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aimskyymama-blog · 7 years

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New York New York

There is so much I can say about New York, but I will try to stay focused on the task at hand! :) This was Micah’s first trip and we had a blast. If you stumbled on my blog out of curiosity, welcome. If its to read about our trip, my advice or just to see some photos then stay tuned.

Although we travel a lot I wont lie, my husband and I were nervous about traveling with a 4 month old. I was a little less nervous than him. Being a flight attendant for five years has helped me. I always marveled in awe when I would watch a mama wrangle a baby and/or a toddler all by herself flawlessly. So I always took mental notes for the future (thank you super mamas). We worked as a team and didn’t let any of the small stuff sweat us or slow us down. I honestly want to give him the dad of the year award for several reasons, but more on that later…

This was a very short trip. We left Florida around 6am on a Tuesday and came back at 7pm on Thursday. I will try to break this trip down by parts so I can stay organized haha.

Flights

We each had one carry on so a total of three. I packed my bag with half of Micah’s clothes and half of my own. I made sure to pack him 2-3 outfits for each day (whatever he was wearing and 2 extra in his diaper bag just in case so about 5-6 total for the whole trip). I packed him 2 footed pajamas (he wore one on the flight there), socks, diapers, wipes, his favorite teething toy, hand sanitizer/wipes, four spit up cloths (he didn’t use all four so I think 2-3 would’ve been fine for us), his muslin blanket (he used this a lot since its light enough for hot days but can be used to keep warm when folded), one thick blanket (also never used), soap and wash cloth, no need for formula since he is breastfed (which also made this easier), his LilleBaby carrier, and his Chicco bravo travel system (which I wish we didn’t take or found another option but ill explain why below). Micah’s carry on was his diaper bag and it had the things I normally pack for him.

My husband carried the bags and pushed the stroller while I wore Micah through the airport. This is why I wish we didn’t take his travel system. Getting through TSA, gate checking it, and most of all carrying it up and down the subway stairs (FYI, most subways in NY DONT HAVE ELEVATORS) was such a pain. This is why my hubby wins the prize, he did that heavy lifting. We thought about leaving it and buying a collapsible stroller that can fit in the over head but we knew we needed it for his naps and a car seat for any car rides. That’s where I learned the hard way that you can actually request a Lyft or Uber with a car seat. Whoops, lesson number one learned. So my advice, skip the bulky stroller and try to go for a small one that can fold up like the GB Pockit Stroller (if baby is 6 mos and up) or Doona (if you need the stroller to sit at an incline for naps) which is a car seat and stroller in one.

Once we got through TSA and to our gate I carried Micah onto the plane, we checked his car seat and stroller and then put his carrier either under the seat or in the overhead bin. Micah was awesome on the flight. We purposely did an early morning one because he normally sleeps until 8-9am so we knew he would sleep on the flight. I nursed him on both take off and landing to help clear his ears of the pressure. He didn’t ever seem phased.

Once we landed in LGA we hit the ground running! We dropped off our bags, freshened up and then headed to the subway to go to the American Museum of Natural History.

Coming from Queens, this felt like it took forever. Probably because we had to take Micah in and out of the stroller to go up and down subway stairs and we had to transfer trains. Again, hubby wins the prize because he did all of the navigating. Thankfully because of him, we never took the wrong train or got lost.

I was busy keeping Micah entertained and taking pictures (I’m always the photographer on our trips). Weather was cloudy and chilly (high 60’s is chilly to Floridians). But as the day progressed the sun came out and it was gorgeous. High 70’s low 80’s. I dressed myself and Micah in layers for that reason. As the temp went up I peeled off the layers.

Food

So as most of you know I am dairy, soy and egg free because of Micah’s intolerance’s to them. Total bummer because hello, PIZZA. :( But, NY is so accommodating when it comes to allergens. Almost every food spot had their ingredients listed and/or vegan meals on the menu. I was able to find a lot of options and if you know different foods, you know what you can eat. For example, I had a delicious Panang chicken Curry from a Thai joint. I knew it was usually made without soy sauce and is made with coconut milk and I simply confirmed with them before ordering. It was delicious. I also had an amazing dairy free sourdough flat bread with their house made vegan cheese in Grand Central Station. SO damn good. But my favorite was carne and pollo asada tacos from Los Tacos No.1 in Chelsea Market. Best tacos I have ever had. I cannot recommend going there enough! I ate like five of them and I had no shame haha! Being restricted from food has been tough so to find such delicious food that fit my diet made me feel so happy. We definitely will be going back as soon as I can have cheese so I can eat my heart out with pizza. If you also have a food intolerant little babe then you know how you always have a moment of fear when checking a diaper after eating something new. I cant tell you how many times I’ve been told in a restaurant "no egg" or “no dairy” and then Micah’s poo goes from normal not smelly yellow poop to nasty, green, messy and smelly poo but we had none of that. :)

Transportation

We only took a car ride to and from the airport. We used Lyft and it was very easy and not pricey. Besides that we either used the subways or the bus. We purposely chose NY as our first trip with Micah for this reason. We found it easier to go to a destination that we can walk around vs having to rent a car and drive. The subways were pretty easy to use. We filled up a metro card that we used for both the bus and subway rides. We didn’t spend very much at all. I loved taking the subway (minus the stairs part. I know I cant get over it lol). My husband used Google maps to figure out which ones to take and where we should transfer. For the most part it was not too busy and if the car was full we waited for the next one since we had the stroller.

People were awesome (except the ones that didn’t ask to give their seat) but that was expected haha. Almost everyone held a door open for us or asked if we needed any assistance when we were carrying the stroller. I really appreciated that. We walked. A whole lot. We walked half of Central park. We started at the museum. The museum is great but it was very busy when we went. Probably best for children a little older. The noise and stimulation was a little much for Micah so we didn’t do too many exhibits. After the museum we walked to the boating lake, Bethesda fountain and then through The Mall down to 57th.

There we walked around and then finally around 4pm we started to make our journey back to Queens so we could get some early rest for the next day. I think personally, Central Park was the highlight of the trip for me. There are so many artist and musicians. For some reason being surrounded by so much nature and natural beauty but having the city around was so cool to me. I absolutely loved it and would love to go back in the fall when all of the tree’s are changing colors or even in the winter to see The Mall covered in snow.

I highly recommend using a carrier. We used ours each day and it made getting around so much easier. Unless Micah was asleep in the stroller, we tried to consistently carry him so he wouldn't get sick of being in the stroller. The carrier we used is LilleBaby. This is really a great carrier with back support (super important especially for those heavier babies)

It was very comfortable to use and Micah loved it. We bought the Airflow model because its breathable and we knew we would be walking around outside with it. It also comes with a snap on hood.

On the second day we took it much easier. We got ready and headed out to midtown. We ate breakfast at Grand Central Station and then stayed around gawking at the beauty it is.

We decided to do a little shopping in H&M (that’s where I got my super cute jean overalls on sale. Yassss). I also had to nurse Micah in the fitting room because he is SO very easily distracted now when he nurses. After that we decided to keep walking and sight seeing. Finally we decided to hop on the train and head over to Chelsea Park for a bite to eat and to explore.

Micah took his naps like a champ. All on his own. He ate, babbled, laughed, played with strangers and then on his own in his stroller he would just knock out. Then repeat. Haha. We went to the Highline which I highly recommend. Id rate that 2nd for our trip. We started around 24th street where the elevator would have been but it was just our luck that it was broken. So we muscled up and carried everything up the stairs.

We walked down to 18th on the Highline to look at the water and then like real tourist, we walked back to 24th only to realize that the Highline connects to Chelsea Market. Whoops number 2! Micah slept through it all and I had to wake him up once we were done so I could nurse him plus I thought the park was a nice place to do it. At Chelsea Market we went into every food spot like the foodies we are. I cant wait to return when im not on any kind of restricted diet!

On our last day the early AM flight we wanted to get on was full so we decided to hang around for a bit longer. We took the train and got off on the stop that took us to Gantry Plaza state park.

Then we walked towards the park and took some more photos while sight seeing. We hopped back on the train to Queens and then made our way back to LGA.

I love this photo my husband took of me nursing Micah while waiting for the train in the subway. It was hot, Micah was fussy because he was hungry, and I finally had a moment to sit and nurse him. People think its so easy to just throw a blanket over your baby (which Micah HATES) or to wait until you are somewhere private. The truth is, a hungry baby waits for no one :)

Over all we loved New York and we highly recommend it to any family that is looking to Travel to a family friendly destination. We cannot wait to go back. I hope you guys enjoyed this blog post as much as I did writing it. Hopefully you enjoyed it enough for me to continue blogging. :)

Thanks for reading!

#newyork #motherhood #travel #momblogger

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hillariekoenig15 · 7 years

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Just Some Last Minute Adventures!

Well a lot has happened since my last blog with many trips with great company! The time is flying by! Let me tell you all I’ve been up to since my last blog in May!

On May 20th, the girls and I decided to head to Fuji-Q Highland, a popular amusement park in Yamanashi! We had a lot of fun! We 1st did this new rollercoaster that strapped you in 3 ways. It was a crazy ride that we waited 2 hours to get on. I did not enjoy it all that much. Lol It whipped my head around a lot. Then we went on something similar to the Space Shot. Now that I liked! :) Then we had lunch. I had a Fujiyama pizza that looked like Mt. Fuji. Lol Then we went on the FujiYama roller coaster. This ride wasn’t as bad. I enjoyed it. Then Ashley and Madi rode the final rollercoaster that I opted out of because it seemed to have too many turns for my liking. And I think I made a good choice because when they came out they both looked like they were a little nauseous and in shock. Lol Then the park was about to close so Ashley and I decided to go on a ride similar to the log ride. LOVE WATER RIDES. It was funny though because the ride provided rain ponchos for $1 so that you wouldn’t get as wet… Where’s the fun in that?! So Ashley and I were the only one’s to not wear ponchos and we got drenched! It was great. Lol

Afterwards, Giseli had invited us to The Vault and we couldn’t pass that up so we went for a while. We had a fun filled day! :D

The next day, March 21st, we had plans to hike Shosenkyo with Natsuko! The hike was fun! I rode my bike to Natsuko’s then we picked up Madi and Ashley. We parked and walked the trail up to the waterfall. Such a beautiful sight! Then we took the ropeway to the top and hiked a little farther while Ashley rested. Probably one of my favorite places so far! Absolutely beautiful scenery! Then we went back down, had a quick snack, then left for home.

On May 27th, we headed to Tokyo for the weekend and had a very busy day planned. We first took a 2 hour train to Hakone to visit the Open Air Museum. That was pretty neat. I think we would’ve been able to enjoy it better if we weren't on a timetable but still cool! We left around 1:30pm to head back to Tokyo.

We got to Odaiba around 4:30pm. There were so many people! We got a spot along the beach and just hung out until the show started at 7:30pm.

The show was amazing! You didn’t know where to look! There were dancing entertainers, people on Flyboards, and then fireworks all at the same time! We were also given these bracelets that lit up to the songs that were playing! It was so cool!

Afterwards, we left to go get ready for our bar’s anniversary party. So. Much. Fun. At one point, I was talking with Tabatha and I said something in Japanese and these group of guys then kind of looked at me like “What?” And so I started talking to them forgetting I was still on the phone with Tabatha. Lol I eventually remember and quickly was like “Sorry. Sayounara!” I guess one of the guys thought I was talking to him and looked so sad. I had to explain that I was on the phone and was saying goodbye to my cousin. Lol We then decided to go to a Karaoke bar! It was a lot of fun!

Since Madi had her family in town Ashley and I decided to hang out! On June 3rd, we got together for some lunch, watched a movie, and then headed out to the The Vault. Madi had decided to take her family there too! So we got to all hang out for a little bit. It was a fun night!

On Sunday, June 4th, I got ready for the Welcoming Ceremony for the Des Moines students and teachers.

It was nice. I got to meet with two of my Japanese students who are hosting some of the American students…

Afterwards both Kazumi and Natsuko were like let’s have a party! Lol So I went home to change and then met Ashley at our Cafe downtown. Kazumi said to be there around 4pm so Ashley and I just waited at the Cafe until about that time but we should’ve came sooner because everyone was taking naps when we arrived and we definitely could have used the nap! Lol Kazumi did let us take a little power nap which was nice. Then we ate and talked and it was fun!

Then we went to Natsuko’s and played games with Joe and Ke. Those boys are adorable!

On June 6th, after school, we went to dinner with Greg and the other teachers. I think we overwhelmed our Indian restaurant owner… Lol Oops. It was nice though. We then went to The Vault for drinks but I quickly left for Hot Yoga. Boy was that an experience… lol

On June 9th, I went to go meet Hannah in Yokohama. When we both got to Yokohama Station it took us forever to find each other! But we did and we had dinner and made it to the bus station on time to head to Hiroshima!

On June 10th, we arrived in Hiroshima around 9am. We first stopped at the A-Dome and then slowly made our way toward the Airbnb to drop off our luggage.

Then we went and had lunch and went shopping down a famous shopping street in Hiroshima.

Then we went into the museum. It has changed so much just since Madi and I were there in March! Looks nice. I’m excited to someday see the final product.

On June 11th, we got up early and had breakfast and made our way to Miyajima. We got there about 10:30am. It was a very gloomy day so I decided the ropeway wasn’t worth it.

So we took your typical pictures at the floating shrine, did some shopping, and toured the island a little.

Then we left to go back to our Airbnb and grab our luggage and to catch our bus back to Tokyo. This bus was much nicer. Not as nice as the one Madi and I went on but still nice.

We landed in Shinjuku around 8:30am, Monday, June 12th. We stopped and got some breakfast and then went to Harajuku to drop off our luggage at a storage locker. Then we went shopping and walked around. I also took her to Shibuya station where the famous scramble crosswalk is. All around I think we had a good weekend!

I had to get back to Kofu since I had to work the next day.

Finally, Hannah arrived, Wednesday night after volleyball! That was another fun experience trying to find her. She had taken a taxi but the taxi driver didn’t understand where I lived and so I told him Kokubo Onsen and still couldn’t figure it out! But I found them so it all worked out. LOL

The next day, Thursday, June 15th, we decided to head to Kawaguchiko Lake to tour around there and to go to 5th Station on Mt. Fuji. The weather in Kofu said 85 but in Kawaguchiko it said 75 so I said to bring a jacket. Thank gosh because by the time we got up the mountain it had dropped to 45 degrees and we were not dressed for that weather. Lol I had to buy a long sleeve shirt. Also, it was super cloudy so we couldn’t even see Mt. Fuji. :(

I hope she had fun. We also took a rope way up a different mountain but you still couldn’t see Fuji.

On Friday, June 16th, Hannah left for the Airport. I had to go to work as it was sports day and a beautiful day for it too! 90 degrees!

So I went to Midorigaoka to watch my kiddos play!

I started off watching softball. Minami is so good! Then I went to watch Track for a bit. Then Madi went to watch her softball girls while I stayed and mingled with my kids and watched Tennis.

Then we went to Denny’s for lunch and headed back for one last event that I didn’t want to miss. Shot put. :) And I’m so glad I didn’t! Now, I’m not completely sure what happened or how far he threw (Kinari) but he either beat a school record or he made a personal record. Either way I’m glad I got to see it. :)

Then I went to Haneda to pick up Tab!

On Saturday, June 17th, we went and got the baseball tickets from the Voyagins office. Then we made our way to Yokohama Stadium.

It was pretty hot but not terrible. The worst part was fitting my huge American size self into a Japanese sized chair… Lol very squished. But the game was fun! Yokohama won!

Tab and I ended the night at my favorite bar and it was so much fun!

Friday, June 23rd, Tab and I headed off to Kyoto! So we made it to all of our trains on time and were in Kyoto by 2:15pm!

We went to Kinkaku-ji Temple first as we had time before our hotel check-in.

Then we went and got checked into our hotel. We were very confused as to where the lobby was located because it was connected to a huge mall and what we later learned was the entrance to the lobby we thought was the entrance to a restaurant. Lol

We then just relaxed for a while and then headed out to an area called Pontocho We found a place along the river. It was super expensive for small portions but the view was really cool!

We decided to go to a bar that we saw from across the river. It was actually pretty fun! We thought for a while that it was like an old man’s club lol but we were welcomed and really enjoyed ourselves. Lol They even performed for us it was so cool. :)

On Saturday, June 24th, we went to Arashiyama which was really fun. We saw monkeys, cats, owls, and then headed to Nara to the deer park. :) It was a fun animal filled day.

The next day, June 25th, we got up and headed out to Kiyomizu-dera only to learn that it is under construction for the next year or so. So that was a bummer. While there though some middle schooler’s were on a school trip and came up to Tab and I and asked us questions in English for an assignment. :)

Then we went to Osaka to see the famous Aquarium located there. The aquarium was pretty neat although it was very crowded but still cool!

Then we got on a pirate looking boat and took a 45 minute tour around the bay.

Then we decided to just head back to Kyoto for dinner and our last night out. It was fun! Met a girl who had done an exchange program in High School to Iowa! Her and her friends all speak English! I think it was a well spent last night in Kyoto.

I took Tab to my Japanese class on Wednesday, June 27th, and it was a lot of fun! During class she gave some of her home-made plum wine. We all first took it like a shot because it was just a little and then Natsuko was like “This is for sipping not for taking shots”. Lol It was very funny.

On Wednesday, June 28th, I took Tab after school to Minami where my teacher and principal waited for us to give us a tour and to mingle a little bit. It was cool. I think Tab enjoyed seeing where I work and how different the schools are here compared to America.

Well that’s all for now! Tomorrow I get ready for my last day at Nansei, Tab leave to go back to the States on Sunday, and Monday I start my last month at Minami and in Japan. Should be a whirlwind of emotions and adventures!

Only 30 more days until I am back in the States!!!

School Stories:

-So all teachers have to get physicals but in Japan the doctors come to you. It was quite interesting! They had stations set up with eye check ups, blood tests, height/weight, heart monitoring, etc. It was very odd for me having all that be done at the school. Lol Afterwards I learned that we will get a “report card” with a grade and everything about our health. Bring on the “F”! Lol

-Then in one of my 2nd grade classes one of my kids was helping another student spell “SEAT” but spelled it “SHIT” Lol I had to correct him and inform him that the other word was bad… hopefully he doesn’t use it. Lol

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