Life in the City

Recently, I went to a good friend's wedding. Aside from my mother's graduation, this was the main reason we came out to NY so early. This girl was a fellow dorm girl in high school and we had an apartment together in Brooklyn a few years later. An awesome girl, awesome friend, all around awesomeness.

In general I enjoy weddings, although some more than others. Once in a while, I go to one that I rave about. This one was, by FAR, the best wedding I have ever been to! Benny was out with Shuky and Bella was home with Rochel. The wedding hall was a block away from my mom's house so I was able to run home to nurse when needed. The freedom contributed to the great mood I was in. I felt great about how I looked, so the confidence was a booster as well. Being that I knew both sides of the party (did I mention she married an awesome guy?) I got to see so many old friends. I left all my shyness at home and literally went around saying hi to EVERYONE!! Sat at a table full of friends, they were all drinking and I, being a nursing mom, got "drunk" vicariously through them. I was on the dance floor, a rare event. I shook my booty and just let loose! I had to be dragged out of there, did not want to leave!!

We also went to one of their Sheva Brachos, a bbq in someone's backyard. Turns out Shuky knew the hostess from way back in the day, the Florida day that is. And we knew basically everyone attending as well. We left Benny at my mother's house and took Bella with us. Another well-spent evening!

It's been a few weeks since we got here and things have settled around us quite nicely. Benny is in a daycare (with his girlfriend Shira, of course) and, though this is his first week, he seems to be enjoying it. I have been doing a ton of walking during the day, with Bella of course. Thankfully, she loves being in the stroller so it has been great! I have been doing my fair share of socializing as well. Going out with my mother, my sister, with Shuky, or even just me and the kiddos. Civilization is a beautiful thing. It's going to be bittersweet when it's time to go home. I'm sure I'll be ready for our own corner in Ames, but it will be hard to say goodbyes! But there's plenty of time until we face that so only happy thoughts right now!

Time for some updates on the laughs the kids give us.

Benny calls my mother Beh-beh, as opposed to the Bobbe (pronounce Buh-beh) it is supposed to be. And he is head over heels in love with her and Zaidy Chaim (he calls him Zaidy Haaa-yim). He has taken the concept of grandparents being the spoilers to the next level. He doesn't even wait for me to say no anymore, he goes straight to his Beh-beh and gets what he wants on the first try!

Bella forgot that she's only going to be 8 weeks as of tomorrow. She tries to sit up and stand even. I keep telling her to slow down but it's quite funny. She is also super smiley, thank G-d. A bubbly, happy baby with so much personality already!

Benny is getting somewhat antsy about getting his haircut. He keeps asking when it's his turn, he wants his birthday party already! Every time I tell him we are going to a party (and we've had a few to go to already), he wants to know if it's his. I'm hiding all the scissors in the house, no need for an early, self-cut hairstyle!

And now, I need to go get Benny from daycare and hear all about the fun he had. :)

Glad I got to steal a few minutes to get another post up. I love blogging and hate having such long periods between posts. You, my dear blog (and all those reading it), are my confidante. And what's a girl without a shoulder to lean on!?!

N to the Y

We are in New York. My mother graduated, the party and ceremony were both very nice. Thoroughly enjoyed seeing everyone again! A few years can go by without all of us getting together and then, bam, twice in 30 days!! Needless to say, we are all extremely proud of my mother, completing her MS in Art Education from Pratt!!

One of the nice things about this trip is the fact that we will be here for so long so there is no crazy rush to see everyone instantly. We can take our time, do things at a normal pace! Shuky started working today at a local job, taking a lot of stress out of the equation as well.

On another note, as much as I feel going from zero to one is the hardest, this whole transition to two kids has not been easy. Night time is killer, which means Zombie Mommy come sun-up. Don't cross me before I get coffee. On days when I don't get coffee (like today) you're better off not even looking my way. I bite.

I would like to commend all breast-feeding mothers in the world. Every time I stop everything to nurse, I wonder about the commitment we make, all that we give up. Yes, it's cheaper. Yes, it's very healthy for both of us. It just takes so much to make it work, how time consuming it is, the food we have to avoid, the sleep we lose. Not that I'm thinking of stopping. Just saying...

Got to go for a nice walk today with a good friend, hoping to go again tomorrow. I need to get more vitamin d, more fresh air, more human feelings running through my veins. Being in a real city means real food options. I need to be proactive about my weight before I have to become reactive!!

And with that, I bid you good night.

Here Today, Gone on Wednesday

Bella is four weeks old already. Today, she is actually one month old. Feels like I just left the hospital with her! We are slowly getting the hang of this two-kids thing. We should have it down by the time they graduate high school. Hopefully.

I'm still in Postville but Shuky is back already. He finished his finals yesterday and is done until the end of August. Which brings us to a close on our first year of school at Iowa State University. We survived! So proud of Shuky for making it through, regardless of the 'obstacles' thrown in his path. I can't imagine it was easy for him to deal with school, an energetic toddler, a hormonally-crazy pregnant wife, and a baby at the end of that tunnel!! Also factor in the time he had to take off for all of the above and then came Pesach, just in time to run back for finals. I don't think I could handle that, virtual hat tip to you, Shuky!!

Now we are working on getting ready for New York. Making sure current bills are taken care of, last minute doctor appointments seen to, mail needs to be forwarded, yada yada. Packing is under way. We are super psyched! Now I just have to find time to say goodbye to our local friends, we'll be gone for quite a while!

Btw, side note about me: currently working on my weight-loss goal for the summer. The plan is to get back to pre-any-kids weight. Wedding day weight is a pipe dream so I'm starting with something more realistic. I'm about halfway there. Already out of my maternity clothing for about two weeks. Feels good to have variety in my wardrobe again!! Been walking a lot, on the weather permitting days. Looking forward to a lot more walking in New York! Also been a bit more careful about what's going in my mouth, with the exception of a few much-needed treats here and there, including my morning coffee (read: sugar, milk, caffeine - in order of amount). Wish me luck!

Have a relaxing weekend and enjoyable shabbos. Next time you hear from me, I will most likely be in a different time zone! :)