To Infinity and Beyond

Griffin has found a friend in Buzz! We finally met the family in 7A (home of Caden - the other 3 year old). They came over to play and Caden saw Griffin's buzz lightyear outfit in his toybox. He told Griffin that he, too, was Buzz for Halloween. They were instant friends... spending most of the day in their Buzz outfits running up and down the halls. I'm sure our neighbors are loving us more and more each day! :)

Spongebob, Dora and Chicken Little...

Spongebob, Dora and Chicken Little were the highlights of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade (well, atleast they were for Griffin). The parade started at 9:00 so we left our apt. at 8:00 hoping to have plenty of time to find a spot. The walk through the park took longer than expected - so by the time we got there it was 8:45 and best view we could find was atleast 20 people deep. Did you know people actually bring ladders for their kids to stand on? Lucky for us - there was a nice (toothless) man who was letting kids sit on top of his van. Griffin had the best seat in the house!

After the parade we loaded up the car (rental) and drove to Philly. It was about a 2 hour drive and we got there just in time for dinner. I've included a picture of Chris' 97 year old grandmother watching over the food. Everything was great! Thanks Carol & Rob for hosting!


I've also included a Thanksgiving picture of Macy and her cousin Kyleigh Rose.

He's not in Texas anymore....

Griffin's preschool is nothing like his school in Texas! A) he goes Mon., Tues., and Thurs. from 3-6pm. B) It is about 4 times as expensive C) the teachers are not in love with him (what's wrong with them?) D) there's no carpool line :( - but it's only a 12 minute walk from our apartment.

He does however - seem to be liking it. The kids come from every walk of life and the teachers really work at having the kids appreciate diversity. I met a little girl (ning-ning) who is 3 and speaks fluent Chinese and English. I asked her if she wanted to be Griffin's friend and she said "sure". He's also made a friend named Jacob. We're thinking of asking Jacob over for a play date. I'm sure Ms. Jennifer and Ms. Melissa will fall in love with Griffin as soon as they get to know him. It's just a really different feel from our sweet little St. Paul Christian School where everyone fell all over Griffin whenever he'd walk through the door. I know it will take some getting used to - but he seems to be liking it more and more everyday.

I got a note!!

We haven't exactly been overwhelmed with love from our neighbors. Needless to say - no one has made us cookies (or banana bread) to welcome us to the hood. In fact - our next door neighbor has actually complained about the noise coming from our apartment. Little does she know we still have pictures, curtains, and shelves to hang and we're trying very hard to think of some other LOUD stuff to do! Just kidding of course.

But yesterday - I was pleasantly surprised by a (nice) note under my door! Believe it or not - I received a note from someone who wants to be my friend! The doorman had told 7A about me. Everyone is referred to (by the doormen) by the apartment they live in. The people in 7A have a 3 year old boy and the doorman told them that we also have a 3 year old boy..... hence the note. So okay - maybe it's wishful thinking that she wants to be my friend. At this point - I'm just excited about a potential play date!

Our (tiny) apartment and more

We moved into our apartment on November 13th but still haven't gotten everything unpacked. It's like an obstical course in here and we can't find anything! I've included a current picture of our pig stye.

We ordered take-out the other night and they didn't send any plastic ware with our food. We still haven't unpacked the kitchen and all we could find is one spoon, one knive and a baby fork. We didn't care - I just wish we would have ordered pizza instead of pasta!
Our apartment building is very nice and most everyone seems friendly. I haven't made any friends yet - but have met lot's of nannies! From what I can tell - most of the mom's in our building are "working mom's". We have a great playroom on the 2nd floor where the kids and I hang out a lot. We also have a really nice park only a few blocks away.
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Getting used to 900 sq. feet will take some time for all of us. I think we all feel a little bit like the walls are closing in on us. We brought way too much furniture - we're packed in tight! Hopefully we'll get used to it soon.....

Church...

We visited a great church last Sunday (Manhattan Christian Church) that we really liked. It's a "start-up" church that's only been around for about a year - so it's pretty small. We were surprised to learn that lot's of people who attend church there are also from Dallas. Won't that just be a hoot if I come all the way to NYC and my friends are people from Dallas. Oh well - I'll take what I can get! :)

Celebrity Sightings 1, 2 , 3 and 4

Celebrity sighting #1: Al Frankin (from Saturday Night Live). We saw him on our way to dinner in the theater district.

Celebrity sighting #2: The very tall Brad Garrett (Robert Barone in Everybody Loves Raymond). We passed him in the street in mid-town. He was on his cell phone and he sounds just the same - a very deep voice! I think he's playing in The Odd Couple on Broadway.

Celebrity sighting #3: Kenny Chesney!! Chris was alone when he saw Kenny (darn). He actually saw him at our hotel in Times Square. Come to find out - the CMA 'after party' was held at our Hotel.... the day after we checked out. Bummer!

Celebrity sighting #4: Jack Black. Chris saw him a couple days ago at a deli in our neighborhood. I wonder if he lives near us??

Tipping for Dummies

Tips, Tips, Tips... everyone expects a tip. They cable guy needs a tip, the doorman needs a tip, the taxi driver needs a tip, the guy that gets you the taxi nees a tip, the package delivery guy needs a tip, the super needs a tip..... Tips are going to break us!

I met someone in my building who told me that she tips $1400 every Christmas just to the people in our building (doormen, super, maintenence men, office lady, etc.) Are you kidding me?? Evidentally - she said they'll put a little note on everyone's door telling us the names of everyone who has "helped make our life easier" this year. She also said - if you aren't a good tipper - they will snub you and won't be near as accommodating when you need something done. Since we just moved in - I sure hope we'll get to pro-rate our tipping this year.

Fun Facts

Honey Bunches of Oats cereal is $5.69 a box (isn't it like $2.50 at Tom Thumb?)

There are places to get a mani/pedi everywhere you look. There are probably 6 or 7 on my block alone. They have price wars (which is great for me). Everyday they have signs out saying how much it is that day. Yesterday they were down to $19 for a mani/pedi. I couldn't believe it.

Most people send their laundry out to get done. Which, I'll have to admit, is a great luxury for me... Isn't laundry every mom's least favorite job! They'll pick it up, wash it, fold it, and deliver it back to you in nice neat little bags. It's only 69c per pound - which sounds like a deal to me!

I heard on the news yesterday that there are 26,000 restaurants in "The City". By the way - no one says New York City, no one says Manhattan...everyone just says "The City". There are tons and tons of restaurants (as everyone knows) but what I didn't know is every single restarant delivers. Yesterday I went out and collected about 30 menus (which have come in very handy as the kitchen is still not up and running)! We're going on 4 weeks of eating out or ordering in atleast 2 meals a day....
I thought I'd never say this - but I'm actually looking forward to cooking again.

Stroller Envy

Okay - every single mother within a 20 block radius of us has a "bugaboo" stroller. I thought only Sara Jessica had a bugaboo stroller..... I was wrong. I find myself lusting over these strollers. They come in great colors (even OSU Orange) and they push like a dream (or so I've heard). Chris says to just get it out of my head now - we are not paying $800+ for a stroller. I guess he has a point - I do have a nice new stroller that works fine. We got a "kiddy board" that hooks onto the back for Griffin to ride on. It makes life sooooooo much easier. Griffin hasn't yet conformed to the "walk everywhere" lifestyle. He definitely prefers to ride!
I'm liking the walking everywhere. I feel like one could get really skinny living here. That however, will not be the case with me. As I'm walking everyday I am lured in by the shop owners selling pastries, and cookies, and pizza and you name it. I have absolutely no will power. Oh well. My goal while living here is to have "no regrets".... I guess that applies to food too!!

Next "on" line please....

What's the deal with the people here saying "on" line instead of "in" line. I thought being "on" line meant being on the internet.... Obviously that's not all it means.
I first heard it at the grocery store (more about these so-called grocery stores later). The lady at the counter said "Next on line please, Next on line". I thought maybe I heard her wrong and then I heard another counter clerk saying the same thing.
Later that day - at Wendy's (yes - I know - we're in NYC - we shouldn't be eating at Wendy's).... the people behind the counter were saying (actually yelling) "next on line" too! Weird, huh?

Okay - now for "grocery stores". Tom Thumb it isn't. First of all - they are tiny, not condusive for strollers, and only one person (with or without a stroller) can fit in an aisle at a time. The selection is very limited and the brands/products they do carry are very random. Take for example - Cheetos. They have 4 or five things that look like Cheetos but aren't called Cheetos. Maybe there are tons of local brands here and that's what most people carry... I don't know. I'll have to get back to you on that one.
Anyway - we've been told by numerous people to use something called "Fresh Direct". They deliver groceries ($50 minimum) for a $5 charge. Sounds good to me - we plan to try it once we get our kitchen unpacked. For now - it's "eat out" or "take out"!

"Sick in the City"

Unfortunately, our first few weeks here were terrible! We all got a bad stomach bug (except for Libbie - thank the Lord). It started in the towncar on the way into Manhattan from the airport. First Griffin started throwing up (in his carseat) and then Macy followed suit. It was THE WORST!!!!
We tipped the driver $75 to get his car cleaned. But honestly - I don't think a car wash will ever get that car smelling normal again.
Chris and I both got sick too (luckily not in the car) and we all felt pretty lowsy for a week. All in all - being in a hotel room for 2 weeks is too long. But hey - it's all part of the "grand adventure" right? I'm just glad that part of our jouney is over.
Here's to better days ahead....