A Tropical Thanksgiving

We spent Thanksgiving in Tamarindo, Costa Rica this year. It was a wonderful vacation and so great to be able to spend an uninterrupted week with my family. Despite the warnings that we got from some people about traveling while I am so pregnant, everything worked out great and I am SO glad we made the decision to go.

Adam and I visited our doctor the morning of our trip to get clearance that the baby and I were healthy enough to travel. Our doctor said that it would be fine, but "just-in-case" the baby decided to come early, my mom did research on doctors and hospitals in Costa Rica. Our biggest concern was that I would have bad swelling on the flight. I have trouble with swelling on flights even when I am not pregnant and I have been dealing with "prenatal arthritis" the past couple of weeks because of the swelling in my fingers and wrists. My parents generously bought me a first class ticket so that I had as much room as possible to stretch out and I wore medical socks to promote circulation and prevent swelling. Aside from many bathroom trips and slightly swollen ankles, the flights to and from Costa Rica were fairly comfortable and well worth it.

Our week in Tamarindo consisted of lounging on the beach, massages, eating wonderful food, and napping. It felt so good to swim in the ocean and have the weight on my tummy lifted off of my back, legs, and feet. Everyone spoiled me while I was there (especially my mom) and I barely lifted a finger! In fact...I mostly slept. (I don't think I realized how tired I was from being so pregnant and working so hard until I had the chance to slow down.) It was just what I needed to get me through the next few weeks of work before I begin my maternity leave. Thanks mom and dad for an amazing vacation!!

Here is the whole group at dinner (Adam, me, Lindsay, Colin, Mom, Dad, Brittany):


My parents, Adam and I:


Adam and I (It has been easy for me to avoid alcoholic beverages during my pregnancy, but those beers were hard to resist on vacation!):


Lindsay and I at Lola's beach bar:


My shadow in the sand...I am huge:


Adam surfing: