#5Roomies4Tourists3Days2Nights1AsianNOKIDS

About a year ago, I got to get together with my roommates from college and enjoy our never ending conversations.  One of those conversations was how fun it would be if we could get a girl's trip going. Maybe to NYC where one of our roommates was moving.  It was a long shot since we are all married with babies.  But somehow in June, the stars aligned and airline prices agreed.  We all made the first leap and got plane tickets.
Fast forward to September 11 and I was getting on a plane without my usual travel companion and without a baby.  Let me just say, packing is super weird when I don't have to pack diapers, wipes, toys, etc.  The other girls weren't getting in until Friday morning.  So I was lucky enough to get to see the wonderful Hardy's and they were generous enough to let me stay the night with them in their home.  AND their kindness didn't stop there!  Marcus rode the hour+ train ride into the airport so that I wouldn't have to navigate the train system by myself at night.  (Cue the pregnancy hormones.)  I was too out of it to take pictures of their cute family.  But I did get to see the powerful lights honoring those that died on September 11 from their train station.  What a beacon.

The next morning was an early start, I got to see their cute little guy and catch up some more with Erica before they kindly sent me into the city with great instructions.  I met up with my other roommates near Times Square where we were staying in a condo owned by Tricia's husband's boss.  It was unreal! Such a great location!

We headed out as soon as we could and we definitely hit as many places as possible.  We had a great "selfie" theme going for ourselves.  I realize being in front is the least desirable/flattering place to be but I still like the collection we made.

^Flatiron Building

^Washington Square Arch

^Dim Sum lunch in Chinatown

^Brooklyn Bridge

^9/11 Memorial

^Mid-afternoon snack at the Shake shack

^Chinatown

^Laughing in Little Italy

^Whitney and Alisia enjoying the ferris wheel

^Charming Fire Station.  

I'm also pretty sure this one was on an episode of "HGTV Design Star"

^Dinner in Little Italy at yummy Piacere

^We saw "Once" on Broadway!  (My favorite place in NYC)

^Times Square at night

^Whitney likes the being followed by paparazzi 

^The Top of the Rock

^Tiffany's

^FAO Schwartz BIG piano

^Alisia and I enjoying our wait time for our table at Chelsea Market

^Dinner at the Green Table

^Our last (probably least flattering) selfie all together

Although it was a super short trip, I cannot even begin to describe how perfect of a trip is was. It was better than I could have even imagined it turning out.  I'm so grateful we made it happen and so incredibly lucky to have such great roomies.

It Was Labor Day Weekend, I Was 17...

(Well I now have to add 10 yrs to that number.  How's that for a crazy reality fact?! Wow. Ouch.)

Love Tim McGraw and his song that gets stuck in my head every Labor Day weekend.  Which is over a decade worth according to my confession.  This Labor Day weekend was no exception when it comes to making memories.

Michael's parents drove down from Utah through the night and got here at about 8:30 AM Saturday morning.  That's dedication!  That day we had our wonderful friends the Andersons, Browns and Howards over as well for a great lunch and pool party.

^I just love seeing our pool full of great people!

While the rest of the country sees Labor Day as the end of summer, summer is still thriving and strong in Arizona.  We wish Labor Day was the start of relief from the heat. (Especially a certain hormonal, pregnant lady.) But, alas, woe is me. One day.  One day.

We enjoyed a hot walk along Tempe Town lake with Grandma and Grandpa Shields.

They also joined us for church on Sunday.  We enjoyed playing games and talking Sunday.  Then they got back on the road Monday morning.  Although it was short, we loved having them here.  I especially love seeing our little girl loving on her "mama and papa."

 

Happy Days

Because of the time difference, we found out my sister had her baby on August 5.  Even though he was born on August 6.  Trippy huh!
Well, a few short hours after that great news, we got to see our own sweet baby for the first time:

yep...that's right... Our little Adelaide is going to be a big sister!

It was quite the exciting day because we went in for our "pregnancy confirmation" (10 week) ultrasound.  I had been worried because I felt bigger than I did at 10 weeks with Laila.  When they put the image on the screen, I was also thinking Laila looked like a bean in her 10 week ultrasound. This one looks like a baby. So it was quite the surprise when they said, "This baby is measuring 12 weeks along not 10.  Your due date just went from Feb 20 to Feb 8."  Sweet!

It still seems pretty surreal. We are going to have TWO kids? That belly bump really is a baby.  It's not just the AZ oven heat that is making me feel nauseous. In February, we are going to have a newborn again.  Wow!  It's just incredible.  It's also fascinating that although I've already had a baby, the same anxiously excited feelings are there.  I hope my baby is safe.  I pray that it is strong and healthy.  I hope I can take care of my body so that my body can take care of my baby. And most of all, I hope that I can teach (both) my babies to remember their divine potential.  They are amazing souls and they deserve to be happy. That's my greatest job.

My-sister-had-a-baby-it's-a-boy!

Do you remember this awesome commercial? (HERE) It still cracks me up.

After LOTS of waiting, Laila's first cousin on her Ostler side finally came!  He was due July 28, but he let that stay my sister's birthday and decided to wait until another awesome day in history- August 6! (Our anniversary!) It's a pretty incredible story which you can read more about on Annie's blog OVER HERE

^Sure loved getting these pics sent from my mom.

Check out that HEALTHY boy!

For now, our relationship with Baby Joseph is a LONG distance relationship. Thank heavens for FaceTime and other technology that makes Okinawa, Japan a lot closer.

Laila even got a smile from her cousin the first time they "met"

It's hard to believe that after all our years of playing house together, we both have our babies! I cannot wait until I can snuggle that sweet little guy.  

Until then, I'll just keep bugging my sister for more pictures!

An Anniversary to Remember

On August 6, we celebrated our 6th year of marriage! What an incredible six years. We celebrated by heading out of the heat and straight to the beach.

^Our travel companion.  Who needs a blankie when you have a box of noodles as comfort.  I'm pretty sure we should get an advertisement contract for this one.

Few things are better than the beach.  Our little girl LOVED playing in the sand this time.  The waves were a bit more intimidating but we still had a blast.

Best family selfie we could get.  We played at Seal Beach and Huntington Beach. 

^Coke almost has me tempted to drink their soda with this name advertising.  Found this one as a shout out to me and my sista.  Okinawa is too far.

This hit the right spot after a nice beach day! (Thanks for the gift card, Christi)

^My happy thought

Collecting shells

^happy, handsome husband

^There he is, boogie-ing on the waves

Had so much fun biking along the beach. I think Laila had the best seat.

^This girl loves her "ice seen"

^Traditional dinner at Ruby's Diner with these two. Love.

Cali vs. AZ- slightly different views.  

But we had a great time.  Laila is at such a fun beach age and it was just the escape our family needed. I'm glad I have such a great husband to enjoy life's adventures with. 

Can't wait to see what our next 6 years of marriage will bring!