Baby Moon?

I have heard baby moons are all the rage, but I refuse to travel this far into my pregnancy.  My last trip I had a TON of braxton hicks contractions, and it freaked me out.  A lot.

The hubs is on vacay for a while, so we are taking care of baby business as well as just enjoying time together.

We tried out XOCO on Clark Street, which was awesome, but we had to wait 35 minutes for food.  Kind of a long time.  Love the churros.  OMG.  So good.

We went and bought nursery furniture for our girly, because I was freaked out at hearing that our friends had to wait weeks to get theirs.  Yikes.

We went apple picking, and tried out a brewery while we were out there.  So nice!

Picking some gala and suncrisp apples!

We went to my college's homecoming game and tailgated with classmates of mine.  Incredible to catch up with a great group of folks.  I went back in 2005, 2008, 2009, and 2010.  I love this tradition. Oh the 3 in 1.

Foam fingah and the baby belly

Love these gals!

Mike and I.  He loved Grange Grove!

We had brunch at the house for a few of my girl friends that haven't seen the remodel yet.  Yay!

So now onto more house prep and adventures.  Let's hope my body holds up for it all.  #swollenfeetsuck

Labor Day Weekend Recap

Well folks, I am finally back from my last trip of the year.  That is right.  Being 5.5 months pregnant, I won't take the risk to fly anymore, even though there are many events I want to go to.  It just isn't worth it.

I went out East, and spent time with friends and family.  My first stop was visiting one of my bffs and her husband and son.  My first time meeting the little dude.  He is a dead ringer for his dad, and just too cute.  We all went out on a grown up night, and got to catch up and she def talked to me about a lot of baby stuff.  So grateful, as I feel clueless and unprepared most days. We ate dinner at Bazins, which was excellent.  Then we found a tiny boutique that was moving, and I bought a bunch of stuff for the tiny human.  Made out like a bandit.  50% off everything. Woohoo!  We also went to Sweet City Desserts for a treat to go.  Such a wonderful day.  I left their house and went 30 mins west to my oldest brother's house.

Friday we went to Ford's Fish Shack for lunch.  So good.  I was in heaven.  We then went to Ritas for some ice, and then back home so we could get ready for some Friday Night Lights.  High School Football!  My niece, aka, mini-me's school was beating some serious butt until lightening made us evacuate the field.  Bummer.  We left after they called the game for weather.

Saturday I went to Alexandria to have brunch with my ILLINI ladies. I love and miss my college friends so much.  And it never ceases to amaze me that even 15 years after we have all met, we are close, and will drop anything/everything to help each other out.  We had brunch at Warehouse, which was incredible.  I will def come back whenever I am in VA.  It was that good.  We grabbed some cupcakes at Lavender Moon Cupcakery.  Highly recommend it.  I have had many a cupcake in my day, but this place was just wonderful.  After brunch I relaxed as the baby was wearing me out all day, and then had dinner and played Apples to Apples with the crazy family!

Post Cupcakes! And over 50 years of military experience.  Awesome ladies!

Sunday I drove to Annapolis for my friend's wedding.  What a whirlwind.  Brunch with my Navy gals, wedding ceremony, and reception.  Thank goodness I wore flats:)  I just can't get over how beautiful of a day it was.  I am so happy for my friend, and just find it amusing that our whole group found our "loves" so much later than most people.  Our husbands were worth the wait!

Alie, Me, Katie

Can't even describe how beautiful this is!!!

Love these ladies!

Me and Katie.  I met her 15 years ago, and we always pick up right where we left off!!

I flew back to Chicago Monday, and am glad to be home with the pups and my guy.  Now I just have to get my butt in gear and prep two more rooms in the house before baby comes!

Travel...with Chicago Girl

When I got Maddie's email about linking up about travel, it was tough for me to nail down one of my favorite places. 

I had to pick one with photos, as I never take a lot of photos when I travel to the Middle East. 

One of my favorite places from my last deployment was Muscat, Oman.  This is a place that if I took my husband on a vacation to the Middle East, we would to go Dubai and Muscat. 

You can read my original post about Muscat here!

Fort Lauderdale

Since the North was under a deep freeze and snow storm from hell, I traveled to Fort Lauderdale with my bff before I drove to Chicago.

I was pretty excited to just relax after my last day on the ship.  I literally stepped off the ship and got on the road, and arrived to drinks at our hotel.  We then went to have drinks at the Blue Martini. After some delicious beverages, we had dinner at Seasons 52. I love Seasons 52.  So much.  Especially dessert.

The next day, we relaxed, and then had lunch at the Royal Pig Pub. So amazing.  Worth the trip.  My bff went to a wedding, and I just relaxed at the hotel.

The last day, we went out and about on the beach front.  We had some drinks at McSorleys, and then lunch at Primanti Brothers.  Yes.  A NYC bar and a Pittsburgh deli in Ft. Lauderdale.  I thought the same thing.  But yes.  Yes.

We had dinner at Coconuts our last night, and it was worth the wait.  We drank a glass...er bottle..of prosecco while we waited.  Incredible meal, key lime pie, and company.  Couldn't ask for more!

First Night.  Love the necklace.  Got it at Versona.

Blue Martinia

Royal Pig Pub.  Yummm.

View from our balcony.

Suns Out.  Another Outfit from Versona.

Great artwork next to a tattoo parlor.  No worries, came out of there unscathed. 

Day trip to Savannah, Georgia

My ship took a quick voyage to Savannah this past summer, and I loved it!  You can read about that post here. I went during Presidents Day weekend to visit a friend, his wife, and two kids.  I hadn't seen him since his retirement almost 4 years ago!

We stayed at the East Bay Inn once again.  I just love that place.  It is so cozy, and just screams southern hospitality.  We did a tour of the city, and ate at the Cotton Exchange. What is a trip to Savannah without a stop to the Candy Kitchen?  Best.  Prailines.  Ever.

It was a great quick trip, and just what I needed before I left Jax for good.

Great view on the river..

Candy!!

Cozy Room!

Virginia is for Lovers

While travelling for work...aka..sailing on the Atlantic..we stopped in VA for over a week.  I put in for leave so I could see my baby, as we hadn't seen each other in over two months.

Leave approved!!

I picked him up after my duty day, and we hit up my favorite dive bar, Greenies.  Then, we checked into our hotel, the Marriott at Waterside.  Thank goodness for Meghan for setting that up for us!

We had dinner at Shulas..amazing!  Then we met up with friends at my favorite bar in downtown Norfolk, Hells Kitchen.  I love me a purgatory.

Sunday we spent the morning with some great friends from Department Head school.  It was nice to catch up!

That evening we saw some Chicago friends, and were able to catch up with them over some great dinner and wine in Virginia Beach.

It was a short, whirlwind weekend, but much needed with my love!

General MacArthur and me.

Love this girl!

Love him!

Happy Thanksgiving!

This photo says it all.  I am always fortunate that when I am either at work, or at home, I am with "family".  I am looking forward to sharing today as our first holiday together as husband and wife.  Forever grateful to those who stand the watch.

Trip to Savannah, GA

My ship took a trip to Savannah, GA a few weeks ago.  I have never been to Savannah, and was glad to get a day off to relax on my own.

I booked a room at a little boutique hotel called the East Bay Inn.  The Inn Keeper and staff was more than welcoming, and the room was perfect.  The details, comforts of home, and history behind the room make me want to plan my next trip...

I wandered through River Street and Bay Street, taking in the sights and sounds.  I stopped in Kevin Barry's, and had a cider..just watching the River traffic pass on by. The Hall of Heroes is worth the stop.  What an incredible tribute.  I stopped by the Savannah Candy Kitchen, and tasted some incredible pralines, which I of course had to buy.  I stopped in the cute independent artsy shops, getting caught up in the art work, the people, and the city.

I had dinner at Vic's on the River, and I kept recommending it to everyone!  The staff was welcoming, which is why I made the reservation there to begin with.   The scallops, biscuits, and pinot grigio is what made the end of a perfect night!

East Bay Inn

Great City Walks

River Street

There is a destroyer behind me.  I swear

My cozy queen room. 

City Market

Cotton Exchange

River Street after an amazing dinner at Vics!

Fourth Of July

So folks, I had the chance to go to Virginia to visit my oldest brother for the weekend.  It was such a great trip!

Quick Recap:

• Hot Dog Stand.  Yep.  Chicago Dogs in VA.  So good.
• Pool time.  My left foot is burnt.  That is it?!
• BBQ.  Bacon Wrapped Filet Mignon.  Yes. 
• I made two recipes: fruit pizzas and texas caviar. 
• Hung out with my Matron of Honor.  We went to Casanel and to the Cajun Experience
• Watched Identity Thief.  Omg.  Funny.
• Listened to a few random comedians: Kathleen Madigan, Bob Marley, and Gabriel Iglesias

Pizza Puffs! 

Pool Side.  Chirish.

Texas Caviar

Patriotic Fruit Pizzas.  Yummm. 

Wine Tasting!

Birthdays and Ballgames!

So my Chicago trip continues onto Birthdays and Ballgames!  You can read about part 2 here!

I took my guy to Hot Dougs for his birthday.  Lame?  Of course not?!  Who doesn't want some encased meats for their big day.  I had two hot dogs..yes, cheated on my diet.  But then again, I was in Chicago.  The 4 pounds gained was worth it.  I had a pear, wine, and fresh herb pork sausage hot dog with fig peach mayonnaise and jalapeno Havarti cheese.  Soo good.  Sooo sooo good.  We had to go again because this place shuts its doors for good in October.  Mike and I went a few years ago, so we had to go again!



Cheesing.  Waiting in line. 



Yum. 

For dinner I took him to Gather.  The food was incredible.  The service even better.  I had some great halibut..and really want to go back!  We had some time to kill before we met up with some friends for drinks, so I convinced him to go to a bistro for dessert.  We had some profiteroles with some Bordeaux.  So good.  Seriously, the night was a real treat.  After missing his birthday for a few years, it was the least I could do!  We then met some girl friends of mine at a bar.  Great end to a great night! 



Love these girls!

 

 

The next day, we met up with a group of friends from near and far to go to the Cubs game.  Cubs vs the Marlins.  Such a fun time sharing the game with my friends from high school and college.  The college girls flew in from VA to spend the weekend with me.  The high school gals came in from a far as well.  So blessed to have these girls in my life!

 

Go Cubs!



 

I Drink To Make Other People More Interesting

No truer words ever spoken-Ernest Hemingway.

So this is part two of my Key West trip.  I had a great time there, and had an extra, unexpected day there.  We started out the day at Havana for breakfast.  Amazing crab cakes benedict. 

We walked around, did the touristy stuff, like walk by Hemingway's house, looked at the "buoy"..and walked back to the ship.  We almost set sail again, and..surprise!! An extra day in port!

The guys and I went out and about, and walked around Bahama Village.  We heard that was where you get the best food, and man-were they right!  We literally stumbled into one of the best restaurants, Blue Heaven.  Amazing live music, great food, and roosters everywhere.  Yes, I said it, roosters.  Apparently roosters are protected and kind of a big deal in Key West.  They provided great entertainment during dinner. 

After our dinner at Blue Heaven, we went to a cigar bar.  I had some amazing coconut ale, a cigar, and just relaxed.  It was a great time on the island!!

Breakfast at Havana

Roosters aplenty

Me being a nut!

I love the Keys!

Dinner at Blue Heaven

Famous Key Lime Pie

Cigars with the girls.  Such an amazing garden we hung out at!

Mile Marker Zero

So as luck would have it, work allowed us to have a little detour to Key West for a day. 

What an amazing day at that.  Believe it or not, Key West is different from Jax.  The grass is greener, the water is bluer...it may sound silly-but it is true! 

We didn't get to leave work until about 730pm, so the ladies and I went to a Brazilian steak house.  The atmosphere was just what we needed, and the cocktails weren't too bad either! 

We stopped at two other bars that night, as it was Cinco De Mayo.  Might as well celebrate in the Keys!  Hog's Breath Saloon and Fat Tuesday's had great music and drinks!  Was glad to get out. 

I am looking forward to going back...with Mike!!

Sunset, Key West

Swooopin???

 

 

Brazilian Steak House.  Yum!!

Wedding Wednesday: Travel Advice/Sites

So the inevitable is coming up-planning the honeymoon.

There are a lot of factors that are going into this: time off, $, destination, time of year, and how long the trip can be...

I am not getting a lot of time off for the wedding in a traditional sense.  I am a bit worried about planning at this point, even though I shouldn't be.  But hey, as a perfectionist..that is why I struggle! 

Any of you have any great ideas on how to plan a honeymoon?  We really want to go to Ireland, and make the most of our time there.  Amazing how I have never been there.  Or NYC..but let's not start on the random places I haven't been;) 

Port Call Series: Muscat, Oman

When I was in Muscat, I was fortunate to have a female liberty buddy, a nurse TAD to FARRAGUT. 

We went to the Hotel Intercontinental the first day, and had a spa day.  We explored the souk, which is     known as the Muttrah Souk-one of the oldest in the world.  I bought some Pashminas, as well as Frankinsense and Myrrh.  Frankincense is from Oman, so we saw it everywhere.  We ate dinner at Mumtaz Mahal, a wonderful Indian restaurant.  The food was incredible, but the snake coffee after dinner was the real treat!

The second day I relaxed onboard the ship and caught up with some work. I went out with all of the Department Heads for some lunch, followed by a formal dinner at a Chinese Restaurant.  Combined Task Force 151 was embarked onboard USS Farragut, so we were formally invited to a dinner

with our Pakistani counterparts, as well as their Ambassador.  It was a nice meal, with good coversation, off the ship!

The last day, I went to the "Grand Canyon" of Oman.  It was about 3 hours away from Muscat, with a drive through the desert.  We saw the canyon, ate a picnic lunch, and were pestered by many mountain goats.

After the tour, we went to the souk again, and received a full demonstration on how Pashminas are made from goats in Kashmir.  It was a very interesting display, and I caved and bought two more.  After the

souk, we went to Trader Vics to grab our "last meal".  I had a great filet, and our seats were amazing.  Sea side at the Intercontinental, can't beat it!

Souq

Souq.  Amazing lights!

Spice Markets. My favorite!

Mumtaz.  Great entertainment.

Amazing Coffee!

My roomie and me!

Me!

Goats.  Everywhere.