fifth floor up

When Sara and Tanner first started planning their wedding, I was not pregnant. Sara had sent out bridesmaid boxes and inside the boxes were sequin swatches showing which colors she would like for our floor length sequin dresses for a beach wedding in November. She insisted they would be beautiful with the sunset and water reflecting. My joke at the time was watch, I'm going to end up being pregnant and look like a disco ball.

Well, I was not pregnant because Wyatt decided to come four weeks early instead of two weeks late. However, I still looked pregnant and therefore looked like a mini disco ball.

I had booked a just in case flight. Even if I was a week or two postpartum I was still going to go. How could I miss my best friends wedding because I had just had a baby. Shannon's husband could not go because of work. The two of us decided to share a room and a rental car. By the way, did I ever pay Shannon for that rental car? Let me know please!

We both flew down on Thursday and planned to arrive within 30 minutes of one another. There was supposed to be a huge winter storm coming through New York. However, it was hitting after we left which kept it completely out of my mind. I made it to the airport with time to grab a snack and get to the gate comfortably. I knew other people going to the wedding and was wondering if I would run into anyone. Low and behold, there was Ellen! But, no Scott! Scott was flying in from Vegas as he just had a scuba convention there. We boarded the plan, sitting one row in front of the other, and managed to chat almost the whole flight.

We landed on time and Shannon was also landing. The last time I saw Shannon was at the baby shower when I was very pregnant and then in the hospital that next day, not pregnant. So, to see her five weeks postpartum was really nice as well. We managed to get a sandwich, the rental car and hit the road fairly easily. Shannon brought her daughter Ella as well so we had a lot of stuff. However, we did well! Then, we hit the road towards Lover's Key State Park.

Shannon dropped me off at the Beach as I had to do rehearsal before heading back to the hotel. It was windy and chilly. Everyone was crossing their fingers that tomorrow would be better. After rehearsal, we all head back to the hotel. I unpacked and then we headed down to the pool where there was a nice rehearsal happy hour. Shannon and I went looking for the scuba folk to join the family and friend folk. As expected, we found them in the neighboring bar. We dragged them down to the party. None of us stayed up too late as we had a busy next day and we were all exhausted.

The next morning, Sara was up early so we all went and had breakfast at the restaurant. We had a complimentary breakfast which was really nice. Plus, Sara didn't finish her amazing breakfast tacos, so naturally, I did. It was cool out however, the sky was blue and it was supposed to be a beautiful day.

We loaded up the cars with all of the decorations and headed to the beach to start setting up. It did not take too long before we had to turn right around and go back to the hotel to start getting ready! Shannon and Ella got to run around the beach while I helped set up. It was her first time on the beach or at the ocean! It was really cute to see her in the sand!

It took a few hours to get us all glam and we headed back out to the beach. Not before getting some snap shots with the photographer.

Then, it was time! The wedding was beautiful. The weather seriously could not be more perfect. The only thing all of us wished we could change was the No See Ums. They were everywhere and got every single one of us! I had bug bites popping up a week after the wedding. I thought we had bug bites until the other bridesmaids were texting about the same thing!

The reception was wonderful and the food delicious. I mean, BBQ with mac and cheese, how could you go wrong? Plus, a dessert TABLE!! My favorite kind of table. I danced around to help burn some calories before heading back to the hotel fairly early. I had to fly out in the morning and was also exhausted.

I was so happy everything worked out in my favor and I was able to attend the wedding. I would have been very disappointed if I could not have gone. Someone was on my side! I was thankful! I also got to spend a wonderful time with BOTH of my best friends!

Congratulations Sara & Tanner! All the best in love and war! JK, just love!

Wyatt's first Halloween also coincided with his due date. Therefore, my parents were back in town as they had bought tickets to come around the time of his due date. Since my Mom was here when he was born, this was my Dad's first time to meet him! We got him dressed all cute and went to pick up Bob Bob from the airport!

Welcome Bob Bob!

Since there isn't much to do with a new baby in the house, we decided to go to New Jersey to say hello to Leif's sister and family. We went to Delicious Orchards first to pick up some goodies. My Mom loves apple cider donuts and I told her these were THE BEST. We also got some pies and cider.

Then we headed to another farm where we walked around for awhile.

We took a lot of photos to document Wyatt's first time meeting Bob Bob.

And our first time really doing anything Halloween.

This photo was to show Bennett that Grandma and Bob Bob got to meet superheroes!

We had a very nice visit with Diane, Ashley, Natalie and Joesph.

That evening we relaxed with the cute little pumpkin!

The following morning we decided to go to Brooklyn. Bob Bob had been craving a bran muffin from Cranberry's!

We dressed him up in his Halloween costume and away we went!

It had been awhile since I had been back in the old neighborhood. It was nice to be back and enjoy a delicious scone with this view.

It was cold so we did not stay very long. But, it was worth it!

That afternoon, we headed up the street to our friends Stephanie and Michael's house for trick or treating. I had not been trick or treating since I was in, probably, middle school! I was excited to do it all over again in a brand new way.

This was Stephanie's first time to hold Wyatt!