Tales from NYC

Somehow we ended up with bad traveling/weather karma on this trip to the states. Granted, we don't usually do so much traveling in January or February, but still. Our flight to Phoenix from New York was canceled and delayed a day because of an impending winter snow storm. It ended up snowing 7 inches overnight, and by mid afternoon on the original flight day, most flights were operating on schedule. We had a place to stay in the city and didn't want to chance spending a night at JFK, so we didn't mind the delay too much. On the way back from Phoenix to New York, another impending snow storm in the East caused our flight to be canceled again! We changed it online for free, showed up bright and early at the airport for our new flight the next morning, and were promptly forced to reschedule it because it too was canceled. Our third try to get into the NYC area was successful, and after a brief stop off in Baltimore, we were back to the cold, windy winter days of NYC. The only concern we had with our changing schedule was the time constraint we were under with the visa documentation for Jay. Luckily, our plans were not ruined as the nice woman at the Brazilian consulate made an exception for my desperate husband. Muito obrigada!!
Being 6 months pregnant and with 4 full suitcases, we thought it would be best to forgo the shlepping up non-elevator buildings and sleeping on futons generally associated with staying at friends' places in New York.  Jay found an absolutely great hotel on the Upper West Side at a good price. We stayed in a residential building that also rented out places for people in a studio apartment that slept 4 comfortably and had a kitchen and bathroom. We were less than a block away from the subway, Trader Joe's, and Gray's Papaya. We both highly recommend it!

26 weeks prego, Woogo Hotel apt.

My best friend Nik came to visit us there <3

One of the things we most looked forward to this whole trip was our Baby Shower in NYC. My good friend Natalie volunteered to host it at her house for us, and she couldn't have done a better job! We were so thrilled to be able to spend time with all of our friends in one place on a Friday night, and I know that everyone had an amazing time.

Me with the Hostess with the Mostest

We started the night with a delicious homemade dinner of arugula salad, baked chicken, and pasta w/pesto and sun-dried tomatoes. Nat is quite the chef and baker, and everything she makes turns out being awesome. She made lots of cupcakes that spelled out "Showers of Happiness" and even made chocolate lollipops in the shape of baby things to give as favors. It was so cute!

There were a lot of fun games planned, and lucky for us, all of our friends are really good sports! Everyone participated between conversations, and I know I will always fondly remember all of the laughing involved. 

This is the game where each person tried to guess 

the right measurement of my belly. 

Jay's was too short! Good work ;) 

Each team had to act out a song with the word "baby" in it. 

Ours chose "Hit Me Baby One More Time," as you can see!

The other team's turn singing.

After several fun games, like name the baby animal, we opened our presents. Since space was quite limited in our suitcases, thanks to the generosity of family and friends in Arizona, we mostly received gift cards in NYC. They will all undoubtedly be put to good use for our lil guy. 

Plenty of our friends told us after the shower that it was the best shower they've ever been to. Besides the host's obvious enthusiasm and preparation, the reason for this is because we have such great friends in our lives. We truly feel loved by them all, and we hope there is no doubt that the feeling is mutual.