Introducing Ellie to NYC

The last leg of the crazy October travel took us to none other than our favorite city - NYC! I was so excited to introduce Ellie to a place that is so special to both Brad and me, and I couldn't wait to see how she reacted to all the people, sounds and smells. (In case you were curious, she LOVED it - she is my daughter, after all.) Brad had work on Monday and Tuesday, so on Saturday after the wedding we flew from STL to NYC, where we had two days as a threesome, and then a couple of mommy/daughter days. This trip also happened to fall on our anniversary (part of the reason E and I tagged along) - more on that in another post.

I couldn't believe it had been three whole years since I'd been back, and man I missed it. It's funny how some places just fill your soul with warmth the second you arrive, and for me, NYC is one of them. I had a little smile on my face starting the moment our plane landed that didn't go away until we left.

Upon checking in to our hotel Saturday evening (which was RIGHT across the street from my old office building - talk about crazy!), I shared with the woman at the front desk that we were celebrating our anniversary, and she gave us complimentary access to the Grand Club, an area on the 16th floor that offered free breakfast, non-alcoholic drinks and hors d'oeuvres in the evenings. SCORE! This made life SO much easier in terms of getting Ellie fed, etc, not to mention saving us a TON of money.

Sunday was our anniversary, and I had made a reservation at a place called Stanton Social for brunch (owned by Chris Santos who is one of the chefs on Chopped - Brad and I are obsessed). Sadly this was the first time E decided she was NOT happy to be eating at a restaurant, and so it wasn't quite as enjoyable of an afternoon as it could have been. Sigh.
We left brunch and walked across the Williamsburg Bridge to Brooklyn, where we met up with my friend from college, Josh, and his son Levi, who is 4 months old (and about the same size as Ellie!). We hadn't seen each other since 2009, so it was an absolute treat. We enjoyed a lovely afternoon/early evening of catching up and watching our babies play.

Monday, Brad didn't have to work until the afternoon, so we took Ellie to the NYC Children's Art Museum where we enjoyed music, stories, and her first attempt at putting color on paper (didn't go so well - she just wanted to eat the markers hahaha!). We took the Subway there - E's first ride! - and I was amazed at how she just went with the flow. She even instinctively knew to hold on the pole - I almost died. Perhaps it was a coincidence, but it seems this is a theme with Miss E - no matter what the situation, she just seems to ADAPT, and I both admire and adore that about her.
We walked from the art class back through Washington Square Park and Union Square before hopping back on the Subway for E to get back for her afternoon nap. When she woke up, B was at his meeting, so E and I took a walk through midtown, stopping to get her out of the stroller at Rockefeller Center and Bryant Park (one of my favorite spots in the city).

Tuesday B had work all day, so E and I took to the streets. We spent the most picture perfect day you could ever hope for in Central Park, at the Central Park Zoo, Children's Zoo, Carousel (her first ever ride!), and the park/swings. She napped in her stroller while I strolled through the gorgeousness of the colors changing around me - I wish I could adequately describe how at peace and in love I felt in that moment. So much love for my daughter, the life we share as a family, in my absolute favorite place. Makes me tear up just thinking about how happy I was.
We snaked our way north through the city blocks, peeking in windows and looking up the real estate listings, before making our way to my old stoop. So surreal - I know it happened, but it feels like a lifetime ago.

There are strange comforts when you go back to a place you used to call home: the convenient store next to my front door was still there, being run by the same people; the park across the street was still bustling with local kiddos; my go-to pizza, sushi, and grocery store were all still there. Maybe everywhere you once lived is like this, but it's amazing how in a city so huge with so many people walking past you that you can quickly feel comfortable and like you're home. I have a sneaking suspicious it's not like this everyone you once lived - only in the places that still have a hold on a tiny piece of your heart.

The flight home was brutal - 5 hours, Ellie's longest to date, and also her worst (although to have one not so great flight when her grand total is 15 flights is pretty incredible). Not to mention three plus hours of turbulence. We were happy to be home, and now have amazing new memories of our favorite city that include our daughter. We can't wait to go back. A link to all our NYC photos is here.