the best bananas ever

View from our room. Manzanillo, Mexico

Considering the fact that we didn't do anything for our birthdays in January because I was too busy feeling terrible, and that there will come a point in the pregnancy that I can't or won't want to fly or travel, we planned ourselves a little babymoon..like a honeymoon..get it? Yeah...I've been on too many pregnancy websites.

So we traveled to Manzanillo, Mexico for 5 days of having absolutely nothing that we had to do. It was fantastic. No doctor appointments, no stock market, no chores, nothing. And so we fully embraced this freedom to do...nothing. Well, not nothing exactly, we did a lot of eating, laying out by the pool and beach, reading, swimming, napping. It was perfect. A last hurrah before our little guy arrives this summer. 

Me at 22 Weeks

Speaking of the little guy, he has become extremely active! Particularly between 10pm-11pm. James can feel big kicks and movements when he puts his hand on my belly. This kid is like 1lb right now, I cant imagine the fury of his kicks at 7lbs! It's been fun though, I love having that reminder, all throughout the day and right before bed of our amazing little dude that we get to meet very soon! 

So Manzanillo is an awesome city, lot's of agriculture like farms with jalapenos and fruit and they have the absolute best bananas I have ever had...ever. It's also the safest city in all of Mexico, everyone is very nice and the weather was 80 degrees each day and now I have a nice little tan. 

We decided to both read Hunger Games on our Kindles before seeing the movie this week, and we finished it in a matter of three days while we laid out by the pool. And I am already a quarter of the way through the next book. Oh, and I am Team Peeta. Yeah I said it. I must be a hopeless romantic. Anyone else think it's funny he's a baker's son and his name is Peeta (sounds like pita..like pita pockets..which is bread..which a baker makes...okay  maybe its a stretch.)

So that's been Week 22 of the pregnancy. And I can't believe there's less than 17 weeks to go. 

Oh yeah..forgot to mention..there's a baby in my belly.

'Tis so. 

The Coops are procreating, and a powerful and super creation we expect it to be. Now, at nearly 17 weeks along, the guilt and empty hole of bloglessness has set in. I'll give you the short of the long, or at least I'll attempt to do so as I encapsulate the new, crazy, challenging, and amazing bits of the adventure thus far.

We found out in late November, well I found out and absolutely melted with excitement when sharing with the Mr., that we would be welcoming a baby into our lives this summer. And so it began, the endless thoughts, dreams, lists, ideas, wonders of what was to come...for the rest of our lives. 

At week 5 my personal living hell began. But, with the most amazing husband and family to support me in positive thoughts, I was constantly reminded, through the puking and misery, that this meant it was a strong pregnancy. Extra hormones helping baby to grow. 

DiRuscio's on Christmas

Christmas with Mr Coop

Eatin' Candy Hike

Sugar Bowl at Super Dome NOLA

I got a brief and unexpected ten day relief from the sickness from Christmas Eve through the New Year, allowing me to enjoy a hike with friends, the holidays with the family, our first doctor appointment hearing the strong heartbeat of our little monkey, and our trip to New Orleans for the Sugar Bowl.

 And suddenly it returned, though all my hopes were that it had forever passed. Another 5 weeks of throwing up, exhaustion, and overall ickyness. Waiting for that day everyone talked about, where everything was suddenly better, while also fearing it would NEVER go away. And then it happened...the day before I was 14 weeks along. I no longer wanted to stay in bed all day. I no longer dreaded eating. I no longer threw up. What?! It had passed, it was fantastic. 

And well, that pretty much brings us to now. I am about 17 weeks along, I haven't thrown up in three weeks, I have a little bit more energy, and I have just gotten back to my pre-pregnancy weight (lost a bit in the first trimester with all the sickness). Oh yeah, and at our last appointment we found out that we are having a boy! Pretty sweet deal, we are over the moon excited and already love our little dude so much. 

I have a slight baby bump, but it's the at the awkward cant-tell-if-it's-a-pouch-or-baby-bump phase, so I try to do that pregnant lady thing where I rest my hand on it every once in a while to signify that it's my baby in there, not my lunch. Because I'm neurotic. Or ridiculous for even caring that I look slightly bloated. Even though I know that I am growing a freaking human being in my body! It's absolutely mind blowing, and strange, and amazing. 

Way too many stories to share, or things I've experienced. Here's just a few new realities I am faced with. 

1. "Oops I just peed a little" is no longer a joke to express how hard you just laughed. No, it's life. Real life. A sneeze, cough, or laugh does it. That along with having to pee every 30 minutes leaves me with a new awareness of where the nearest bathroom is at all times.

2. I would not be alive if it weren't for my awesome husband. My first trimester left me in bed ALL day, except when my head was in the toilet. I was weak, tired, sick, and generally an absolute mess. He would bring me food, he would go to work, he would wash dishes, he wouldn't judge me for not showering for days on end, he didnt get grossed out when I threw up into plastic bags while we were in the car - every time, he listened when I had emotional breakdowns. I am forever grateful for his patience, strength, and power to make me laugh through the tears and smile through the struggle. Couldn't have a better partner in life, seriously amazed by this man.

3. There is no longer any space in my mind for thoughts other than the baby's clothes, the baby's nursery, the baby's health, the baby's arrival, all the fun things we have planned to do with our baby, etc, etc. We talk to my stomach to the baby. He seriously is already the center of our world. It's crazy the instincts that kick in and the mushy love stuff that inevitably just appears when you have a baby on the way. 

8.1.12