NYC

This past weekend I got to go to New York City to visit my bestie friend, April.  It was such a nice getaway for me, have a little me time.  Of course I missed the hubby and kiddo's but it was nice to not be working and to just have quality time with Apes. 

I got in late Friday night and stayed up late hanging with her friends, eating food and singing karaoke.  On Saturday, we headed down to the 9/11 memorial.  There is quite a process to doing this, first, reserve tickets online, go to a storefront to pick them up (line #1), walk a few blocks to the memorial, wait in line for security (line #2), wait and walk in a line to the actual memorial (line #3).  I think we showed our ticket 3 or 4 times and walked around 3 city blocks to actually walk in.  And it was packed.  What a beautiful day it was, so we didn't mind too much.  The memorial is partly finished, still working on surrounding buildings and a museum.  There is still a feel of construction around there.  The pools are beautiful and enormous.  It was an emotional visit, just thinking of all the people who perished that day, remembering where we all were that day and the following days.  So so many names on the plaques, it's hard to read them.

The new World Trade Center building, very imposing as we walked out of the subway and into the streets.

 One of the pools.

 This man was walking around the area reciting a poem (that he obviously made up himself) about the memorial, things that happened that day, remembering the area.  Every line ended with "if you don't know, ask somebody".  We saw him several times.  Here is the 3rd time we saw him, he started polishing this wall memorial across the street from the official one.

After visiting the memorial, April took me to Stone street where they put these tables out in front of each restaurant during the summer and you eat outside.  We had mexican.

After that, we went shopping and a yummy dinner at the Beecher Cheese Cellar.  Yummo mac'n'cheese and wine!

The next day we walked over to Central Park after yummy brunch at Beyoglu.  It's pretty close to April's apartment and it was another beautiful day.  Central Park is definitely a site to see, so many people there (it was a sunny warm Sunday) and a lot of performers and interesting people.

A group of 8 or so guys doing breakdancing and jumps and stuff.

 A couple under a bridge singing opera, he played the flute and sang, she just sang.  Pretty beautiful music!

 Not sure about this individual, dressed up and wandering around like a medieval magician.

 Another couple, one playing the harp, one playing an instrument that I don't know the name of.  I could have stood there a long time, it was gorgeous music.  But who totes a harp to Central Park?

 The pond, there are mechanical sailboats that you can rent out. 

 The ONLY picture that I took of the both of us.

 Classic Central Park picture.

 More shopping then off to Tapas for dinner.  The next day it unfortunately started raining and was a bit more chilly and windy.  We  had a NY bagel and then shopped a little near time square before we went to one of the yummiest meals of my trip (of my life?) at ABC Kitchen.  It's all organic and local.  So yum.  The guy behind April facing the camera is our waiter, Marco.  He was awesome and so nice.  Gave us a free dessert! 

After lunch and shopping at the store next door, we went to Bloomingdale's.  Love how classic this sign is!

Back to April's place for a stay home evening of wine, pizza and a movie. 

I sure did love spending the weekend with my bestie.  I miss her so!  But at last it was time to head home to my family (they did just fine without me).  Nora was so darn cute when I picked her up from daycare on Tuesday.  She just had the cutest, happiest smile on her face as she ran toward me joyfully saying "mama!".  Those moment's simply melt, melt your heart.

Well, we get one down weekend, then it's on to lots more things.  In the coming weeks Fogg is traveling for work, a wedding, mother's day, our anniversary, Fogg's parents visit, Reed's birthday, Memorial day.  Busy month and it's only just begun!

Cheers~
Meg

32 and 18

Well, I turned 32 last Friday.  I honestly don't care much about birthdays, at this point in my life, it's really just a day that I get to use as an excuse to take a day off of work, splurge a little and have some cake.  So that's what I did!  I took the day off on Friday.  My coworkers are so sweet and still gave me "gifts" on Thursday.  Annie made me these most delicious (serious restaurant quality) spring rolls with homemade spicy peanut sauce, some yummy creamy peanut butter bars and Anne made this rich chocolate cake.  

 

On Friday, I took the kids to Nora's 18 month well check appointment.  They both had ear infections but at this point, I'd be surprised if they didn't!  They both have minor colds but compared to the rest of this season, I'll take that too!  Nora weighs a little over 22 pounds, 25%, and a little over 31 inches, 70%.  Pretty much right in the middle!  She is meeting or exceeding all of her milestones at this point which is so awesome to hear as a mom.  Lately, when we've gone to the doctor she just freaks out, she doesn't like the doctor even looking at her, let alone being in the same room as her.  She cried when the nurse just wanted to take her weight!  But Dr. Tony is the best.  He knew she was a little hesitant with him so he sat back for a little while, then slowly approached her, letting her play with the stethoscope.  She never cried with him during the entire exam.  Even when he looked in her ears!  She got her 18 month shots, only cried for maybe 30 seconds and was over it.  So awesome!

After the appointment, I took the kids to school and headed off to my own doc appointment.  Then off to lunch with Fogg.  All morning I was sitting in doc offices or driving, so I hadn't heard about all the drama in Boston while they shut down the city to find the crazy bomber.  Fogg caught me up on that.  After lunch, I went to Target for a few things, then a little birthday shopping for Fogg.  I treated myself to a coffee, well actually it was free for my birthday!, then got a pedicure.  Then it was home to get ready for my little shindig bbq party.  I made myself chocolate covered strawberries (cause they are one of my favorite things ever), made a new recipe that was yummo - croissants filled with brie cheese and pears, drizzled in honey.  I made it up, needs a little refining but I think I can do it.  Next time, I'm putting the honey on the inside rather than on top, I will brush the tops with egg white so it's not so gooey and bake them on parchment paper so they brown on the bottom better.  I made myself a white russian and was ready to party!

All of my friends are so sweet, bringing me flowers, wine and gifts.  I think that my age speaks to the type of gifts that I got - 9 bottles of wine and a wine glass big enough to put an entire bottle in!

So that's that, I turned 32, no biggy really!  And Nora is 18 months old, which to me is a bigger deal!  18 months means that they can really start to communicate, they stabilize out with their schedule, you can refer to their age more in years than months. 

Well, my biggest gift to myself is a trip to NY to visit my bestest friend April!  I leave tomorrow to spend the long weekend with her.  I'm very excited to see her again, nothing like time with your best friend to make you feel refreshed.  Prayers for Fogg as he tackles a weekend alone with the kids (he'll do fine!). 

Cheers~

A little catchin' up

Boy, I love these kids.  They are just so sweet and so darn cute!

Took some pictures of them on Sunday all cute like.

After church, we got our season passes to Snowbasin for next year.  Last year, Reed was really upset that we were getting passes but not skiing, so his picture was of the most grumpy face you can think of.  This year, he was so happy to be getting his pass and everyone was swooning over his adorable bow tie.  So he put on a funny smile (one I've never seen before) and got his new pass.  

 Fogg used last year's picture, but I decided to wait till the beginning of next season to take my picture (I don't like pictures when my hair is up, and I happened to have a pony tail in that day).  And Nora was passed out asleep, so the two of us will get our actual new passes in 6 or so months.

Sunday night, Reed made a fort after Nora went to bed.  He crawled up in it and went right to sleep!

Reed has been saying some funny stuff lately.  I wish I could remember everything but I'll give you some highlights. 

Lala took Reed on a "date" on Saturday to see the 3D movie "The Croods".  It's an animated movie about cavemen.  This was only his second actual theater experience and his first 3D (I've never seen one!). He was pretty excited about it.  We showed him a trailer of the movie so he knew what to expect.  Initially he was afraid that it would be scary but then he got over that.  I asked him after the movie if it was scary and he said no.  Anyway, after his nap on Saturday, I gave him a bath and we got him dressed up. I only mentioned that he was going on a date a few times.  Well, when mom showed up, he walked in the room and said "hey, I gotta go, my date is here.".  It was just so funny, Fogg and I died laughing.  After the movie, Mom took him to McDonald's for a burger, a toy and to play on the slides.  You'd think that kid died and went to heaven (we never go there).  He was most excited about the toy and the slides.  He declined to give me too many details about the movie but mom said that he was mouth open at the beginning, grabbing at the things coming at him.  He got restless at some point and walked down the aisles but then sat down for the rest. 

Yesterday when I got home from work, I asked Reed how his day was, he said "I kissed someone".  I asked him again, he said "I kissed someone!".  I said, "oh yeah, buddy, who did you kiss?".  He said "Gracie".  I said "why did you kiss Gracie?", he looked at me all perplexed and said "cause I love her".  As if there is no other reason!  She really is adorable and apparently they've really liked each other for quite some time (they have been in the same class since he's been at the school).  She really is adorable so I don't blame him.  I love that he told me without any hesitation.  He really is a loving boy.  Fogg said to not make a big deal about it to him, to not encourage him or make him feel embarrassed.  But how stinking cute is that?  He really is so loving, always telling us "I love you" and saying how much he loves his family.

Nora is 18 months old last Saturday!  How did that happen?  I meant to write a whole post about it but this is all I can muster.  18 months old is a huge landmark to me.  I feel like the hardest months are from 6-18.  They are frustrated, the schedule is changing a lot, they are getting teeth, they go from only breast milk all the way to solid real food, they learn to crawl AND walk, they can't speak but know what they want.  It's just a hard time for both of us!  So I've crossed that line with her.  She is still a bit uneasy on the sleeping, one little interruption in her life and she wakes up mad.  She does good most of the time but then we get hard weeks. But she is alive, which to me is a huge accomplishment!  To keep a kid alive to 18 months is a serious high five for Fogg and I!  She is getting so big and learning exponentially.  She says more and more words, remembers things, can do more on her own.  Words now are mama, dada, lala, nana, papa, gramma, ball, outside, night-night, reed (those it's more like shesh), all done, gabba (her favorite show - yo gabba gabba), mine (that one is usually screamed), dede (our word for blanket), paci, applesauce, snack, off, up, more, cereal.  She can also do several animal sounds - dog, cat, bird, sheep.  She loves, loves, loves books.  She will say book and bring it over to read.  She can also  understand if you say to her, "go get a book", or "get your toy from the front room".  She has even understand when I told her to get her shoes.  Oh yeah, she can say shoes too.  She can usually sign what she wants or use her words, so she is less frustrated that we don't know what she wants.  She can also say "I love you" but it's just sounds like "lalalala" with the inflection of I love you.  Her 18 month check up is this Friday, so I'll get her stats then.  Her hair is getting really long and she is getting taller, definitely growing up! I love when she runs to me when I get home from work.  I can hear her say "mama?" when I walk in the door and a few seconds later, she will run around the corner.  Her run is this bouncy, slightly choppy run and she has this huge grin on her face.  Love that girl!

Well, that's it for now!  My birthday is on Friday, the big 3-2.  Gonna have a little BBQ party at the house, the weekend will be for cleaning, doing a few projects.  Oh, I made a new play room for the kids too, I'll show pictures later!

Cheers for now!

Hair

I've been having a really fun time learning to do cute hairstyles for Nora.  I'm so not ready to cut her hair, but it's long enough in the front that it's in her face.  So I need to do things to get it out of her eyes.  She tends to take out clips and they get lost so I'd rather do hairbands.  I got this great set of multi-colored hairbands so I have fun making up new styles.  I used a Pinterest post that someone did of toddler hairstyles.  They were basically just variations of a pig-tail or pony so it got me started, but I've taken it a tad further and did some other fun things.  I got myself a little topsy tail (remember those from the early 90's?) and that makes doing some styles way easier, but then it also spruces up the usual pig tail.  Anyway, I've been taking pictures of them.  You can see how my designs get more complicated as time goes on.

Well, anyway, it's been fun, I'm looking forward to doing more and more interesting and unusual things with her hair!

Last night, there were quite a few bubbles in the bath.  They put on "hats".

Not sure what got into London, but apparently he felt that this pillow needed to be destroyed and took it upon himself to take care of the problem.  We were all in the house at the time, I was in the basement, Fogg was putting Reed to bed.  He did some serious work without making even a noise and in a quick amount of time.  Last night, he started on the other one!  He only got a corner off, but did manage to get some stuffing out.  Guess I'm getting new pillows for the couch!

One last picture.  Rarely do I have to wake Nora up in the morning (both kids for that matter) but yesterday the poor girl was just plain out.  I even opened her blinds and she didn't so much as flinch.  I like that she has a lamb leg to her head (obviously, it's very soft).  I detest waking a sleeping baby, it makes me so sad.

If only you could see her sleep hair, it's usually epic!
Cheers~

Easter Weekend

As you can see, I have changed the title picture on the blog to an updated family photo from Easter.  The kids are just getting so big and Fogg and I are just getting so ol... well, you know, getting more lines on our faces and grey hairs brewing.

One of the reasons we are getting grey hairs and wrinkles is from that innocent looking little girl you see.  Last year we struggled with a scary lump on her neck, then we had to get tubes for her chronic and painful ear infections.  Well, she fell last Thursday and broke her collar bone.  At 17 months old.  Oh boy!  It was a freak thing, just happened to fall off a shelf about a foot off the ground, must have landed weird. I could tell something wasn't right soon after and when she woke up from her nap and I picked her up, she screamed.  I knew we had to get an x-ray.  I suspected either a broken rib, a dislocated shoulder or a broken collarbone.  

She's been dealing with it pretty well, we try to keep her on Tylenol and ibuprofen as much as possible to keep the edge off, but she gets grumpy and agitated sometimes. She must wear either this shoulder harness or an arm sling swathed to her.  She likes the harness, it must make her feel better. She doesn't mind having it on either. 

 I stayed home from work on Friday to take care of her.  We tried the sling and swath.

 Nana came over to drop off some Easter treats for the kids.  Nora went right to her and snuggled (and drooled on her) for about 15 minutes.

 Reed didn't take a nap on Saturday, but then fell asleep later.  I thought it was cute that he used London as his pillow.

So anyway, Nora broke her collarbone on Thursday, I stayed home with her Friday and we laid low on Saturday so she could heal.  Nice to have a day at home to just do some projects, snuggle with the kids, you know the usual.

On to Easter!  Easter is one of my very favorite holiday's. I love that everyone dresses up, that we celebrate not only the change of season (regardless of the date) but the remembrance of resurrection.  Also, why not get a basket of goodies!  I might have gone overboard with that, but oh well.  We got up early and Lala came over with baskets for the kids.  Then right before we left for church, we opened a box of goodies from Grandma and Papa Fogg.  The kids were in heaven!  Then we scooted off to church where we did a breakfast (yummy!) and then service.  I love that we take pictures as a group.  See below for all the kids and mama's.  Shockingly the dad's don't do a picture together - ha, can you imagine?!

After church, we headed home for a quick nap for the kids.  Then it was over to our friend's, the Scrip's for a hunt and dinner.  This was the first time we've ever done an Easter egg hunt for Reed, he loved it.  He got in his head that he could only pick up "boy color" eggs.  He got quite a haul!

Nora and her friend Gracie!  These two are going to be t.r.o.u.b.l.e. together.

Then after dinner it was home for bath and yet another basket of goodies from mom and dad!  My parents played hot and cold with me every year to find the basket, so we started it this year.  I hid them in plain site (in the laundry room), Reed struggled a little with the game but it was fun anyway.  

We had a little discussion in the bath (before the last basket) about what Easter is about.  Reed said he gets baskets!  I guided him into the real reason for Easter and he told me that Jesus died for us.  I was very proud of his answer!  Then he said that he came back to life for 3 minutes.  I corrected him but it was cute that he got the 3 part!  Sweet boy!

And for parting, one of the "best" pictures we took at church.  Not sure what Fogg and I are doing but I thought it was funny.

Cheers~