New York, I miss you

I miss New York or at least a part of me misses it.  I am loving my quiet, suburban life here in PA but a part of me yearns for the city every now and then.  I think that it may have to do with the change in weather.  I LOVE the fall weather and all the changes that occur.  My last autumn in NYC was while pregnant and I have very fond memories of that time since I walked everywhere.  I even walked 20+ blocks the day before having my son and I was already having contractions!

I think that I also miss having so many restaurants to choose from for dinner.  Toward the end of my pregnancy, we (re) found a great Thai restaurant, Land, that had the best skirt steak entree around and their chicken curry puffs were so tasty.  It is an experience that most would miss, I think.

I have to add that I miss my manicure/pedicure place and my hair salon.  It takes a while to find a great hair salon and I found mine.  It is Rare salon located in Tribeca.  They are wonderful and so skilled.  The owner, Ruth, is on the floor cutting hair and always smiling at those around her.  It is worth noting that they are priced way below Manhattan standards but provide a cut that rivals the pricey ones.  And I used to go to Bloomie Nails in midtown and Dashing Diva on the UWS to get my nails done.  I could always trust that their stuff was clean and the technicians were skilled at providing manicures and pedicures.  Their manicures and pedicures would last for weeks!!

I have to admit that Central Park was never my “thing”.  I always worried that I would get lost and followed the same exact path that I knew inside and out.  I never explored the park and for good reason.  I was meeting a friend for lunch at the boat basin.  Now this place is a straight shot from the 72nd Street entrance.  Count on me to make it more difficult than necessary.  I was supposed to look for the fountain and meet him down at the restaurant.  Well, I did find a fountain, it just wasn’t the correct one.  I got lost going straight through Central Park, that is why I never explored.  But I do miss walking through the areas that I knew.  The leaves have probably changed and the air is crisp with fall smells and I am imagining a leisurely stroll with my son in his stroller.

All in all though I am happy in PA.  I love my house and my son is thriving being around family.  It makes up for the little things that I am missing in NYC.  I can always visit and probably am a better visitor than resident.

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NYC new Moms and Moms-to-Be

This is an event worth checking out:  Big City Moms Biggest Baby Shower.  I attended with a super pass (which I recommend if you can buy one) when I was pregnant and ended up winning a photo session with Leshem Loft and a Phil & Ted’s traveller.  Plus I brought home great gift bags!! You will meet tons of vendors, receive great gift bags and get to eat great food with great hosts.  You can never go wrong with Big City Moms, their events are the best in NYC.  The hostesses make you feel welcome and there are always great people attending plus you win fabulous prizes!!

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Aden and Anais – they are tops on my list

 

Aden and Anais Mod About Baby burpy bibs

 

I am a huge fan of Aden and Anais.  I have their swaddles and two sleeping bags.  A short time ago, I purchased the second Aden and Anais sleeping bag for Baby J.  I was so excited since this would be his second one and it was in the next size up so he could grow into it.  I find that the muslin material is perfect for summer.  It keeps Baby J from overheating at night.  Unfortunately, this second sleeping bag frayed at the seam in the wash.  So I contacted Aden and Anais customer service and explained the situation.  They were so quick to respond and didn’t hesitate to send me a new one.  Well I opened my package yesterday, 11 June, and I was so surprised to find not only that they had replaced my sleep sack but had also sent me burpy bibs.  I had considered buying one but Baby J has so many bibs and burp cloths, I restrained myself.  I do have a tendency to buy things for Baby J that he may not necessarily need or use for very long.  I am so happy that I received them.  They are great – soft and absorbent.  Plus they have “wings” so the bib goes around the entire front of the baby.  Most bibs leave the sides open and food gets on your baby’s clothing no matter how careful you are.

It is rare to find such good customer service these days and I am now a huge fan of Aden and Anais.  I hope that you try out their items.  I can say that they are worth every penny.

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Stroller Spectacular

I have to blog about this other Big City Moms event – Stroller Spectacular.  It is being held at Planet Kids on the UWS and it is worth it if you are not sure which stroller you want to purchase.  This is the first event that I attended through Big City Moms and it started what can only be called the luckiest 9 months of my life.  I ended up winning a stroller and from there have won numerous items, really too  many to name. Check out my post from the event I attended: https://uwsmom.wordpress.com/2009/05/20/i-won-a-stroller/

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Leshem Loft

Back in October, I won a photo shoot while at the Biggest Baby Shower at American Girl Place.  It was put together by Big City Moms, which all my readers know I love and fully support.  The photo shoot that I won was with Leshem Loft and was supposed to be a maternity shoot.  Jenny Leshem of Leshem Loft was kind enough to suggest that we make it a newborn photo shoot since I was 9 months pregnant and less than a month from my due date.  This should have been the first indication that they were going to exceed my expectations and then some.  We arrived to their studio and it was truly picturesque.  This was not due to the view but rather the photos that were on the walls.  Of course, photographers have pictures on their walls, it is what they do.  However, few can capture pictures and provide you with the feeling of being present in the picture as you walk by it.  We felt welcome from the first step in the door and the environment was very comfortable. 

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Journey to Motherhood

I have spoken to numerous women my age who have gotten pregnant and they have had no issue.  They throw out the birth control and a few months later they are pregnant.  If only life was that easy.  My husband, Tom, and I figured we would start trying right after my 30th birthday, which was September 2006.  He had planned a trip to Nice, France for my birthday and we didn’t want me pregnant for my first trip out of the country (Canada and Mexico don’t count = no passport needed at that time). 

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