Saturday morning was a bit of a rough start to the weekend. I was feeling a little blue and started the day by declaring to Devin that all I wanted to do was lie in bed in my bath robe and then I continued the morning with two crying fits and a bowl of cereal. I wish when Devin asked why I was crying I had a good reason or even a reason but I really honestly had no idea. Hormones are so much fun!
So in an effort to get me moving Devin threw out a whole list of places we could go for the day. Davenport, Cedar Rapids, Des Moines, Dubuque - The whole state was practically up for grabs. But the comfort of my bath robe was just too much to overcome and the amount of options left me overwhelmed and on the verge of tears (again). The struggle is real! Finally he convinced me that Des Moines would make for a fun day but I only really decided to get out of my bathrobe when I remembered that our state capital has a Cinnabon! Which I have been craving for weeks now.
So off we went! I really wanted to feed the giraffes they have at the Des Moines Zoo, so we decided on a quick lunch to ensure we had plenty of time to get there and get in line. After perusing Yelp on the drive west, I decided on this place called B & B Supermarket. It admittedly looked a little sketch on the outside.
And the inside.
But I had read that one of their best items was a sandwich called Dad's Killer which featured everything under the sun, including: roast beef, turkey breast, smoked ham, corned beef, pepper cheese, swiss cheese, american cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, kosher pickles, mustard, miracle whip, and Tuscan Italian dressing on an Italian hoagie roll. We got one to share and it was delightful!
Then Devin expressed how annoyed he was that I was taking a picture of food because "It just looks like a sandwich!", so instead I took a picture of him. Which I think he liked even less.
With full bellies it was off to the zoo, where we had the BEST time! Devin and I first went to the Des Moines zoo last year on the 4th of July, and even though Devin doesn't usually like zoos he really likes this one because the animals have a ton of space and look really well taken care of. It was kind of special to be back at this particular zoo because I so distinctly remember last year when we went, Devin and I both couldn't help but notice all the pregnant ladies! We kept staring at them with lingering glances (and probably looked like total creeps) and spent a good part of the day talking about our own future family. At the time the big question was "When are we going to start trying?" and even though we had initially thought sometime in the spring or summer of this year, as we watched all the families and future families enjoying themselves at the zoo we both felt the undeniable ache to start our own family as soon as we could.
So to be back there almost a year later, and only weeks away from holding our own baby girl, was a really nice reminder of where we have been and where our future is taking us. This time around as we watched the families around us we talked about how fun it will be to bring our nugget there and to show her all the different animals we have enjoyed spending lazy Summer afternoons with for the past two years. We also saw plenty of misbehaving children this time around, one sitting in defiance in the middle of the walk way and a few others being told they would leave the zoo immediately if they didn't shape up, and each time we looked at each other with a little smile and said "Are you ready for that?" And I think we are. At least I sure hope we are.
But for now it was just Devin and I. Enjoying one of our last few outings as a childless couple.
I remembered seeing this amazing blue bird last year so I searched the bird house and right on the way out there he was! I wanted to take him home but apparently we don't have room for a large bird. Maybe next time.
Next it was on to the red pandas, who I could watch for hours because they are so stinking cute and these two were running around playing together.
Here I am playing an instrument in the Australian outback.
Then I hatched out of an egg, which I did have to wait my turn for because a bunch of parents were taking pictures of their children doing the same thing.
I became totally obsessed with these turtles. So much so that Devin tried to walk away twice and I refused to follow. He finally got me to leave by promising we could stop back on the way out.
They are making a turtle conga line!
This is one of the coolest parts of the zoo, in the Australian outback area the just have wallabies hopping around. If you were a dick you could totally go up to one and shake its hand and give it a huge hug. Instead I opted for just taking his photograph.
I love sea lions! They look so graceful in the water and so incredibly awkward on land. Always gives me a good chuckle.
I just want to grab him around the belly and go for a ride through the ocean.
When we returned to the turtles, this dude was mean mugging all the visitors and I couldn't get enough of it.
As promised I got to feed the giraffe! Devin made us get in line way early, and I was totally annoyed because it didn't seem that urgent, but thank goodness we did because the line got crazy long and the giraffes only want so much lettuce. Not pictured in this photo is the giraffe's extremely long tongue and my HUGE smile that resulted from this interaction.
After my turn feeding the giraffe I snapped some up close and personal photos of the duo.
They are so beautiful!
Here is Devin checking out the animals while I sat on a bench because I can only walk/stand for so long before my back starts to absolutely kill me due to the recent additional 25 pounds I have found glued to my middle.
I snapped a picture of this guys saggy skin because it reminded me a lot of the extra skin I found myself with after losing weight, and I wanted to let this giraffe know I get it, and I think he is still exquisite.
The I found another turtle who wouldn't stop staring at me. This went on for a few minutes, and then he won.
Devin and the watusi!
And no trip to the zoo is complete without visiting the primates.
Here was a baby monkey. Awww!
I think he dropped his keys.
After the zoo we ventured to the mall in Des Moines so that I could visit the Cinnabon! Before we got our sweet treat we stopped in Victoria's Secret because I have a gift card and am looking for some nice pajamas to bring with to the hospital. Only the pair I liked was $55! FOR PAJAMAS?! They weren't even flannel, and they didn't even come with pants, just shorts. What a rip off! So we left empty handed and made our way to the glorious and one of a kind Cinnabon. We opted for 4 minis instead of a giant one because that just seemed overwhelming and we certainly were not disappointed.
Our last stop of the day was dinner. Ever since our honeymoon we have wanted to find an El Salvadorian restaurant so we could once again gorge ourselves on pupusas. Although Iowa City has nothing of the sort, Des Moines has two Salvadorian restaurants. Only, the first one was way too sketch for my liking. And I know that hole in the wall places are often the most authentic and delicious but I just couldn't get on board. Instead we drove across town to the other one and had ourselves a little feast.
Devin was over the moon with the tamale! He couldn't stop talking about it and even declared it the best tamale he has ever had.
Here is our pupusa platter of deliciousness.
Oh and here is Devin showing his disdain for my photograph taking. What a grump!
With full bellies we drove back to Iowa City and spent the evening watching Wet Hot American Summer while snacking on jujubes and twizzlers. I have to admit, I was pretty glad I didn't spend the day in my bathrobe - the way I see it there will be plenty of time for that this fall (what am I going to do - get all dressed up to impress a baby? No way. Sweat pants for the win!). Luckily I have a husband that will nearly drag me out of bed so that I have a nice day, I might not make his life easy, but he sure makes mine worth it.
