Joel turned 27

While I was away in Utah Joel turned 27 years old. Lest you think I'm an awful wife for being away, I did try to make his big day as special as I could. Before I left, I set up a scavenger hunt around the house. The morning of his birthday he had to follow the clues and instructions to get his presents. For example, he had to put up a Happy Birthday sign on our front door and send me a picture to get one clue.

To find his last present he had to wear a huge pin on his chest that said "It's my 27th birthday" and get a picture taken with someone. His birthday was on a Sunday and I wanted to make sure at least someone wished him a happy birthday. If it was up to him, he could go the whole day not telling a soul. 

Ultimately, I had no reason to worry about that because we have some of the greatest friends out here who take really good care of us. One being the Jackson family. The night of Joel's birthday, Nicole invited Joel and a few of our friends over to their house for cake and ice cream. She made him his favorite cake topped with the Brazilian flag in sprinkles. As a cherry on top, their youngest daughter, with whom Joel is totally smitten, said "Joel" that day. It was his favorite birthday present!

When I talked to him on the phone after the party he said it had been one of his best birthdays yet (eh hm, with the exception of me being MIA). Many thanks to all of our friends who shared in the celebration. I can't tell you how happy you made him and me. 

Back to Utah

Last week I returned home from a nice getaway to Utah. The plan was to do nothing but relax, spend time with friends and family and eat Cafe Rio. It was a success! I was there for 2 1/2 weeks but it still didn't seem long enough! I was such a slacker with my camera so many rendezvous aren't pictured, but I did happen to end up with a lot of my niece and nephew. They're cute, so it works.

This trip I met Abby for the first time!
She is a tiny little lady and so adorable.
I got to spend a lot of time with her, Gabe and my sista Rachael.

One of a few lunch dates with friends. I love these ladies!

And I love that we're all having babies together.
Bethany was 29 weeks, Kassidy 18 weeks and I was 14 weeks in this picture.

Cuddle time with Oreo

Dad and Sammy

A day at the Dinosaur park with Gabe

Um, cutest.

Rachael & Abby

Visiting Daniel

My friend Allison and I found these helpful books for dads-to-be at a baby boutique in SLC.
I was tempted to buy them for Joel.

When I got to Utah I was about 14 weeks along and (praise the Lord!) my nausea had mostly subsided, my appetite came back and I had more energy. Sadly, my night sickness (let's be honest here, the term "morning sickness" really needs to go) hadn't made its way out--and still hasn't totally yet--so the flight there and back was pure torture. Also, recently my anxiety has begun manifesting itself through a fear of flying. Not a great combo.

It was all worth it to be able to hang out with family and get together with friends. It's hard to imagine that when we visit next for Christmas we will be bringing a baby with us!

Baby Castro

Long ago, at 9 weeks

Due August 27, 2013

I'm 17 weeks along and feeling great! 

We're looking forward to our next ultrasound in a few weeks to find out 

whether this little baby is a BOY or a GIRL.

What're your guesses?

Broadway & Restaurant Week

Winter is miserable, agreed?

Trying to dig us out of Nemo

I've been hibernating in our apartment trying to avoid the flu and freezing (also, not having a car doesn't give me any other options). Thank goodness for my wonderful friends who deliver me from my solitude with lunch dates and girl's nights. These few months, after the tourists have left and the snow has lured people inside, is the perfect time to catch a Broadway show. Prices are low and tickets aplenty.

A group of us decided to plan a night out in the city to escape the winter blues. We rode in the Neeleman 12-seater van, which was an adventure itself. When we got to the city we took advantage of Restaurant Week and ate at Brasserie 8 1/2, a French restaurant in Midtown. The food was delicious. I had the best kale salad of my life (never thought I'd say those words), mini baguettes, butternut squash risotto and a lemon tart.

After dinner we saw Cinderella. Laura Osnes is the perfect Disney princess--her voice is perfect. The show was funny and so well done. I forget the caliber of Broadway so I'm always blown away by the talent, costumes and sets. The costume changes in this show in particular were amazing. Don't blink or you'll miss them.

Ashley, Colleen, Dayna, Breauna, Nicki, Shelley, Me, Natalie & Tiffany (cut out of the picture sadly) 

Me, Shelley, Nicki

A few weeks later Nicole and I saw Mary Poppins. It's leaving Broadway on March 3rd so I was determined to see it before I left to visit Utah.  We grabbed a quick bite at a corner deli before the show. I heard rave reviews of Mary Poppins and I have to second them all. My only issue is that they changed the words to the song "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious." I memorized how to say that word backwords for nothing!? Otherwise, it was incredibly entertaining and almost like seeing Julie Andrews play the part herself.

We even matched with our boots, leggings, dress, sweater & puffy coat. Great minds, great taste. 

My Valentine

"I want someone who will be monogamous and nice to his mother. And I want someone who likes musicals, but knows to just shut his mouth when I'm watching LOST. And I want someone who thinks being really into cars is lame and strip clubs are gross. I want someone who will actually empty the dishwasher instead of just taking out forks, as needed, like I do. I want someone with clean hands and feet and beefy forearms like a damn Disney prince. And I want him to genuinely like me even when I'm old. And that's what I want." -Liz Lemon

And when you find that man, Liz, you will be pleased to discover that he knows there is more to Valentine's Day than just flowers and chocolate. . . but guacamole, kettle chips, and my own pint of Ben & Jerry's ice cream, too.

When you find true love, you just know it.

Happy Valentine's Day!

East Coast Christmas (and New Year, too!)

This was our first December (in a long, long time) we were able to soak in the Christmas cheer and not stress about the end of semester and finals the entire month. It was such a treat. 

I took a few trips into the city by myself while Joel worked late nights, gearing up for busy season. 

Rockefeller Center

Columbus Circle Christmas market

Upper East Side

Metropolitan Museum of Art

We also enjoyed some Connecticut charm at the Ridgefield Holiday Stroll. My cousin Liz invited us and we brought our friends, the Jensens along. Their cute little baby, Tillie, stole the show. She is one adorable baby.

Joel and I took a walk down 5th Avenue to see the windows and buildings decorated for Christmas.

My favorite was Harry Winston.

We finished off the night at Rockefeller Center. That tree is stunning in person. So many lights!

And the night before we planned to ice skate in the city, this poor guy broke his finger playing football. There's always next year!

When we got back from California we were invited to spend New Year's Eve with our friends, the McMullins in Times Square. We watched the celebration from the 18th floor of an office building. It was the perfect way to experience New Year's Eve in Times Square--spectacular view,  good friends, food and heating! It was a New Year's Eve we will always remember.

We seriously sat on heaters while those poor people outside froze to death 

We could hear all of the entertainers and the coolest one had to be Psy and MC Hammer. Not many people know this, but I am in love with MC Hammer. I freaked out a little when he came on stage. The whole crowd sang and danced along--it was an awesome sight.

Confetti filled the air when the ball dropped. It was snowing confetti! I grabbed a few pieces on our way out as my souvenir.

The original Times Square clock

All in all, we had our best December yet. And we hope you did, too.

Merry Christmas and a happy New Year!