Memorial Day in the Big Apple - 2011 (Day 1)

What a whirlwind!!  Tate, my mother and I flew off to New York City on Thursday, May, 26!!!  I was born in Queens, and my mom spent her early 20s there and attended college in the city.  Her brother and 2 sisters have lived there for the past 20-25 years.  So, it is always a bit like going back home for her.

Just after security in Houston!

Off to the airport we were Thursday morning.  My dad dropped us off, and we were on our way.  Our flight was uneventful, and Tate did a great job.  He sat in his carseat, ate some snacks and slept for a little over an hour.  Until...we began our initial descent into Newark.  Then all hell broke loose.  Tate started throwing up.  Poor baby.  The lady directly in front of him was a flight attendant, and thankfully she took charge of the situation as well as knowing it was about to happen.  As soon as he started fussing she turned around to ask me if he was teething.  No sooner were the words out of her mouth as I was trying to respond, he vomited.  She said she could tell something was up as his cry changed.  (I was completely oblivious!)  He quickly vomited a second time as I was desperately trying to clean up from the first time as well as get my very upset baby out of his carseat.  My mom was rooting around in the baby bag for wipes and his extra clothes.  While I was in the teeny tiny airport bathroom changing Tate and washing him down, the wonderful flight attendant (not on duty mind you!) cleaned everything up for me and my mother.  She got the seat wiped down, commandeered a blanket to be placed on the seat as well as getting a bag of coffee grounds to place on the seat under the blanket.  Apparently coffee grounds will remove the smell of vomit from upholstery!!!  We made our way back to our seats and got ready for landing.  And I was well aware we would have a final descent.  I worried more vomit would ensue.  And yep!  It happened!  Poor Baby Tate.  2 more times :(.  Some mention was made that just a minute amount of congestion can cause vertigo or teething in these little ones.  Whatever the cause Tate's little tummy was not in its happy place.  Once off the plane he was fine.  We met our driver and we were off to Manhattan!!!


We got checked into our room at the Hilton on the Avenue of the Americas.  We unpacked a few items and decided to walk around the city a bit as our room was a bit too warm for our Southern blood. (called down to the front desk to inquire about how our a/c unit looked at..ok, so I called and complained)  We walked around the neighborhood, bought some Pedialyte for little Tate's tummy.  He was a trooper and never complained.  He was just in awe of all the 'big trucks' and all the 'big cars' zooming about on the streets!  Once back at the hotel we had to change rooms as the a/c was actually broken...real fun with the amount of stuff we had with us!!  Got settled in our new room, food delivered, diapers delivered, crib and refrigerator delivered and we were set.  I bathed Tate and Grandmommy started reading him bedtime stories. 

Walking through Central Park...still not feeling 100%!

Central Park

Fleet Week 2011!!!!  Woohoo!!!

Hanging out with Jorge a bit before heading off to bed!

My friend Jorge who lives in NYC came by to see Tate and my mother.  Jorge and I met a few years ago through a mutual friend.  We probably saw each other a total of 4 times while he was visiting my friend David for those couple of weeks and he even came to my parents' surprise 40th wedding anniversary party that I threw and helped serve drinks etc!!  Such a great great guy!!! When we came up last year to the city I let him know we were coming and he met Tate and I out at Central Park for some playtime.  I was sure to let him know I was coming this year, and though we are really just acquaintances he always makes time to see me!!  He came in and loved on Tate a bit and reconnected with my mom, then he and I ventured out on a quick stroll for a drink at Rockefeller Center.  We had a small bite to eat and hung out and enjoyed the ambiance of the myriad of people crowding the bar.  It was what I always imagined NYC to be after one gets off work and meets friends for drinks.  Lots of laughter amongst friends and business associates, flirting, drinking, crowded, a little warm, people elbow to elbow; simple big city life.  Simply put...it was nice.  The weather was perfect, the setting was perfect and the conversation was perfect.  We didn't stay too terribly long as I was exhausted after the long flight, so Jorge walked me back to the hotel.  We hugged and said good-bye and he was off to meet friends and I was off to see my little boy and give my mom the sandwich I had picked up for her.  Upstairs, Tate was fast asleep on my bed (the crib apparently wasn't welcoming enough for him), my mom was resting and all was good.  She enjoyed her sandwich, I got ready for bed, cuddled up with my precious babe and our first night in NYC was over.

Good wine, good company, good food=a great time at Rockefeller Center with Jorge!

My sweet, sweet boy sound asleep in the Big Apple!!  Just waiting for some cuddles from his mommy!