The BEST Thanksgiving EVER!

We went to New York!!!

I started packing on Wednesday and I desperately wanted to bring little Milo with us, but unfortunately he had to stay in Florida in the Pet Hotel.

Thursday morning everything seemed to be going very well and smoothly. We left the house on time. There was no one on the road to the airport. Found the place to park our car right away. Got right onto the shuttle to the airport and then.... I realize I left my phone on the passenger seat of the car. At first I say, "Ok, no worries, we will tell people to call your phone." Followed immediately by "WE HAVE TO GO BACK!!!!!!" I had PROMISED Mommy that we would share together in hearing the baby's heartbeat which I had recorded on my phone from my last midwife appointment. Needless to say, the very generous shuttle driver dropped all the people off and obliged the hysterical pregnant lady and took us back to the car to get my phone. PHEW!

Getting through security in Tampa airport is about one of the nicest/easiest things around to do. I asked to have a pat-down rather than go through the x-ray and they were so accommodating and respectful. I feel like it could be kind of embarrassing to be completely pat down in the airport, but the lady really was great! I guess it helped, that I had made myself a t-shirt that says "This is what I'm thankful for" with an arrow pointing to my belly. We got lots of congratulations in the airport! Here's a great pic of my t-shirt, but an even greater pic of my beautiful cousin!

We get off into the air and I'm so anxious and excited to just GET THERE and see my parents and Serena! As she promised, she was standing RIGHT at the door we come out of and we just hugged and cried and hugged and cried! She led the way outside to where Daddy was standing with the car. I literally skipped all the way to him to give him a huge hug. Then we sat in lots of traffic as we tried to make our way home to see Mama and eat all of her AMAZING food. Serena and I took this picture in the car on the way (and texted it to Mommy so she would know I really was on my way!)

As no one besides Daddy can do, he predicted that we'd be in the drive way at 3:35pm and sure enough he had it right on! Mommy and I both started crying before we even hugged each other. Then we hugged and I showed her my (tiny) baby bump! We went into the kitchen with Serena and I shared with them for the first time the sound of the little one's amazing heartbeat. It was so special to share that moment with both of them. It's very hard not having them close where they can just come to doctor's visits with me etc. Afterwards I shared with them the narrowed down baby name list (that is still on lock down publicly until we know the sex of the baby).

We all shared in an amazing dinner (of which I ate WAYYY too much but couldn't control myself). Serena brought out all of her beautiful looking home made desserts- and because Mini Schmoop is just LOVING fruit these days, I ate a passion fruit ice pop instead! Hahahah Sorry Serena! (They still tease me about that ice pop).

We went to Aunt Vee and Uncle Gary's house later on and got to visit with a bunch of family which was so amazing. I got to share the excitement of the pregnancy with my aunts/cousins/grandma all while my mama and sister were there!

I had SO much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving! Friday morning we went to visit some old coworkers, and then drove straight into Queens to see my amazing inlaws. We had such a fabulous dinner with them. We ate Chicken and Rice and some yummy meat and plantain dish. I absolutely loved spending time chatting with them and catching them up on all of the very exciting things we have going on! From there we drove into Manhattan and spent an hour or so visiting with Andre's grandparents. These two are so special, it makes me emotional even trying to talk about them. They just have so much love in their hearts, it really is a beautiful thing. I am so thankful for his family.

Leo met up with us there and we took him over to Bill's Bar and Burger with us to meet up with SO many people who came out to visit with us.

We got a great big table and everyone shared in burgers, fries, milkshakes, drinks and laughs. It was so special to see how many people would go out of their way to see us while we were there. It was a better turnout than I could have imagined and it was PERFECT. We try so hard to maintain these relationships with all of these beautiful people even though we've moved and can't seem them as often anymore.

When we got home late at night, we saw that Mommy had already finished putting up her Christmas tree, and I realized that I want some "belly shots" infront of that tree. Our family has generations of pictures of beautiful pregnant ladies with those belly bumps in front of the tree, and so I did my makeup and starting posing before we had to leave for the airport today.

To anyone who knows Me, my Mom or Serena- I'm pretty sure I don't need to say that we were all a sack of tears when the family dropped us off at the airport. We gave hugs and kisses and "see you soons" and as we were checking in at the kiosk, I broke down into sobs that poor Andre didn't know what to do with me!

Although it was a very emotional trip, it was by far the most special holiday I have ever celebrated. I just have SO much to be thankful for. It feels great to be back home and in our new house, but I definitely left a piece of my heart in New York.

Matthew 6:21 ESV / 58 helpful votes

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.