Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Trading my Stilettos for Sneakers

I have always been fascinated with New York City. The glitz of Broadway. The glamour of the 5th Avenue. The swankiness of the Upper East Side. I have dreamed about visiting for years and breathing it all in. Tomorrow, I will hit Central Park for the first time.

However, if someone told me 13 years ago that I would be going to NYC, for the first time, packing a double stroller, sneakers, My Little Pony and Star Wars underwear I would have laughed out loud. Thirteen years ago, this May, I was graduating high school and my senior class of 400 voted me the "most likely to travel to foreign lands." I spent that entire summer sleeping on roof tops in Pamplona and the beaches of Ibiza. Life was fabulous.

I started college. Met a boy. Got married, on purpose. Had. Three. Kids.

My life had changed. I could not continue sleeping on beaches forever. My life is better. My kids have opened up my eyes and the world is now a new place for me to re-discover. Yesterday, at the grocery store, I picked up 10 new cloth bags and Jay asked me why I was buying them. "Well, what junk food is to your body... plastic bags are to the earth." This simple trip to the store sparked an entire afternoon conversation loaded with interesting questions. The world is a different place. I have questions to answer and a purpose to live.

So, although I would have probably laughed 13 years ago had I known I would be packing sneakers instead of stilettos to NYC, I am anxious to see the city through the eyes of my children. I can't wait to run through the park and chase pigeons. I can't wait for their first subway ride. I can't wait to push them in the stroller pass Fao Schwartz. I can't wait to see if they sleep through the mariachi band, outside of my sister's flat. I can't wait to experience it with them.

Had someone told me I would be a SAHM of three in Ohio, I probably would have traveled a lot more extensively. And even though, 13 years ago, I envisioned my first trip to NYC to be full of club hopping, stiletto wearing, innocent flirting chaos I would not trade my travel companions and the memories we will create this weekend.

What are you going to eat in NYC, Lola? "I will actually try the New York Chicken. But no adult foods like tomatoes and pickles." Where can I find New York chicken? I need to google that tonight.

What are you going to buy in NYC, Jay? "The biggest Star Wars Legos in Fao Schwartz and some jewelry for Babcia (his grandma) so she can be beautiful." Babcia promised, over the phone, to buy the kiddos ANYTHING they wanted at Fao Schwartz.

What are you most excited about, Lola? "I am so excited to sleep in the same bed as Kash!" It is a good thing I spent over a $1,000 for a sleepover.

What are you most excited about, Jay? "To bring home the world's largest Star Wars Legos. I will carry it myself on the plane if it doesn't fit in our luggage." I am so happy he can reason.

Bye-Bye Ohio.

PS. I am still packing my heels even though my blister has not healed. Sometimes looking good hurts.

PSS. I am going to miss Mr. OHmommy and Fifi so bad. That hurts too.

84classy comments:

McMommy said...

I LOVE NY!! My two big NY moments? I was born there and McDaddy proposed on a horse & carriage ride in Central Park...like I said, I love it there!

Looking forward to hearing all about your trip!

Rachel said...

Have a wonderful time honey. It's so amazing where life can take us. I always wanted to get married 'younger' and have kids 'younger' but I still think if you told me 10 years ago that I would be where I am today, who I am today... I would have asked you to accompany me to the nearest padded room.
Hope your toe heals soon, and that FAO Schwarz meets up to all y'all's hopes and expectations. NY is an amazing and beautiful city. I can't wait to see it one day through my kids' eyes!

Wendi said...

I love NY!!!
Have a great trip!
I will be waiting with bated breath to hear all about OHMommy's adventures in the big apple!(while wearing sneakers and toting two kids of course!)

Val said...

Have a great trip. Hope your foot is feeling better before you leave so you can walk in NY with stilettos on.

Blessings From Above said...

Have a great trip!!!

Unknown said...

It's an incredible city that creates memories for those in it without even trying. I'm betting you'll do GREAT in your stilettos, just don't wear them Sunday! ;)

Have a safe trip! Can't wait!

Stephanie said...

I went to NYC three years ago, right before I got preggo with Punky. It's an AMAZING place! And for the record, there will be no "strolling by FAO Schwartz." Lola and Jay will make sure of it (and makes sure they get to play on the big piano!)! I'm from such a small town and NYC was tied with LA for #1 on my list of places to visit. I wasn't disappointed. Take the Eiffel Tower tour at night, the view is insanely beautiful and great for photography. We did a panoramic of the city and I get goosebumps every time I see it. have a GREAT time and make lots of memories!

Rhea said...

Traveling with children is such a double-edged sword. On one hand, I love sharing new experiences with my children, showing them new things, but on the other hand, it's exhuasting traveling with them and I'd love to do it on my own...but I just couldn't.

It's amazing what 13 years difference can make. Hope your blister doesn't get worse. New York is so much fun, no matter how old (or young) you are.

ConverseMomma said...

Safe travels. Hope we are still on. Your old friend, Kel. Who finally got up the balls to get back to blogging. Hooo-Ra!!!

Cassey said...

Happy traveling!

Cynthia said...

Do it up! What fun you all are going to have...can't wait to read about it:)

Momisodes said...

NYC is one of my favorite places on Earth! I try to go a few times a year. As for those stilettos, I have 2 options: Band-aids or Taxi's. Every time I tried to wear heels in NYC, I ended up borrowing shoes from a friend or buying new ones after a few blocks.

Wishing you all safe and happy travels!

Anonymous said...

Have a great trip. It is an incredible city.

I have been dozens of times, and every time I discover something new.

Anonymous said...

Oh, I hope you have an absolute blast! I can't wait to take the kids there. Thankfully, it's only a morning drive for us. We've been reading books on the construction of the ESB and other famous landmarks for preparation.

The Mom Jen said...

I have a vision of being all Sex and the City when I go to NYC for the first time, I'm so sure it will not happen like that at all!

I hope YOU have a fab time with your oldest kids and your sister, what fun!

Shellie said...

How exciting!! Have tons of fun, and wear the tennis shoes to walk around and the stilettos when you get there!! It is better to live in a "boring" place with kids.

Kristen said...

Oh NYC through your kids eyes will be so much fun! And to have your sister around! Yea, for you!

Have a great trip OhMommy, and know that we will all be anxiously awaiting the details when you returns!

Happy Travels!!

Laski said...

You are going to have a wonderful time! You may have traded in fabulous trips for the suburban mommy life, but I will bet that this life will be far more adventurous!!!

Have a fantastic time. Can't wait to hear all about it!

Hey it's Amy Benson said...

You are going to have a blast!!! Take lots of pictures :D I love NY & can't wait to go again.

Anonymous said...

Have a great time! I hope the kiddos cooperate for you. Take some good pictures.

Mamarazzi said...

FUN!!! have a great trip!

Unknown said...

All I'm going to say about this whole thing is that I'm really jealous. That's all I'm going to say to you, LunaNik and Stella for a really long time. I cannot believe all my first readers and blog friends are meeting in real life. JEALOUSY!!! :)

Beth Cotell said...

Have a wonderful trip. I can't wait to hear all about it.

And they make some really cute sneakers these days so it won't be all bad.

Beth from the Funny Farm said...

Have a WONDERFUL trip! You will have so much fun.

(P.S. I left a comment about shows near Shelby, OHIO!)

Amy said...

I would take sneakers over stilettos any day!!! Have a nice trip! =)

Happy Days said...

Have a great time!

Mom said...

Have a blast in NYC, I love going there and the kids will totally dig FAO! Looking forward to your stories when you get back.

Narci D said...

My FAVORITE city on the planet. Have a wonderful time!

Kate said...

You will have a great time - not a day goes by that I do not miss NYC (or your sassy sister). She is a great tour guide and I hope you all have a wonderful time!

Karen said...

Oh, how fun! Your kids will have such a great time. I'm sure you'll find some yummy chicken somewhere. lol

Anonymous said...

While I am out running Central this weekend I will keep an eye out for a touristy looking mom, hobbling is gorgeous stilletos. I will be the one dying a slow death while trying to keep up with the rest of the runners.

Have a wonderful trip-last time the weather promised misty showers for the weekend, it was GLORIOUS!

Victoria said...

Aw, this gave me goosebumps, my friend!! You're going to make the most amazing memories - some will be planned, most will not be.

Enjoy. Every. Second.

I'm taking my kids on a Big Trip to a city next week (alas, not my treasured NYC) to see skyscrapers and museums and city parks and...

But the Boy is most excited about sleeping with his Mama. And the Girl? She's most excited about the American Girl store. *smile*

Have an AMAZING trip! Can't wait to hear about it and see pics!

Safe Travels,

v.

Lisa said...

I hope you have the most wonderful time! I'm sure countless memories will be made!!!
PS - Make sure to take a picture of Jay getting that huge lego contraption on the plane when you're coming home :)

Crystal D said...

It sounds wonderful! Have a fabulous time and take lots of pictures.

tracey.becker1@gmail.com said...

Never been. I wish that I had had the chance to REALLY explore before settling down... but then I may not have married who I did and had the children I have, so it's a fruitless wish! But my husband has no desire to go to a few continents that I dream of...

Stephanie said...

Oh you guys are going to have such a great time. I will definitely be taking Miss Karys there when she is older. They will have so much fun at FAO!! I went twice while I was there in Feb :)

Krystyn @ Really, Are You Serious? said...

Enjoy your time with the older kiddos. I'm sure it will be a blast.

Just think about how much more you will appreciate your hubby and Fifi (and equally, they will appreciate you, too)!!!!

Unknown said...

Have a GREAT TIME. And you're right. Willy was meant to be listened to. But, perhaps, not for the reason you think.

Kelly said...

I dream of New York City myself. I'll vicariously through you! Take a ton of pictures and have a great time!!!

Burgh Baby said...

New York City is a BLAST. Have a great time and wear those sneakers out. And the kids.

Indy said...

Have a wonderful trip OHmommy! NYC is an experience. Can't wait to hear about it.

Unknown said...

Have a great trip. You're in great hands with Kash!!

Ashlee said...

I have never been to NY before. It's one of my dreams too. Mine will probably include my kids too, but by the time I actually get there, they'll probably be too old for Star Wars Legos. Maybe the NY chicken will still be around?

LunaNik said...

Start spreadin' the news...

I'm leavin' to-daaaay...

I Want To Be a Part of IT

New York, Neeew Yoooork!!

See ya Sunday!

MommyTime said...

Oh, you will have such a great time there.

Perhaps New York Chicken might be arroz con pollo from a small Puerto Rican restaurant? It's typically not spicy at all, and the tender rice and flavorful chicken would appeal mightily to a preschool appetite, I'd imagine.

have a wonderful trip!

María said...

You'll never want to come home. NYC is addictive.

Anonymous said...

What Huckdoll said. Humph.

Miss said...

I am jealous of the playdate. So much in fact that I dont even know how to be happy for you. ;-)

Cecily R said...

Oh I hope you have a fantastic time!! Bring home lots of stories and some AWESOME Star Wars Legos!!

April said...

I hope you have a great time! Can't wait to read about it when you return.

amanda said...

oh you are going to have sooo much fun!! i can't wait to hear all the details and see all the pictures!!

i wish i could come along and take you to all of our favorites!! just don't forget about dylans candy store!!

safe travels :)

Miss Lisa said...

Yay for cloth bags--I switched over to cloth two years ago and i love it :) And if you grocery shop at Whole Foods, you save money--they take 5 cents (per bag!!!) off your bill!
Have fun in NYC--my older daughter plans to live there :0

Don Mills Diva said...

Have an amazing time!

Anti-Supermom said...

I would totally love to be in your 'shoes' kids or not - I love NYC as I already posted. Have a great time.

DH and Fifi will have good bonding time, don't worry!

Jeni said...

Enjoy your vacation with the two older children and make lots and lots more memories with them while there!

Holly (2 Kids and Tired) said...

Have fun! Enjoy it. Seeing it all through the eyes of your children makes it all the more magical.

Katie said...

Have a Great trip!! I'm sure Y'all will have tons of fun!! :)

3 Peanuts said...

Oh how I love to visit NYC. I love Broadway...took the boys to Lion King last year. I have been many time before kids but my most magical time was with the kids...the 2 things they wanted to do? ride the subway (a first for me too) and eat a NY hotdog! BOYS!

Have a GREAT time! Go to ABC home store! Cannot wait to hear all about it:)

Kim

Victoria said...

Have a great time! Don't forget the Natural History museum.

Anonymous said...

I have never been to NYC. Would you go with me sometime? A girl trip?

Eve Grey said...

Sounds like great fun! I would love to go there too one day.

Jules said...

Ooooooo....... you're going to have a lovely time. You won't even notice or miss the stilettos. Have fun!

Tootsie Farklepants said...

I love that you call your sister's apartment a "flat". You ARE so European. I mean, you are, but still.

I love NY and I've never even been. But I know I would love it there! Have a great time!

CC said...

Awesome! Have so much fun!!

Irene said...

Wow, have a blast. You are so lucky to have someone to visit in NYC. I would LOVE to go there again.

I can't wait to see LOTS Of pictures!!!!!!

the mama bird diaries said...

Welcome to my hood.

Enjoy the city. Please go to the West Village where it is mellow and quaint and cool. I don't want you to think the whole city is a crazy, crowded place.

And yes, sneakers are a must.

New York City chicken?

Enjoy!

suchsimplepleasures said...

have an awesome time. don't eat the chicken lobster salad at the plaza hotel...i got food poisoning from it!!
enjoy!!
xoxo

Flea said...

You're going to have the greatest time EVER!! Your children will love it, and seeing through their eyes is always the best experience. Just make sure they get down time, or they'll be cranky near the end. :) Have FUN!!!

carrie said...

Oh, have a wonderful, fabulous, awesome trip!

Enjoy it all, even if you aren't wearing stilettos you'll still look good! :)

Angie @ KEEP BELIEVING said...

i am very curious to see how this goes. I love my suburban life and I love the lure of the big cities, but can't imagine big cities with kids. they need ROOM! I just don't see how people raise families in big cities. I think you will have fun, but I think you will be SO ready to come home to your YARD!

KEEP BELIEVING

Kat said...

I want to go too!!! My hubby lived in NYC for 6 years and he hasn't taken me back to give me the tour yet. Ack!
Have a wonderful time! It will be fabulous!

Christy said...

Have a wonderful trip! One day I will get to make it to NY, not yet but one day.

Jennifer said...

i hope you guys con't to have the awesome weather we have been having here in NY. it has been beautiful! NYC is amazing!! My husband proposed there while ice skating at Rockefeller Plaza. It was so romantic. :)
well anyway... take lots of pics, which I'm sure you will and that there isn't a need to tell you that... and enjoy it... it is so gorgeous! I can't wait to hear your stories when you come home!

xoxox's Jenn

Tara R. said...

Have a fabulous trip! My aunt gave me an all-expense paid trip to NYC as a college graduation present. I still think about it fondly... 20+ years later. Hope you and the kiddies have a great time.

Unknown said...

I miss you already! Can't wait for our playdate back in Ohio when you return!

XOXO - Be safe!

Lacey said...

Oh I'm so jealous! Have fun in NY

Putting the FUN in DysFUNctional said...

I hope you have a fantastic time in NYC, and you don't miss Mr Ohmommy and Fifi TOO much!!

Karen MEG said...

You will have an absolute blast, Ohmommy! I can't wait to take the kids again

I've been to NYC several times without, but I must say that it was truly magical when we took the kidlets for a few days a couple of years ago.

Have fun, can't wait to read all about it when you get back. And the playdate... mmmm, yeah, jealous about that too ;)

Mommy to those Special Ks said...

You've been tagged here. Enjoy!

KatBouska said...

Hi, I just wandered into your blog while browsing and NYC scares the crap out of me. I can't imagine taking it on with two kids. YOU GO GIRL!

As Cape Cod Turns said...

I took my first trip to NYC 1 1/2 years ago with my 2 girls and my mother in law! Not who I was expecting to visit the big city with for my first time, but we had a blast! One of my favorite things was going on the ferris wheel in the Toys R US! Hope you are having a great time!

Kelli said...

I am a new blogger, and new to your blog. I heart, heart, heart it so much. Oh how I wish I had had your wisdom and grace as a mother of 4 all those years ago....my children are not so small any more, and I am faced with a wayward 16 year old daughter and much regret for not experiencing life with them more when they were small, as you so clearly are.....and MAYBE things would be different. I love my family very much. My heart aches terribly for my daughter. You, my dear, are quite lovely and a wonderful mother.

Anonymous said...

Hello! New reader here! I ♥ NY too. Just went there last month for the first time for my big 3-0 birthday. Too much to see in only three days, but still worthwhile. Hope you post some pictures. Have a wonderful time!

Anonymous said...

I am so sad I did not get a chance to meet you in person.. seriously so sad.

I hope you had fun. can't wait to read all about it.

 

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