4 weeks for Parker Louise!!!

4 weeks ago a little lady finally arrived and promptly stole my heart.  Parker Louise was born on Thursday Sept 8th at 7:13pm. She's been a dream baby...happy and content...and we could not be more in love.

Dr. Dad pronounced the gender and cut the cord - wow!

Despite being after visiting hours, Gran and Pappo were able to meet Miss P less than 2 hours after birth. She was thrilled to meet them.

She had many more visitors over the next few days including Aunt Kelly and Madison.

And Grandma Mar...

Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital gave us a romantic dinner our last night in the hospital. Parker was the maitre d and chaperone.

Back home we've been having a blast!

She loves getting baths...good thing she's a water baby, maybe she'll inherit her mother's childhood nickname, Minnow.

Acing all doctor's visits...

Taking a break...

One of her favorite activities is stretching...she's already mastered it!

Uncle Brian has been a big help as he lives only a few blocks away. It was fun to get out for a Blackhawks preseason game with him.

She is quite the bed hog!

And also loves the bobby lounger;

She's already been to mass 3 times and as happy to meet Father Morin who officiated her parents' wedding and will perform her baptism.

This little ladybug loved her first visit to Lincoln Park Zoo!

We love you to the moon and back Parker P!!

Babymoon in the Big Apple

 Since we had to postpone our Ireland/Copenhagen trip due to our coming little one, I instead planned a surprise destination babymoon for Sean on Father's Day. We went to NYC where he had never been.

After arriving on Friday evening to our room at the Marriott Marquis in Times Square, we headed to Central Park on Saturday morning.

We met up with 2 work friends of mine, Melanie and Oertel, for a walk and some to die for cookies at Levian Bakery.

Then we were cruising the Hudson to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island!

Dinner of course had to be NY Pizza!

Then we hit a wonderful show on Broadway, Fiddler on the Roof.

Sunday we went to mass at St. Patrick's. Such a gorgeous church. 

Then off to Brooklyn to see the Mets take on the Braves. Great ballpark!

Before heading to dinner at Quality Meats, we went to the View at the top of the Marquis. It is NYC's only revolving restaurant. Very cool views!

On Monday morning we walked through Central Park up to the MET and both really enjoyed a morning at the museum before heading home.

Next adventure - parenting!

Memorial Day Shennanigans

This was our 13th year of gathering for girls weekend over Memorial Day. We went back to where it all began - North Carolina.  Laura and Emily graciously hosted Andrea, Brooke, Mary (Kai) and me.

I arrived first and after a few errands heard over to Laura's to wait for Andrea and Brooke's delayed flight. Once they made it we enjoyed a delicious candlelit dinner al fresco. 

On Saturday we headed to Winston-Salem to dear old Wake Forest for a lovely day. First up was the Village Tavern for their life changing chips and other delicious food. Then a long nostalgic walk around campus. We had to head to the Deacon Shop in Hanes Mall for gear for our families.

Dinner was back in Charlotte at the Peculiar Rabbit for a yummy rooftop meal and we were joined by Mary and her foster child Kai. We were treated to a full rainbow and a gorgeous sunset.  

On Sunday we had a lazy morning followed by a walk through the gorgeous Queen City homes. Lunch was a perfect collection of delicious odds and ends.  Frank and DIA came over for happy hour margs and guacamole around the fire pit.  Dinner was phenomenal. Roasted veggies and Dijon salmon. The girls threw me a surprise baby shower and facetimed Marge and Em to join in the fun. There was a lot of technology and a lot of love flying around. 

No girls trip is complete without the bowl game.  This year we photographed our entries - popular items were the girls who were not in attendance, Kim, Kevin Cox, and God. 

Monday we picked up and packed up. Sad for another year in the books but so very grateful.  Can't wait for next year lakeside (TN or WI!)

Showering baby Moody with love

What a wonderful weekend to celebrate the coming baby Moody with the Moody/Gilmartin families!!  Katie, Erin, Kara, and Marian did a wonderful job hosting and Katie could not have done a more perfect job with the hot air balloon / maps theme!

Liz definitely won the prize for most precious gift, which she made herself!

Mary Kate and Kay did a wonderful job taking care of 4 month old Margot and Claire.

 Thank you to everyone who attended and sent gifts. Your generosity means so much to us. We can't wait for our little one to meet you!

Birthday Festivities

What says birthday better than food?  Two nights of great restaurants with great company!

On my birthday eve, Kelly, Dan, our mom, and I headed to Dos Urban Cantina - delicious!

Virgin margaritas - a current favorite!

 On my birthday, Sean and I headed to one of our top 5 restaurants - NoMI in the Park Hyatt.

 This place has incredible service, amazing views, and stellar food. When they saw I was pregnant they brought us some sparkling cider - nice touch!

 View of the old water tower.

 Ahh, the food! Green salad, small charcuterie board.

Sean's oh so tender ribeye.

My buttermilk chicken.

 Sean's chocolate bundido with dehydrated chocolate cake and garlic ice cream.

My off menu dessert - passion fruit cake with basil ice cream.  Yum!

Showering baby girl Kloak

Today was a wonderful day showering baby girl Kloak with love, gifts, amazing Italian food, and sugar!!

The Kloak women, Rose, Maggie and Bridget did a wonderful job with every detail.

Two sure to be amazing grandmothers!

Congratulations Kelly and Dan!  Sean and I can't wait to meet our new niece and baby Moody is very excited to meet his/her cousin!