Cael did AMAZING on the flights and got more attention than I thought could ever be possible from literally everyone we passed, including Lance Armstrong and Caroline Rhea. :) It was nice staying right across the street from work (Le Parker Meridien)...allowed us to spend lunches together and get a head start on the evenings after work. We hit alot of the main tourist spots, Times Square, World Trade Center site, Rockefeller Center, Wall Street, Central Park, FAO Schwarz, Serendipity.
A few things I learned....
1. I have a newfound respect for anyone raising a child in the city. Lugging a car seat around makes a taxi ride impossible, but hauling a squirmy baby, your backpack & purse, and a stroller up and down endless flights of subway stairs in the humidity=not fun and a burning in your legs!
2. It's amazing how much they can charge in the city. 2 burgers, 2 fries and 2 drinks = $35 and nothing special. A slightly above average hotel = $530/night and isn't any better than most of the hotels I've stayed at in Vegas.
3. For a germphob like me, having people trying to touch your baby or having your baby try to touch things on the subway, almost drives you to need Xanax.
4. Note to self: Never again walk thru the Bronx, even if you are just trying to get to the zoo. We stood out like a sore thumb and the cop at the zoo entrance even said that he wouldn't recommend that walk unless "you have one of these", as he points to his gun. Nice to know after the fact.
5. When I was in high school and college, trips to New York always left me wanting more. With seemingly endless possibilities and excitement, I pictured myself living there for a few years. Being a mom has now totally changed my perspective. We found ourselves constantly aware of the endless 2nd hand smoke, germs, shady characters, cutthroat drivers, etc. Call me ignorant, but I truly missed the little Irvine bubble we live in - where everything seems clean and safe. There is just no place like home.
6. Finally, although it required some sacrifice (thanks E for taking such good care of our little man, even if that meant being stuck in the hotel with a cranky, teething little booger during the day), I wouldn't trade the memories that we made this last week for anything. I can't wait for all the vacations to come!
Here are just a few of my fav pics of the week.....For the rest go to Facebook http://www.facebook.com/#!/album.php?aid=245768&id=586084987&ref=mf
