Antonio and I love traveling, and we do it fairly often. Whether it’s a short weekend getaway or a long vacay in an exotic locale, we love the stimulation and inspiration that comes from seeing new cities–and new countries.
The wanderlust has not stopped since I’ve found out I was pregnant, and Baby C is one well-traveled embryo. Thank goodness flights are okay until Week 36 of normal pregnancy. That means I still have 13 weeks to indulge until I have to hibernate for a while.
Here are some of Baby C’s many voyages, and my reflections on them. Enjoy!
- Mexico City – About a week after Antonio and I learned the news of the blessed event, we flew to lovely Mexico City to visit some good friends who live there. Here’s a blog post I wrote about the trip. We enjoyed delicious food, the Bazaar del Sabado (an eclectic collection of art and various types of handmade goods, all set to a dance-inducing soundtrack of traditional music), and my own personal favorite, the Pyramids of the Sun and Moon. On top of la Piramide de la Luna, Antonio and I reflected upon the wonder of the tiny life inside me, and marveled at the backdrop of timelessness stretching before us. Muy bueno, indeed.
Feb 2014: On top of la Piramide de la Luna, after a moment of reflection.
- Los Angeles – Well, okay, we didn’t go to downtown LA or Hollywood Boulevard. Antonio and I have been there, done that (although Baby C hasn’t yet). Instead, we took a mini road trip to the suburbs of LA to hang out with friends and go to a BBQ party. The weekend was relaxing and easy, and I would totally recommend short road trips to other pregos; they’re a great way to ease into traveling during pregnancy.
- Pittsburgh, PA – Baby C and I have been to Pittsburgh twice, to hang out with the soon-to-be grandparents (aka my parents) and uncle-in-training, as well as the great Grandmas and my aunts, uncles, and cousins. Both Pittsburgh trips have been filled with many of my favorite things: family, food, and shopping! Incidentally, Pittsburgh was where Baby C tasted his/her first chocolate cake (from Aladdin’s, which has desserts that are out of this world). The cake went over well with Baby C, who became extremely active, kicking and moving energetically. At this point, almost-Grandma concluded that Baby C must be a girl who loves chocolate. 😉 Maybe, or perhaps Baby C had just experienced his/her first sugar high.
- Houston, TX – Baby C and I ventured to Houston for a weekend of bonding with my Chicago bestie. There, we indulged in the incredible cuisine of this fine city. The restaurants are so good that locals often do “food tours,” trying several restaurants in a day. We did a mini version of this, and I exposed Baby C to some interesting foods like Vietnamese shaved ice (totally different than the stuff in Hawaii. It’s creamier, with your choice of fruits and exotic drizzles like lychee) and che (a bubble tea with tapioca bubbles and so much more, like red bean. Delicious). Naturally, there was shopping and, even better yet, the Life in Color festival! Amazing DJs played in the park, and washable neon paint shot out of sprayers onstage, while concertgoers bought their own bottles of paint and doused each other in color. It was the second concert Baby C had attended (The first was an outdoor concert in San Diego with yoga.), and I think he/she appreciated the music and dancing!
April 2014: After the first paint splash at the Life in Color festival. It got a lot messier. 😉
April 2014: Mouthwatering, Baby C-approved delicacies in Houston, courtesy of my friend Janice!
- London – This was part of our latest voyage, and was especially exciting because I’m part English, so Baby C was able to experience part of his/her roots. Baby C did well on the 10-hour flight from San Diego to London, kicking occasionally and sleeping most of the time. In the city, we enjoyed spending time with Antonio’s brother and girlfriend, who showed us the best restaurants and sights, and spent an awesome afternoon with us in Hyde Park. Other highlights: a traditional English tea with Antonio’s college friends (Baby C loved the desserts.), rides on the tube, a trip to the London Eye, and shopping in Oxford Circus.
June 2014: A brilliant tea-time spread at the W Hotel in London. My favorite was the purple dessert.
June 2014: Running off the tea-time treats with some high knees in Hyde Park later that day.
- Lebanon – Here, Baby C uncovered more of his/her heritage–50% of it, to be exact! Our goal is to visit all of the countries that make up our heritage as a family. Antonio is easy (100% Lebanese), but I’m part German, Croatian, English and Irish! In Lebanon, Baby C met many family members, such as his/her other set of almost grandparents, aunts, and extended family, and spent time on the beach and in the mountains. We also had a wonderful time at the wedding of two of our great friends. And, of course, we enjoyed the amazing Lebanese meals and desserts–so many, it’s impossible to pick a favorite. I look forward to our next visit to Lebanon after Baby C is born, when we can find out what his/her favorite is!
June 2014: Beach selfie with Baby C’s soon-to-be aunts in Lebanon!
Soon, we’ll be taking a trip up the coast of California, and after the London-Lebanon trip, I think Baby C and I will find that to be a piece of cake! Next week, I’ll be sure to share some lifesaving pregnancy travel tips that worked wonders for me–especially on the long flights.
Preg readers out there, what voyages have you and your unborn baby taken together? What was your favorite and least favorite, and how did you and baby cope with the travel? I’d love to hear your stories. 🙂
Prego in San Diego 