As you already know if you caught my morning blog post, Ryan and I headed to Florida to celebrate Krystal and Matt’s wedding this weekend. The location of their wedding worked out extremely well for us since we were able to stay at my mother-in-law’s house in Sarasota and also stop by to see some college friends in Orlando on our way down south.
Here’s a little peek into some more weekend happenings:
- Welcome Reception at The Venezia
One of the highlights of the weekend occurred on Friday evening when Ryan and I attended Krystal and Matt’s welcome reception at the Venezia restaurant located along the always-bustling St. Armand’s Circle in Sarasota. Krystal and Matt invited wedding guests to join them for heavy hors d’oeuvres and cocktails and we met up with a group of our best friends from college and had a blast! I haven’t seen most of these girls since Leah’s baby shower in January, so it was so great to be reunited again!
And speaking of Leah…
- Meeting Baby Theo
At the end of March, Leah gave birth to a precious little boy and on Saturday morning, Ryan and I finally had the chance to meet him! He was such a sweet little baby and I had the chance to feed him and snuggle with him right before his naptime.
Ryan also held him for quite a while and later told me he hadn’t held a baby since he was very young. Practice makes perfect, right!? He did great with little Theo and we both said holding Leah and Ricky’s adorable son made us feel all the more excited to meet our baby boy this summer!
- Family Time
During some of the downtime away from wedding activities this weekend, we were able to hang out with Ryan’s family. On Saturday morning, we headed out to breakfast with the gang and and then spent some time at his mom’s house chatting away. We talked all about summer plans, the baby, baby showers, Ryan’s surgery, random life updates and more. I wish we lived closer, but we did our best to take advantage of the short time we had together and soak up some quality time!
- Spending Time in the Bridal Suite
On the day of the wedding, Krystal invited our little group of girlfriends to hang out in the bridal suite with her which was so nice! We were able to enjoy lunch with the bride before the craziness of the day set in. Plus, the view from the bridal suite was nothing short of amazing and I made sure to spend some time on the patio soaking it all in!
- 25 Week Baby Bump Photo
Right before Ryan and I left for Florida on Thursday morning, I had him snap a quick bump photo! When we arrived at my parents’ place later that night, my mom, dad and sister all agreed the bump has definitely popped over the course of the past week or two. Keep growing nice and strong in there, baby!
- Black Bean Deli
During our drive down to Sarasota on Friday, we stopped in Orlando for lunch with our friends Dru and Carrie and their two sons. We met up at Black Bean Deli, a small cafe that serves the most delicious Cuban food. I ordered the dark meat mojo chicken platter with rice, beans, a small green salad and plantains and am just sad we don’t have anything quite like this place near our house in North Carolina! Everything was very flavorful and now I am craving another platter for dinner tonight… If you’re a Charlotte local and have any recommendations for great Cuban food in the area, please let me know!
Question of the Afternoon
- Share one highlight from your weekend below!
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My girlfriends and I all went to the farmhouse for my birthday weekend celebrations, just the best ever! So blessed to keep in touch with college sorority sisters, and I know you clearly feel the same 🙂
So great Ryan was so mobile, post surgery! Great recovery!
I was just at St. Armand’s Circle the weekend before this one! It was my first time on the gulf coast, and I have to say I feel completely in love! Maybe we’ll end up here some day! Ps. Your bump is getting cuter by the day! I’d love to see another side-by-side comparison of the weeks!
I’ve got two: graduated with my MS in civil engineering Friday and ran my first half marathon Sunday with a time of 1:43!
awesome!!! big congrats to you on both accomplishments!!
Oh wow that deli looks amazing! Love your bump! And what a cute little baby boy! 😀
My weekend was full of travel back down to school, but a highlight was squeezing in some reading time! I started the second in the Maze Runner trilogy (The Scorch Trials) and am loving it so far.
Aww look at that tiny little baby! How adorable!
Pio Pio and Viva Chicken both have pretty good Peruvian food in Charlotte if you need a fix of plantains
I am from Bradenton and spent many nights hanging out around St. Armand’s. This Brings back great memories!
I can’t believe you’re that far along already, you look so small!
I went to a wedding to and was finally able to wear my new sari from India! It was great being able to see friends and family from back home since we moved away about 6 months ago. Looks like you had a great time!
On one of my work trips to Charlotte, a coworkers took us to Mambo Grill and Tapas in Salibury. It was delicious Cuban food and I’d say worth the trip out there. Plus the town looked cute from what I saw.
thanks for the recommendation!!
What a lovely weekend!
Without a doubt, the number one thing I miss about Florida living in North Carolina, is seafood and Cuban food. Those are two glorious, Glorious, things we just can’t match 🙂
agreed!!
Yay for Sarasota! I’m heading to my parent’s in a few weeks near Boca Grande. Can’t wait! And my weekend was awesome! I taught some Orangetheory classes and went to a Kenny Chesney concert with friends! Happy Monday! 🙂
Love that dress in the top photo! I hope I can find something that pretty for my wedding rehearsal!
it looks like you had an amazing weekend full of family and friends – doesn’t get much better then that!
My husband and I decided we pack our weekends too busy with plans – so we blew everything off on Sunday to take a walk around Baltimore’s Inner Harbor and have lunch at Chipotle. I think I’ve had Chipotle on the brain since seeing all of your burrito bowl pics. YUM!
heck yesss chipotle!! 🙂
french toast breakfast at a local diner.
there’s just something about diner french toast.
The bump! So cute. Definitely getting bigger!! To be honest, I hadn’t help a baby since I was six when I got pregnant and then while pregant a coworker basically forced me to hold her 3 month old. I lasted about 39 second because I was so scared! You learn quick though, especially when it’s your own kid!!
What a fun weekend! This weekend was pretty low key for us, which was just what we needed! We spent lots of time outside enjoying the beautiful weather!
This made me think of you and that baby boy growing inside! https://www.facebook.com/emily.mingote.5/posts/540311656107710
Question: do you (and have you) followed the royal baby watch (and the birth this weekend)? Curious if you care about it or not. The new princess and your baby boy will be the same age!
Watching you and Ryan with your friend’s little one is so sweet! Love all the fun bonding you do/get to do with friends and family – it warms the heart. And you’re looking great! Looking forward to the 25 week post!
Thank you!! And yes, I definitely followed along! Love the name they chose for their little girl!
Me too! I was hoping for Charlotte! She’s such a cutie! With Kate for a mother and Will for a dad, she’ll be a real beauty (so will little George). Maybe there’s a royal wedding attendance in your future. 😉 Baby pbfingers weds Princess Charlotte……… 😉
Aww you look so cute with your baby bump :0 :0 this weekend I just relaxed and caught up on work! Thanks for sharing xo C
Nice! Looks like you guys had a great time!
That view is amazing! Wow!
And, you two look so cute (and natural) with Leah’s little baby! You guys are going to be great parents! 🙂
We got back this weekend from our two week trip to Brazil!!! So the weekend included 4 flights to get back to Asheville… BUT before that we were having a great time 🙂
I bet seeing Ryan holding a baby made you feel some feelings too! Something about men with babies, I swear. A highlight from my weekend was a day trip down to Arlington, VA with me, myself, and I. Grabbed lunch at Sweetgreen (their salads…just…oh my god), walked around, laid in the sun in a park for a while, and just enjoyed a beautiful day. Even treated myself to starbucks on the way back. Definitely going to make “solo adventures” a part of my routine.
I spent all day Saturday in Charlotte at the Carolina Rebellion music festival. It was the largest concert I’d ever been to and the festivals definitely bring out the crazies!!
Also, I am in the middle of putting my Camaro back together with some upgrades. I rebuilt my rocker arms this weekend and ordered what should be my last needed part 🙂
Is it just me or does anyone else think, it’s hilarious that their names are Krystal and Matt? 😀
By the way, you and Ryan look gorgeous as always! 😉