We’ve been asked a lot if we are taking a “babymoon.” We thought about it, talked about it, researched all kinds of different places but in the end we decided not to take a big trip this year. As avid travelers, this was a little hard but ultimately we didn’t want to spend the money, I didn’t want to go very far on a long plane ride while pregnant, I wanted to save PTO at work, and we did have an EPIC trip to Japan about a month before I got pregnant. And earlier last year we went to Cuba and I went to India, and a bunch of US weekend destinations in between. Not like we don’t travel!

So we decided to spend time with friends and family on different trips to different places with the longest being 9 days visiting Charlotte and Outer Banks, NC, and Savannah, GA at the end of May/beginning of June. It was a lot of fun – even with several days of rain in the mix.

First stop was two nights in Charlottle, NC to visit friends Lindsey, Dan and little Adeline. It kicked off with massive snuggles between, well, all of us. But especially the dogs.

We went out and about in Charlotte, exploring neighborhoods like Plaza Midtown and 4th Ward with its stunning and well-preserved Victoria mansions.

We had tacos at a fun Mexican join called Southbound and then kombucha and beer at Lenny Boy’s, where we showed Lindsey and Dan how to play our favorite card game, Hand and Foot. Fun!

Sunday morning, Sean and Addie played Wii while Lindsey gave me some baby clothes, sheets and a beautiful sling to use for little Harrison. <3

It was over too fast and we are always sad to leave. 🙁

We arrived later that day in Manteo, NC at my brother’s place where we stayed in a casita at the back of their garage. After a quick dinner in downtown Manteo (can walk everywhere from Tyler’s place – so awesome!), we went out to Jennette’s Pier for a walk and to watch the sun settle down into the horizon. 

A storm was starting to blow in. We caught a nice sky and wispy clouds while watching many fisherman catch skate that night!

The next day is rained all day so me and Sean went to see a movie, then had lunch at a local Thai/sushi spot, starting a week-long marathon of fresh seafood. We picked up fresh catches of Mahi and Black Drum at a local seafood market in Wanchese, just down the island from Tyler and Kym’s place to make fish tacos for dinner. After dinner, we played records, talked, and had Tyler tell us all about his budding photography business!

Tuesday, and our third day on the island, we headed to the NC Aquarium to see some fishies.

On the dock outside the aquarium, a squinty photo-bomb by my brother! 😉

Lunch at Kill Devil Grill where I had a crab cake sandwich, then some shopping, a pedicure and finally home for a rest.

Dinner was tuna steaks from the seafood market that were unbelievably fresh. Yum! I can understand why my brother doesn’t really eat red meat or pork anymore. 

About a 5 minute walk from Tyler’s place is the old-timey movie theater where we went to see “Solo.” There’s one theater, with the old stadium-like seats and rows that shows one movie per day, always at 8pm. It was really neat – a very unique experience.

We decided Wednesday, our last day in the Outer Banks, had to be a beach no matter what the weather. We drove out to Coquina Beach and waited in the car for the rain to lessen, then took our chairs, umbrella, towels and cooler out to make the best of it.

The sun eventually peeked through, and I thoroughly enjoyed relaxing with my book while Tyler, Kym and Sean tossed the football then the Frisbee. Even got some photos on tehb each with bumpie. <3

We dove by Bodie Lighthouse to see it in-person after so many incredible photos by my brother.

Bonner Bridge is getting a replacement built right alongside so of course we had to drive across to check out the action. Huge bridge! So tall! So many cranes!

Tyler and Kym took us to Fishhead’s for dinner – a casual spot right on the pier. Fantastic views, fresh peel-n-eat shrimp, another crab cake and the chance to meet some of my brother and sis-in-law’s friends was a great way to end our time with them in the OBX.

Oh, and did I mention the love between Kym and Peg? No? Well, see for yourself. <3

After 8 hours on the road, we arrived at our Airbnb in Savannah on the most beautiful street in America, Jones St. OUr garden-level apartment was fully renovated and modern, 2 blocks from Forsyth Park and a 15 minute walk to City Market.

City Market was our first destination of the evening for some yummy pizza at Vinnie Van Go-Gos that Tyler, Kym and I all crave regularly. Sean says it’s ok. 😉

We wandered for a bit, taking in the sights, beautiful squares, and people-watching before I led our group down Broughton Street to my pregnancy mecca – Leopold’s Ice Cream parlour. Yessss. The sign across the building was lit and calling to me – despite the long line. 

My creamy and flavorful cone of peanut butter chippy and mocha chocolate chip did not disappoint. Good thing I don’t live in Savannah – I would really struggle to stay away from this place regularly! 😉

Early to bed, early to rise – especially when early rising means a yummy breakfast ahead of the crowds at the famous Clary’s Cafe, which was right across the street. In many films, including “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil,” one of my personal favorites.

Off to Forsyth Park afterward for a maternity photo session my brother was kind enough to do for us. It was a perfect morning and we got in some good, cute and funny poses before it got too hot. And there were some fun behind-the-scenes photos we all took.

We visited some shops in the Starland District, including a fun record store we’d been to on previous trips. Tyler wanted to check out a local photography store and he came with loads of goodies, including a new lens!

Lunchtime was at The Vault, an Asian-fusion spot in an old bank that was exquisitely re-done. Sean and I had dined there before and liked it, so wanted Tyler and Kym to experience it.

We continued our seafood streak with tuna tartare, salmon nigiri, sushi rolls and fish tacos with freshly caught red snapper. They were divine – probably the best fish tacos we’d ever eaten.

Still had my makeup on from the photo shoot.

A few more shots by a grumpy Tyler back at the Airbnb. LOL!

After a short walk and a rest, we headed out to meet up with Tyler and Kym at Artillery, a really nice, beautiful craft cocktail bar. Cocktails bars are great for me because there are so many wonderful options for non-acoholic beverages beyond club soda and lime – and the bartenders are generally very creative. My drink at Artillery was a lovely mix of raspberry, ginger, and tonic. Fruity, dry and bright – yum!

Sean and I planned a date-night dinner at Husk so we left Kym and Tyler to finish their bottle of wine at Artillery and walked to the restaurant. We had a wonderful meal and experience – which I’ll cover in more detail in a separate post for my “New Bites” series.

After dinner, we met back up with Tyler and Kym at Moon River Brewing, then walked down to River Street for the 1st Friday Fireworks. It was a cool evening with a nice breeze that made sitting right along the river lovely. The people-watching wasn’t bad, either. 😉

Saturday morning was time for me and Kym while the guys went off on a little outing to get selfies at different Savannah locations while wearing obnoxious tourist gear. LOL.

Kym and I had high tea at SCAD Gryphon room, which was yummy and relaxing. A perfect activity for a pregnant lady. We checked out the gift shop, then wandered through some squares and a few shops before meeting up with Tyler and Sean at The Paris Market for an afternoon coffee and macaron.

We did some more shopping in the afternoon – I have my favorites in Savannah and have to stock up from Nourish and the Tea & Spice Exchange whenever I’m in town. Found a new antiques store on Broughton and loved it – especially this amazing re-upholstered antique char, complete with creepy doll! 

Being pregnant is hard work, and Sean and I went back to the Airbnb to chill out while Tyler and Kym met up with a colleague of theirs at the hospital who was also in Savannah.

Later, the four of us had one final dinner together at Hitch – a restaurant with a very random assortment of food – that was surprisingly yummy.

It was another gorgeous night, so we decided to do an sunset stroll through Forsyth Park and this time we got out the doggie stroller my dad had gifted us for Peg. It was so hilarious. She’s totally spoiled and loved it immediately. We figured it was good practice for us to push the stroller around.

The light was glorious so of course we had to get photos around the magnificent fountain.

Me, Stella, and BUMPIE! Look at her little paw on my belly. <3

Sean, Peg, Me, Stella, Kym, LillieBelle. LOVE this photo!

And we managed to get ONE photo of the four of us. What a great vacation. Miss them already. 🙁

(And you know we stopped at Leopold’s on Sunday for a sundae before we headed out!! Hahaha.)