Gretchen's little puppy

I still remember when my mom called and told me she was getting a dog.  I was so excited, I had always wanted a dog.  A cute little cuddly dog to sit on my lap…then she told me she was getting a rottweiler.  She told me it was a small rottweiler.
Here is Artemis…all 130 pounds of him!  Artie as he’s known around these parts. 

He’s actually a very sweet dog….once you get past the teeth. 

He’s not a lap dog but he does love to cuddle.

Adam was very suspicious of Artie. He’s been around a few dogs but never one this big!  He watched him everywhere he’s went.  I didn’t want him to be afraid of him so by the end of the weekend he was smiling at him, safely from grandma’s arms or his chair of course.

Road trips with Adam

So this weekend’s trip to New York was the seventh road trip Adam and I have taken that was over a three hours drive.  This one was by far the best. 

I always leave as soon as Adam wakes up and eats breakfast.  He takes his morning nap in the car and on the way back this time slept for over two hours! I have a cache of toys in the front seat that I throw back his way, this usually buys me at least 45 minutes.  We don’t have TV in the car, so when the toys run out it’s up to me to provide entertainment which means I sing loudly on loop – ABCs, Old McDonald and I’m a Little Teacup (please people, provide me with some new material- what else can I sing??).  When that fails I call someone.  Adam loves when I talk on the phone, although I suspect he thinks I’m talking to him. 

All in all, he’s a pretty great travel companion!  It’s almost like Adam knows how much his daddy and I like to drive when we’re on vacation and is ready for us!

Big lights will inspire you!

Let’s hear it for New York!

Adam and I headed to New York this weekend.  My good friend Denise is getting married and her bridal shower was Saturday night!

Adam and I got to Grandma Gertch’s house Friday afternoon and after a quick cuddle we headed off to get a mani/pedi.  The best part was Grandma Gertch held Adam while I got my nails painted. Heaven!

Then is was home for some Joe and Pat’s delivery.  For me, Joe and Pats is the best pizza I have ever had.  Before I get swamped with petitions for me to alter this statement, notice people I said FOR ME! I love everything about it, thin crust, perfect sauce, sparing cheese.  If this pizza was in DC I wouldn’t fit out the front door.

I did share this pie with my mom and uncle in case you’re wondering. 

The next day Adam got to spend the morning with Grandma while I slept in, more heaven!  Like any good grandma she let him eat all he wanted, cheerios, bananas, oatmeal.  It was all on offer.

Then it was off to see Grandma Yuyu, who lives close by.  More free babysitting while I went shopping.  I might have to move to Staten Island 🙂  Grandmas, before you get the spare bedroom ready, I’m just kidding.

Then it was off to Denise’s shower.  Adam came just for a bit to give the bride a cuddle and then he went home to bed while I stayed and had some champagne!
There were two little girls at the shower that Adam was obsessed with, in case you’re wondering what he’s trying to catch a glimpse of here.
The next day a bunch of family friends came over for dinner.  It was great to see everyone and for them to spend time with Adam.
We obviously haven’t quite figured out how to take a group shot when children are involved.
Adam made out like a bandit, tons of new clothes and toys. Thank you Flora, Fran, Dimitra, Dimitri and Grandma Gertch.

New York, we miss you already!

Weekend with the Jordans

The newlyweds came to visit us this past weekend. We hadn’t seen them since the wedding and it was great to see them and hear about their honeymoon and spend time with them.

I love when they come visit. They love Adam so much and Adam loves them!

Saturday afternoon we went to visit our friends Pamela and Sal who just had a baby boy, James.  Adam wanted to check out his new friend and tested all the toys to make sure they had the Adam  seal of approval.

 

I was very impressed that these two fed 5 guests, had fresh flowers, a clean house and an adorable sleeping baby just three weeks in.  After a yummy lunch of Italian subs, Aunt Daf helped Adam get ready for the pool.

Aunt Daf rarely goes into the pool so its a real testament to how much she loves her nephew that she braved the 90 degree heat and 85 degree pool water and took Adam in.

 

After the pool we went home to relax.  We had booked a sitter for 7 pm and were very excited to go to dinner.  We decided that all the Alis and the Jordans should take a nap before dinner.  Next thing you know, Daphne was waking us up and telling us it was 6:30.  The Jordans had napped for an hour and then headed to Good Stuff Eatery for a quick burger before dinner.  The Alis all slept for 3 hours! Who knows how long we would have slept if Daphne hadn’t woken us up.

We got up quickly, got ready, gave Adam a bath, put him to bed and headed out.  The sitter was our friends’ nanny so we were really comfortable leaving Adam with her.  The four adults headed to Proof where we had a delicious meal and some bubbly.

  
We came home to a sleeping baby at midnight, nothing better.  The Jordans went to meet some friends and got home quite a bit later. 
The next morning we had a slow start and a yummy frittata.  Adam hung out with Randy and MJ while the girls showered and got ready.
After we were all ready we headed to The Standard, a great beer garden in Logan Circle.


The food was delicious. And Adam got to hang out with Uncle Meej and Aunt Daf before they took their train back to NY. I think it’s clear that Adam is smitten with these two!

Big Week in the Ali house

Dinner Party

We decided last Thursday to have Randy’s work colleague and his wife and baby over.  It had been a long time since we had company over for dinner so we felt like we were ready. 
Adam was still a little jet-lagged so we were up at 5 am and he decided to show us a new trick and pulled himself up in his crib, so we lowered his crib at 5:15 am.  Here is Adam at 5:12 am with the cutest bed head I have ever seen. 
Knowing Adam would keep me busy I made the sauce for the eggplant parmigiana the night before. I’ve been making Batali’s basic sauce for years now so luckily it doesn’t take me long.  I’m feel like I’m constantly making it and I knew I was making Pasticchio on Friday for a friend who just had a baby so I made A LOT of sauce.
The next day we headed to Trader Joes for the rest of the ingredients and Adam treated me to a nap when we got home freeing me up to cook. 

I even had time to set the table.  I rarely get to use our wedding plates and cutlery so it was fun to get them out. 
Adam woke up from his nap and amused himself while I finished dinner. 
Dinner was a huge success.  Adam loved meeting their baby, Rumy and dinner was really tasty.  It was definitely trickier cooking for people with a baby but worth it when I saw how much everyone enjoyed themselves. 

Mrs. Michael Jordan – Part 2

Wedding day! We all got ready in Daphne’s suite. It was such a great day, we chatted, got our hair and makeup done and had champagne 🙂
 
Look who has his eye on the champers.
Peeking out the window to see the wedding preparations.

The bride even took time out of her busy day to help the littlest wedding party member get dressed.

All too soon it was time to head across the street and for Daphne to become Michael’s wife – tear.


My mom looked beautiful and walked Adam down the aisle.

Randy got ordained and married Daphne and Michael.  It was so sweet that Randy has known Daphne since she was a little girl and he was the one to marry them.  He did an amazing job and it was fun to walk down the aisle again to my handsome husband.

Their ceremony was on the roof of the Bryant Park Grill.  It was breathtaking to watch the ceremony surrounded by all of New York.
  
They wrote their own vows, which had me in tears.  I think I cried more than Daphne.
Adam was ENRAPTURED by the whole ceremony. He watched quietly, chewing his tie. I was so worried he would cry or fuss, but he was the perfect wedding guest and loved watching his Aunt Daf and Uncle Meej get married. 

YAY! Mr. & Mrs. Jordan
After the ceremony we had cocktail hour on the roof.  Adam had a sitter booked for later in the evening so this was his time to mingle and mingle he did.  Everyone wanted a piece of Adam and he got passed around like a hot potato.

After cocktails, Adam went to bed and it was downstairs for a yummy dinner.  The room was beautiful. The sun was just setting and there were candles and flowers everywhere and outside a wall of windows was New York. It was absolutely breathtaking.

First Dance 🙂

Then it was time for speeches.  MJ’s brother went first and his speech was awesome.  He had everyone laughing. It was the exact right mix of humor and poignancy. 
 I’m starting to get nervous here 🙂

I love this picture of Randy and me.
Then it was my turn. When I got married Daphne gave the most amazing speech so for months leading up to the wedding I was working hard on a speech that would be close to as good. But I got good advice from my friend to think back to our childhood and write it from the heart.  I made the bride cry so I consider my mission accomplished.

We all toasted to our toasts after.
Then it was time to relax and dance.

The photobooth props made it out onto the dance floor. 

Daphne surprised MJ with a Giants cake, already an amazing wife just three hours in.
A few photos to leave you with.  The bride and groom snuck away during cocktail hour and took some beautiful pictures in Bryant Park.

Have you ever seen a more beautiful bride…

Mrs. Michael Jordan

My little sister, Daphne got married in June.  She is now officially Mrs. Michael Jordan!  It’s hard for me to wrap my head around the fact that this beautiful, poised, graceful, amazing person is my little sister.  I still have a hard time believing she has an adult job, can drive and lives in the city and not the little attic room we used to share.

She married the most amazing guy, who is absolutely perfect for her.  They fit each other so well and it makes my heart hurt I’m so happy knowing she’ll have a wonderful life with him.

Ok enough of that, onto a whole lot of pictures!

They met in New York, fell in love in New York and live in New York, so it`s fitting that they had a beautiful New York wedding. 

Friday, the day before the wedding they traipsed all over New York and took the most amazing photographs.

The view from their amazing suite at the Bryant Park Hotel

Friday night, their close friends and family joined them for dinner at Crispos, their favorite neighborhood restaurant.  Dinner was served family style and the food and company were both amazing.  Daphne’s best friend from childhood and MJ’s sister gave great speeches that had everyone laughing and crying.

To follow up with dinner the two lovebirds invited all their friends and family to their favorite activity, karaoke!

MJ’s friends presented him with this awesome poster!