Trauma....

I decided to plan an afternoon playdate with some of the moms on the East Side by taking a trip over to Roosevelt Island.   Mostly, because the tram ride looks like a lot of fun and we see the lighthouse on the end of the island at least 4 times a week from Carl Schurz and I've wanted to know what the view looks like from there.  We had a time and place set where we were all going to meet.  I decided to take the bus down and so I got out the Bumbleride stroller (since that breaks down easy for the bus ride) and I started to get the backpack ready.  Within 2 minutes (literally) Mikey climbed into the bumbleride and tipped the top back, falling directly on the hardwood floors.  His nose and mouth took a direct hit.  Blood pouring everywhere (Mikey's shirt, floor, all over me and on the stroller).  I immediately put Katie down (she had a fever from teething and screamed anytime I attempted to put her down.)  Once I had the bloody nose under control, my girlfriend came down (from a few floors up) to watch Katie, so I could get a better look at Mikey.

Needless to say at this point, Roosevelt Island wasn't going to happen....again.  We have tried twice now to get over there and for one reason or another it hasn't happened.  Maybe third times a charm or maybe we just shouldn't ever go there!

Mikey's nose and upper lip were super swollen and bruising was already occurring.  I took him to the doctors to make sure nothing was broken or fractured or cracked.  Everything looked okay to the doc. and later that evening Mikey felt like himself after lots of snuggling and kisses.  On the walk home from the docs. I found him the biggest popsicle I could find.  I think that helped too!

Hoping nothing like this happens again~

Like his big popsicle!

This pic. doesn't do it justice.  His lip was even bigger than it is here and his nose was bigger too.

Still sniffling a little. Trying to calm down after docs.

Seriously, isn't that the biggest pop you've ever seen?!

Play date with new friends!

We had a busy and long morning meeting lots of new KPMG moms and friends! (In total there was, myself, Mary, Mary, Ashley, Jen, Beth, Heather, Heather and Kelly and all of our kids.) :)

We met at a play ground in CP called Diana Ross on 81st and Central Park West.  They had a fun summer time dance demonstration with some funky african dance.  Of course my kids were the least bit interested in the dance and wanted to swing and play in the sandbox instead.

After about 2 hours of playing at the play ground we decided a picnic style lunch overlooking Belvedere Castle.  It was an overcast day with some sprinkling of rain.  We didn't mind as the tall trees provided some shelter to all of us.  After lunch, the kids ran and ran and ran circles around us and played tag and explored the area we had all to ourselves.  They even went turtle watching at the pond and found quite a few turtles that amused them for a good 45 mins. 

After another 2 hours of running around both kids fell into a deep sleep on the walk back home!
Looking forward to many more of these! A few days afterward and my phone was still blowing up with texts and emails!  It's hard keeping up with all these girlfriends, but it sure is fun!!

Only a few kids in this pic.

The whole gang minus a few kiddos.

Heather and Mary and their kids.

Beth, Heather and Jen and some of their kids.

Boys turtle watching.

Lots to explore here.

Katie was such a good girl! She loves a good picnic.

Ashley, Mary and Kelly and some of their kids.

My Mikey.

Katie's Party - cake and present time!

Picking up where we left off, Katie wasn't too sure what to think once everyone starting singing Happy Birthday to her.  It was such a very brief and happy moment for us, that I requested we sing to her again....why not!? She still wasn't thrilled! Mikey blew out the one and only candle.

Mikey blowing out the candle.

Holding up Katie's very own smash cake that came with her birthday cake!

First taste of her birthday cake.

Mikey had to make sure it was okay for her too.

She even ate part of it with her spoon.

The heck with the spoon...her hands are so much faster at getting the cake!

The remains of her smash cake. I'd say it was a success!

Time for presents.  She held onto that birthday balloon for a while!

Katie still holding onto the balloon while I opened up lots of cute fall clothes for her!

Once we opened the baby doll she dropped that balloon like a bad habit!

She had to come out of the box immediately.

Katie putting on a show and giving the baby lots of kisses.

Someone wrapped a loaded water balloon for Mikey.  That woke everyone up!  Thanks Janice!

Nana and Katie baby.

The whole family.  L to R: Nana, Papa, Jamie, Bryan, Danny, Matt, Mikey, Scott, Joey, Steve, Katie, Jess, Erica.

The grandparents with the grandkids.

The troops!

She has the best smile.

Papa and Nana and their Hawaiian tans with Katie.

Getting a little crazy and putting tattoos right on their faces!

Girl talk.

Big girl in her forward facing car seat on way back to NYC.

Who knew they were having a parade for us when we returned!  Well actually it was the Puerto Rico Parade.

Katie's B-Day Party

We had lots of family and a few friends who were all able to make it to Katie's B-Day Party!  We had what I would call a proper first birthday for her.  (Since we had just moved to Chicago right before Mikey turned one, we only had neighbors come to his birthday.  It wasn't my ideal first birthday party since no family members were able to make it, but it worked.)  So this time, I was determined to give my first daughter a fabulous party!  We took way to many pictures, had lots of laughs, opened a ton of gifts, had some delicious food, sang Happy Birthday to Katie twice, took a great pic. of the entire extended family (finally everyone was in one place), and Mikey topped off the party by streaking!

Here's some pics. Hope you enjoy.  I'll have more pics. coming (in a future post), just have to edit a few first.

Just picked up cake and Mikey snuck his finger into the frosting. 

Katie's 2 tier cake, with a cupcake on top!

She also got a big cupcake balloon!

Ready for the party.  Who knew their was a premium on balloons due to a national helium shortage!

An okay family pic. if it wasn't for Mikey.  He's never been the best picture taker.

Us with the birthday girl!

Daddy and his little princess.

Papa getting snuggles from Katie.

Birthday Girl!

I love how sparkley her tutu is.

Katie baby and I.

Happy Birthday baby girl.

Aunt Erica, Baby Joey, Katie and I.

Joey and Katie.  He's catching up in size.

Amanda and Jen with Mikey.

Mikey loves Jen!

GG enjoying Joey.

We had fun mustache tattoos a the party. They were a hit!

My silly mustache.

Katie enjoying some pizza.  So easy for me than frantically running around making food! (We were only home about 48 hours so not much time to get ready.)

Daddy with baby Joey. He'll be our godson soon.

Aunt Jamie with Katie. (Jamie your lips look bigger than usual in this photo!)

Erica with Katie! Great pic!

Katie doing the "Dance with Daddy" dance.

Mikey pushing Bryan down the hill on a lawn mower. Lots of laughing!

Baby Joey always fusses when I hold him!

A sneak peak of more pics. to come!