This trip wasn’t exactly perfectly planned. We booked our flights to New York on September 7th and nine days later, I found out I was pregnant. Brett and I were a bit….shocked at the time. Not that we weren’t “trying” per se, but it happened fast. Really fast. Like, I-figured-we’d-be-able-to-squeeze-in-a-few-more-pre-baby-bucket-list-items-before-it-happened fast. As in, I-was-still-drinking-alcohol-and-eating-all-kinds-of-cheeses fast. And of course I found a stellar deal through Orbitz and the tickets were 100% non-refundable. Of course.
So, without knowing how I would be feeling five months pregnant, or what would happen between then and now, we just said to heck with it, WE’RE GOING TO NEW YORK!!! And you know what? I am so dang happy we did. Yes, it was slightly exhausting and my feet hurt at night. Yes, I had to pee every 20 minutes and wait in line to use the bathroom everywhere we went. Yes, people may have judged me in my skintight sequined dress on NYE. But I was not going to let a baby bump stand in the way of me and New York City.
New York City is magical….the energy, the people, the lights. Everything about it is nonstop; people are going places and doing things every second of every day. Brett and I arrived there without a plan, aside from a few dinner reservations, and in my opinion, that is the best way to see New York. Get there, and let New York embrace you. Throw on a coat and walk the streets and open your eyes to the beauty of life whizzing all around. That’s really what New York is all about. Strangers on every corner, engaged in their own story, yet able to relate to the person standing next to them because they have one thing in common—they’re New Yorkers. Survivors. Once you look past the tourists, you can see it, this unspoken connection people share in New York. It’s an unbreakable bond, a knowing nod on the subway.
Our trip went by slowly, which was surprising, but again I attribute this to not having a plan. We woke up every morning and decided on the fly what to do and where to go. Our first day led us through grand central station, rockefeller center, and ended with pizza in the west village with some dear friends. I decided not to bring my fancy camera on this trip, so all the photos you’ll see this week are from my point and shoot. I didn’t think I could handle carrying ten extra pounds of baby bump and a DSLR all weekend (plus my iphone for NY instagrams, obviously).
All that being said, I know I’m pregnant and not technically pre-baby anymore, but on Friday December 30th we saw the Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center and crossed number eleven off the list, hurrah!
I don’t know why, but it makes me extremely happy that you’re still getting to cross off things from your bucket list- almost like it’s me getting to do these fun things thru you:) So happy you had fun, and I bet you ROCKED the sequin dress with your adorable bump!
Loved this post. So glad you guys went and did this – still “pre-baby”, really! I think you’ve inspired me and the hubs to come up with our own pre-baby bucket list. lately we’ve been feeling that itch, and we know we can’t scratch it right now, so we want to remind ourselves of all the amazing things we still want to do together before we welcome a little one into our family. perhaps I’ll share it on the blog – but I’m not sure yet
thanks for sharing your amazing words and photos (point-and-shoot or not, you’ve got an incredible eye). always such a pleasure to read your posts!
A pro-choice person would tell you that you merely have a fetus and not a baby yet. I say it still counts. =]
The tree looks beautiful and the atmosphere sounds magical!
Sarabell´s last [type] ..A Glimpse at Bradshaw Mountain
So glad you had a such a great trip! And that first picture made me laugh a little bit because the guy to the right of you looks a little angry!
Becky´s last [type] ..Setting the stage
I love what you said about New Yorkers, and how we have an unspoken bond. I’m a proud New Yorker and I love that you can see how important that quality is for those who are from NYC.
PS. I’m so happy you didn’t let a baby bump stop you from wearing a tight sparkly dress!!!
Oh NY always sounds magical at christmas time. Good that you got things off the bucket list. Sounds like blast to ring in the new year.
Julie@my5monkeys´s last [type] ..Fracture Book Review
I love to visit NY. I’ve been several times but I went with my sister (her first time) in July and we had a lot of fun. I wish our time there had been longer because I didn’t get to show her as much as I wanted to! Did you guys see any shows while you were there?
Hey Briel – we saw Rent off-broadway at the New World Stages. It was tons of fun! A really cool place to see a show for a reasonable price.
Love this post! So beautifully written. I’m glad you’re still crossing things off your list!!
Caroline´s last [type] ..Mindful
I love New York! And we are so happy that you and Brett had such a wonderful time. New York is truly an amazing city!
Love, Mom aka future Grandma
I love it that you still rocked a sequin dress!
So fun! I love New York. I’ve always wanted to go at Christmas to see the tree too! I’m living through you though because we plan on going in the fall this year. A bit too cold for me in December. Congrats on checking another item off the pre-baby bucket list!
Really happy that you guys had the chance to tick off another thing from the pre-baby bucket list
I want to go to New York so badly, it looks amazing. My mum went a few years ago and our Christmas presents that year were the best. I really want to go iceskating outside the Rockefeller centre!
Lucy´s last [type] ..Snug as a bug
So so so glad you went! And even more impressed that all of those gorgeous photos were with a point-and-shoot–just goes to show it’s the photographer, not the camera
Seriously need to get to NYC ASAP…think I might love it!
Christine´s last [type] ..City girl works on farm: a week WWOOFing at Coodlie Park
Lovely! And then one day, your little baby will say very proudly to a friend that he/she once went to NY.
Beautiful blog
Just found your blog and am SO glad I did. Nice to blog meet you! We were just in NYC too…right before Christmas – it’s SO magical. I used to live there for a bit. Glad you rocked your sparkly dress on NYE – you looked fabulous girl!
xoxo from Trinidad
Corey @ Learning Patience´s last [type] ..Pierogi’s and Mimosas
I am glad you guys were still able to go! Looks like you had a rad time.
Danielle´s last [type] ..TUESDAY TUNES.
Fantastic photos for just a point and shoot!
Lauren´s last [type] ..Airport FAIL