the Play-Doh he and Gramma are working on!

Penn was pretty wiped after the travel day yesterday and the ocean air morning, I had to wake him from his morning nap...

He was happy yet again though and after he ate, Doug and I took him poolside for our lunch and then we tested the waters with Penn.  Oh, how he loved it!  The pool here feels somewhere in between a regular heated pool and a hot tub.  So, it's a baby's dream.  He absolutely loved his boat! 

Of course he was quite tired after this new adventure, so he's now taking his afternoon nap.  Doug had a turn outside and now it's my turn.  Stay tuned for more PR with PR updates!  Adios!