It wasn’t necessarily because of all the sights we saw or the lavish places we dined in. We didn’t go on tours or to museums or visit all of the typical New York tourist attractions, although we did see a lot in a week.
It wasn’t because of my flights to and fro. I had the most interesting flight to JFK. When I arrived at my gate in Salt Lake, I noticed a huge group of missionaries sitting in the waiting area. I immediately figured that it would be my luck to be seated next to one of the missionaries and get to experience the joy of breastfeeding my baby right next to a red faced greenie.
I figured right, of course, because my seat ended up being sandwiched in between not only one, but two missionaries. What made it even better was that one of the missionaries was headed to the Missionary Training Center in London, so it was literally his first day on the mission. And the real kicker was that not only was it his first day as a missionary, but he had never been on an airplane before. I had to show him how to use the seatbelt. He fervently studied the emergency exit and safety trifold. He spent a hour writing a letter to his girlfriend back home and then asked me which side of the envelope the stamp went on. Sitting next to a breastfeeding mom just had to just be the icing on the cake for him. What was I going to do though? The baby had to eat! I apologized in advance and then hid under my nursing cover as we went about our business. I bet he didn’t imagine getting to experience that on his first day in the field. My return flight wasn’t much better in that the baby threw up all over my shirt and hair while we were walking through security. That resulted in an unwanted purchase of a t-shirt for me from the airport gift shop.
Our trip wasn’t wonderful because Nash turned into a perfect baby void of crying. In fact, I don’t think he has ever screamed harder than those 30 overtired subway minutes on the way back from Times Square. Even when you’re having the time of your life the nitty gritty details don’t disappear.
New York City just has that special magical feel about it that makes you happy. I really enjoyed all of the walking and walking and walking over the holiday weekend because it contained so much time that I got to spend in conversation with Troy. It was nice to mix our daily mundane up a little bit with a new atmosphere and a different schedule. We actually did a lot of lounging in our apartment because I learned that if Nash didn’t take at least one of his naps in a crib instead of a moving stroller, we’d pay for it later. Some days we didn’t get out until the afternoon. We took naps and watched movies. I didn’t really expect this trip to be defined by relaxation with the excitement and fast pace of the city, but it was actually perfect and what we both needed to rejuvenate. When we went out, we played hard. We covered so much ground in Manhattan, and I loved discovering different parts of the city.
My ultimate favorite part of this trip was that it was an opportunity for just Nash and me. Don’t get me wrong, I missed Blake a lot and Troy and I found ourselves frequently quoting funny little Blake anecdotes. I love it when our family is all together. But this was something special just for baby Nash. Not that he will remember it, but I just soaked up the time I spent cuddling and cooing with my sweet little baby all over Manhattan. It is a memory that I will always have of being able to give my undivided attention to my second child, and I love that.



6 Comments
Wow Lindsey, what an amazing trip! I am missing NYC already for you! I have never been, and I think I will hire you as my tour guide if and when I ever make it. I'm so impressed with everything you squeezed in, over such a short amount of time, and with a baby! Good for you for venturing out into the city by yourself!
I am a little jealous of this new incredible friendship you made though… 🙂
wow!! what a fun trip! I am seriously impressed by how much you were able to do with a baby!! what a cool experience. just the other night, quinn was sick and went to bed an hour early. it was so much fun for us to have some time with just Hendrix– so i can imagine what a cool experience to have a few days like that!!
and also– you are always dressed so cute!!! i love all your clothes/accessories. i need you to go shopping with me 🙂
I'm probably not the most baby-friendly person in the world — I've never changed a diaper, babies always start crying when I hold them, and they make me really nervous. Pretty much photographing them is about all I can do.
But I ALWAYS ask if women need help carrying their strollers up and down the subway here in Chile when I see them struggling with a kid and a big stroller. There are not many elevators here either, unfortunately.
And you are a serious traveler, btw. I think you saw as much in a week as we did in our last three NYC visits combined!
How wonderful!!! Looks like an absolutely incredible week. What ward did you attend? My sis and family lives there and there building involves some elevator action.
Lindsey!
Thanks again for hangin out with me here in NYC. It was so much fun! I'm glad you had great trip and excited to hang out again when we get back SLC.
Okay, hands down you have the cutest clothes and accessories I've ever seen! I love all your outfits and style! You fit right in in New York!
I'm glad you got to go, it sounds like such a fun trip. That's fun you got to spend one-on-one time with Nash too. I know what you mean about feeling divided and not getting that individual attention in as much as you'd like.