Vacation Day 1 & 2...they kind of ran together

Last night we arrived at our hotel at 4PM. After we checked out the place we were staying at and unloading all of our stuff...it was after 6PM and the sun was just setting. We decided that we had been in Jamaica for over 3 hours and had not yet had a rum drink...so we headed to the bar. We were not there 20 minutes and Simret fell asleep on my lap. She slept there limp for over an hour, until my leg fell asleep and then Lance took a turn. Poor baby...she was exhausted! When she woke when we came back to the room and showered for dinner. Dinner was on the pier with live music...Simret was in Heaven...she danced in her high chair...completely worn out.

Simret sleeping on my lap at the bar?

Dad's turn (my leg fell asleep)

Before I go any further, let me tell you a little bit about the place we are staying. It is considered a family resort. 1 of only 5 resorts (supposedly) that caters to children. It is amazing. They have real high chairs at dinner (the type with the trays). Instead of trying to quite your child at dinner...it is encouraged for them to bang their forks on their tray while listening to the Reggae music. Everyone goes out of their way to make sure your child is having fun...if they start crying they whisk them away and dance with them or distract them into another activity. They sing songs to them, have "snack time", put pina coladas in their sippy cups.

When we arrived we were greeted by "our nanny"; who is suppose to make sure your child is having fun and kind of be your assistant when you go off of property (helping you barter, etc.) It was such a foreign idea to me before we came. I thought, "I don't want a nanny, I came on vacation to be with her and Lance...so we could take the time to reconnect without the daily routine of work and house work...etc. ...just some time to be together as a family. Also, the thought of having "some stranger take care of my child" wasn't what I was looking for. ...Well, that was my attitude going into this situation...but I have a new perspective now. When we got here our nanny was going to the kitchen (in a different building) to get us some breakfast for the morning to put in our fridges; and before I could say anything she snatched up Simret to go with her. It seems like days before they came back; even though it was only about 15 minutes. I then explained to her that we wanted to spend as much time as possible together...she said she understood. That she would see us in the morning. She met us for breakfast...and swept away Simret again to take her to the play room. ...still on edge, but yet appreciating the fact that Lance and I were enjoying breakfast together...it was sort of bitter-sweet. So, there we were sitting on the shore having coffee...in Jamaica...I guess it hasn't all sunk in yet.

Our "nanny" Muriel, Simret, & Lance on the beach

Let me tell you the other special things about this place. They have a kid room (where they do arts & crafts), they have a play room (with lots of toys), they have a park, they have a computer room and movie room, they have a special area on the beach with a child jungle gym, they have a kiddy pool with a baby water slide, they have sand pales and tools, and they have a special grill just for kids (serving the usual that all kids like-mac & cheese, grill cheese, etc.).

They also have wonderful food here and live music every night. They have good wine and amazing rum (of course). So, life is good and we have a baby sitter any time we need it? I think that tomorrow we will use our "nanny" when she falls asleep to go sea kayak. Simret has been sleeping on the beach in her bed tent. It is so sweet.

Simret was amazing today...she missed her morning nap (she was having much to much fun). She then slept an hour on the beach in her tent and then before dinner at the bar for an hour and then went to be tonight at 9PM. I think we are wearing her out (which I am proud of).

Simret not real happy about the hat. It had to go?

Simret in her pool gear...

Simret at the beach...she loved the sand so much, she built sand castles, rolled around in it, threw it, and even tried to eat it 3 times...which required washing out her mouth.

Full of sand...in every fold...

napping in her tent

Still not sure about the "nanny idea" will keep you posted; as I am sure my ideas will evolve the longer we stay here.

On a side note...it is hard for their culture to understand adoption...they ask lots of questions...which is great. They are nice about it...but aren't too sure why or how she is our baby.