I'm still not sure whether it was a genius or crazy idea to pack up 10-week old twin boys and fly them to the beach, but that's what the Hubs and I did over the long weekend! We had been playing around with the idea of going sometime in January since before they were born, but we were super nervous to pull the trigger. The logistics seemed a bit daunting to us. On Thursday night we actually decided NOT to go because I was exhausted from my ALDI job earlier in the day (I'll have that segment for y'all on Friday!) and the thought of packing babies was too much for me. Friday morning though I woke up and regretted the decision, so we changed our minds AGAIN and decided we'd try it. We love to travel and weren't going to get another chance to take a weekend until after tax season is over in mid-April.
Turns out it wasn't THAT hard to pack up the boys and we were able to get everyone ready in just a few hours.
The flight in our small Cessna is only about an hour and a half, so the boys didn't have to be in the plane for long.
The boys were naturals and acted just like we were in the car. We got to Hilton Head and were so happy we pulled it off!
I always instantly feel calmer when we land on the island... it's my happy place. Our first stop was Hudson's for some oysters.
Turns out trying to open oysters with babies wasn't our best idea, but we did our best.
Hunter ended up getting fussy, so we finished our meal quickly and went to check into our hotel.
It was a lot for one day, so despite dinner not going perfectly, we decided we'd call our first travel day a success. I even caught a beautiful sunset!
Day two in Hilton Head started off nice and calm. The boys slept surprisingly well for being n a new place.
The Hubs ran out to Island Bagel to get us bagel sandwiches.
We fed the babies and enjoyed the view from our room.
Around lunch, we packed up to walk around and explore. It was in the low to mid 50's, which still felt a lot warmer than it had been at home.
For lunch, we tried to eat out again this time at Salty Dog. We had a pretty view and ate most of our food when poor Hunter got fussy again. Poor kid had his first major blowout and in the hustle of packing, we didn't think to add the extra outfit to our diaper bag which meant we had to pack up and go back to the condo. I guess we'll never do that again, right?
After our adventure in blowouts, we regrouped back at the condo and put the boys in carriers for a nice beach walk.
It was super sunny and absolutely gorgeous outside.
I love warm weather at the beach, but there is something magical about the offseason as well. There were just a handful of people out, the sky was a special shade of blue and the tidepools were reflecting just perfectly.
After spending the better part of three months indoors, this is just what my soul needed. I'm a firm believer in the power of salt air.
We went back in around sunset and caught another gorgeous view.
Unfortunately, the boys seem to both get crazy cranky after 5 o'clock. I'm not sure if it's an official baby term, but I've been calling it the witching hour. After our two unsuccessful meals out in a row, we decided to get takeout from dinner. This is one of my favorite dishes from Red Fish. It doesn't look as pretty in a box, but it still tasted good.
Sunday started off with a beautiful sunrise and happy babies!
Jackson seemed to love being somewhere new.
Hunter also was in a wonderful mood! Lord help us all when he is not. 🙂
The Hubs was kind enough to be on double baby duty for long enough for me to sneak away for a beach run. I actually was able to run for 30 minutes continuously for the first time since before the babies. I had been doing walk/ run intervals but the beach and perfect running weather inspired me to just keep running. I actually surprised myself that I was able to do it. It felt amazing and I came back feeling human again.
It was a cloudy morning, but the beach was still spectacularly pretty. I felt like I had the sea all to myself.
After my run, we got dressed up and decided to try to eat out again. Third times a charm... right?
We went back to the Salty Dog right at naptime, ordered right away and were able to enjoy our meal without a fussy babe or a blowout!
We walked around South Beach after and enjoyed the views.
For dinner, we got takeout again because we decided to try to eat out during witching hour was just asking for trouble. We tried The Sandbar Beach Eats for the first time and it was super tasty.
On Monday we woke up to pretty blue skies!
The boys were loving life again. They are always in the best moods first thing in the morning.
We packed up and on the way back to the airport stopped at Al's Aloha Kitchen.
We shared an acai bowl and a poke bowl. They were both amazing and I have to add this place to my list of favorite Hilton Head Eats.
The flight home was uneventful and I was so happy we got to go. I seriously needed a change of pace and view after the hard ending to my pregnancy and being stuck inside with the boys for 10 weeks. It probably would have been better to wait a bit longer to go, but the Hubs work is picking up and this is the last weekend he will not be working between now and the end of tax season.
The trip may not have gone perfectly, but all considering I think it went about as well as can be expected considering how young the babies are. I want the boys to be used to traveling, so I'm hoping that just making it normal will help down the road. In the end, I'm so glad we got over our fear of going and I guess in the end we weren't that crazy at all!
Robin Grits Design says
Hudson's is my favorite for raw oysters! Hush puppies aren't bad either.
The twins are sooooooooooooo cute!
Robin
Andrea on Vacation says
Looks like a fun trip and good learning experience. By the end you were a pro! All your food looks amazing and that beach! wow!
Christie says
You are the luckiest woman on the planet! I'm so happy things are working out for you and your beautiful family. Congratulations on those beautiful boys and here's to many happy travels!
Lisa Ballantyne says
What a special time for all four of you, in spite of the fussies and the blowouts. I remember when our Erik (now 26 and an engineer) went through terrible colic and fussies, and for us it was also around the 5 PM hour when my hubby the cook was trying to make dinner or we were trying to eat. It was awful! But looking back, I miss those days in spite of all the boo hoo hoo-ing. I wouldn't trade those memories for anything. It's a time of adjustment (in "two" very special ways!) for you right now, but hang in there and keep on being thankful for those two precious little boys! You and your hubby are doing wonderfully!
Nicole @ Fitful Focus says
Congrats on your first successful trip with the boys and on your run! It sounds like you guys made out pretty well, even with the fussiness and blowouts.
Wendy says
It sounds like your trip went great! Traveling with one baby is tough--you've mastered traveling with two! Glad you were able to get to the beach. It is indeed a happy place no matter what the season!
Maureen @ Maureen Gets Real says
To get a change of scenery was perfect before tax season really kicks in! If the boys are good flying now that means they'll always be good flyers for you I hope.
When I saw your Instagram story about your 30 minute continuous run I got so happy for you Julie! I remember reading all of your pregnancy posts about how you were doing run/walk intervals and then just walking and then not able to do that without pain. To be able to get back to 30 minutes runs 10 weeks postpartum with twins is amazing!
Elizabeth says
Good for you guys!!! I am glad it was successful but just one question? With all the baby “ things” was there room for YOU and the hubs things???LOL!!You are doing a great job - heck, one is exhausting so KUDOS to you both!! With both my children and my second was like clockwork,, 5:00, when Daddy was coming home it started !! OMG! That child got carried around like a baby kangaroo!! He had terrible reflux and he would cry and I would cry. Sometimes our 8 year old would cry! But one day, it passed. I was shocked! Keep smiling, and just go with it. The good outweighs the bad and the time passes so fast!!💙💙
Beth Ann Chiles says
I sm so glad you pulled the trigger and just did it. Traveling with babies can become second nature and i think you are going to be a pro at it. The trip looked amazing and there is just something about salt air that does something for the soul, isn't there? Thanks for sharing all your pics today -- made me happy to see the beach and those cutie pies.
Heather says
I'm so glad you decided to go! I remember the first few months after having Annabelle and feeling stuck in the house in the long winter. This was a nice way to break it up! One day my mom took Annabelle to a funeral mass while I was at work. On the way, Annabelle had a huge blowout, which was so weird because she struggled pooping at that age, and I had like nothing for her to wear. I think random tights my mom put her in, lol, and the carseat was a mess. Fun times. This wouldn't have helped you there, but I recommend packing a ziploc bag with a few diapers, and couple outfits, and one of those packs of disposable wipes- like a 10 pack- and put it in both cars! Just in case 🙂 The babes will never remember this trip but man, it's such a good one for you guys to remember!