The Big Apple

We were so so fortunate to spend a week in the greatest american city, New York City. It blew our minds how much we loved it with a child. We park hopped from park to park. New York has some GREAT children's parks. I am assuming that is due to the fact that no one has a backyard or a big space for child entertainment. It paid off for us. We stayed in a darling little place on the Upper East side. We adored it and Jude quickly adapted the phase "New York City house" By the last few days he knew which building was ours and would run to the door before us, open the door hit the button on the elevator and run to our door. He loved the place and was excited EVERY single time we rode the elevator.We thought we would have him sleep in the main bedroom and us on the fold out couch. That first night, we couldn't settle our minds until we anxiously snuck into his room with him. We are such softies. He is very into Yellow right now and he has noticed yellow cars at home and been excited over them so I was dying to see his reaction to the yellow cars in NYC. He would just repeat yellow car over and over. It was so cute. We arrived Monday afternoon and just spent sometime at the great park across from our "NYC house" Then we explored Central Park for a little bit. Jude loved the playgrounds in there. He is still so into slides and the bigger, faster, twistier the better. The next day (Tuesday) we hurried down to Brooklyn Bridge. I have a thing for bridges and The Brooklyn Bridge is by far my fav!! Then we park hopped a little bit and rode the Subway. Jude loved it when we weren't on it too long. He is a wiggly toddler and wanted to explore and touch everything. We ended our night at Times Square and had to go into the Toys R Us there. They have a huge Ferris wheel inside and HUGE dinosaur that roars and scares most of the children in there. Now Jude has picked up a huge fascination with dinosaurs. Wednesday we toured The Village and again spent time park hopping. They have such killer parks. Then we cruised down and had lunch on the Hudson. Luckily there is no shortage of hot dogs in NYC, one of the few foods Jude actually will eat. Then we decided to rent bikes. This totally changed the trip for us. It made the city seem so much more accessible and manageable. We brought Jude's bike seat from home and strapped it on and we were off. I couldn't believe what I was seeing at times. Marc would be cruising in between buses and Taxis and Jude just chillin on the front as content as could be and his momma about to freak out behind him. That first night we biked about 17 miles with Jude on the front stopping at a park and for food is all. The next day we cruised Jude up to the Bronx zoo. We felt like we had to. This kid loves animals too much not to. We threw him in his backpack and hopped on the train and were there before we knew it. He loved it. And it wore him out. We spent the evening on the bikes again and went just as far if not further exploring the Village and Soho, then spent dinner in Union square.Our last day was Friday and felt we had to take Jude on a boat ride and see the statue of Liberty, even though he won't remember it. Just felt like it was a must. He loved the boat and loved running around Liberty Island. We then toured Wall street real fast then ended our night again on the bikes and saw all of Manhattan and Brooklyn Heights. Jude did amazing. We were so impressed with him and loved that we were able to have this amazing trip with just our little family. We bonded so much and just truly had an amazing time!! There isn't one thing that I would have changed. It was perfect.

Our first glimpse of NYC from a "yellow car"

Pics of the Brooklyn Bridge

The Bridge by bike

(this is the closest I have ever been to capturing the perfect picture. Thanks Walkie McGiff)

(The bridge at night) 

 Exploring the City with Dad

Trying to cool down the delicious way, with some ice cream.

 Our Little Park hopper!! He is such a nut. He literally beams with excitement!!

(Central Park)

(Park in the Village)

(He's yelling SLIDE in this picture. He has a hard time controlling his enthusiasm)

Random sights:

Grand Central Station 

Flat Iron Building

Possibly heard of this small building?? The Empire State.

Times Square

Chasing pigeons in Times square is a must. 

Times Square by bike

We giggled often thinking about what Jude was seeing sitting on the handle bars of Marc's bike and also what must have been going on through his mind. So, here is Jude Cam

Toys R Us. I can't believe this warrants it's own heading but it is just that impressive.

 (Front view of the above pic)

The Ferris Wheel ride. Barf bag not included. 

This random pic I had to throw in. Behind us is the apartment we rented. 

 Touring The Village

 We really wore him out. He was trying to go to sleep on the subway. 

BRONX ZOO

Jude was so curious about this little guy. Who wouldn't be??

In case you can't tell in this picture. He was loving playing hide and seek in these trees. 

The Children section of the zoo

Random Bike Pics:

 Stopping for dinner

Shortcut throw Central Park

This is the closest we got to a family pic. 

Stopping for dinner II

Killer street

The view from Brooklyn Heights

Taking a quick work call on 5th Ave

Killer street II

Ready to go!

Everywhere we biked.

 After burning all those calories. We quickly found a way to put them back.

Liberty Island

The boat ride

My favorite part of Liberty Island. A Bench!

Lady Liberty

The view from the island

Jude Was a dream on the flights and for the first time ever slept a lot on the last and longest leg of the trip. He did wake up for a brief second upset and requesting a sucker but quickly went back to sleep.