New York Part 1-My Best Friend's Wedding

Last Thursday Chase and I departed on our 5 night adventure to New York.  Sarah, my best friend since 1st grade, was getting married so that was our #1 reason for going but Chase had never been before so we decided to extend the trip and really enjoy our time away.  We felt like we were on a second honeymoon because we have not taken a true vacation like this since before I was pregnant with Madison.  I wouldn't say it was the most relaxing trip since we were going non stop the whole time but it was great not having to worry about anyone but ourselves.  The weather was nice, a little chilly, but nothing my North Face fleece couldn't fix and it only rained late one evening so we lucked out there.  Thursday we left bright and early but hit rush hour morning traffic and it was raining so the highways were a mess.  Luckily they delayed our flight or we probably would have missed it.  Unfortunately they delayed it again once we got there so we had to hang out at the airport for about 4 hours before we boarded the plane.  Once we landed we caught a cab and made a mad dash to the hotel, changed, clothes, and headed to the discount ticket booth in Times Square to see what kind of show tickets we could get.  Jersey Boys was the winner and it was AMAZING!  Such a great show and Chase really enjoyed it as well.  I wasn't sure how much I would like it since The Four Seasons are not always my first choice of music but I was very pleasantly surprised.  If you ever have the opportunity to see it, absolutely go!  So, so good.  After the show we walked through Times Square, which is quite a show in itself, especially at night with all the lights.  New York is definitely the city that never sleeps.  I was cracking up at all the characters walking around at 11 PM at night.  The next day I called Madison and told her we saw Hello Kitty, The Smurfs, Minnie Mouse, along with many other of her favorites and she was in awe.  After Times Square we met up with another couple at The Comedy Cellar, which is a comedy club, and it was hilarious.  Then it was late night street food from the food cart across the street from our hotel.  I told you, not any relaxing going on here!  I have a ton of pictures, most of them aren't that great since we opted to leave our nice camera at home but you still get the idea.

I learned very quickly that you can't walk the streets of NY in heels so I took a big purse with flip flops every where we went so I could switch out my shoes when it was time to walk very far.

These little cocktails cost us $45!  Hello NY, you are not cheap.  Chase did get a double so his is bigger but still, whoa!  At least we got to keep the sippie cups.

Friday I had Sarah's bridesmaid luncheon so Chase was on his own to wander the city for a couple hours.  The luncheon was at King's Carriage House and it was a super cute brunch spot.  We had our own quaint area upstairs.
Ashley and I were both Sarah's Matron of Honors

My cousin, Sariah, is a designer and a college professor in NY so we met up with her after brunch

We walked through St. Patricks Cathedral which was under major construction so there was scaffolding everywhere, but we could still see all it's glory.  It's definitely the largest cathedral and most beautiful cathedral I have ever seen.  Supposedly the waiting list to get married here is 3 years long!

Friday evening we had the rehearsal dinner at The Smith

My mom and Sarah's mom have been best friends as long as Sarah and I so there was no way she was going to miss the big wedding weekend!

After dinner, and much anticipated speeches, we walked down the street to a bar called The Penny Farthing where the bottom level was reserved for friends and family of the wedding party.

Saturday was wedding day so Chase was on his own most of the day.  He did the 9/11 memorial and sent me a few pictures so I could get an idea of what it was like.

This is the Freedom Tower they are building

Sarah and Trey got married on the Atlantis yacht and it was definitely an experience.  They did the ceremony while the boat was docked and it was pretty rocky so we had to brace ourselves.  The little ring bearers were adorable and fell down a few times due to the rockiness.  It was super cold and windy on top of the boat so we were all shivering in our strapless dresses but the ceremony was short and sweet and then it was time to head inside and set sail.  Sarah's younger brother Jim got ordained online so he could marry them which was pretty funny but special at the same time.  As soon as Sarah and her dad started walking down the aisle a neighboring boat blew it's horn a few times so were all laughing hysterically, perfect timing.  Since I was in the wedding party I don't have any pictures of the ceremony but here's a few I do have.

Ashley and I before we left for the boat

Sarah was glowing and the most beautiful bride!

I stole these next couple pictures off Facebook
Don't let the sun fool you, it was freezing!

Here comes the bride, and her proud papa

Mr. and Mrs. Wakefield!

We cruised up and down the Hudson during the reception and made a few passes by the Statue of Liberty.

If you look close you will see the Statue of Liberty over my shoulder

The reception was such a blast, as you can see from all the hands raised in the background.  The bride and groom had an amazing band and not only did they have a delicious dinner buffet but they also had a delicious dessert buffet followed by delicious wedding cake!  One things for sure, no one left hungry.  Sarah and Trey clearly know how to throw a party, yum yum.  After we danced the night away, the boat docked and we walked the streets of New York looking for a bar half way empty to accommodate all the wedding guests.  And yes, Sarah Anne Turner Wakefield walked the city streets in her lovely, lace wedding gown.

Well Checks -Shots are not for the Faint of Heart

Today I took Madison and Emma for their well visits with Dr. Hieber.  Both girls did amazingly well, until we got to the shots, and are in great health.  Here are their stats:

Madison at 4 years
Weight: 34.9 lbs-44th percentile
Height: 40.5 inches-70th percentile

Emma at 19 months
Weight: 24.12 lbs-72nd percentile
Height: 32 inches-44th percentile

The girls are complete opposites, which I already knew, but their stats still made me laugh and are almost the exact opposite of each other.
Before we left the house Madison told me, "I want to look my best so I need to wear a dress."  She also really wanted to wear two bows in her hair to look extra special for Dr. Hieber but it would have looked a bit silly so I somehow convinced her it was ok to only wear one.

Madison still LOVES Dr. Hieber and was so excited to see him as always.  She told him how every day she pretends her babies and stuffed animals are sick so he can come over and give them a check up.

Emma did SO incredibly great this time.  This is the first check up that she hasn't screamed bloody murder the ENTIRE time and clutched to me for dear life.  She even waved at Dr. Hieber when he walked through the door and he got a big kick out of that.  He actually checked out Madison first, meanwhile Emma is babbling constantly, emptying the magazine rack, and climbing up and down the bench over and over.  He laughed and said, "I guess I don't have to ask if she's active!"  Um, no...

Emma needed two immunizations but they were out of one of them so we have to go back in a couple weeks.  Of course she cried when she got her shot but that's the only time.  Now poor Madison had to get a finger prick and 3 immunizations, which she did incredible during, and never shed a tear, however she almost passed out when they were done.  Poor baby comes by this naturally because her daddy does the same darn thing.  After her last shot she leaned her head into me and I thought she was just trying to be strong in front of the nurse and not cry until she left the room but then I looked at her and she was ghost white, her eyes were heavy and looked like she wanted to cry, and she told me her tummy hurt and felt like she was going to throw up.  The bathroom was two steps across the hall so I carried her in there, meanwhile Emma is wandering up and down the hall with no shoes on.  Luckily, she never got sick.  I peeked my head out and told the nurse so she brought a wet paper towel for the back of her neck, which was burning up, and helped keep an eye on Emma.  I carried Madison back in the exam room and the nurse let her lay there on the table for a little while with another wet towel on her head until some of the color came back in her face.  Just imagine me looking like stretch armstrong with one hand holding Madison's and the other trying to keep Emma from cracking her head open while she is literally scaling the walls and crying because she's still mad about her shot.  And the nurse picked her up to help put her shoes on and she certainly wasn't having any of that!  Sheesh!  All in all it was a great visit and I have two strong, healthy girls so I can't complain.  Madison doesn't need any more shots till she's 11 so next time we'll just have her lay down for those.

19 Months

Yesterday Emma turned 19 months old.  Nothing too new and exciting to report.  She's still a whirlwind and into absolutely everything!  It's a wonder she's not a walking bruise because she still walks straight into walls, bounces off of furniture, and if there is anything on the floor she is guaranteed to trip over it.  Poor girl never watches where she's going and is always running full steam ahead!  Her new game is using the ottoman in our room to climb onto our tall bed, going over to the edge, turning around so she's on her belly, dangling her feet off, and then falling the rest of the way down.  She thinks she's pretty smart climbing up there all by herself.  I've also caught her halfway up the stairs a few times before I realized it so you can't take your eyes off her for a second!  Emma is wearing mostly 18 month clothes now and still as cute and pudgy as ever.  I love all her little rolls!  Whoever can get her dressed will get a gold star because clothing this child is no easy feat.  I think part of it is her stubbornness and the other part of her wants to do it all by herself.  Still not much on the talking front but Dr. Hieber said as long as she seems to understand everything and continues to babble then it will come.  Chase and I are convinced she's just going to start speaking in sentences one day.   One thing Emma does that's pretty cute is telling secrets.  If Madison whispers something in my ear then Emma will run over, put her finger in my ear, and whisper baby babble.  She loves to have her back scratched and will lay down on the couch and grab your hand to rub it under her shirt.  She also thinks that whenever I wash my hands she needs to wash her hands too so she will run over to the sink and hold her hands up.  We spent the last five nights in NYC, post on that later, and the girls spent time with both of our parents.  Chase's mom taught Emma, "that's a knee slapper," and she hits her leg, throws her head back, and gives a big laugh.  Fun and games!

I love bubbles!

Monkey see Monkey do...

Taking sister for a ride

Look she's sitting still!  This lasted all of 7 seconds.  Nice try Sophia the First

She can empty this drawer in about 5 seconds

When Emma wakes up before Madison she holds the monitor and watches her until she gets up.  Emma LOVES to go upstairs to get Madison; sweet, sweet sisters 

One thing she has started doing is flipping the ring on the outside of the paci up to where its touching her nose.  If you try to flip it down she immediately flips it back up.  Silly girl!

My two little Rapunzels.  Emma really enjoys playing dress up with Madison and putting on lots of jewelry

Happy 19 months sweet girl!