City Kids

It’s hard for me to believe that we’ve been here in Manhattan for almost 8 months. It sounds like a long time, and when I think about our life in the Bay Area it feels like we’ve been here for an eternity. Yet those eight months have literally flown by… and I can see that when I look at pictures of my children from August. Those sweet little gentle innocent babies are now seasoned city kids.

Today we had a doctors appointment in the Upper East Side, and it was an adventure that basically consumed the entire day. We live right around the East Village and about 6 blocks from the nearest subway station. Neither of my children do well in taxis (they both get SUPER car sick), and I only use them in either emergencies or situations where it’s just easier than taking public transportation. So we walked the 6 blocks cross town in the pouring rain, and by the time we got to the subway both of them had fallen asleep.

Obviously, I woke them up (normally a cardinal sin in motherhood). Made it onto the train with two dazed toddlers. This is when it dawns on me that this is their reality now, and they’re used to it. This will always be normal for them.

The constant travel, hustle and bustle that is living in NYC. Everyone told me that they would adapt seamlessly, and while I believed that they would, it still astounds me how easily they’ve transitioned into this life. Life without a car, with lots of unfamiliar people, life with loud noises, and funny smells and dirty streets. Life with something incredible happening around every corner.

We made it to our stop, and what do you know? There’s a Bloomingdale’s entrance in the subway station. Shlepped past the ever enticing store and up the stairs, and headed to our doctor. Come to find out that this new doctors office is planted directly across the street from BARNEY’S. Thinking I’m either super lucky or a part of a joke, I ignore the red awnings and take the kids upstairs to see the allergist. We have known very little about Bubba’s allergy to tree nuts, so I made an appointment to find out exactly what we are dealing with. As it turns out, he will most likely have this allergy for life, and he needs to wear a medical bracelet and carry an Epi pen wherever he goes. I know that of all of the ailments, things could be much worse. That doesn’t make it any easier to find out that your perfect boy now has something that he will have to deal with for the rest of his life.

The appointment was great, aside from the 5 trips to the potty and one diaper change and Birdie’s determination to turn the office upside down. I did get to sneak a little quick stop into Bloomie’s for some lipstick (and yet another bathroom visit- I love potty trained kids REALLY I DO). The bonus of this trip was the lovely doorman outside who not only hailed a cab for us for the ride home, but he also broke down my stroller and loaded it into the trunk for me. I tipped him, but really? That kind of help is priceless.

We made it home without any crying or car sickness. Our little trip to the doctor today took us three and a half hours, round trip. This is the one really major difference from living in suburbia… not having a car is kind of crazy with two small children and, well, elements to deal with.

Another major difference? Opportunity. It’s 10:30pm and I’m headed out in the pouring rain and thunder to see elephants parade through Manhattan. The Ringling Brothers Circus is coming to town, and they walk from Queens to Madison Square Garden at midnight tonight… the Queens Tunnel just happens to be really close to where I live. I wouldn’t miss this for the world! This is city life though, right? (Don’t worry, I’ll take pictures!)