The Pregnant Bridesmaid

Last week we travelled to Florida for my husband's sister's wedding. Air travel while 32 weeks pregnant is definitely not ideal and traveling with a toddler is difficult on a good day (why do they need so much stuff?), but combining the two was pretty ridiculous. Let's just say that I am very, very glad that a) it is over, and b) that Claire is such a good traveler anyway. Also, I am not going ANYWHERE (further than a 30-45 minute drive) for the duration of this pregnancy. Thank you very much.

Luckily, we also got to spend a couple of days going to and enjoying Disney World and Universal Studios with some of the family that was in Florida for the weeding. Claire has a really wonderful JuJu (and Aunt Kate - who got us into Disney for free). JuJu arranged a character breakfast with Pooh, Tigger, Piglet, and Eeyore - Claire LOVED it! (Evidence of said love below.)

 

We did a lot of fun stuff: riding Ariel's new ride, Cinderella's Carousel, Small World, Pirates of the Caribbean, Alice's Teacups, etc -- all of which mesmerized Claire -- but I definitely think that meeting the characters was a highlight of both Disney and Universal (where she got to meet Dora and Boots).

Our Orlando condo had a heated swimming pool, so Claire (and mommy) also got to go swimming - which she has been dying to do since this past summer. And there was a playground too, so Claire got some quality sliding and swinging in as well. At some point vacation ended and wedding festivities began.

It is funny; I have fifty or more pictures from Disney and Universal, but not a single picture from the wedding. Oops.

Being a bridesmaid is all about making the bride feel loved and supported. This is usually not a difficult task to undertake unless you are dealing with a crazy bridezilla...or you are 32+ weeks pregnant and have to pee every five minutes. I did my best and I hope it was enough. I even stayed up past 10:00 pm to partake in the bachelorette festivities. If that isn't unconditional love I don't know what is!?!?!

I think the hardest part of being the pregnant bridesmaid was actually wrangling my two-year-old while being the pregnant bridesmaid. (The toddler was also part of the wedding, as well as my husband, so we were busy). Thankfully, my mom was able to fly down late Friday evening and help us throughout the wedding day - otherwise I am not sure what we would have done (other than go berserk).

There were a few minor disasters--the women (in our maids brunch finery) had a flat tire on the rental van while driving out to the coast--and I was totally frazzled and exhausted by the end of most nights, but we made it through and made it home safely. Plus, Claire took a nap in between the pictures and the ceremony (thank you Lord and MeMe), she didn't break down at the reception, she had a blast meeting her new second cousin Lexi, she looked absolutely adorable in her flower girl dress, and Kate and Dave are happily married despite the weekends few hiccups.

This post could go on and on with details of each day and the ceremony and reception, but I think I will just end with congrats Kate and Dave - we love you guys and were SO glad to be a part of your wedding. 

P.S. Thank you Jesus, for sending Richard (who might just be an angel) to change our tire. I am pretty sure I was the only one on board who knew how/had changed a tire before and I definitely did not want to roll around in the dirt trying to wrangle the tire and a spare while pregnant.

P.P.S. I can't believe I don't have any pictures of Jared, Claire, and I in our wedding finery. Shoot! : (