Our next holiday of 2019, after Ireland was Croatia. I was early into my next pregnancy. We were excited as we have wanted to do it for years and had heard/seen good things. We headed on a Friday and it was a really early start. We got up and showered and then got Thomas up at 5.40 and gave him some milk and got in the car. We were at Gatwick for 7.10, did meet and greet and headed for the lounge and had breakfast croissants and fruit. They have a little room there for the kids so its good to let Thomas loose. We had used for our trip to Dominican Republic. He enjoyed this big sit on airplane in the room. The plane was 45 mins late leaving and sat on the ground so that was really annoying as Thomas was very well behaved but started to get bored as well. We went into pilots deck and got pictures and walked around the plane and he had breakfast with us. Got restless at the end, our buggy had been labelled so we could pick on the ground with the plane but the air staff said it would come through the normal carousel. 20 mins after all the luggage was out the buggy eventually came, which isn't what you need with a tired baby. We then headed for our car and they didn't have the baby seat and we waited an hour for car seat and struggled to fit it, they didn't want to help fit it as not 'allowed' but eventually a guy assisted as Thomas was getting upset now and it was so hot. A guy who worked at a rental next door said Rich had hit and marked his car but car was scratched and battered and he was changing where the mark occurred. Then when trying to pack the car up the fire extinguisher went off. We were staying in Dubrovnik for the first 3 nights before moving on. Thomas passed out immediately once in the car, his seat was not the most steady or secure but only 35 mins to air B and B thankfully. He slept 45 mins and woman got us welcome drinks which was very sweet and made some cake for us. It was a top floor apartment but clean and nice but we had to leave car in space as parking was hard around there. There was air con in living room but only a ceiling fan in our room... it was soo soo hot. We set Thomas up to sleep in the living room. We went for a wander. We were very close to some restaurants the beach but all were very tired so went and got pizza and chips. The menus were all very similar, some meats and pizzas. Thomas loved the pizza and then we headed home, got some basics at the supermarket and put Thomas to bed around 7ish and asleep by 8 and woke next morning around 7.

Saturday, Rich went and got bread and pastries at the local supermarket. We went to old town on number 6 bus for 24 kuna each way. The bus driver was nice and let us on back door first. It got busy and was about 10 mins and got there for around 9.35. It was really busy and walked around but lots of steps up to the walls. We went down to the port front and walked around and it was very pretty. We eventually found some steps up but still didn't quite make to the top which was a shame. It was pretty hot so we stopped for a quick drink. Thomas starting to get cranky so we went to get bus back and town was now packed. Thomas had a pouch and we went supermarket and got sausage roll and biscuits and Rich got ice cream. Later on we went for another walk around beach front and went in sea but all pebbles and stones and Thomas wanted to stay in sea so wasn't happy to leave. We did part of coastal walk then turned back and went kebab place for dinner got chicken burger and chips - waiter entertained Thomas and took him for a small walk, obviously within eye shot but was nice of him and Thomas loves attention. We got ice cream on way back, two scoops 15 Thomas loved it. He headed to bed for 7 but crying asleep 7.15. I woke at 4 went loo then next door with Thomas as i was sweating my ass off in the room and the bed was really uncomfortable and he woke around 6.40 and we got up around 7.25.

Sunday - had breakfast then went to beach and played in sea and with rocks from 9.20 - 10.50. After a while he wanted to go for a run off and Thomas fell and scuffed his finger and bleeding and loose skin, poor bubs! l went supermarket and got fruits, crisps and yoghurt. Thomas had a pouch then toast sarnie and went home and Thomas had a nap. He slept a good 3 hours and we sunbathed on the balcony which luckily had a door from the bedroom so we could pop in and out easily. We then went for a long walk on the scenic route but missed a turning so went higher and it was really hot and was a good hour of walking quite steep roads but we saw big cruise liners near the bridge, dog beach and Copacabana beach which had a posh beach club. We then went for Mexican and Thomas had rice and vegetables and I got nachos and Richard enchiladas and Rich had a beer and then Rich got ice cream, they had no milkshakes. We picked up 4 bottles of waters and then gave Thomas a shower and run around then bed.

Monday Thomas was awake around 6.15, I slept slightly better. We had breakie, packed and drove to our next holiday destination. Took just over two hours to Ploce, going through border control and stayed at Villa Solo, we checked in offered a drink (cherry brandy, I declined and explained I was pregnant but the owner was so insistent I took a sip to keep him happy) It was a beautiful location, a lovely house with multiple apartments set in the mountains. We were told tap water all ok and went to get lunch at Fulin which the family had recommended which was about a 5 mins drive away and near the harbour and we parked near a church. We had some lunch and then went back for Thomas to sleep. Not in bed until 12.35 but slept until 3.10 so he was clearly knackered. We went in pool and played around grounds. There were two young boys who lived there so Thomas had fun playing with the boys stuff and the dad had built a play area with swings and slides as well. Rich went down the slide with Thomas but it was quite steep and ended abruptly so he almost shot off it with Thomas (quite amusing as I was taking the picture at the time) He did well to stay on his feet and avoid any accidents. We then showered and went to Fulin again for dinner, had calamari and meat dishes which was nice but quite greasy. Thomas was restless and pulling the table cloth. After dinner we went to Lidl and spent 16 on shopping. Thomas in bed around 7.15 ish and we would sit outside until he went to sleep. The mozzies were annoying so couldn't sit for to long without being bitten and Thomas asleep by 7.45. We watched mad men in bed and I was sick as think the calamari was to much and greasy. Thomas wake around 3-4ish and awake around 7 for the day.

Tuesday we had breakie and went out and played around garden and play area and pool. He enjoyed the sit on cars and little Toma brought other toy cars and trains and track out so they could play. Spoke to other English family from Bucks had sarnie and crisps and chocolate for lunch. Thomas had his nap and we sunbaked in the garden as we could see our door easily. I lounged on pink flamingo in pool which was nice and got burnt , eek! Thomas woke at 3. We went for a run around then popped to shops but shut so went to Lidl and then home and made pasta and then had a play outside before bath time. He stepped off a step but hit and badly scratched the back of his leg. We had cookies when he went to bed. There was a little birds nest above the garage and the cat was trying to catch it. We then continued watching mad men.

Wednesday we left at 8.45 and went to beach Guidea and looked for parking but parked in hotel for 20 for 2 hours. Thomas running off on beach and rarely sat still, briefly to play with stones. It was really busy and shaded part so the locals must of liked it. There was a massive inflatable in the sea which looked fun. We left after 1 hour and 25 and drove back 15 mins and had some lunch at the apartment and then bed for Thomas. In the afternoon we went in pool with Thomas and he enjoyed it in the pool. For dinner we drove to find Piscina restaurant but couldn't find it. Went over train tracks and saw lots of lakes which were really pretty in amongst the hills. We went Toluca for dinner which was off the main road, had nice bread and chips and chicken breast, home for a play then bed asleep by 8.

Thursday we went for a walk around lakes and got some pictures but lots of bees and really hot so headed back and went in pool and played with Toma. Had lunch with our stolen bread from the night before and in afternoon went Lidl again and picked bits for 145 krona for dinner and breakfast and some hazelnut chocolate. Came back and had dinner for Thomas then pool but getting cooler. Dinner was cooked by hosts, told it was 130k for 600 sq metres homes in Croatia. The dinner was potatoes and meat cooked in a bbq covered in ash for hours and was delicious with bread and tomato and cucumber salad. They did it for us and the other British family staying upstairs. We had a nice chat with the family which was made up of parents and two old teenage kids until 10.45. I managed to insult the guy by saying about my boring job and he was an Oracle DBA (whoops) They lived near where we got married and she was a nurse. Rich enjoyed the home brewed wine. It was a nice evening sat upstairs in their BBQ area.

On Friday, we packed cases and drove to Mala De Duba which was a tiny beach and had locals on it, the owner of the villa recommended it and had gorgeous water and a lovely view. Thomas was as usual trying to run away on the beach and climb up to the little bar. We paid 15 for an hour to park and on the drive back and I sat in the back to ensure he stayed awake. We made lunch and Thomas played then bed but cried for a bit whilst we sunbaked for last full day. He woke a bit earlier at half 2 and had done a poo the poor thing! We played around the villa again, pool time and then had pasta again for dinner and bed at 7. We had found a sauce at Lidl i really like for the pasta sauce so we had twice in our week there.

Saturday and it was time to head back to Dubrovenik, we were staying in a hotel closer to the airport for the following days flight. Thomas was awake around half 6 and had breakfast and played around grounds and pool and lef at 11.40. There was a misunderstanding on the check out time for the room as i asked if we could stay in the room until we left but could of checked out so they could clean. I don't thing they were happy but were ok with us. We had a scare when Thomas fell in the pool when I was on the inflatable flamingo and Rich turned to put the camera down. He was out quickly but it was frightening. We drove and went through border control but Thomas didn't sleep long as he woke at the crossing as was bad timing.

Got to hotel for 2 and checked in and went pool. It had lovely scenery and Thomas wasn't frightened by his earlier scare and happily went in the pool for a play. We then showered and went dinner within the complex and had pizza and chips which was around 230 krona. We put Thomas into bed in the corner of the room near the door and he screamed for a long time before he passed out. It was horrible but Thomas really doesn't deal well when overtired and trying to sleep. Thankfully he eventually passed out and we went to sleep a little while later.

The next day we left in the morning after having some breakfast and got the car back to the rental and luckily there was no attempt at any additional charges for the so called damage! There were no delays on the flight home thankfully and Thomas fell asleep in the car on the way home. It was a lovely holiday and no sickness so great all around. Croatia did not disappoint, it was beautiful and the people were really friendly. We will need to return when we can fully explore the old city and ruins without buggies and kids are older. My pregnancy had been kind to me and I didn't feel to rough so got to enjoy this time with my boys.