12 Weeks...Punta Cana

Joe and I spent the last week on vacation in Punta Cana with our friends Nate and Callie.  We stayed at the Riu Palace Macao.  Joe and I hadn't been to an all inclusive resort since our honeymoon, and it is quite a different experience when you are pregnant.  When we booked this vacation Joe and I thought it would be our last hoorah before starting a family, but instead I spent it 12 weeks pregnant.  Obviously things have worked out differently than "planned", but we couldn't imagine it any other way.  We left the rainy Ohio weather bright and early Saturday morning, and were in the DR enjoying some sunshine by noon.

View from our fourth floor room.

Swim up bar. Sorry, Baby Lude, no booze for you!

Beach pic. Joe was napping :)

The first full day in Punta Cana was a rainy one (we must have brought the Ohio weather with us), but the rest of the week was filled with some much needed sunshine.   All in all it was a very fun and relaxing week.  What I couldn't have in drinks, Baby and I made up for in food! We spent lots of time at the pool, walking along the beach (trolling), enjoying the entertainment, and playing euchre (Callie and I dominated, but that is a sore subject for Joe and Nate...).

First night view from our balcony.

The boys getting ready for an archery competition.

Just a couple sailors.

Callie and me :)

Dinner at the Japanese restaurant.

Group selfie.

Joe has a tendency to put his hand on my baby bump a lot these days :)

Mid week we went on an excursion to snorkel, swim with sharks, and get massages from stingrays.  Joe and I love our down time, but it wouldn't be a vacation without at least a little adventure.  Apparently I must look a little more pregnant than I realized, because Joe had to endure a lot of questions about me possibly being "maybe three or two or one months" pregnant.  (Disclaimer...nothing we did was unsafe and was all completely approved by my OB in advance.  The group running the excursion was concerned about me being sick on the boat, and didn't want any kind of liability).  We may have fibbed a little bit to make sure I was allowed to go on the trip...so I guess Baby Lude is officially a rebel.  We had a lot of fun and got some great photos.  And I also did not get sick on the boat ;) Not to mention I apparently was not looking very pregnant on the boat since they poured a shot of rum in my mouth (which immediately got spit in the ocean haha).  The rest of the rum and Cokes poured for me went straight to Joe.  He is "drinking for two", you know!

Callie and Nate on the boat.

Stingray massages!!

Holding our slippery little friend.

Guide catching nurse sharks.  Don't worry, they are vegetarians!

Don't look now, Baby, but a shark just swam right under us!

Joe, Nate, and Callie drinking rum for the 5 of us ;)

Before we knew it our vacation was over it was time to go home (Joe and I were very reluctant to get out of the pool the last morning).

My favorite lounging spot for the week.

Last morning sunrise.  It's always sad leaving paradise.

 

 Our travel day back to Columbus turned into a little bit more of an adventure than anticipated.  Apparently there were bad storms in Charlotte (amongst other cities) so flights/airports were a complete mess.  Our connecting flight got delayed two hours, before being "cancelled" and disappearing into thin air.  We were on standby for the last flight back to Columbus for the evening and thankfully got on and made it home at about 1 a.m.  I am happy Baby Lude was an "in belly" traveler.  A travel day like this will become much trickier in the future with a little one. We woke up early Sunday to pick up our two fur babies, and have a couple days off at home to get back into the swing of things.

Baby is the Size of a Plum

Total weight gain/loss? Only about 1-2 lbs.  Amazing how much that can show. 
Maternity clothes? Not quite yet.  Although I am finding out slowly more and more random clothes are not fitting.
Stretch marks? No.
Sleep? Love to sleep.  Although not as sleepy as I have been.
Best moment this week? Vacation with hubby and friends.
Miss Anything? Being able to enjoy a poolside drink.
Movement? Not that I can feel.  But the books tell me Baby Lude now has reflexes and will move if I poke him/her.
Food cravings?  Passion fruit and jalapenos.  Both of which I enjoyed lots of on vacation :)
Anything making you queasy or sick? Nope.
Have you started to show yet? Yes I don't think I can hide it at this point unless I wear very loose clothing. I have "popped".
Belly Button in or out? In.
Wedding rings on or off? On.
Happy or Moody most of the time? Happy.  
Looking forward to? Some sunshine in Ohio this week (rumor has it there is no rain in the forecast for 4 days later this week).