Boston Marathon....

This past weekend was supposed to be our first night away from Riley. I had been talking about it for weeks and getting excited. I packed a sleeping pill, earplugs, my ipad and was ready to enjoy peace and quiet. From the minute we dropped him off, I should have known this would have been nothing like I imagined....

I was hysterically crying when I left my baby's side. My hubs explained that it hurt me so much since I have never spent a night without him nearby. He is my best friend. After I got over leaving him and we were further away it got better. We arrived in Boston and walked the streets to the convention center for the marathon. The whole city closes down and it is a national holiday. In fact, to get even in the race you have to qualify as an elite runner. I was super proud of hubs for getting in and graciously walked 2 hours in the expo while he oohed and aahhed at displays. We stood by marathon sports and took pictures at the finish line. This was a happy occasion that all runners look forward to. 

We finally got back to our hotel, relaxed, changed and went out for dinner. I ate and drank a glass of wine and was happy to hear that Riley was asleep at my mom's. I ate a cupcake at Georgetown Cupcakes on Newbury and had hubs explain this would be our meeting spot the following day. It was one block from the finish line. 

The morning of the race I met a friend for brunch. We walked through the town and through the mall. We had to go pretty far just to cross over the street the marathon was on. We passed the finish line again. After shopping, she left me GT cupcakes. My tracking text message on my phone told me he was almost at the finish. So I left our meeting spot to go see if I could see a glimpse on him at the parallel street. I saw babies, dogs, kids, elderly, families lovingly waiting. I heard an elderly man beam with pride about his grand nephew who was running. 

All of the runners who finished were not my hubby so I walked back to the meeting spot. I waited a bit and finally saw him coming up the street. We walked till we found a cab, got our bags, he showered and then we decided to ditch the idea of sitting down and get something to go and get home to Riley. I missed him TOO much.

On the drive back, only an hour later, I got a text from the friend I went to brunch with. This I will never forget. 

"There were two explosions"

WHAT? I thought. Where? Two bombs went off on the finishing area where I was JUST standing to try and see my husband finish. Two bombs that killed two and injured over 100. All of a sudden my phone started to ring, text, tweet, facebook post, it was nonstop. People asking me if I was okay. Friends who I haven't talked to in years checking in on me and Jared. The calls were overwhelming and I then sent out group texts to friends, called family and posted on FB to let others know we were fine. I could see the headlines flash before my eyes of a couple that didn't make it home to their newborn. I thought we were in a movie as we left the smoke behind us on the drive. 

The text made me think back to 9/11 when my best friend text me "There was an explosion". I was right back there again. Except this time I was not safe in my bed miles away, I was in the vicinity of the blast. I was there an hour before the bombs went off. That could have been me. That bomb could have taken my life or my husband's. One different decision, some more time for him to run, just about anything could have changed my path. "Luck was on my side" someone said to me. Why yes it was. Luck was there that Riley still  has a mommy and daddy. 

My thoughts and prayers go out to those who were not as lucky. To that elderly man that was waiting to see his grand nephew. Did he make it? To the babies in strollers, dogs on leashes and kids playing near the bomb site - are you all okay? All the smiling faces replaced with crying ones. Blood everywhere. I am still in shock that this is not just something you hear on the news, but something that I was VERY close to. Something that I was a part of in some way. Luck was on my side today and I am thankful for that and I have never kissed and hugged Riley more than I did tonight as I let him sleep a little longer in my arms before putting him to bed. 

I will never forget that could have been me....

Manhattan Mommies....

If I am going to be a stay at home mom, I thought to myself, I need to immerse myself into the scene here. I started slowly by reaching out to other moms I knew who lived her and had newborns to make playdates. Then I had reached out to friends of friends with kids to make more dates. I then researched kids places nearby that I could bring baby to for a free trial to see what I liked and I what I did not.

I was invited to a mommy and me yoga class and was told that other moms would be there as well. I was so excited. I dressed baby in Ralph Lauren (He is about to grow out of it and I have been saving the good stuff) and we headed over there. I was greeted by a gaggle of stroller moms all in black leggings and chatting away. I set up my mat, got baby ready and smiled generously at everyone. I said hello to the girl who invited me and took everything in.

Most of the babies were crying, some were being fed, others were screaming and some were sleeping. Baby looked at me like where am I and why are these kids crying mom!? He is such a good baby so we don't hear too much crying and fuss around the dollhouse. I could hear them talking about not liking their nannies, or problems with other classes they have signed up for (not having enough time), or going out drinking all night with friends, or having to meet their trainers. Hmmm.... not my life I thought.

Baby at yoga, confused by the multiple cries!

It just seems to live here and be a mom it takes a lot! All of the girls have their kids in at least one different class a day and each month this is about $1,000 or more just for the classes. Plus they pay for their nannies and going out and shopping and they do not work.

Sometimes I wonder if I am behind the game. How much can/should I be doing for baby at 2 months old? Should I be more on top of these NYC things? Do you ever feel behind the curve?

Life as a momma....

It has been five weeks since my little munchkin was born and I have to say I am in love. Well, duh you are thinking. But this love is one that I cannot explain unless you have one of your own. The fact that he knows my voice, my smell, my touch, and I am his WHOLE world also plays to this. It makes me love him that much more, knowing how much he loves me back. 

Regardless, 5 weeks down and only 7 to go until maternity leave is over. I have to say I have been having nightmares and MANY convos about going back with hubs and I am still just as befuddled as ever before. Here is how life in the dollhouse is different compared to corporate event planner doll according to my resume stats.

Administrative: 

Instead of sending emails, making phone calls, following up with reservations, checking guest lists, making name cards.... I am washing bottles, swaddling blankets, washing baby clothes, packing diaper bags, changing diapers, soothing a sometimes fussy baby

Scope of work:

Instead of planning large events with needy people who wants things done just so..... I am planning Riley's next feeding and meticulously trying to sleep train him (A bit early, but hey I get 5 hour stretches already!) And he is by far the most neediest, but the cutest. So its a draw :)

Skills - Multitasking:

Instead of being able to make budgets, train staff members, pair wines with food all at the same time..... I am holding baby in one arm while making a bottle in the other, then cooking dinner for hubs and cleaning the house while baby sleeps 

All in all, my job here is just as important and even more time consuming then in my office surrounded by a view of NYC, just this way I get to wear leggings and work on my post baby bod :)

What would you do if you could afford to stay home? Would you go back? 

Newborn Faves....

Being a new mom, I thought that I had everything I wanted and/or needed from the baby shower that was thrown for me. 

I was WRONG...

People seem to get you things that are more cute than functional. Only the real moms seem to get things that we actually needed. (And yes, hubs and I are mostly to blame, since we registered for cute rather than functional items) One friend was nice enough to even get us a full basket full of goodies, ranging from baby shampoo to aquaphor. MUCH NEEDED :)

Here are some things that I found to make these first 2.5 weeks easier. Hope they are helpful!

Huggies Little Snugglers 

It's really the diapers with the line that helps. I am not so good at feeling a diaper or even smelling. So when the line is blue, it was a good enough sign for me!

The Boppy

It is handy for many reasons. Feeding, propping and tummy time. Classic item in this house. 

Swaddle Blankets

I still have not found ones that actually stay on, but if my baby is warm he is happy and that makes me a happy mommy

Newborn Outfits

I personally thought Riley would be over 8 lbs when born, boy I was wrong. At 6.9 he was a peanut. He needed newborn outfits, not 0 - 3 months. He was swimming in those. Also, I needed the outfits that snap up the front (he screams when they go over his head), have feet and hands that fold over (he will scratch himself otherwise). Carters makes really cute ones. 

BB Sheet Savers

A godsend. If he pees or poops through his diaper, through his clothes, it lands on the sheet saver, which means I do not have to wash the sheets, just the detachable savers. Ahhh. 

What are your go to newborn essentials? 

Welcome and Update

It's been a bit crazy in the dollhouse lately....

Hubs and I went out for New Year's eve after a long day of walking and buying baby clothes. We watched the ball drop and all of a sudden something else dropped as well... my water. It broke at 1:00am! Baby boy was on his way. I checked into the hospital at 5:00am and then came the contractions, the epidural, the grossness that labor ensues and finally the 2 hour pushing event which I pray will not happen the next time around! 

At 6:18 pm on January 1, 2013 we welcomed our son Riley Jakob into this world, weighing 6.9 lbs and measuring 19.75 inches in length. He is perfect! So as we near his 2 week birthday, I wanted to share some photos of him. He is gorgeous and sweet and has the best temperament. We pray he stays that way for a while :)

And looks like hubs has the blogging fever! Check him out where he documents his life as an athlete and a dad :)

Style Child

I  have to say that shopping for baby boy clothes is more fun that I had originally thought. When we first found out we were having a boy, I was happy, but a bit sad that I could not indulge in wall to wall pink, tutus, glitter and pretty princess outfits. Soon, after accepting that even little boys wear pink and purple, I was happy with my shopping efforts. In fact, I have found a multitude of fashionable and stylish little boy clothes that I am excited to dress baby in. Here are a few of my findings....

Burberry Jeans

Sara Kety's cute prints

This is perfect for Thunder

Splendid Littles Boys Peacoat

Baby Toms

Seven for all Mankind Diaper Covers

Ralph Lauren One Pieces

Trumpette Socks

Ugg Bixbee Booties



Baby Dollface Update

Well, we are coming into the home stretch now. I am almost 34 weeks (8.5 months)! We had a sonogram on Monday and the baby is already over 4 lbs in weight, a full head of hair and the head is down. I asked them to recheck the sex and she showed me the boy parts, so I am sure! They also got a picture of baby and I have to say it looks like my twin when I was born too. So I thought I would share!

L: me as baby R: Baby at 33 Weeks

However, I am not ready for baby. We don't have a nursery setup (but we have furniture bought, just no place to deliver yet), we don't have a hospital bag packed (but there will be a tour of the hospital next week), we are still missing key items from the registry (and plan to do that next weekend) and we are currently looking for a new place to live! Yikes. Besides the fact, that baby has NO name yet, I am lucky that baby will forgive me for being so unprepared. Then again, can you ever be prepared?!

Can't wait to meet you little guy, just a few more weeks to go!