NYC Day One-Two

Marcus, Georgia and I just got back from a spring break trip to New York City! My brother Cody moved to NYC two years ago and we decided back in November that we would make a trip to see him and the city before he moved to another city. The original plan was for all four of us to go but the close we got to vacation time we realized that NYC was not ready for Jack Porter ;) So he stayed back in Kentucky with family. I know this was the best option for everyone. We missed him like crazy but we loved being with different family members and having all the attention!

Wheels up to the Big Apple!

 

 

Our departing flight got interesting. We were delayed at first because LaGuardia Airport was too full. Then we completely boarded the plane and started to taxi out when we were delayed again for weather and had to deboard the plane and hang out a while. It wasn't too long, actually it was shorter than we realized and we didn't hear the announcement and had to hustle to get back in time. Don't all travel stories have a few hiccups?!

But we made it to our hotel safe and sound. We stayed at the Roosevelt Hotel. We booked through expedia just a week before our trip and got a great deal and it was beautiful. 

 

The location was great too-it was close enough to everything but not in the middle of the chaos and mayhem.

 

We didn't waste any time and headed straight for sightseeing. We went to Times Square for Georgia's first experience. We picked a good time to go because the crowds were light and it wasn't too cold. This was our second time in NYC and it's still just as unbelievable as the first time.

Not many four year olds visit Times Square but she's not your ordinary four year old :) She loved it!

 

 

We ate supper at a pizza place called John's. My two sweeties.

 

 

The next morning we headed out early to start a day full of sightseeing. We started our day with our first subway ride out of Grand Central Station. GCS was the closest terminal to our hotel so we were in and out of this place a lot. We were three of the 700,000 that come in and out everyday which is absolutely mind blowing.

 

Picture time to document the experience

We took the subway downtown to Battery Park and rode Miss Ellis Island to go see Lady Liberty herself!

 

A beautiful view of the city while we waited in line on the banks of the East River.

 

Our view of her as we took the ferry ride over. It was sunny for some parts of the day but clouded up in the morning.

  

Everyone would ask Georgia what her favorite part of the trip was and she always says The Statue of Liberty. We bought her a small Statue of Liberty toy at the airport to put in her room to remember our trip. 

Every time I got a picture of her and Daddy she would lay over on his shoulder :)

 

She's even prettier in person 

 

 

Family selfie from Ellis Island with NYC in the background

  

After lunch we took the subway uptown to Central Park and happened upon a pick up game. It was neat seeing New Yorkers just living a normal life.

  

Washington Square Park

 

I couldn't resist a picture of Georgia in front of the Plaza doing the classic Macauley Culkin face from Home Alone Lost in New York :)

 

We walked over to Central Park and it was a beautiful afternoon for it! I think it got close to 70 degrees which is warm for NY in April our taxi driver said.

 

Central Park is my favorite part of the city.

  

Sister liked it too! She felt like she was back home again with all the green spaces and water.

 

 

  

We ended the evening with supper at Jack Demsey's, a pub owned by a big UK fan so there's Kentucky memorabilia in the restaurant. Day three and four coming tomorrow!

Photo Dump

Saturday nap time is my window of opportunity to catch up on the blog. Let me just say that blogging when I had one child was A LOT easier than blogging with two children at home. I'm just proud I find time about once a week to jot a few things down! There's never a dull moment around here anymore since Jack joined the party :)

For the past five weeks I have had a dietetic intern by my side as I taught her the ropes of the school nutrition world. Friday was her last day and I didn't realize how sad I would be to see her go! We waved goodbye to each other as we left my office's parking lot and I was emotional (motherhood has made me a sap). I wish Allison all the best and I know she is going to be an outstanding dietitian!

 

Baby brother was long overdue for a haircut but it was sweet seeing those curls come back.

 

Daddy took him to the barber shop Saturday morning to see Barbie and he came home looking like a little man. His haircuts always make me sad thinking how he will soon be a little boy and the baby days are almost over ;(

 

Saturday afternoon we took Georgia Grace to see Beauty and the Beast. Gammy and Gran Stan kept Jack for us. The movie was really good and then she got to pick where we ate supper (O'Charley's). 

Alone time with mom and dad has been scarce since brother came along but it's nice when we get opportunities to spend one on one time with each of them.

 

Sunday night we went over to James and Ashley's to watch Kentucky play in the elite eight game. They had an amazing run but unfortunately lost :( We were all bummed and already had our hearts set on the 9th championship title! But we got to see Baby Ben and everybody else so it was still time well spent.

 

 

He turns two next month and mama is having a hard time accepting it. Every night we read three books (and he says "one more time" after the last one) and he sleeps with every mimi (blanket) he can find. He might be rowdy but he's equally just as sweet.

 

Friday Georgia went to OWL Academy and the Easter bunny came to visit!

 

She was a little apprehensive but did agree to a picture :) Proud of her for being brave!

 

And now it's officially spring break week! We have a big trip planned for later in the week. A little break is just what we needed!

Catch Up

Spring has come in like a lion for us. I can't recall ever taking off from blogging this long but I just haven't found the time or energy to make it happen lately!  But hopefully I'm back on track now. Here's a little recap of the last few weeks for us-

 

Grandmomma always makes a traditional Irish dinner to celebrate St. Patrick's Day and it never disappoints! I probably look forward to this meal as much as any that she prepares. She goes all out with the details as well. It was delicious!

 

Two leprachauns came and pulled tricks on the preschoolers at AKK.This is their favorite day of the year!!

 

AKK's little leprachauns 2017

 

Sister has been writing her name on her own for several weeks but this week she started writing it without looking at her name tag for guidance. I am just so proud of her! She loves to learn and practice her letters and numbers. She can write Jack's name too without any guidance. 

 

We had some family over Friday night for the Cats game. I love how Keagen just lets his little cousin hang all over him and never says a word. He is so good to his baby cousins!

 

Cats win! Sweet Sixteen bound!! I have a hilarious video of Jack running around the house chanting "Go Cats! Go Cats! Go Cats!". We left them stay up for the 8:40 game and they were wound tight. They love the Cats as much as we do!

 

A favorite memory Timehop pulled out of the archives for me. I'll take another Easter Jammie picture this year to see how much we've grown :) Time is moving too fast for this tender-hearted mama.

 

Another fun thing we dealt with this week was a water leak in our front yard. We've known of the slow leak for a while and we had generous friends, neighbors and just nice community members that drove by and saw a dozer in the front yard that helped us remedy the problem. I love living in a small town!

 

Georgia's ears starting hurting on Tuesday and Jack boy picked her some flowers to make her feel better. He already knows :)

 

We ended up at the doctor's office on Wednesday. Double ear infections all around and a ruptured ear drum for Georgia Grace :( Mommy also got a z-pack and Daddy went to the doctor Friday morning for his sinus infection. We didn't want to leave anyone out on this round of sickness. Georgia's ear drum will heal in a few weeks and we have a hearing screening scheduled next month that I'm thankful for in case there is any long-term effects (hoping and praying there isn't!).

Life is getting ready to get crazy with a spring break trip, a second birthday and Easter just around the corner. I have procrastinated some but it's time to get in gear!

Where Are You Spring?

It's March and we are suppose to be welcoming spring but it's colder than all get out and there has been snow in the forecast :/ We've pulled the winter gear back out but hopefully just for this week!

She's cute as a button but we are ready to say goodbye to our winter coat and toboggan!

 

 

I saw this on Facebook this week and it caught my attention since 1987 is the year I was born and I am about three weeks away from the big 3-0. I know this is a total joke but it is amazing how much busier our lives seem to be today than three decades ago. I feel like my childhood was simpler than what my children's childhood has been thus far. It was a nice reminder to slow down and don't overplan.

 

We did have one decent afternoon that we bundled up and played outside. They don't look thrilled but I promise they were. I think I had actually just told them we were going in for supper and they weren't happy about that.

 

And Thursday afternoon was nice too! The sun was shining and we found some mud. We want more afternoons like this.

 

Our weekend was about as low key as it gets. Friday night we met my Dad and family at Garcias for supper and then came home for a little girls time. Our nails are now spring ready! I love to spend as much one-on-one time with her as I can.

Saturday I wasn't feeling great (just a head cold) so we didn't leave the house and just relaxed and made homemade pizza.

 

Brother bear's second party plans are underway! I've got the theme (I've had this theme picked out for years ha!), got the venue (our house) and the date. Just working on the fun details! It's unfathomable that he will be two next month. So so crazy.

Pups

Life has been busy with lots of activities this week. The weather is starting to feel more spring-like and we are getting out and about more after a slow winter.

This boy has decided he doesn't like wearing diapers anymore and wants to wear "Mickey" (Mickey Mouse underwear). He has gone for long periods of time and stayed dry but still no pee or poop in the potty. We will keep trying since he is interested. I'm sure warmer weather and getting to pee outside will help! 

 

Wednesday Mom and me headed to Nashville with both kids to have their portraits taken and to do a little shopping. The portraits were just head shots so it didn't matter what they wore on the bottom so Jack boy rocked comfy britches and New Balances :) 

 

We headed to The Mall at Green Hills after our pictures. We did very little shopping and lots of baby chasing and letting them burn energy :) We ran into our good friend Brandi completely randomly and that made the whole experience worth it!

 

I think the portrait pictures are going to be great! This was sister right before her shoot. She was as beautiful as always in her mama's eyes :)

 

Tuesday I took off work a little early to volunteer at the LAA sale and in between volunteering and shopping I was able to get my adorable nephew fix. He had the flu last week but is feeling much better now.

 

This year's LAA sale was another success. I consigned some of the kid's clothes that I didn't feel like I needed to hang onto for a future baby #3 and found some great pieces for their spring/summer wardrobes.

 

I found more for Georgia than Jack which is how it usually goes but overall I was very happy with my finds! I look forward to this sale every year.

 

Friday went to OWL Academy and had a big time with her Friday OWL friends.

 

They celebrated Dr. Seuss's Birthday and he even came to visit!

The day before she wasn't feeling great but it wasn't anything concerning so Mom took her on to OWL thinking she was fine. She started feeling bad at OWL and since it was almost the weekend we decided to take her to the doctor to have her seen about. She had strep! I was very shocked since she hadn't complained of a sore throat or ear ache. She's a tough girl and besides a low grade fever and being somewhat lethargic she never had other symptoms. She's back to feeling 100% again and I'm happy they are both feeling better now! 

 

Saturday night Marcus and I went with Steve, Kathrine and the boys to watch the Bears play in their regional semifinal game and Mikayla kept the kids for us. They must have had a really good time because Jack boy fell asleep in church nursery for the first time since he was an infant! He was pooped but they had a great time and I'm so thankful for Mikayla for keeping them for us!

On Sunday after church we went to visit Uncle Jake's new hunting dogs. They are six week old beagles and so so precious. I took this picture and didn't look at it until later in the day and completely melted when I saw what I captured. It doesn't get any cuter than my babies and puppies.