A Day Trip to Charleston

Brett and I decided to take a day trip to Charleston, South Carolina.  We live 10 minutes from the South Carolina border and to go to Charleston is about an hour and 45 minutes.  We first made a stop at Drayton Hall, a plantation off the Ashley River.  This was our first plantation and we loved it.  I think this made me fall more in love with the South.

The entrance to Drayton Hall

Words can't even describe this picture

Drayton Hall

The Oak Tree has been there for 300 years

This place was built in 1738 by John Drayton.

The Ashley River

Brett wanted me to get closer to the water, but there were alligators and snapping turtles.

I can't run anymore!

After Drayton Hall, we drove to downtown Charleston and stopped at Hominy Grill for a late lunch.  This place has been on six TV shows on the Food Network.  They are known for the best Shrimp and Grits in town.  Let's just say that they did not disappoint!

 Brett with the Shrimp & Grits

Checked out Market Street and all the vendors

Brett insisted I take this cheesy shot! ;)

Rainbow Hall

The whole reason we went to Charleston was to go to one of our favorite stores and stock up.  We are sad that Savannah doesn't have a Costco, but are keeping our fingers crossed to get one soon.

 

30 Weeks Down and 10 Weeks to Go

I can't believe that I am almost at the end.  In 10 weeks, this baby boy will be here!  I am so excited, but with the move that just happened, I feel so unprepared.  With the holidays coming up, things are going to get crazy, and he will be here for you know it.

Since I have been in the third trimester for three weeks, I can definitely tell you that I am starting to slow down.  I am getting exhausted again and noticing that my back and hips are starting to hurt. I am still exercising with Zumba and walking, but can't go as long or do as much with high intensity anymore.  I have little cravings for Mexican food, but that is about it. I actually really miss Cafe Rio and In N Out and wish someone could send me some.  I've only gained 6 pounds, but am sure that will increase a little with the next few weeks.

This pregnancy really has been fantastic.  I did receive some upsetting news two weeks ago that I have gestational diabetes. It doesn't make sense because I have no family history of diabetes, am not overweight, eat healthy, don't really drink soda or eat a lot of sweets, and any of the other symptoms that go along with it.  Of course I understand that the placenta is secreting a hormone that does not work well with my pancreas, but I still believe that this is a fluke.  I honestly feel that sometimes our society tends to freak out and diagnose people too quickly.  And yes, if you make me drink that nasty glucose drink, of course that will spike my glucose levels in my blood stream.  I am not complaining, but as you can probably tell, I am really bugged that I have this. I've been testing my blood sugar levels and they have been normal, so that is good.  I guess the one good thing is I get to have an ultrasound every week until the baby is born.   

Quick Stop in Atlanta

On our way back from Helen, I wanted to stop in Atlanta.  Atlanta is about 4 hours from Savannah, so I thought this was a perfect opportunity to make a quick stop.  Plus, it helped break up the drive for me.

Welcome to Atlanta!

I love the skyline

We went to visit the World of Coca Cola

Brett loves anything mentioned about Spain

The vault with the secrets of the formula

The best part is the tasting center

I don't really drink soda, but I do love cherry coke. 

I had to have a sip!

Apparently, if you can find these three original paintings, Coca Cola will buy them from you.

Brett has made it a mission to find these so we can retire early.

We had a nice lunch after the museum and then went on our way back to Savannah.  Like I said, it was a nice little break! :)

Helen, GA

Brett really loves fall, so now that we are on the East Coast, his dreams about seeing the colors of the leaves change will come true.  We really wanted to go to New York and meet up with Jordan and Becca, but with the chaos of the move and Brett's new job, we couldn't make it happen.  Bummer! So, to ease his pain, Brett decided that we would go to the "mountains" (what mountains?) and see some leaves change at a little German town called Helen.

They have a huge Oktoberfest every year.

Brett loving his pork schnitzel

Glad we snapped this picture because the place was a zoo the next night

On Saturday, we had a lovely brunch at the The Meeting Place in Helen and then went on a hike in Unicoi State Park around the Loop Lake Trail.  It was about 2 miles and I survived.  Usually I feel great after a hike, but being pregnant and in your third trimester is a totally different story.  It was great to get some fresh air and see some nature. As we walked, Brett realized that the trees were just not going to be like the north east, but he was still happy.

Our cute little cabin which was called "The Victorian Secret"

On Sunday morning as we were leaving Helen, we decided to take some pictures of the cute town.  Luckily, everyone was wiped out from Oktoberfest, so we pretty much had the place to ourselves.