We knew that Fat Joe (the rapper) was having a concert in San Juan over the weekend and he was staying at the ocean villas and we finally spotted him. He was in one of the pools with his possy, and to be honest he does not look that fat!!

show comments here

1. Make Packing & Shopping List
Before you head off list everything you could possibly need for your kids. Things are pricey in the Caribbean if you can find them. Also be sure to check island info-page for island voltage and bring adaptors if necessary.

If staying in a Villa, make a food list before you come. You can immediately get the shopping out of the way so you can get to enjoying your trip.

2. Few Carry-On’s
Take exactly what you need onto the plane and pack the rest. It’s easier if you’re juggling less. Have your older children carry backpacks with wheels.

3. Take Stroller to Gate
This way you can get on/off the airplane and not have to carry your heavy baby everywhere.

4. Potty Stop & Feed Older Kids Before Boarding Airplane
Nothing is worse than trying to calm a hungry, grumpy kid on an airplane. Most airports have snack stops or McDonald’s close by. Have snacks in your carry-on for long flights and/or delays.

5. Feed Baby A Bottle/Use Pacifier While Taking Off
The sucking helps the baby’s ears adjust to the airplane’s ascension. Also a full belly leads to a good nap! That’s the goal, eh?

6. Baby Bjorn for Plane
It’s a great way to control an energetic infant, as well as being safe and cozy!

7. Surprise Toys
Kids love NEW toys. Hit the dollar aisle so you can pull out little surprises along the way.

8. Share Load & Realize Time for Self is Limited
Trips with kids mean early mornings and shared responsibility at the pool. Accept the fact that your kids need you and that you’ll have to share the load.

9. If Your Kids Get Sick Don’t Panic
Youd be surprised how good the general medical care is down here for those who can afford it. Kids are also very resilient. Pack medications, as well.

10. Travel & Emergency Evacuation Insurance
Buy at least evacuation insurance, it takes any concern you may have out of your mind.

Relax! Always remember that Caribbean-ites love kids!! Enjoy their compliments and never be afraid to ask for help.

show comments here

Don’t Fret - Traveling With Kids IS Doable And Enjoyable!

You would not believe the looks I received when I told my friends that we were headed to the Caribbean with our kids – ages 5 & 9-months. It was easy to see they thought I was NUTS!! But I enjoy my kids and the thought of leaving our baby just didn’t sit well with me. Don’t get me wrong, I love sleeping in, sunbathing undisturbed while reading a book, and having a more than one margarita, but these are the days for making memories and I wouldn’t miss them for any of the above! Besides, I like seeing the sunrise – I do!

Packing took me ALL day (literally)! But making a list made it somewhat easier – a thing I would recommend doing several days before you go. Things are overly pricey here, so a list would help make sure nothing is forgotten.

We booked the earliest flight so we could arrive, get groceries, get settled and enjoy the beach ASAP! We were off early to the airport, with both the diaper bag and my older son’s backpack ready for the adventures ahead – a PACKED airplane to Puerto Rico!

Our check-in went smoothly. Since we were headed to Puerto Rico we only needed Birth Certificates for the kids. We checked 3 bags, a pack-n-play and a large beach umbrella. Then we stopped for a quick bite at McDonalds (believe me you don’t want hungry kids on an airplane with no food) and headed for our gate.

Some people w/ kids like to get on with the “…those traveling with small children” group but we’re weird I guess. We purposely like to wait since we know we’ll be confined on the plane for quite some time. We also limited our carry-on’s and packed most things in our bags. This way we had just what we needed for the 4-hour flight and didn’t have to juggle too much.

We did take the umbrella stroller with us to the gate. The steward took it from us, put it under the plane and we relaxed knowing that when we arrived it would be there waiting for us! Can’t beat that!!

Now I will confess, I do feel a bit wary of glaring passengers whilst bringing a baby onboard. But I knew I had done my best to prepare for the flight, and I figured that most people love babies. And ours sure is cute!! My advice is to relax – if you are relaxed your baby will relax too.

Another piece of advice is to bring a Baby Bjorn. Trying to hold and control a baby who has discovered crawling and the joys of tasting all that the floor holds is tough! This turned out to be a great trick. We also waited to feed him a bottle – which helps not only baby’s ears with the airplane’s ascension, but also to fill his tummy so he would doze off quickly! A good nap is the goal, isn’t it?! The baby did nap, although we did have to entertain him some, too.

Our 5-year-old was no problem. We had hidden away some small toys as surprises for him (dollar store purchases) and he was occupied and happy the whole flight.
Once we arrived, the stroller was waiting, we loaded in the baby in it and headed off to collect our bags.
The Ocean Villas management (at the Rio Mar Resort) had set up a taxi service for us. They even provided car seats for the kids. It was a 45-minute drive to the resort, but it was a relaxing drive and the views of the rain forests were amazing.

Soon we were headed into the Rio Mar Resort and then escorted to our 2-bedroom villa. I immediately placed the exhausted baby into the provided crib, and got us all unpacked while my husband headed in the taxi van to the grocery store (with another pre-made list which was written up at home). Now you women may think I’m crazy to send my husband but he did a great job! And I was able to unpack and get us all organized and settled.

The villa was PERFECT for our family – fully loaded kitchen with every utensil you could imagine. Huge Flat-Screen TV’s in each room and with satellite cable so we could watch familiar shows. There was a DVD player in the den as well as a VHS in the Master Bedroom. We were even provided a High Chair and a Baby Walker-Exersaucer!! Now that is GREAT! Best of all there was a Washer & Dryer in the villa (not a community one)! I would have packed way less if I had believed my husband regarding this fact!

Once the groceries were unloaded and stocked away we headed to the pool. There were 2 pools – a lap pool and then a family pool with infinity area as well as a descending entry area. We brought a shaded baby pool floatie from home (which is a must with the intense sun here), however there are some wonderful shaded areas in the pool which were great to keep the baby totally out of the direct sunrays.

Now on day two, our 9-month-old woke up around 2am screaming! We were panicked he had contracted some island virus! He was miserable – fever an all. We called the front desk early the next morning and ordered a Doctor. The Doctor arrived right at 9am and checked the baby out. He sent us offsite to a Laboratory for blood work! YIKES! A female Security Guard not only drove me and the baby there, but also accompanied me inside to be my interpreter. We were in and out within an hour – and with the test results in hand. It seemed he had a bacterial infection and basically took the whole trip to get better.

I did boil the baby’s bottles every day to be on the safe side, but none of the rest of us got sick at all. And we washed our dishes in the dishwasher, brushed our teeth under the sink water and drank the hotel restaurant’s iced water.

Within a day the baby was back to normal and we were back to enjoying the sun!

Traveling with kids isn’t like it was on our honeymoon. It can definitely be work. However we sure had fun! And we did make the memories I was hoping to make!

show comments here

THe weather here is just perfect, and the thing I like most is that the pools at the ocean villas are always very quiet. The hotel pools are just crazy at the weekends so we dont spend much time there. Willster has really improved on his swimming but he is still a little scared of the waves in the ocean b ut we got him one of those lycra shirts you swim in so he really looks the part.

show comments here

We had some major issues with Connor yesterday, our little one (9 months) but the doctor came and he is now fine. THe hotel was fantastic at helping us deal with this.

I also had a chance to look around the whole complex yesterday and boy is this place fantastic. The Rio Mar golf villas are wonderful (P.S. be care to stay that the Rio Mar as many of the other golf villa clusters look old)

Laurie and Will are off feeding the iguanas and I am letting the baby nap.

One of the coolest things is there is a big slide into the main pool at the hotel. We however spend most of our time at the ocean villas pools

We have found a hidden gem at the golf course, its a little pub the golfers use to get a bite to eat. You dont need a reservation and its reasonable. $11 for a hamberger and fries.

show comments here

Great flight, not too much trouble with Connor although we did medicate him.

The weather is great, the beach perfect. The place is pretty empty which is lovely. Will and mum are out building sandcastles, I am letting the baby sleep.

This place is a Disneyland for kids, 5 pools, big pool slide, wide beach with big surf - and lets face it I am still a kid so I am in full force!!

I just cant believe how blessed I am. Awesome family, amazing job. Life just does not get any better than this.

More updates daily

show comments here