The Woods: Charlie does the Big Apple!

Last week Josh, Charlie and I packed up and headed to Princeton, NJ and New York City. Josh, Charlie and I along with PePa, RaRa, Uncle Gregory and Donald, Aunt Molly and Missy and cousins lane and Kakie all meet in Princeton to celebrate Aunt Susan's 60th birthday. It was a very busy trip but I will have to say the for only being 10 weeks old Charlie did amazing. The morning we left we got a call at 2:30 in the morning to find out the second leg of our flight was cancelled into Newark. When Josh called to get information from the airline it was a hour wait so we decided at that point it would be better to get up and get ready and head to the airport. It was a good thing we did because we were able to get on a direct flight that left at 6:50 am (our original flight was leaving at 7:30) and got in at 10:30. When I found out we could get a direct flight I was actually glad our flight was cancelled. We were on a little puddle jumper but I didn't mind and Charlie didn't seem to mind, he was good as gold for the entire flight. He slept through take off and landing and woke up to eat once during the flight. I am sure all the other passengers were grateful that he was such a good baby too.

When we got to Newark we had to take a train into Princeton to get the rental car, so in one day Charlie took his first Plane ride and his first Train ride. I know he will never remember it but it was a big day for him. When we got to Princeton Josh and I decided we needed something to eat so after stopping off at my Aunts house we headed to downtown Princeton and grabbed lunch at a great Micro Brewery called Triumph. After lunch we headed back to the airport so we could pick up my parents and Donald and Missy. In order to get to the airport we had to brave the Jersey turnpike, which was an adventure within itself. By the time we had made it to the airport Josh had made 3 U-Turns, one of which was on the turnpike because we got off at the exit marked 13 and needed 13A (who knew that 13A would be another 2 miles down). We got back safely thank God and then had dinner at my Aunts with the whole family.

On Friday my whole family took on NYC, yes that is right we took two infants and a toddler into the city for the day, call us crazy but we all had a great time. Unfortunately we only had about 8 hours in the city so the things we could were limited. Our first stop was ToysRus, mostly for Lane and my Dad. I will have to say it was the best and cleanest ToysRus I have ever been in. Lane and Kakie got to ride the Ferris wheel but Charlie was far to hungry so we walked around the store as he ate. After the toy store we headed down to Rockafella Center and to St. Patricks Cathedral. After that we found a deli for lunch and then headed to the M&M store, Gregory wanted a snack , and let me tell you those are some of the most expensive M&M's I have ever eaten. We also hit some stores for a little shopping and then we had to head to Penn Station to catch the train home. All I have to say is that was the most stressful part of the day. It was insanely busy due to the fact that it was rush hour on a Friday, and there were 11 of us and 2 strollers trying to make our way through the madness. Some how we managed to get on the train safely and we got back to Princeton and we took Charlie swimming in the big pool for the first time. For dinner that night we meet up with more family for dinner and then got some much needed rest. Charlie did great all day in the City, he was either asleep in his stroller or he was asleep in the Baby Bjorn, which was a lifesaver for when he wanted to be held.

On Saturday we went into Princeton to look around and do some shopping, I needed something to wear for my Aunts party later that night. After shopping we meet my Brothers, Molly, Missy, Lane and Kakie for lunch at Triumph (it was so good we thought we should go back). After lunch I shopped a little more and then we headed back to my Aunts house to get ready for her party. The party was a total success, I am pretty sure my Aunt was so happy with everything and had a great time.

On Sunday Josh and Donald helped my Aunt do some things around her house. Gregory, Molly and the girls were headed home until there flight was delayed 7 hours. My dad headed out to get them while Josh and Donald finished up and then we all headed to downtown Princeton to get lunch. After lunch we walked around Princeton in the rain and did some more shopping, which I am never appose too. Charlie pretty much slept the entire time and didn't seem to mind the little bit of ran. We went back to my Aunts where Josh and Donald did a few more things while I took some time to relax with Charlie. For dinner that night we just ate off all the leftovers from the party and decided to call it a night early since we had to travel the next day.

On Monday we headed home, this time we had a 3 hour layover in Atlanta, which I wasn't looking forward too but I knew we had to get through it and had no choice. Again Charlie did great on both flights and took a good solid nap in his stroller in the airport. We finally got home and we were all exhausted and so glad to be happy.

It is always fun to go away but even better to come back home. I spent the last week getting Charlie back on schedule, which wasn't so bad, he is back to taking normal naps and sleeping through the night for the most part. I wish I had taken more pictures but I am not very good at remembering to do that. Here are the few we took for your enjoyment.

Waiting on the Train in Newark