Last week my People magazine featured Kate Middleton (Prince William's wife) on the cover with the tag line "Tragedy" because the Princess had been photographed topless while on vacation. I felt a little disgusted and outraged. Yes, being photographed topless is an invasion of privacy, but being photographed topless while on a luxurious vacation is NOT a tragedy. And so I sent the following letter to the Editor at People magazine.
Dear People,
I was disturbed by your recent cover featuring Kate Middleton and the word "tragedy" in response to her being photographed topless. I think you need to re-examine your use of the word tragedy. Soldiers and civilian employees being killed in Afghanistan, leaving behind loved ones, are tragedies. Homelessness and poverty in the USA are tragedies. Children being abused is a tragedy. Human trafficking is a tragedy. Parents outliving their children is a tragedy. Kate Middleton being photographed topless while on a luxurious vacation is NOT a tragedy. It's an invasion of privacy.
If you want to do a true story on tragedy why not spread the word on EB, about children being born with a horrific, painful, rare disease? Courtney Roth lost her 2 year old son this January. THAT is a tragedy. http://www.wdsu.com/news/local-news/northshore/Mother-spreads-word-on-fatal-skin-disease/-/12537650/16668638/-/jif376/-/index.html
The suffering of baby Easton is a tragedy. http://www.facebook.com/#!/SupportBabyEastonFriedel
A family who can't afford medical supplies for their child because the husband got laid off from his job with the Department of Juvenile Justice and the closest hospital that can work with a child with EB is 4 hours away is a tragedy. http://www.facebook.com/BenWileyJr
People magazine reaches so many people. I know it is primarily a celebrity magazine, but you also profile people in need or doing good in the world. Please keep the use of the word tragedy to true tragedies.
Sincerely,
Jenn M.
I look at my daughter and thank God every day that she's healthy. I can't imagine what these parents are going through or how they feel and I thank God for that, too. When she's whining or fussy or wakes me up for the 3rd time in the middle of the night I remind myself how many parents would give anything to be in my shoes right now with their child. I don't know why a terrible disease like EB exists. I do know that these children are beautiful. Through all the pain and tears and things you and I can't begin to process they smile and play and laugh. Children are much stronger than us adults could ever hope to be.
Perhaps we should all approach the world with the strength of a child.
Friday, September 28, 2012
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Scary
After the gym today I decided the only thing that would do for lunch was McDonalds. I've had this honey mustard sauce on my mind and I cannot remember where I had it! It wasn't chik fi la (I thought I'd miss you, but I don't), not Wendy's (only like your hamburgers and baja salad), not Burger King (probably haven't eaten there in 15 years), so that left McDonald's. Isn't it weird the things that we crave at different times?
After we left the drive thru I noticed 2 people calling for "Ryan." I thought at first they were looking for a dog, and asked the woman who said that the man had lost his 4 1/2 year old son. My heart immediately constricted because I can't imagine thinking Em was missing for even a second. I said I'd drive up the street and look.
I drove around some, didn't see him, headed back to McDonald's, saw that more people were walking around looking and yelling his name, drove around some more, and started to head home. A half mile down the road I turned around. I thought I can't go home while someone's son is missing.
As I turned down a side street I saw a police car go racing by with lights flashing. I thought thank God they've called the police. I stopped and asked some golfers at the course near the McDonald's, I talked to some sketchy guy in an apartment complex, I talked to some Verizon employees who then 2 minutes later I saw pulling up and getting out in another complex and he said he was going to walk the golf course. No kid.
My biggest fear was how far could a 4 1/2 year old get and that someone had taken him. We were on a busy road so he couldn't of crossed the street. While I was driving around I heard lots of sirens so I decided to drive back to McDonald's and see what I could do to help.
The police had the entrance/exit blocked, they had a dog out, and as I slowed down in front of McDonald's I saw someone find Ryan under a bush not 6 feet from the their car. Praise Jesus! Praise Jesus! Praise Jesus!
I immediately started hysterically sobbing and called my mom to calm me down (thanks Mom).
I headed home although I felt a little guilty that I didn't try to find the Verizon guy to let him know, but I had to feed Em and get her down for her nap. I don't think the 18 french fries she ate in the car was good enough (meanwhile I had scarfed down a cheeseburger--I know, I know, I said nuggets, don't judge me--and it was damn good) so we had to get home to our nuggets.
And ya know, McDonald's forget the honey mustard sauce! I got 2 bbq and a sweet & spicy. I guess I'll have to go back. haha
I'll tell ya what. I might need a cocktail.
After we left the drive thru I noticed 2 people calling for "Ryan." I thought at first they were looking for a dog, and asked the woman who said that the man had lost his 4 1/2 year old son. My heart immediately constricted because I can't imagine thinking Em was missing for even a second. I said I'd drive up the street and look.
I drove around some, didn't see him, headed back to McDonald's, saw that more people were walking around looking and yelling his name, drove around some more, and started to head home. A half mile down the road I turned around. I thought I can't go home while someone's son is missing.
As I turned down a side street I saw a police car go racing by with lights flashing. I thought thank God they've called the police. I stopped and asked some golfers at the course near the McDonald's, I talked to some sketchy guy in an apartment complex, I talked to some Verizon employees who then 2 minutes later I saw pulling up and getting out in another complex and he said he was going to walk the golf course. No kid.
My biggest fear was how far could a 4 1/2 year old get and that someone had taken him. We were on a busy road so he couldn't of crossed the street. While I was driving around I heard lots of sirens so I decided to drive back to McDonald's and see what I could do to help.
The police had the entrance/exit blocked, they had a dog out, and as I slowed down in front of McDonald's I saw someone find Ryan under a bush not 6 feet from the their car. Praise Jesus! Praise Jesus! Praise Jesus!
I immediately started hysterically sobbing and called my mom to calm me down (thanks Mom).
I headed home although I felt a little guilty that I didn't try to find the Verizon guy to let him know, but I had to feed Em and get her down for her nap. I don't think the 18 french fries she ate in the car was good enough (meanwhile I had scarfed down a cheeseburger--I know, I know, I said nuggets, don't judge me--and it was damn good) so we had to get home to our nuggets.
And ya know, McDonald's forget the honey mustard sauce! I got 2 bbq and a sweet & spicy. I guess I'll have to go back. haha
I'll tell ya what. I might need a cocktail.
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Proud Parenting Moments
This weekend I experienced some of my finest parenting moments. Our friend Ty was in town so seeing as Paul was having a guy's weekend in NYC, Em and I met Ty and his girlfriend and their friends in Boston for lunch. Em had fallen asleep in the car so she was a sweet treat when we first got to the restaurant. I think part of the problem is that she LOVES walking (ya know now that she's finally started walking) so all she kept saying is "Up, up." Of course she also loves to eat so as soon as we gave her some food she was all good.
After lunch we walked around the North End for a little bit (making a stop at Mike's Pastry--if you've never been you should come to Boston just to get one of their cannolis...amazing!). We loved seeing Ty and meeting Margaret, but eventually it was time to head home. We had parked at the Coast Guard station so on the way I decided to let Em run around for a little bit.
As soon as she beelined towards the water I realized I had made a grave error in judgment, but the only thing to do now was go with it. Em loves water more than she loves walking or food. So even though it was a slightly cool day and slightly windy I stripped off her socks, shoes, and pants and let her run free like a gazelle. Ya know we're from the south, we like to keep it classy here in Boston (imagine this is being said with a southern accent. It's funnier that way.).
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| Look how much fun she's having! |
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| Pre water |
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| Post water |
Sunday I was exhausted. All I wanted was to take a nap when Emma took a nap. She fell asleep and then woke up 30 minutes later. I was laying in bed and had just fallen asleep when I heard her crying. I decided to just let her fuss and hope she went to back to sleep. She didn't, but she did start playing so I left her in there. An hour later she was still awake so I decided to go get her. Turns out she had a massive poo and that's why she didn't go back to sleep. I am talking MASSIVE! I felt horrible, like the worst mom ever. To make it up to her, I took her out for froyo and to the park for an hour and a half.
Whenever we take Em to the pedi, the doctor comments on how for a stay at home child Em sure gets every single kid illness. At the park Sunday I realized why. Emma LICKS everything. There's a big sandbox at the park. I look over and Em has a toy in her mouth. We go to this steering wheel. Em immediately licks it. Oh lawdy!
And then last night I'm laying in bed, reading a book, we have the windows open, the dogs are outside, and all of the sudden I can smell skunk. No, no, no, no!
Ugh, 2 of our dogs got sprayed by skunk. 2 of our dogs slept outside in their crates last night. Thank goodness it was a nice day because they stayed outside all day and Paul came home from work to give them a special bath.
So, that has been our weekend. Hope y'all have a great week!
Friday, September 14, 2012
Lice
One of my friends recently had the joyful experience of going through lice with her daughter. She asked me to share her experience in hopes of helping save someone else's sanity.
I had called the pediatrician for advice because we were concerned about excessive itching on my daughter’s head, not having a clue about lice. A few days later, we brought my daughter to the office and the nurse confirmed she had lice. (WHAT???!!!)
In extreme panic and lack of education about lice, I researched everything I could have regarding getting rid of the stubborn buggers. Okay, maybe I was a little obsessed, but the thought of lice grossed me out and I feared the world would end if I got it as well. (Okay, a little exaggeration, especially being the date is so close to 9/11. On a scale of 0 to a million, this was .0000000000000000001).
There was a lot of conflicting information so we tried a few of the methods and in retrospect; I have some experience and advice that I’d like to share. I admit it’s partly for selfish reasons, to educate other parents about lice so that my daughter doesn’t get lice again, but also to save parents the same exhaustion I experienced.
I included a link with material that I found that helped me keep my sanity. (although that is debatable at this point.) It’s designed for a skeptic about the effectiveness of the shampoos and a theory of lice that might be immune to Pyrethrum, the chemical in common lice treatments. (http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/theliceprogram/theprogram.html)
The program talks about the life cycle of lice and why it’s so difficult to get rid of them. It’s a 21 day program, although we won our battle within 10 days. (Thank goodness it wasn’t 3 months like the nurse’s daughter. Again, WHAT???!!!) I believe our experience was shorter than 21 days because I DO believe the lice shampoo killed adult lice, (the ones that can lay eggs) but I’m not convinced it killed the eggs. My husband and I cut out every egg we could find and the material I reference pulled me into reality that I wouldn’t find all the eggs.
Unfortunately, my daughter’s hair is uncommonly thick and after HOURS and HOURS of combing, I found myself thinking for the first time that I wished her hair wasn’t so hair-commercial beautiful and I was no longer extremely envious of her shiny brown silky hair. Along with the shampoo, extreme combing, and olive oil, I had a friend give her a pixie cut. (I couldn’t do it – I cried just watching, although I have learned to like the spunky style that suits her personality.) The haircut was the only way I could manage my time, with all the combing, laundry, vacuuming, and sterilizing I would get awards for.
Here’s our experience:
· Day -4: Itching started
· Day 0: lice confirmed, first shampoo (3 dead adult lice)
· Day 1: treated myself just in case
· Day 2: chopped five inches from her hair
· Day 3: last nymph found
· Day 7: second shampoo
· Day 9: pixie cut, last of eggs found
· Day 10: no eggs found
· Day 11: Back to school, panic gone, nervousness still remained.
· Day 12 forward: brief combing and preventative shampoo each night.
Our experience will likely be different than yours, but the most important things that I walked away with is to trust your instinct, and spend most of your time killing the bugs and combing for eggs in your child’s hair. As a favor, please don't send your child back to school until after at least 10 days, so they don't give lice to other kids.
Good luck!
I had called the pediatrician for advice because we were concerned about excessive itching on my daughter’s head, not having a clue about lice. A few days later, we brought my daughter to the office and the nurse confirmed she had lice. (WHAT???!!!)
In extreme panic and lack of education about lice, I researched everything I could have regarding getting rid of the stubborn buggers. Okay, maybe I was a little obsessed, but the thought of lice grossed me out and I feared the world would end if I got it as well. (Okay, a little exaggeration, especially being the date is so close to 9/11. On a scale of 0 to a million, this was .0000000000000000001).
There was a lot of conflicting information so we tried a few of the methods and in retrospect; I have some experience and advice that I’d like to share. I admit it’s partly for selfish reasons, to educate other parents about lice so that my daughter doesn’t get lice again, but also to save parents the same exhaustion I experienced.
I included a link with material that I found that helped me keep my sanity. (although that is debatable at this point.) It’s designed for a skeptic about the effectiveness of the shampoos and a theory of lice that might be immune to Pyrethrum, the chemical in common lice treatments. (http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/theliceprogram/theprogram.html)
The program talks about the life cycle of lice and why it’s so difficult to get rid of them. It’s a 21 day program, although we won our battle within 10 days. (Thank goodness it wasn’t 3 months like the nurse’s daughter. Again, WHAT???!!!) I believe our experience was shorter than 21 days because I DO believe the lice shampoo killed adult lice, (the ones that can lay eggs) but I’m not convinced it killed the eggs. My husband and I cut out every egg we could find and the material I reference pulled me into reality that I wouldn’t find all the eggs.
Unfortunately, my daughter’s hair is uncommonly thick and after HOURS and HOURS of combing, I found myself thinking for the first time that I wished her hair wasn’t so hair-commercial beautiful and I was no longer extremely envious of her shiny brown silky hair. Along with the shampoo, extreme combing, and olive oil, I had a friend give her a pixie cut. (I couldn’t do it – I cried just watching, although I have learned to like the spunky style that suits her personality.) The haircut was the only way I could manage my time, with all the combing, laundry, vacuuming, and sterilizing I would get awards for.
Here’s our experience:
· Day -4: Itching started
· Day 0: lice confirmed, first shampoo (3 dead adult lice)
· Day 1: treated myself just in case
· Day 2: chopped five inches from her hair
· Day 3: last nymph found
· Day 7: second shampoo
· Day 9: pixie cut, last of eggs found
· Day 10: no eggs found
· Day 11: Back to school, panic gone, nervousness still remained.
· Day 12 forward: brief combing and preventative shampoo each night.
Our experience will likely be different than yours, but the most important things that I walked away with is to trust your instinct, and spend most of your time killing the bugs and combing for eggs in your child’s hair. As a favor, please don't send your child back to school until after at least 10 days, so they don't give lice to other kids.
Good luck!
Sunday, September 9, 2012
Embrace the Chaos
I meant to blog yesterday, but got caught up in being lazy. It was Paul's turn to get up early with Emma yesterday and as I hadn't fallen asleep until after 1am I slept until 9:40am! I felt like a girl of 20 again.
We spent the morning lounging around the living room and playing with Emma. As soon as she went down for a nap I ran out the door to Starbucks like my ass was on fire. When you need a Starbucks, you NEED a Starbucks.
She was still sleeping when I got home so I called the vet to make an appointment for our boxer, Sasha. Did I mention 2 nights ago at dinner I was getting something from the kitchen, walked by Sasha, and urine was just pouring out of her? She didn't even react! Just laid there and peed all over the floor. I got her up and let Sasha and Beauty outside, came back in, and Beast had thrown up by the high chair! Paul finished cleaning up the urine and then cleaned up the vomit. I can usually handle it, but not when we're eating. Gag!
Anyway, so I called the vet yesterday to make an appointment and the woman on the phone said well it could be incontinence, but she'll have to see the vet to make sure it's not a UTI. A UTI we can handle, an 80lb dog with incontinence we can not. I'm pretty sure diapering a boxer was NOT on the list of activities I thought I'd be engaging in this year.
While Em was napping we let the dogs out and a few minutes later our neighbor Nicole knocked on our door. Apparently Sasha was running around their yard with their German shepherd. Paul went out to get her and I went downstairs to let the other dogs in. He went out to inspect and found that a tree had fallen down and wiped out a section of our fence.
After Emma woke up we went to our friend Liz's and Jeremy's. They are expecting baby #2 in the spring and needed to get rid of their guest room furniture. Being a social worker, I quickly snagged it for Paul's cousin and fiance for their new place. Score! Much love to Liz and Jeremy for being so generous! They are amazingly nice people and a fun couple and Emma loves playing with their son Caleb (who is 3 weeks younger than her).
On the way to their house my phone rang. I couldn't answer it because I needed the GPS on. I should've answered because a few minutes later our friend Sarah called and then texted and then our neighbor Nicole called. Apparently someone, who will remain nameless but is going to MIT this fall didn't shut the door all the way and when I set the alarm it eventually went off. Since I didn't answer the phone when ADT called they sent the police to our house. Nicole was concerned because the police were at our house and the alarm was going off. At least I know that A) the police will come if it goes off for real, and B) Nicole can hear our alarm going off. She's a federal agent and carries a gun so having her next door is greatly reassuring to me.
The boys loaded up all the furniture while Liz and I chatted and the munchkins played. We had to hurry home as soon as they were done because it looked like it was going to storm. Of course it didn't end up raining until 9:30pm.
Because it looked like we were about to get a massive storm I took Em and the dogs outside (after we had a snack of course and I ran up to the farm stand to buy lettuce. We do have priorities you know.) while Paul ran up to Home Depot to get supplies to fix the fence. I'm out there, watching Em, watching the dogs, yelling at them to stay away from the hole in the fence, and trying to pick things up before it storms. I go to pick up a paper bag full of beer bottles from last weekends Labor Day cook out and the bag rips spilling beer bottles everywhere. I call inside to the cousins and they come out to help. They clean everything up and Em and I play a little bit longer. And by play I meant she ran to the back of the yard as I tried to steer her around the piles of dog poop in our yard.
We decided to head inside and I notice that there is something under the deck. It's Beast our chihuahua. He's stuck under the deck. Are you freaking kidding me? I take Em inside and ask Sarah to take her upstairs, go back outside, and try to coax him out. I can see where he crawled under the deck, but of course he hadn't stayed there and can't figure out his way to get back there (the fact that we threw all the concrete blocks and broken up concrete from our old stairs and retaining wall under there may have had something to do with that). Sigh. I go inside, grab a shovel, and dig out the area in front of the dog so he can crawl out. I'm surprised he didn't get bit by a snake under there. Maybe they were all chilling in the wood pile that day. Then I fill the hole back in.
Get back inside and of course it's almost 5pm and time to start dinner. Can't a sista get a break around here?
Of course my greens, fried chicken, and salad were delicious! Thank goodness for our Breville fryer. haha Something I'm sure we needed to buy and that will contribute to our longevity.
When your day is chaotic I think the only thing you can do is embrace it. Otherwise it'll make you cray cray!
We spent the morning lounging around the living room and playing with Emma. As soon as she went down for a nap I ran out the door to Starbucks like my ass was on fire. When you need a Starbucks, you NEED a Starbucks.
She was still sleeping when I got home so I called the vet to make an appointment for our boxer, Sasha. Did I mention 2 nights ago at dinner I was getting something from the kitchen, walked by Sasha, and urine was just pouring out of her? She didn't even react! Just laid there and peed all over the floor. I got her up and let Sasha and Beauty outside, came back in, and Beast had thrown up by the high chair! Paul finished cleaning up the urine and then cleaned up the vomit. I can usually handle it, but not when we're eating. Gag!
Anyway, so I called the vet yesterday to make an appointment and the woman on the phone said well it could be incontinence, but she'll have to see the vet to make sure it's not a UTI. A UTI we can handle, an 80lb dog with incontinence we can not. I'm pretty sure diapering a boxer was NOT on the list of activities I thought I'd be engaging in this year.
While Em was napping we let the dogs out and a few minutes later our neighbor Nicole knocked on our door. Apparently Sasha was running around their yard with their German shepherd. Paul went out to get her and I went downstairs to let the other dogs in. He went out to inspect and found that a tree had fallen down and wiped out a section of our fence.
After Emma woke up we went to our friend Liz's and Jeremy's. They are expecting baby #2 in the spring and needed to get rid of their guest room furniture. Being a social worker, I quickly snagged it for Paul's cousin and fiance for their new place. Score! Much love to Liz and Jeremy for being so generous! They are amazingly nice people and a fun couple and Emma loves playing with their son Caleb (who is 3 weeks younger than her).
On the way to their house my phone rang. I couldn't answer it because I needed the GPS on. I should've answered because a few minutes later our friend Sarah called and then texted and then our neighbor Nicole called. Apparently someone, who will remain nameless but is going to MIT this fall didn't shut the door all the way and when I set the alarm it eventually went off. Since I didn't answer the phone when ADT called they sent the police to our house. Nicole was concerned because the police were at our house and the alarm was going off. At least I know that A) the police will come if it goes off for real, and B) Nicole can hear our alarm going off. She's a federal agent and carries a gun so having her next door is greatly reassuring to me.
The boys loaded up all the furniture while Liz and I chatted and the munchkins played. We had to hurry home as soon as they were done because it looked like it was going to storm. Of course it didn't end up raining until 9:30pm.
Because it looked like we were about to get a massive storm I took Em and the dogs outside (after we had a snack of course and I ran up to the farm stand to buy lettuce. We do have priorities you know.) while Paul ran up to Home Depot to get supplies to fix the fence. I'm out there, watching Em, watching the dogs, yelling at them to stay away from the hole in the fence, and trying to pick things up before it storms. I go to pick up a paper bag full of beer bottles from last weekends Labor Day cook out and the bag rips spilling beer bottles everywhere. I call inside to the cousins and they come out to help. They clean everything up and Em and I play a little bit longer. And by play I meant she ran to the back of the yard as I tried to steer her around the piles of dog poop in our yard.
We decided to head inside and I notice that there is something under the deck. It's Beast our chihuahua. He's stuck under the deck. Are you freaking kidding me? I take Em inside and ask Sarah to take her upstairs, go back outside, and try to coax him out. I can see where he crawled under the deck, but of course he hadn't stayed there and can't figure out his way to get back there (the fact that we threw all the concrete blocks and broken up concrete from our old stairs and retaining wall under there may have had something to do with that). Sigh. I go inside, grab a shovel, and dig out the area in front of the dog so he can crawl out. I'm surprised he didn't get bit by a snake under there. Maybe they were all chilling in the wood pile that day. Then I fill the hole back in.
Get back inside and of course it's almost 5pm and time to start dinner. Can't a sista get a break around here?
Of course my greens, fried chicken, and salad were delicious! Thank goodness for our Breville fryer. haha Something I'm sure we needed to buy and that will contribute to our longevity.
When your day is chaotic I think the only thing you can do is embrace it. Otherwise it'll make you cray cray!
Friday, September 7, 2012
Marriott Points in the Hizzouse
Forgive me. I'm typing this on my iPad on the Amtrack. If you've never ridden the train you are missing out. Good times. We'd def use Amtrack again.
Yesterday was our 3rd anniversary. Paul had told me he'd make a dinner reservation and did he ever. Monday he gave me a card with instructions to pack a bag for me and Emma and to be prepared to leave Tues at 6:30am. I had no idea where we were headed nor would he give me any clues.
We got up bright and early Tues morning and headed out. Cousin Jacob was driving the swagger wagon and I felt fairly confident he was taking us to the airport. Wrong!
He passed the airport exit and now I was thoroughly confused until he got to the south station exit and exited. The only thing off that exit is the train station and Chinatown.
The train? I'd never been on Amtrack before and the only training leaving at the time he told me was heading to Richmond VA. Richmond? What on earth could we be going to Richmond for? I was game though. Once I saw the list of stops on our train I realized we were probably going to NYC.
I heart NYC! We got to Penn Station and told me we needed to head towards 33rd between 7th & 8th. I figured our hotel was there until he said to look for a restaurant called Nick & Stef's. What? What is going on? We trucked along, did not see the restaurant, and Paul got a phone call. A car pulled up to the curb and we got in. There was even a car seat for Em.
We head out and the driver pulls up in front of a hotel. I get out, look up, and see Ritz Carlton. To say my mouth dropped open would be an understatement. We are Holiday Inn people, not Ritz Carlton people. I began to wonder if Paul had won the lottery or robbed someone without telling me. Niressa, the porter, took us up to our room on the 8th floor.
We opened the door and it hadn't been cleaned yet. She apologized profusely and called down to the desk. They upgraded us to a room on the 6th floor with a view of the Statue of Liberty, Battery Park, Ellis Island, and the Hudson. Even Paul was impressed because he said that was the room on the website, telescope and everything , AND we got it with Marriott points. Paul used to travel A LOT for work.
It was slightly rainy and overcast, but we decided to go have a drink and snack at the bar to wait out the rain. Once it stopped raining we headed over to the World Trade Center memorial where they were giving out free tickets to go inside.
Okay, I didn't finish on the train because I started to get motion sickness. I'm home now on the laptop so I should be able to finish.
World Trade Center Memorial has more security than the airport. You have to go through metal detectors and send all your belongings through an xray machine. We were a little surprised. And I wondered, thinking about all the war memorials in DC, if and when they will do a memorial for the military and civilians killed in Iraq and Afghanistan, but that's a post for another day. The WTC Memorial is amazing. I'll post pictures as soon as I upload them onto the computer.
After that we went back to the hotel (can you even call the Ritz Carlton a hotel? It seems like too mundane a word for something so magnificent) and got ready for dinner. There was a small Italian restaurant within walking distance so went there. Delicious of course! After dinner I made a pit stop at the RC bar to grab a glass of wine to take up to my room. We were all asleep by 9:15pm.
Saturday the weather was still a little rainy in the morning. We decided to eat breakfast at the RC and we were only slightly underdressed. I had a tank top and shorts on and we both had sneakers on (and I didn't even have good sneakers on. Since I didn't know where we were going I had brought old sneakers that I had worn for painting. Marriot points in the hizzouse!). Everyone else in the restaurant was in suits and ties and business clothes. haha $100 later (I know, right! We almost stroked out. I didn't even have a mimosa or anything!) we were on our way to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Neither of us had ever been. It only rained once when we were at the Statue of Liberty and then it was a pretty nice, but overcast day. Em was so good and slept through most of Ellis Island which allowed Paul and I to leisurely look around. If you ever get a chance to go I highly recommend it.
Wednesday was our anniversary and Paul had arranged for someone from the Babysitting Guild of NY to come watch Emma in our room. I was slightly, and by slightly I mean holy anxiety, nervous about it as we've never used a babysitter before (and Em is 18 months old lol) and especially one from a service in NYC in our hotel room. There was a mix up with the time so that didn't help my anxiety, but she got there, she seemed nice, and off we went. Em didn't even cry.
We started off the night with a cocktail at the hotel bar. Even Paul had one. Then we went to dinner. Paul started with a bowl of chicken noodle soup and I had lobster bisque. To say they were amazing would be an understatement. It was heaven in a bowl. Our main course was NY strip steak. I had creamed spinach with mine and Paul had macaroni and cheese. We also got a side of garlic mashed potatoes and I had another glass of wine. I've never tasted anything so good! I can never eat frozen creamed spinach again. Never. I think it was all better than Ruth's Chris. We should've shared the steak because we were so full, but it was so good. We actually talked about going to the bathroom to throw up so we could eat more. I know, disgusting, right.
The waiter, who was also amazing, cleared the table and brought back a clean spoon and fork for each of us. We didn't know what was coming, but we sort of grimaced at the thought of more food. Of course the RC hooked us up with a dessert tray of 9 mini desserts (key lime pie, 3 cookie type things, 2 brownies, 2 apple pies, and a chocolate cake) AND 2 glasses of champagne. I almost threw up right then and there. Paul doesn't drink champagne so I knew it'd be up to me to finish both glasses. We ate until I couldn't possibly ingest anything else and I drank the champagne. Through out this whole thing we watched a guy across the street in Battery Park jumping up the stairs. The one set of stairs was probably 2 feet wide per stair. The other set he hopped up on one leg. I was tired just watching him.
After dinner we decided to walk through Battery Park and try to walk off some of the 45,000 calories we'd just consumed. I stopped to tell the hopper how impressive he was because it was impressive. He was doing crossfit. Yikes! It was a beautiful night and it was nice to have some alone time. I noticed a lot of New Yorkers are super committed to jogging. Show offs.
We got back up to our room and Emma was snoring away. She's NEVER fallen asleep for anyone but Paul and I before. I was so relieved. The sitter said she did great, ate her $20 chicken finger dinner with no problems, had a good time playing, and drank all her milk. She slept till 5am and then came in bed with us and finally fell back asleep till 8am.
We left on Thursday and spent the morning walking around the Financial District (tons of pictures to come), enjoying a Starbucks, and having pizza for lunch. Our train left at 2pm and since we got to sit in the handicapped section Em was able to nap in her stroller. She was quite the little celebrity, walking up and down each car, saying hi to everyone on board. I think we are going to have our hands full when she gets older. lol The staff at the hotel was sad to see Em leave. She was given a stuffed animal every time we got back from somewhere and came home with a lion, zebra, giraffe, elephant, and monkey. She loved running around the lobby, welcoming new guests, and brightening the staff's day. What a little charmer!
It was an amazing trip. We can never stay in a regular hotel again after the Ritz Carlton. I have the best husband in the world to plan such a wonderful anniversary surprise. We'll see how he tops it next year! haha
Yesterday was our 3rd anniversary. Paul had told me he'd make a dinner reservation and did he ever. Monday he gave me a card with instructions to pack a bag for me and Emma and to be prepared to leave Tues at 6:30am. I had no idea where we were headed nor would he give me any clues.
We got up bright and early Tues morning and headed out. Cousin Jacob was driving the swagger wagon and I felt fairly confident he was taking us to the airport. Wrong!
He passed the airport exit and now I was thoroughly confused until he got to the south station exit and exited. The only thing off that exit is the train station and Chinatown.
The train? I'd never been on Amtrack before and the only training leaving at the time he told me was heading to Richmond VA. Richmond? What on earth could we be going to Richmond for? I was game though. Once I saw the list of stops on our train I realized we were probably going to NYC.
I heart NYC! We got to Penn Station and told me we needed to head towards 33rd between 7th & 8th. I figured our hotel was there until he said to look for a restaurant called Nick & Stef's. What? What is going on? We trucked along, did not see the restaurant, and Paul got a phone call. A car pulled up to the curb and we got in. There was even a car seat for Em.
We head out and the driver pulls up in front of a hotel. I get out, look up, and see Ritz Carlton. To say my mouth dropped open would be an understatement. We are Holiday Inn people, not Ritz Carlton people. I began to wonder if Paul had won the lottery or robbed someone without telling me. Niressa, the porter, took us up to our room on the 8th floor.
We opened the door and it hadn't been cleaned yet. She apologized profusely and called down to the desk. They upgraded us to a room on the 6th floor with a view of the Statue of Liberty, Battery Park, Ellis Island, and the Hudson. Even Paul was impressed because he said that was the room on the website, telescope and everything , AND we got it with Marriott points. Paul used to travel A LOT for work.
It was slightly rainy and overcast, but we decided to go have a drink and snack at the bar to wait out the rain. Once it stopped raining we headed over to the World Trade Center memorial where they were giving out free tickets to go inside.
Okay, I didn't finish on the train because I started to get motion sickness. I'm home now on the laptop so I should be able to finish.
World Trade Center Memorial has more security than the airport. You have to go through metal detectors and send all your belongings through an xray machine. We were a little surprised. And I wondered, thinking about all the war memorials in DC, if and when they will do a memorial for the military and civilians killed in Iraq and Afghanistan, but that's a post for another day. The WTC Memorial is amazing. I'll post pictures as soon as I upload them onto the computer.
After that we went back to the hotel (can you even call the Ritz Carlton a hotel? It seems like too mundane a word for something so magnificent) and got ready for dinner. There was a small Italian restaurant within walking distance so went there. Delicious of course! After dinner I made a pit stop at the RC bar to grab a glass of wine to take up to my room. We were all asleep by 9:15pm.
Saturday the weather was still a little rainy in the morning. We decided to eat breakfast at the RC and we were only slightly underdressed. I had a tank top and shorts on and we both had sneakers on (and I didn't even have good sneakers on. Since I didn't know where we were going I had brought old sneakers that I had worn for painting. Marriot points in the hizzouse!). Everyone else in the restaurant was in suits and ties and business clothes. haha $100 later (I know, right! We almost stroked out. I didn't even have a mimosa or anything!) we were on our way to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Neither of us had ever been. It only rained once when we were at the Statue of Liberty and then it was a pretty nice, but overcast day. Em was so good and slept through most of Ellis Island which allowed Paul and I to leisurely look around. If you ever get a chance to go I highly recommend it.
Wednesday was our anniversary and Paul had arranged for someone from the Babysitting Guild of NY to come watch Emma in our room. I was slightly, and by slightly I mean holy anxiety, nervous about it as we've never used a babysitter before (and Em is 18 months old lol) and especially one from a service in NYC in our hotel room. There was a mix up with the time so that didn't help my anxiety, but she got there, she seemed nice, and off we went. Em didn't even cry.
We started off the night with a cocktail at the hotel bar. Even Paul had one. Then we went to dinner. Paul started with a bowl of chicken noodle soup and I had lobster bisque. To say they were amazing would be an understatement. It was heaven in a bowl. Our main course was NY strip steak. I had creamed spinach with mine and Paul had macaroni and cheese. We also got a side of garlic mashed potatoes and I had another glass of wine. I've never tasted anything so good! I can never eat frozen creamed spinach again. Never. I think it was all better than Ruth's Chris. We should've shared the steak because we were so full, but it was so good. We actually talked about going to the bathroom to throw up so we could eat more. I know, disgusting, right.
The waiter, who was also amazing, cleared the table and brought back a clean spoon and fork for each of us. We didn't know what was coming, but we sort of grimaced at the thought of more food. Of course the RC hooked us up with a dessert tray of 9 mini desserts (key lime pie, 3 cookie type things, 2 brownies, 2 apple pies, and a chocolate cake) AND 2 glasses of champagne. I almost threw up right then and there. Paul doesn't drink champagne so I knew it'd be up to me to finish both glasses. We ate until I couldn't possibly ingest anything else and I drank the champagne. Through out this whole thing we watched a guy across the street in Battery Park jumping up the stairs. The one set of stairs was probably 2 feet wide per stair. The other set he hopped up on one leg. I was tired just watching him.
After dinner we decided to walk through Battery Park and try to walk off some of the 45,000 calories we'd just consumed. I stopped to tell the hopper how impressive he was because it was impressive. He was doing crossfit. Yikes! It was a beautiful night and it was nice to have some alone time. I noticed a lot of New Yorkers are super committed to jogging. Show offs.
We got back up to our room and Emma was snoring away. She's NEVER fallen asleep for anyone but Paul and I before. I was so relieved. The sitter said she did great, ate her $20 chicken finger dinner with no problems, had a good time playing, and drank all her milk. She slept till 5am and then came in bed with us and finally fell back asleep till 8am.
We left on Thursday and spent the morning walking around the Financial District (tons of pictures to come), enjoying a Starbucks, and having pizza for lunch. Our train left at 2pm and since we got to sit in the handicapped section Em was able to nap in her stroller. She was quite the little celebrity, walking up and down each car, saying hi to everyone on board. I think we are going to have our hands full when she gets older. lol The staff at the hotel was sad to see Em leave. She was given a stuffed animal every time we got back from somewhere and came home with a lion, zebra, giraffe, elephant, and monkey. She loved running around the lobby, welcoming new guests, and brightening the staff's day. What a little charmer!
It was an amazing trip. We can never stay in a regular hotel again after the Ritz Carlton. I have the best husband in the world to plan such a wonderful anniversary surprise. We'll see how he tops it next year! haha
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