Week 25

Baby H is the size of a cauliflower.

Boop! Little Max is not so little anymore!

Can you blame me for not wanting to buy cauliflower? Sorry cauliflower, but you lack any quality that makes me want to eat you.

In line at the French Pantry.

Le Menu!

Start salivating now...

Why, yes, I believe I will take both!

Le pain

The Irish Grilled Cheese with braised short ribs, caramelized onions, arugula, and Irish cheddar. Can I have another?

Butterbeer!

How far along? 25 Weeks

Maternity clothes: I finally found an adorable dress that resembles my pre-pregnancy style. Maternity clothes are not the most fashionable garments, so I've been feeling a little mommified recently. Even my high-waisted dresses and skirts are too small now, so I'm relieved to have found something I can feel pretty in!   

Stretch marks? Nope :-)

Sleep: Crazy dreams and leg cramps are still making it difficult to get a full night's sleep, but I'll take what I can get!

Best moments this week: Hanging out with my honey <3

     Gabe surprised me with a French Pantry date on one of his days off this week, so we drove down to Jax for lunch and an afternoon wander. We got to the French Pantry around 12:30 pm, which is pretty much their busiest time, but it was so worth the wait! After a half hour or so of waiting in their legendary line, we were able to glimpse their extensive menu. Decisions, decisions! Due to my dietary restrictions, many of the sandwiches and salads were out, but there were still plenty of tasty options to choose from. They had added a few specials since the last time we'd gone (more than a year ago!), so Gabe and I both decided to try something new- the Irish Grilled Cheese. Banish whatever you think grilled cheese is from your mind - French Pantry's version is made with braised short ribs, caramelized onions, arugula, and Irish cheddar all gloriously melted together between two slices of their homemade french bread. This was easily one of the best sandwiches I've ever had. I tried to eat the whole thing, but there was just so. much. bread. Perhaps the four or five slices I'd had before my sandwich inhibited my ability to finish this delicacy, but they were worth it too! If you haven't tasted French Pantry's homemade bread, you don't know what you're missing! Of course we couldn't skip dessert...While we were still in line Gabe declared that we would be needing two- one to follow our meal and another to take home for later. We decided on the strawberry shortcake and the berry brown butter tart. That tart is so good I have been having dreams about it. I'm so glad I don't have the recipe or I would have gained about double what I have so far! Judging from his happy kicks, one thing is for sure- Max likes French Pantry!

     On Gabe's other day off this week, we walked around downtown. We're lucky to live in a city that is so charming, and so full of beautiful sights. We hung out and had fun playing tourist in our own town; we went in and out of all the little food shops tasting samples of everything from wasabi peanuts to old fashioned pralines. One of the shops we went in stocks unique sodas, so I couldn't pass up butterbeer when I found it! Yes, I am so nerdy it extends to my soda choices. After our snack break we wandered around the open-air markets and strolled along the water. It was a simple afternoon out, but it is just so nice to get to spend this time together before Max comes. We're so excited to be parents this fall, but it is fun to have these little dates to remind us of our start as a couple more than three years ago. We've come so far since then, and I wouldn't trade our amazing life together, or the little life we've created together, for anything! 

Miss Anything? Cocktails

Movement: Max moves all the time now. Gabe rests his hands on my belly all the time now to feel him kick and move around. Every once in a while Max gets stubborn (now I wonder where he gets that from lol) and stops kicking, but usually he perks up when he feels Gabe's touch and starts moving around like crazy. I'm so in love!

Food cravings: French Pantry (finally satisfied!), vegetarian grub, cherries

Anything making you queasy or sick: Meat- I've been on a vegetarian kick at home. Funny how that didn't apply at FP...that grilled cheese just sounded too good to resist!

Gender: Our little boy!

Labor Signs: Nope.

Symptoms: leg cramps, vivid dreams, prominent veins, fatigue, crazy cravings, hot flashes, and the best part, ever-growing baby and belly :-) 

Belly Button in or out? In. 

Wedding rings on or off? On!

Happy or Moody most of the time: Ecstatic! The joy I feel grows every day!

Looking forward to: Seeing my bestie Lauren next weekend!