WEEKEND RECAP

The babies watching TV together while I was at Trader Joe's

So it's been kind of a crazy weekend, packed with good and bad things. Very New Yorkish of it. (you know, how I always find lots of good things/feelings with lots of bad things/feelings). Anyhow, I started off Saturday morning by taking the subway by myself to Trader Joe's. I've wanted to do this since we've gotten here, so it felt really good to cross this off my list and to have a freezer stocked full of yummy dinners :)  (Just so you know my new ingenious philosophy for eating/cooking in NY with my small, no appliances/utensils kitchen is frozen dinners!)

After nap time we ventured over to the Museum of Natural History. I don't have to much to say about this museum. I really liked the displays that showed how past cultures used to live, but could take or leave the numerous displays of stuffed animals, dried out sea creatures and the life-size model of a the male malaria mosquito (wait, actually that one was pretty interesting--see photo below).

This is what Penny thought of the dinosaur bones

After that we headed over to the Shake Shack, which could have arguably been the high-light of my day. A burger/shake joint that is soooo delicious with root beer on tap. Not quite sure if that's what makes it as good as it was, but it was goood.

We went home got the babes ready for bed and enjoyed a fun visit from my friend, Monica, who was in town looking for a place to live. (Her and her family will start working full-time for Amex in July).

I came home from getting some Pinkberry and Phil and Penny were just doing some reading :)

We got thrown for a loop however, when Phil and I were in the middle of our Saturday-night movie when Ryder woke up with what seems to be a neck strain that was swollen and red. Weird. It seemed to really be hurting him and so we gave him some Tylenol and put him to down to sleep for 20 minute increments the rest of the night. I think a huge part of his problem was that it was hot. But he woke up with a mild (100.5) fever. A little Motirin took it down and we still decided to go to church.


I'm very grateful we did. There were tons of newbies just like ourselves and we were able to see  and meet lots of couples who were either in our same situation or lived close by us. The mother's lounge was packed when I went to feed Penny and was able to get loads of good advice for NYC living. In RS, I sat by Monica who was previously acquainted with the ward last summer and pointed out that someone in the presidency was a pediatrician. I shamelessly went up and talked to her after church and asked her for recommendations and told her about Ryder's situation. She even sat down and took a look at him. Can we say heaven sent?! Tender mercys abound?! I will forever love this lady.

She told me it was most likely wasn't meningitis becasue the hurt neck came before the fever, but said it could possibly be an infected lymphnode, which would explain the fever. Or just a pulled neck. Either way she gave me great advice as to where to take him and specific perameters to monitor him by. So thankful we went to church. :)

We also ran into an old college friend of mine, who just happened to marry someone who also worked at Amex, so that was fun. They were kind enough to invite us to a delicious dinner, where we were able to do some more mingling.


As for now Ryder is in good spirits and easily keeping his fever down with some Motrin every 4-6 hours. His neck is still red and hot to the touch, so that's a bit worrisome. I'm just waiting it out until morning to see if everything has died down or if I'll need to spend the day figuring out how to get him to a pediatrician.

On a positive note, after talking to Monica and other ladies in our ward (who have so many pearls of NY city living), I'm more motivated to do the subway solo. I may just even attempt it this week. We shall see!

DAILY ROUTINE

Although there is a lot to do here, doing it by yourself with two babies quickly limits the options. The subway is still up for debate. When I went with Phil, it was tricky enough, but it's also something I'm not used to as well. We'll see as the summer goes on if my bravery and ability to maneuver a stroller, baby and a toddler increases. Until then, we'll save the longer outings for when Phil can join us and stick to activities in walking distance.

So my goal now is to figure out a regular daily routine that allows us to take advantage of everything we have available to us in walking distance.

We live in 4th floor walk-up, which I'm happy to say the hardest part of that whole thing is Ryder s.l.o.w.l.y wandering either up or down the stairs at whatever pace he chooses (either slow or super duper slow). And then when I get outside, I just count on being wet because it is oh so very humid here. Luckily, most parks have nice shade trees and there is usually a nice breeze waving about. We are in walking distance to Riverside Park, Morningside Park and if you walk about two blocks more, Central Park. So a park visit is a must.

There are a couple of mini-farmer's markets once or twice a week, which are always fun to me. We also live pretty close to a library so we'll have to work on getting us a card.

I just realized how utterly boring this post is getting. Man, I think I'll just stop now until it even gets more boring, if at all possible. Hurry, throw in some photos quick!

 Here is Ryder under a tunnel at Central Park. 

 Here is Penelope's new favorite sleeping position. On her side:) 

MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND

Well, it was memorable, that's for sure. Not really full of any activities that are typical of Memorial Day Weekend, I spent most of the time recovering with Penny as my little napping sidekick while Phil and Ryder did some exploring.



Saturday we worked on getting some groceries and Phil and Ryder explored NYC's Riverside Park. With NY pizza having the reputation it does, we knew that was one of the first things to cross off our list. So pizza for dinner, it was! We at a Famiglia's pizza place, which we here is one of the better in the UWS area. Tasty stuff. And I really can get on board with their idea of a single portion :)

Sunday Phil and Ryder checked out our new ward. Penny and I stayed home and slept. Later that afternoon we took a walk and P & R showed me around Riverside Park. It was a rather pleasant way to spend a Sunday evening.

 So on our walk home from the park, Ryder kept asking to be held, but I was sick and Phil was holding Penny, so we kept telling him no. I wasn't being much help since I was on the phone and the next thing I know, Phil is picking up Ryder to put him on his shoulders. I quickly get off the phone and ask to take one. Being a good sport Phil told me he was a baby-carrying machine. I laughed and asked again if I could help and he just sighed and said, in a rather manly voice, "No. Just take a picture."

Monday we rode the subway down to Times Square to visit the Toys R Us store there. Ryder needed some help in the interior entertainment department, especially since we didn't pack hardly any toys. Plus, who needs a good excuse to buy toys any way? I thought Toy's R Us was totally cool and Times Square? Let's just say it certainly isn't underwhelming.

After riding the subway with two children and a stroller for the first time. Popping out in the middle of Times Square on Memorial Day weekend, the below photos show how I (and maybe someone else) was feeling.

I fully admit I'm in culture shock. I told my mom on the phone today, my emotions keep polarizing. One second something about this city will amaze me, two seconds later, something about this city will alarm me. One second I'll think something about our knew lifestyle here is challenging, the next second I'll think our the lifestyle here is totally convenient. Make sense? I know I'm confused too.

I'm working on and rather determined to focus on all the positives, but that will take some time...or maybe not as long as I think.

(Hi Mom!)

FOLLOW-UP PHOTOS

Here are the photos I wanted to include with my last post...

Our journey to the Big Apple started in the car and the babies were so happy and excited to be participating in anything if it meant being up at 6 a.m.

Here we are on the plane....waiting and waiting for it to just go up in the air.

It finally did and we made it to our place! We actually are quite pleased with it, but just to offer you some perspective, Penny's room may or may not be in the kitchen. And the W/D (which I hear we're really luck to have) may or may not ALSO be in the kitchen :)

NEW YORK: DAY 1

***********For some reason I couldn't get my photos to download. Sorry about that. Will post them later, hopefully**********Or/and 2 depending what you count as a day. Anyhow, we got here later last night. We started our day at 5 in the morning and got to our place in NY by 7 EST. We had a few little hang ups when 1) I woke up with a sore throat and continued to feel achey throughout the day 2) our flight got delayed two hours, which eventually led to Ryder waiting unbearable amounts of time too many times way more than any toddler should have to and 3) as we were awkwardly boarding the plane with our two babies and all of our stuff, a lady on the front row said something to me that I couldn't hear. Thinking it was some cute comment about my children, I leaned over and said, "Whate was that?" and she replied, "Your zipper." Huh. Ryder and I had completely hit the wall by the time we arrived to our place. Phil and Penelope were troopers, and were in all around good spirits. After we got the tour and keys, my only goal was to get everyone to bed whether they wanted to or not (including Phil).

Although, things usually do look better in the morning, this morning might have been the exception after waking up with a temperature of 103. Talk about wrong timing. NOTE: One bad thing about the east coast, I have to wait hours before it is appropriate for me to call anyone (like my mom or our insurance) to complain to them about my predicament. We spent most of the morning figuring our a doctor and our out-of-state insurance situation, but I triumphed! I'm happy to report by 4 o'clock today, I had my antibiotic in hand. And, while Phil and Ryder were out and about running some errands, Ryder just happened to be wearing his Seahawks jersey and they just happened to pass Elizabeth Hasselbeck and fam, who yelled, "Go Seahawks" to my boys. I'm not quite sure if I can handle all of this excitement for the first day.

First impressions of New York: (Considering we got in when it was dark and rainy, my first real view of this place was when we went out this morning to go to the doctor).

• It is sooooo New Yorky. Not the most brilliant term ever coined, but it really does looks like it does on TV and the movies.I think the thing that gets me is how old it is. I would really enjoy a history tour of this city.
• It's quite loud and busy, but our apartment is surprisingly quiet.
• If something is looking worn down, like walls, doors or steps, just throw on another coat of paint.
• I go from thinking how cool this place is to how sad this place is everytime I walk by the all to common homeless and crazy people.
• I keep getting called "baby" and "baby-girl" by cute, older black women. I really like that..

I FINALLY SUCCUMBED

...to the action figure shoe:

I don't know though, because it's like after those babies are strapped on, it's like he turns into a superhero himself!

Super Ryder!

HOME AGAIN, JIGGITY-JIG!

During this time of R&R between school and the internship, we decided to road-trip it up to Seattle. Our trip included visits with everyone of Ryder and Penelope's grandparents, including the "greats".

Penny with her great-grandma and grandpa Shorten. We usually stop in for visits with them on our way to Tremonton.

 

We started our trip spending Mother's Day weekend with my parents. Saturday we did lunch and errands followed with the arrival of Aunt Auty and Gracie. We spent Sunday giving and accepting Mother's Day well-wishes while my mom, sister and I donned our fabric corsages I made to match. We spent the afternoon eating a delicious dinner with my grandparents who came up from Downey, ID.

Monday we spent driving...

Tuesday we went running and playing at one of our favorite Seattle spots, Greenlake. And after naps went next door to visit Phil's Grandma and Grandpa Pugmire.

Wednesday we went to visit Laurie (Phil's mom) at work (Nelson Orthadontics) and I was fitted for a back-up retainer! I have a really bad habit of losing my retainer, so this was a very kind gesture. We grabbed some Dick's for lunch and had a picnic at the park where we took some photos of the fam. That evening we had a BBQ with some of Phil's friends.

Thursday we went downtown to REI and the Pacific Science Center. So fun. Why we didn't ever go there while we lived here, I do not know. Fun for adults and children. Phil and I particularly couldn't get enough of the mirrors and we all enjoyed the butterfly exhibit.
That evening we had dessert at Red Robin and enjoyed great company with Phil's friend and former co-workers Chris and Cindi, who we would gladly have enjoyed eating mile high mud pie with them all night had Ryder not needed to go to bed.

Cute Chris and Cindi with Penny. Check out her fashion blog and nice entry about Penny here.

Friday was the Zoo, of course. After which we ate at Redmill Burgers, I believe it was called. It was put on my must visit list from now on. I'm still day dreaming about their onion rings and tartar sauce. The Zoo pooped us out. We spent the rest of the day napping and falling asleep to Avatar.

Saturday was mostly spent playing pickle ball and relaxing. Later in the afternoon we visited the chilly beach and took one last stop to Nordstrom Rack. I love that place. I always have luck, good luck too, shopping there.

And last but certainly not least we spent our Sunday morning attending church in our old Garrison Creek Ward. Oh how we love that ward!!! It was so fun seeing dear friends and catching up with them while sitting through our Sunday meetings feeling like we had never left.

Monday we spent driving...


With a quick stop and wonderful break at my parents we are back at home trying to quickly make our final arrangements to get off to NYC for the rest of the summer. Bring on more adventures!

WHAT'S BETTER...

What's better than little boy boxers and underwear?


The little boy wearing them!

What's better than the little boy wearing them?


That little boy wearing them WHILE vacuuming!

Just in case you were wondering, the potty training is going pretty well. We started Monday with approximately an 80% success rate. I'll spare you the details. It just keeps improving and we've had two whole days with a 100% success rate including his first night with no diaper. However, I've learned the second I get a little cocky (especially that first day), I get fed a nice piece of humble pie, or dare I say...humble p**p.

I hope we can move from his mini little potty to the man toilet with his bumper seat this weekend. How that cute little bottom will ever be able to precariously balance on the edge of an adult-sized toilet seat is beyond me, but as in all things, I guess it will just take some practice.

BIGGER IS BETTER

So there was a post on NieNie's blog the other day with a photo that had a framed Family Proclamation in the background: Jumbo sized! I love it! And I want it. Am I slow on the uptake with this one? Has everyone but me already seen this in your local Deseret Book store??? Either way, I want a jumbo size version of the Family Proclamation hanging on my wall too! I consider the Family Proclamation to be one of the most true, applicable and beautiful statements that exists for our world today, therefore bigger=better for this item in the home decor sense :)

WE'RE READY!

So hopefully, he is too...

With Phil in limbo between school and his internship, we don't think there will be a better time to do this. Right now he's really excited about his "toy" toilet and loves to pretend to go potty. I hope this is a good sign and not a bad one. "Project: Potty Train" officially starts tomorrow. We're shooting for the 3-day, run around in their skivvies method. Wish us luck!

P.S. I think little boy undies are the cutest things on the planet.

MY MANY ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Just so you don't think I don't do anything when I forget to blog for a whole month, I thought I'd share with you a list of all my amazing accomplishments of the last few weeks. 

(Photos 1&2) Ryder at the Easter egg hunt. I got a little excited. Being a parent brings out a weird competitive side to me at such events as Easter egg hunts.

(Photos 3 & 4) Easter Morning. What do you get a 3 month-old?  A glowworm, that's what. 

(Photo 5) Penny and her cousin Jared.  And no, you silly goose, Penny cannot stand yet. Well, not without some help :)

•  Had a successful Easter Weekend that included a couple of 'Mark-Set-Go's (aka's Easter egg hunts), a visit from the Easter bunny and a yummy Easter dinner at my sister's house.
• Got Ryder over a sinus infection, only to be discovered after a necessary doctor's visit due to a nasty fever that wouldn't go away.
• Survived two of Phil's most busiest weeks of school yet. After living on campus, many sleepless nights studying and hours spent putting together projects, I was super tired...I can't imagine how he felt.
• Got my Aunt Lancy home from the hospital after an almost 20-day stay in the ICU after two surgeries. Okay, so an accomplishment I had nothing to do with, but a very hard and scary time that she fought valiantly through. I can't describe how grateful and happy I am that she is on the mend.
• Researched double strollers until my eyesight went blurry, trying to find the perfect one to accommodate my children for big city living this summer and have concluded, that  perfect stroller does not exist.
• Managed to sneak down to visit my parents with the kiddos for a week while Phil was at an HR conference.
• I read my sister's manuscript for her second novel, "A Cupcake for Eleanor". Soooo good. So funny. It must get published so all of you can read it to. 
• Finished our taxes! Okay, Phil did our taxes, but nagging him to get them done counts, right?
• Almost secured a place to live in NYC this summer (negotiations are in the works).
• And last, but not least, we made it half way through Phil's MBA! He is in the middle of finals right now, but give us a couple more days and we'll officially have one year under our belt. Woot, woot! Good job, Phil. We're so proud of you!

See...I told you I accomplished a lot.