Michigan, Part Two

precious little feet, full of pokes from blood sugar tests :( 

The reason we flew home to Michigan in the first place was to be there for the birth of our newest nephew.  That makes SEVEN nephews and nieces I now have-- and coming from a small family of four who never lived within driving distance of any relatives I love the "craziness" that comes along with having a huge family. Talk about never having a dull moment!  Growing up I never really thought it would matter to be where I lived but having married into a large family, I see how important it is that kids can grow up around their cousins, grandparents, aunts and uncles.  Family is so important and witnessing the miracle and specialness of a new baby has only cemented that further in my mind.  Since meeting the husband, this is the FOURTH birth I have been able to be there for!  Every baby is a sweet and special miracle, including little Ethan Robert!  He was born weighing only 5 lbs, 15 ounces and oh my word, what a tiny peanut he is! Here are some of my favorite shots from the hospital, our dinner at a Grand Rapids favorite, Pietro's Italian Bistro and then a double blate with Michaela and her cutie boyfriend.  Husband and I love them, and are so excited at what the future holds for our friendship(s)!  Read on!

husband holding little ethan

ethan and I... oh my gosh, I have caught the baby fever!  I want one!

cousins!  Brayden holding Ethan with his mommy, my sister in law Kristin! 

the big sister, miss kloey grace.  She wasn't too sure about the baby at first!

another cousin, Riley Joy with her daddy (the husband's brother),  Josh

husband and brother in law Jess

my oldest niece, Lauren 

J O Y !

I mean, don't I look good with one? I need one, right?!

Ethan getting weighed

beautiful mommy Jennifer & Ethan

After being at the hospital for a while we all decided to get some food at a local Italian place called Pietro's.  Pietro's is a popular spot in the Grand Rapids area and we have eaten there a few times before.  I have never been amazed by the place, and this time was no exception.  We went around 4:30pm so we had the restaurant to ourselves but the waiter seemed pretty flustered by such a large party of people.  It took a while to get drinks and bread-- but I figure they don't usually get much business at such a weird hour on a Thursday so I won't hold that against them.

Landon had just whacked his dad in the head pretty hard. HAHA

I only like my face at weird angles-- am I the only one?!

 My husband ordered a trio of a chicken parmesan, cheese enchilada and fettuccine dish.  I tasted the chicken and wanted to puke.  It was nasty, and I mean NASTY.  Think middle school lunch line status.  The cheese enchilada was in a pool of fat and butter and I wanted to throw up looking at it.  His noodles weren't cooked all the way through and overall he gave his dish a 3/10.   I ordered the Lobster Ravioli and devoured it.  I loved every bit of it, I thought it was perfect and creamy and the large chunks of lobster didn't hurt either.  I thought my meal was a 9/10!   I asked around the table and it seemed like everyones dishes were either a hit or complete MISS.  This has been our experience in the past at this place, and its such a shame because Grand Rapids doesn't  have many non-chain restaurants.  If I could  make a suggestion, I think they should cut down their large menu and focus on making a small number of options fantastic instead of having a large selection of mediocre stuff.  I am not sure if we would choose to go back to Pietro's on our own after a handful of experiences like this.

husband's dish.  I mean, the chicken just looks nasty. 

my lobster ravioli, one of the only "winners" of the evening.

Sorry Pietro's, we give you a 4/10.  And we probably won't be back.

After dinner we headed to downtown GR to meet up with Michaela and her boyfriend.  I first met Michaela when we moved to San Jose and spent Easter with her and her family!  During that meeting we realized she would be in Grand Rapids the same time we would be there for Ethan's birth.  It was totally FATE and we made plans for a double blate at the time.  Needless to say, we loved meeting her boyfriend, they are so precious together and its safe to say we have made some amazing new friends.  Fingers crossed Henry gets Michaela to  move to Grand Rapids so I can have a good friend there! :)

husband waiting for michaela & h !

husband and h being models

adorable.

love muffins

yo?

favorite!

clapping for a couple that got engaged on the bridge!  

We had another packed to the brim with fun day in Michigan! More pictures of our trip to come!

Over & Out,

A

p.s. have you entered to win a Ruffles With Love tank top on the post below this?!  Only a few hours left!

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