New York City Trip Review

I returned yesterday from an all-too-brief visit to Nueva York. I was there for an affiliate conference, and what will no doubt be the last of any kind of real business trip as I move careers to the teaching profession. I packed only a carry-on bag and was able to arrive at the airport only an hour before my departure. I forgot what that was even like!

It was the first time I have left Garrett overnight ever, and it had been a while since I had left Delaney on an overnight trip. I have come to realize that Delaney is at her worst when Kevin leaves town for long trips and secretly I was hoping that the house would meltdown and spontaneously combust as a result of my absence. I was also hoping that the kids were good and he would have an easy time of it, but to be honest I was probably more hoping for the former so that Kevin could have a taste of what it's like to be alone with two kiddos. This was his first extended time with both kids, although two workdays away is nothing compared to two full weeks including weekends. It turns out the little rugrats were great during my absence and reviews of me being gone were positive all around. Hmmm... me thinks I should leave more often. It did get me to thinking about why in the heck I struggle with D so much when Kev is gone and she was a doll for him. I'm sure it has to do with my energy, now I just have to figure out how to get better at that in the future.

New York City was wonderful. The city seemed so alive and full of energy it was like I was getting intravenous injections at every corner. I think that living in Boulder and the slow pace has got me so much more accustomed to living basic that when I get in a real concrete maze with people everywhere it's all I can do to keep walking and not get frozen in one spot to spend time taking it all in. My senses were on complete overload every time I was outside and I loved it. I think part of that has to do with the fact that I've been spending a lot of time inside, with kids, changing diapers and doing the often-boring-as-hell house maintenance routine. I get to NYC and just one building seems fascinating to me, not to mention thousands of buildings, store windows, outside cafes, faces, clothing, construction, cars, traffic, etc. I came to the conclusion that I need to do trips like that more often just to wake up my senses and avoid having them dry up for good.

I stayed in the meat packing district at the new Standard Hotel which is an Andre Balazs property. The hotel was very modern and a bit crazy for a stodgy tech conference but I enjoyed my two nights sleeping in a room by myself. The hotel was right around the corner from the Diane Von Furstenberg office and I found myself walking by that window as much as possible in an attempt to look at the pretty flowing dresses that are so quintessential DVF. If only I had a grand to drop on some clothes.

The hotel was also conveniently located directly over the new High Line walking path in NYC. This was one of the highlights of my trip. I had seen a television piece for this on CBS Sunday morning and was excited to try it out. I had the fortune of re-connecting with an old friend Emilio, and when he picked me up at my hotel for a fun evening dining out and drinking, we were able to walk the entire way to the restaurant on the High Line. It is a fantastic project where the Parks and Rec department in NYC decided to make something of the old railway tracks that were abandoned long ago and were sitting unused. These aren't just any railways, though, it's an above-ground railway that runs north-south along the west side of NYC. The railways are actually still there but they have placed very architecturally pleasing elements all along the way and also added some natural grasses, plants and trees that are also very pleasing to the eye. There are benches where people were camping out for a sunset dinner, a little amphitheater that seems like it mostly meant for kids to look out a the cars underneath, and other spots along the way for people to stop and enjoy the view. It's an understatement to say that this project is cool in concept and execution and it's a testament to the idea that even in NYC where you think every corner has been developed, you can still provide culture and value to the citizens. Well done, NYC.

Emilio and I dined out at the restaurant called The Cookshop, which is very similar in theme and quality to Boulder's The Kitchen restaurant. Fresh and local products are used the menu changes frequently. It was great catching up with an old LA friend and shared stories of our children who are almost exactly the same ages. We had the brilliant idea to possibly do a house swap where he comes to Boulder with hid family and we go to NYC. Of course we are getting the better deal there but given his previous passion for the outdoors and climbing, Boulder could be a nice respite from his concrete world.

The next night I ate with a colleague at Scarpetta, which was recently named "One of the Best New Restaurants In America" by the New York Times magazine. The food did not disappoint at all, and it inspired me to do more experimenting with flavors and cooking given the taste explosion that occurred with every new dish that was presented.

And then it was back to Boulder after two brief days of travel, and I took both kids in the double jogger to the Wednesday night Boulder Farmers Market and purchased some fresh mushrooms, scallions, cherries, arugula, sugar snap peas, grain-fed beef and potato gnocchi. I am excited to do some cooking over the next few days and see what I can do.

Trip to DC and Maine

We had a lovely trip to Maine and DC at the end of July. In fact it's the reason I have been so remiss about posting on this blog. Once we got back I've been desperately trying to catch up at work, finish Delaney's room, and have managed another solo stint at home without Kevin. I am happy to say that Kevin is now IN TOWN until the babe will be born. Yeah! We made great progress on Delaney's room last weekend even though we were both a little down-and-out with a cold. We found it astonishing that both of us got sick but our toddler seemed none the worse for wear. How could it be that she has a better immune system than us?

Our first 3 days back east were spent with Kevin's brother and family. We managed to get out and have a few adult dinners, a trip to the pool with the kids, and a trip to the best toddler park I have ever set foot on. This place puts all parks I've ever visited to shame. They even had a free carousel you can ride during the weekdays. It was great to catch up with Kevin's side of the family and see everyone at the big birthday fiesta and family reunion. Some people in attendance were relatives I hadn't seen since our wedding!

Then we (somewhat) insanely decided to DRIVE up to Maine since the flights were so expensive. Delaney did amazingly well, but I suppose that has something to do with the 5 hours of Sesame Street we let her watch in the backseat. We have officially hit the DVD era with her, which I must admit is heavenly during long travel trips. She handled the drive better than I did as it was hugely uncomfortable to be sitting for that long period of time.

Our schedule in Maine was jam packed and we had a great time despite the near constant rain that blessed our entire visit. Some of the highlights of the trip were clamming/musseling, the morning on the lobster boat pulling 3 lobster, kayaking with my parents regular Thursday kayak group, visiting Acadia National Park and the sand beach, dinner out to Clionese in Ellsworth sans child, watching my dad hammer his way through a competitive croquet tournament, two dinners out to lobster pounds and much more. I will post a couple of pics from the vacation.

All in all it was wonderful to have a little getaway before we become a family of four. Traveling with our family will now become much harder for the next year plus. But it will eventually get easier again, and I know this now because by and large Delaney did awesome this entire trip even though we pushed mealtimes and naps on a few days.

I hope to have the new big girl room complete within the next 2 weeks and will post pics of that when I have it as well.

When I said MIA, I meant MIA!

I've been offline over two weeks now. Things have been crazy upon return from California/Cabo, and I just haven't had one spare moment. Ugh.

I figured I would start way back with our trip.

Highlights:
1. Getting to spend two full days with Joe, Janet, Lucy and Bailey. Lucy is amazing with tons of words and tons of independence. I was very impressed with her spirit, giving nature and intelligence. She was amazing in letting Delaney play with her books and toys all weekend.
2. Having the entire Thomas clan together for Easter weekend.
3. Sitting on Joe and Janet's porch and looking at their amazing view of the San Diego bay.
4. Being in warm, warm, warm weather for 9 days straight. Even when it seemed "cold" it wasn't really cold.
5. Watching Jo and Bob delight in our beautiful daughter, and how she had them wrapped around her little finger with every funny phrase and behavior (especially Pop-pop).
6. Getting to take naps and relax, both in California and Cabo.
7. Being around a VERY active but generally good natured traveler Delaney. She is SO much easier than she used to be.
8. Catching up on my reading in Cabo.
9. Going to the Wild Animal Park with Delaney, and getting to see Cory and her adorable munchkin Will.
10. Wearing elastic waist sweats and pants and feeling oh so very comfortable in them.
11. Feeling the ickyness of the first trimester slowly move out, just in time for our trip away.
12. Lots of tacos.

Some of the things that WEREN'T highlights:
1. Not being able to go in hot hot tubs.
2. Not being able to eat a lot of fish (especially hard in Mexico).
3. Not being able to have a Pacifico in Mexico.
4. Driving a tiny stick shift rental around crazy Cabo.
5. The wind in Cabo. We've had wind all winter in Colorado and I would have been ok if it weren't gusting every afternoon and evening.

That's about it. All in all a pretty perfect trip. We are currently planning our next one this July to DC and Maine. It's going to be a pricey trip, and I haven't booked it yet because I'm just not sure I can afford those darn plane tickets. Would I be insane to think about driving out with Lucy and Delaney?