The Babymooners

Babymoon:  a vacation taken by a couple that is expecting a baby in order to allow the couple to enjoy a final trip together before the many sleepless nights that usually accompany a newborn baby. Babymoons usually take place at a resort that offers appropriate services like prenatal massage.

Even though I spent two weeks in bed on doctor-ordered bed rest, it was hardly relaxing, so my husband and I decided to escape the hustle and bustle from our everyday lives to take a four-day weekend to Williamsburg. It wasn't our week-long honeymoon in the Bahamas last November, but I'll take it. 

Once we decided our destination, I took a chance and Googled the phrase “Things To Do in Williamsburg While Pregnant.” Low and behold, something popped up (which affirms my belief that there isn't a topic in this world that cannot be found on Google) – a review from a pregnant woman who made the same trip. Her response: Nothing. There is nothing for pregnant women to do in Williamsburg. I realized that Busch Gardens and Water Country were “no-gos”, but surely there had to be some activity that didn't involve a giant slide or roller coaster. Wrong.

We decided to leave bright and early on Friday. Easier said than done. There is a lot of activity at our house these days. Nursery being painted. Rooms being shifted. Carpet being replaced. So needless to say, Friday's bright and early start got us on the road at 6 p.m. Day 1 of babymoon complete.

On Day 2, I realized why there is nothing to do for pregnant women in Williamsburg. In Williamsburg, there is A LOT of walking. These days, I need to take a breather after walking from my house to the car, so imagine my husband's hidden frustration as I moved ever so slowly around the shopping outlets...in the rain. What should have been a two-hour visit turned into an all day affair. Fortunately, I hit the jackpot when we stumbled upon the one activity I've mastered during this pregnancy:  eating, more specifically, eating at an all-you-can eat seafood buffet. Day 2 complete.

On Sunday, we decided to explore the sights of Colonial Williamsburg and by explore, I mean, almost passing out and having my husband practically carry me to a bench every 20 steps. After paying $80, we received a map marking the “must see” attractions with stars. And while the stars on the map look so close together, in reality, the distance between those “stars” are about as close as the ones in the heavens themselves. You know it's bad when you finally reach your destination and a women dressed in colonial garb looks at you with pity and asks, “Dost thou needeth a chair?” Needless to say, we enjoyed the attractions, all one of them...in the rain. Day 3 complete.

The next morning, we got up at 4:30 a.m. (so much for sleeping in) and spent the last day of our babymoon putting the house back together and picking up and putting together baby furniture.  Day 4 complete.

Perhaps it wasn't the romantic, relaxing getaway I had in mind. I think I built the idea of a babymoon up in my head, comparing it to our honeymoon. Not even close. My maternity “intimates” stayed in the suitcase. I didn't get my massage. And I was drenched most of the weekend. Maybe our days of relaxation are over for the time being in preparation for the birth of our daughter. This trip was just one of the many journeys yet to come in the upcoming months and years.  But despite the chaos of it all, I enjoyed the time away with my husband....and that seafood buffet.