"BABY-MOON" IN NYC

In 2 yrs we haven't ever left Leighton overnight before. The reason I guess isn't clear, other than we love hanging out with him and spending time that its hard for us to be away!! We know its important and have really been wanting to get up to New York City so this was the perfect time. Than's mom kindly offered to take Leighton for the weekend so we could go and have fun! We jumped at the chance and in less than a week planned our trip and were there. Than has been there before a couple times as an academy student on summer cruise, but never really did the tourist thing! I have always wanted to go and knew that one day we would get there, so I had a frommers nyc travel book on the shelf waiting. Thankgoodness I did with my book and the internet I was able to plan our trip in only 2days! There were several nerves in going. We weren't sure how well I would fare with all the walking at 5wks out form my due date, and even how well we would get around the city altogether.

With Leighton safe with grandnan we headed up the short 3.5hr drive to the "Big Apple". The whole ride there we kept saying how spontanous we felt and how as parents you rarely get to feel that way, but how great it was going to be to recharge our batteries before the stress of a new baby. We had no idea!!! We managed to get a great deal on a great hotel in a "Super" location! I was so excited to see all the taxi cabs and the empire statebuilding as we drove to our parking garage. Our hotel had our room ready early so we got to check right in drop our only bag, and hit the city. Packing in one bag was an adventure in itself. I am a compulsive overpacker, and wanting to be super stylish in NYC packing was even more stressful. We did so well and fit both our things into only a messenger bag.

 

We had a few things on our list of places to visit while we were there. We were only staying overnight and spending a day and a half there so we couldn't do the major things that might interest your average tourist! Besides Than and I aren't major history people, so with our limited time we decided to eat a famous dessert from a place I saw on tv and always wanted to visit. Our dinner and "Frozen Hot Chocolate" from Serendipity3 was worth the wait. It was a closet of a place so small and it was cramped but it was New York. and we loved every part of it!! I finished the dessert and it was AWESOME! We also visited the nyc staple "Dylans CAndy bar" which was this crazy huge famous candy store, it was fun and cute and sugary.

 

After our dinner and some other window shopping/browsing we hit times square!! WE stopped in the enormous toysrus to see the huge ferris wheel and pick something up for both boys! Then it was back on the subway and back to our hotel we got in around midnight~!

 

 

The next morning we had the best breakfast at a cafe near our hotel, and visited the famous Macys, Saks and central park along with walking down 5th avenue to see all the great sights and famous high end shopping. Around 5 pm we headed home. And before we even had passed back through the Lincoln tunnel I wanted to go back. A couple hours later I started having contractions, probably due to walking miles through the city in less than 2 days and wearing 3.5 inch boots on the second day! After picking Leighton up we crawled into bed, we felt rested and recharged in a different way!
A huge Thanks to Nan for watching our special boy, so we could go off and have a fun adult time!


THINGS I LEARNED IN NYC:

I am not a city girl(not breaking news) however I loved this city, its my new favorite weekend getaway spot! I am always so worried about homeless people and staying safe almost to the point of being paranoid! This had Than concerned as to how I would do...I did great..I felt so safe there, and like I fit right in I loved it and in no time was leaving Than in my dust cruising down the side walks. I felt confident about the city, it was so refreshing b/c D.C. and Baltimore are my least favorite places to visit.

Traveling there with kids isn't hard, like you may think. We were worried about when we would get to to there with two kids and how with carseats and a stroller how that would work/be difficult. It seemed to me like we could breeze along just about as easily. We didn't have to take a cab once and used the subway like pros to get everywhere. The walking was alot but not too bad especially with me being so preggers. This was a great investigative trip, and now we are planning to go back hopefully in late summer/early fall.

The shopping is amazing. OK I know I love to shop, but guilty is Than also. Nyc has the best shopping even for normal chain retailers you can find things that other normal sized stores don't carry. And in addition stores and things that aren't normally available to you. Its hard to believe that I came home empty handed this trip, although the huge belly does limit shopping some. Than however was able to pick up some goodies at the best gap we have ever seen!

Nyc is so stylish that people watching is amazing. I love fashion and how you can express yourself through it. Nyc was a great place full of stylish people of all ages. It is so ahead of the trends and with so many shopping options you could always find somethign in your price range.

NYC WAS INSPIRING!!! it was such a refreshing trip, that both Than and I needed we had no idea how badly we needed this trip! I was so inspired by all the young stylish people and it reminded me how much I used to love being fashionable and trendy and when I didn't buy the same t-shirt in every color. It was such an eye opening overnighter. It reminded us to take time for ourselves and that we are still a young Cyndi and Than and not just mommy and daddy. I think this happens to alot of people but I have to confess that as much as I love being a mommy, I have lost myself in it, and Than has also. We are so much more than that. Our trip pulled us out of our rut and reminded us to be ourselves and young! and how things used to be and how there is no reason that they can't still be that way, we just need to take the time for us!

Frommers travel guides/books are the best if you will soon be taking a trip I would recommend getting one of these books. We have used one every trip we have taken, and it really helps narrow things down and makes getting around so much quicker, this helps you make the most of a short trip. Than likes to praise my trip planning skills and how organzied I always am but really these books are the key to that!


NOW we are really ready for "Baby O" come on baby get here already!!