Hi from Montego Bay. Our driver from the airport to the resort yesterday told us we were now “Jamericans” so I’m rolling with it. He also spent 90% of the ride to the resort trying to convince us that we should stop to get “anything we want” so there’s that. We passed on this offer…haha.

Monday was not an easy travel day. I arrived at the airport too late to check my bag but luckily the ticketing agent told me to take my checked bag through security and gate check. That all worked perfectly, although I had to dump all of my liquids that were too big to go through TSA. I felt like throwing out my sunscreen was a small price to pay for not hoping I’d make it on standby later in the day.

The crazy thing is that our flight ended up being about 90 minutes delayed so my bag situation wasn’t really an issue but oh well. There were many other hiccups along the way but I won’t get into them. I’m in Jamaica and that’s all that matters.

The flight from Charlotte to Montego Bay is so quick and easy. There was also WiFi available for the whole flight, which was awesome. I got some work done and before I knew it, I looked out the window and saw this.

The transfer to our hotel was only about 20 minutes and I was pleased with the room that I was given. I asked for ocean front and I got it. This is the view from my balcony. I spent most of the first afternoon working. I was on a deadline for a project and worked my way through dinner, ordering room service instead of going out.

I wrapped around 8:30p and headed over to a welcome cocktail reception we were hosting for our retreat attendees. It was a short gathering and early night since everyone had been up since very early in the morning.

I was all about an early bedtime and slept like a rock.

I led a HIIT workout this morning and then Brittany led us through a power yoga practice. I have been partnering with Brittany to support her studio for a few years now but this was the first time I got to take her class. It was AMAZING and I wish she lived in Charlotte! If you’re in the central Pennsylvania/Harrisburg area, you’d be amiss not to catch one of Brittany’s classes. She owns Studio B Power Yoga and is just crushing it.

We have such a wonderful group of people for our retreat. I’ve enjoyed getting to know everyone and am looking forward to much more conversation and connection this week.

After the morning workout and practice, I hit up the pool for some rest and downtime.

I ended the day at the beach where I chatted with Brittany and some others, took a dip in the water, read and napped.

As for things back home, Finn is doing well but I am struggling on that front. Y’all…I miss him so much and am feeling all the mom guilt for leaving him for five nights. It’s the longest I’ve ever been away from him. Also, when I first planned this retreat I thought that Finn would be weaned. We are not even close so it’ an added layer that I have to pump while I’m here.

I was talking to my mom about it when she was visiting and she assured me that it’s not selfish to take time for myself and that it will make me an even better and more present mom but it’s still really freaking hard. When I arrived here yesterday I just had this overwhelming feeling that I should go home and be with Finn and Zoey. It took me a solid 24 hours to move past that and to begin to relax and settle in.

I know both of them are being well-taken care of and loved but I miss them so much.

I need to head to bed. I am leading a sunrise run at 6:30a tomorrow followed by a power yoga practice. We are doing everything early tomorrow because we have our group excursion. We are taking a boat out kayaking and snorkeling. I’m looking forward to it and think it will be a lot of fun.

Have you ever been on a yoga/fitness retreat? If not, what would make you sign up for one? 

Tips for leaving your littles?