Friday, March 30, 2012

Next time I'll be a Tourist

We leave today.

Next time I am back in the city I will be a tourist. As a local I liked to pretend I was a tourist so maybe as a tourist I will pretend I'm a local.

Most people assume that it was my idea to move to Texas because I grew up in Houston. In reality it was originally Danny's idea. As he has said lots of times in the past few weeks - he knows no one who loves Manhattan more than his wife.

It is a bittersweet time for us. I am sad because Declan will never love the city as much as I have. He will not grow up taking the subway or having picnics in Central Park. But he will have his own loves.

My friends that are dying to get out of the city congratulate me on the move but I love everything about the city that they hate. I love the concrete jungle packed with people. I love the simple life of a 500 square foot apartment with no dishwasher. I love walking to my destination rather than driving. But I'm excited for new opportunities. As I boxed up our life this past week I was labeling the boxes and labeled one 'Declan's Room'. I even jokingly labeled one 'Garage'. I have never really dreamed of a room for our baby but now it will be a reality and I'm excited for him.

I am excited to explore a new place with my best friend. I may have grown up in Houston but there is so much that I haven't experienced.

The closest thing to leaving NYC is when I left Fresno. I was completely heart broken and ended up leaving a small piece of my heart there. It wasn't that I didn't look forward to what the future held but I mourned leaving behind something that had made such an impact on my life.

I am certain that my heart will break today but I will leave a little piece of it here.


Thursday, March 29, 2012

First Memories of NY

One of my first memories of New York City is looking for a place to eat in Queens with my parents. I remember feeling overwhelmed, lost, gasping for familiarity and thinking "what have I done". I chose to eat at Subway sandwiches because that was the only place that I recognized. After a year at NYU I actually tried to transfer to a school in Texas. I ended up being denied the transfer because I did not have enough credits under my belt. Little did I know, I would become the gal that loved to try new restaurants and would prefer to go to a new place every time. I would grow to love this city with all my soul. As I embark on this new adventure and undoubtedly have some "what have I done" thoughts I will recall how this unfamiliar city became home.


Final Moments

It's been a whirlwind in our corner of the world. Our days have been jammed with packing, last minute goodbyes and savoring our final moments in the city we love. 


Declan's 6 month photo shoot with Maria Hunter

Staring Contests

Discovering new things

 Awesome going away party

Very last Sunday at church

King of the Laundry

Packing all week and still staying up until 2:30am the night before

How we felt when the movers came

 Taking it all away
  
Keeping our baby awake so he can soak it up too

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Distractions from Packing

Why pack when you can play with stickers!



Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Daytime Smiles

I love spending all day with my boys. 

 



Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Extraordinary Mayhem

Our days are filled with packing and we find ourselves bathing our boy and putting him to bed in the stroller so we can head out at night to say goodbyes to good friends. 



Sunday, March 18, 2012

First St. Patrick's Day

Parade, Park, Pietrasanta.




  

Thursday, March 15, 2012

A Perfect Memory

Chinese take-out in Central Park. Chatting until the sun went down. A perfect memory.








Oh and we are moving in 2 weeks. YIKES!

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

A Walk In The Park














Oh and we are moving to Texas.

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

New Chapter

We are on the cusp of a new adventure.


This chapter of our life will be titled 'Suburbia'.

Friday, March 9, 2012

Quiet Moments

Declan and I have been spending lots of time outdoors but I have still been able to steal some quiet moments at home with my baby boy. 



Wednesday, March 7, 2012