pregnancy travels

It's hard to believe but I feel like I just got back from Vegas and am about to go to DC (2.5 more days!). I pretty much just dumped all of my clothes in the laundry and left the suitcase open in my bedroom to be filled back up. Overall, the trip to Vegas was AWESOME. First of all, I have never been to a spa before. I thought that I had, but then realized that Gadabout doesn't count. There are places that exist soley for lounging around all.day.long. It doesn't matter that you have booked one treatment (e.g, a facial, massage), you can go back and forth all day long to take part in the *spa* (which may include, steam rooms, saunas, various jacuzzi tubs of differing temperatures - including cold plunges, lounging chairs, waterfall showers, bathrooms complete with all hair supplies necessary, fruit/juice, and unlimited magazines). So of course once I discovered this on day one, I made sure to book myself for a "treatment" at another spa for day two. I am totally addicted. I didn't even make it to the pool (which used to be my Vegas highlight). When you can lounge at a spa, and when it's over 100 degrees outside, nothing competes. Now that I know that they exist, I am in big trouble. Anyone that wants to come visit me next time is going to be dragged to one of the spas in Phoenix (I'm sure they have them just as fabulous!). I have to mention that the highlight of my prenatal massage (yes I found a spa that could do them) was that I could lie right on my belly. They have these special foam things with a stomach cut-out that allows you to lie essentially flat. Totally awesome. I completely forgot I was pregnant for about 60 minutes (was brought back to reality when she mentioned my flaming hot feet and swollen ankles).

Other than the spas, it was a great weekend. I was able to keep up for the most part but I did realize that being pregnant does take it's physical toll. One day the girls wanted to walk back to the hotel....which took over an hour and a half (in Vegas, everything looks 5 mins away). I thought I could do it but paid the price later on in the night when my feet swelled up like a puffer fish and both sides of my uterus was sending me shooting pains. Plus I think I put the baby into a temporary coma, he didn't kick until the next day. So it was still fun for me, and hopefully not too annoying for everyone else (I did make them take a 5 min break on the walk back). Not being able to drink/eat sushi was much more bareable once I realized all the $$ I was saving. I can't even write down the dinner bill totals because it was insane. And it was pretty much all alcohol related. At $16 a drink, it gets expensive! Next time I go to Vegas (and when I'm not pregnanct) I'm totally bringing alcohol to have in the room (even though it's not allowed).

So this weekend starts out EARLY on Thursday. So early in fact, I'm going to bite the bullet and park at the airport instead of metroing. But I get to hang out with some friends before getting into the shower/bachelorette festivities which starts on Saturday. No details here as it is a surprise, but it should be a fun-filled weekend (including wearing fancy hats for the shower....that part is not a surprise, and in fact, was *suggested* by the bride). Then on Sunday is recovery/spending time at the art festival in town and back home on Monday! There are actually some cool things going on in DC this weekend (a lego architecture exhibit, DaVinci's translations into inventions, "the importance of being earnest" play) and I plan on taking in them all! Well not everything, just those things in the brackets. That is one thing I really miss about being in the city - all the cool exhibits! So I really want to take in as many things as I can while I'm there. Plus, being pregnant kind of sucks the fun out of shopping in Georgetown. And I really can't do a ton of walking anymore (or at least very fast) due to the new symptom that has crept up on me....sciatic nerve pain! On the left side, but it only really comes when I'm trying to motor it or when I'm sleeping at night and try to move a certain way. So I'll try not to do that this weekend!