A Day in New Joisy

Zack and I have always been a little intimidated to go over to New Jersey! If we were to rent a car or take a taxi, the tolls alone would bankrupt us. We had no idea it would be so simple. That's why friends who grew up here are very handy!!

Our awesome friends the Leals talked about going to Carlo's bakery for Angel's birthday! I promptly invited myself because, A. It's on my bucket list! And B. It's Cake Boss!!! Even though it's been on our list this whole time, I have just been too intimidated to get over there! So I was thrilled to have some experienced city dwellers to show us the way! 

Getting there was a cinch! We took the train to Penn Station, then hopped on the Path Rail, which is actually cheaper than the subways in the city! And we were there in like 20 min! The hardest part of the trip was maneuvering 34th street! It was the weekend before St Patrick's day and a Knicks game had just gotten out! We literally had to throw around elbows to get through the crowd! And don't even get me started on the mean ladies at the elevator! 

Once we crossed the river and got off in Hoboken, we looked back across the river and I couldn't get over the view!! I'm really starting to feel like the city is becoming our home! The walk from the train to Carlos took maybe 10 minutes! It was just a few blocks and Hoboken is SUCH a cool town! New Jersey sure gets a bad rap. I expected it to be gross and trashy. But it was clean and people were friendly! 

We have been told there is always a long wait to even get in the door! It was a Saturday so I expected at least an hour, but it only took about 10 minutes! We must have been really lucky because by the time we got out, the line went across the street and down the block! These three jokesters entertained us for our quick wait! 

Inside the bakery was complete madness! You take a number when you enter then you can browse the bakery until they call your number then you have to order! My browse time went way too quickly. But that's probably for the best or I would have ended up with like 100 treats! I was suprised that prices were about the same as your average comer bakery in NY. I expected them to be sky high because it's a famous bakery. Once I ordered and paid I just couldn't get out of there fast enough! It was so crazy! 

The Leal's were in there so long I was starting to get concerned! Were they okay in there? They were more than okay! They were just busy meeting one of the bakers and stars of the show, Mauro! I can't believe in my hurry to get out of the mania I missed this!! I saw him pop his head out from the back, but didn't even think to hang around and ask for a pic!! I'm seriously regretting it now! 

We found a bench outside to enjoy our spoils! If we had any hope of saving some for later, that went out the window almost immediately. Every single thing was delicious. As in Perfection. Omg. My mouth is watering just remembering.  We ordered a chocolate cannoli, a regular cannoli, a cream puff, and a raspberry linzer cookie. My favorite was obviously the chocolate cannoli. I have a thing for cannolis.  And by thing, I mean obsession.  Dip them in chocolate and I just don't stand a chance. I mean really. But the rest was delish too!

I think its safe to say there is no flattering way to eat a cannoli!

Ally was so sweet to share! Although, I think she ended up regretting it!

After all the treats, we decided to let the kiddies run off their energy. Gunner sure loves his freedom! And the red string from the box!!

Just before we left we decided to pose all together by the storefront for a picture just as two of the sisters walked through the door! We posed for pics then watched them walk towards the door to leave! This was my moment! We were finally going to meet and take a picture with a "celeb". There I was standing like a dummy right next to the door as they walked out and I froze and got star struck and didn't say anything. You guys how stupid is this?! I don't even watch cake boss! Like I haven't watched it in years, but I was still standing there like an idiot! Hahah I was so embarassed! 

We decided to walk down to Jersey City and grab some dinner! By the time we ate and were ready to head home it was freezing! Our optimism in dressing for warm weather had proved naive! We decided to run into an H&M just to grab an extra jacket for Gunner. Somehow we ended up with like 3 pairs of pants, two sweaters, a hat, sunglasses... How does this happen?!?! Haha! But his new hat is my most favorite ever!!!

Gunner and Ally are inseperable! It is so much fun to see my little one learning about friendship!! I could have died when I saw these two holding hands!!

The day was long, but full. I'm so glad we've gotten back on track with our bucket list. Especially because we don't know how much longer we'll be here! I'll be absolutely heart broken if we have to leave in two months. But I am so deeply grateful for the new friendships that already feel life-long!

XOXO
SD

P.S. A few more of Gunner... just because!

Traveling with a Little One

I know I only have one baby and I've only had him a year, but I think it's safe to say I've had my fair share of traveling with a lap child. Gunner has been on 19 planes in his short little life. That seems like a LOT for a 12 month old!! We need to get him his own sky miles account or something.  I wouldn't consider myself an expert, but I've certainly learned a lot in our travels together! So here are my 8 tips for flying with a little one!

Tip 1: Give yourself time

Traveling can be really stressful, especially if you're rushed for time. Just as with every other day of your life, if you're a frazzled mess, your baby will sense it, and then becomes its own tiny frazzled mess. Give yourself time so that you don't panic and get freaked out when TSA randomly selects you for a screening even though you can hear them calling final boarding for your flight and you find yourself full on sprinting through the airport, baby strapped to chest, pushing a stroller, dodging the elderly in a desperate attempt to make your flight. This scenario doesn't have to happen to you (and hopefully won't ever happen to me again!!) Just get to the airport early. 

Tip 2: Be Friendly

Be friendly to everyone you meet. First and foremost because it's the right thing to do and because people deserve your courtesy. But also, it will lower your anxiety level, and you never know who can help you. Be nice to the lady who is checking you in. She can turn a blind eye to your 6lbs over the weight limit suitcase. Smile at airport workers. They can help you get in the priority security lines. Be nice to the TSA agents and they'll be more likely to help you gather your stuff or hold the baby while you slip your shoes on. I always check in with the gate agent when I arrive at my gate. I ask if there are any empty rows or even two empty seats together. I've even had gate agents call up other passengers and ask them if they'll change seats so that I can have an extra seat. The flight attendants and passengers around you will be more understanding and even anxious to help if you are polite and light hearted. Flight attendants have a lot of power ya know. Extra cookies, extra milk, cute little wing pins. Also they have a pretty spacious area at the back of the plane that can come in handy with a fussy baby. 

Tip 3: Take a Stroller

Even if your little one is big enough to walk, take a stroller. You can hang things off of it, toss things in the basket, and especially keep your little one secure while running through the airport. The best part is, you check it at the gate (for free) and then it's right at the gate waiting for you when deplane! 

Tip 4: Space is money

When choosing your seats, choose the furthest available row. This may go against all your instincts like it did for me. But embrace it! The back of the plane is the least popular which means if there is an open seat on the plane it will be in the back! Space is money. Having an empty seat next to you will help you relax and give you extra space for your stuff, to stretch out or to strap the baby in if he's getting restless! When I check in before a flight I like to review my seat choices because then I get a better idea of how full the plane will be and where I can have maximum space. Also, the back of the plane means easy access to the bathrooms and extra flight attendant space. Plus, it just feels quieter and more private back there. 

Tip 5: Keep your Hands Free

Going through security can be the hardest part of your trip. Taking off shoes, emptying pockets, taking out laptops keeping track of your ID and boarding pass. That can be really stressful when you've got a line full of rushed travelers behind you and a squirmy baby in your arms. You have to collapse your stroller and put it through the x-Ray machine, so you'll need to put baby elsewhere for a moment. I like to wear Gunner in our baby bjorn. He loves to face forward and feels like he has more freedom, and then my hands are free to do what I need to. (When you carry baby through the scanner they have to swab your hands. Whether you wear baby or carry baby, that's just the rules) I also put him back in the carrier when I'm boarding the plane. I keep him in the stroller as I walk down the jetway, then slip him into the bjorn while I'm walking down the aisle to find my seat. It's much easier to get things situated and organized if you have both hands free!

Tip 6: Gate Check your Car Seat

If you're traveling with your car seat it may be tempting to check the car seat at check in. It can be bulky to carry through the airport. But if you're taking a long flight, you'll want that bad boy. If your little one is over two and they have their own seat anyways, the car seat is obvious. You won't even gate check it, just take it onto the plane with you. If you're little one is still a "lap child" this is where the "be friendly" and "space is money" comes in handy. If you are lucky enough to have an extra seat next to you (make sure you check with the gate agent), the car seat will be a life saver! It will help keep your little one secure. Gunner figured out that silly seat belt clasp before he could even walk. In a car seat, he cannot escape!! Your little one is probably more used to a car seat and comfortable in it. This helps keep them secure, and your hands free. Also, now that Gunner has grown out of sleeping in my arms, he's much more likely to sleep in his seat! (This feels obvious, but sleep will be your best friend during the flight. Plan nap time for flight time!!) If you don't end up with an extra seat next to you, it's easy enough to just check the car seat at the gate with your stroller! (Bonus tip: I hang the car seat off the handle of my stroller while walking through the airport, you can also try to balance it on the canopy, or if you're really fancy and have a travel system it will be even easier!)

Tip 7: Give them freedom when you can

Sometimes during layovers, when I'm in strange airports I feel like I want to hide in a corner and keep Gunner strapped in the stroller. But truthfully, traveling can be super frustrating for your little one if they're mobile! All that time in a stroller, carrier, car seat, or your arms. They just want to get on the ground and explore. If you get to the airport early, or you have a long layover, find a low traffic area and let your baby run, climb, crawl, stretch! They'll be more likely to be calm on the plane if they've gotten a little exercise beforehand. I also like to sit near other moms traveling with kids. The kids can entertain each other and you guys can bond over your fearless traveling triumphs. Plus, an extra set of eyes is always helpful. 

Tip 8: Stay Calm

Murphy's law states, "Anything that can go wrong--will go wrong." Plain and simple, things will go wrong (Hopefully not everything!) But that's just the nature of traveling with kids. You might have to run through the airport, you won't always get the extra seat, people may be rude, your baby may scream the whole time. But you'll survive!! You are a strong, brave mamma and you can handle it. Don't worry about what other people are thinking or if they're judging you. Just relax, stay calm, take deep breaths. All you need to worry about is your little one and making them as happy and comfortable as possible. They will feed off of your energy whether it's frantic or serene. Don't be afraid to walk up and down the aisles bouncing, or to let a stranger hold him while you pee. Just remain calm and remember it's only temporary! You'll be off that plane in no time! 

I hope you guys found these tips helpful! What else have you guys tried that has worked? And what hasn't worked? This family's traveling days are far from over and I'm always looking for new tips and tricks! Like, has anyone figured out how to score first class upgrades for free? Haha!

XOXO

SD

Gunner's First Birthday

I've thought over and over and over again about the things I want to say about celebrating Gunner's first birthday! And I've come to the conclusion that it will just be a confusing emotional mess. So instead, I'm just going to post some of my favorite pictures from his birthday party!

We had a house full of friends and tiny wild ones! Gunner was just basking in all the attention! 

I was so distracted during the party I forgot to take pictures of all the fun decorations! Here's the two pics I got! 

We had everyone write their wishes for Gunner as he grows! I love how it turned out! 

My sister made these adorable banners and over nighted them to me! She is just all around the best! 

The Cakes!!

The big cake for the guests was a vanilla cake with vanilla and strawberry fillings and lemon buttercream. I was so proud that I didn't blow it with the piping! (I use this recipe for my vanilla cake, I just replace the coconut milk with whole milk!)

Gunner's Cake was made up of his two favorite things in life: blueberries &bananas. It was a banana cake with lemon buttercream and blueberries. This banana cake is equal parts easy and delicious! Its my go-to for a quick treat (especially when I have over-ripened bananas). I got this amazing cake stand on amazon. I'm OBSESSED with it. I feel like I need to start making tiny things just to display on it. 

I maybe got a little emotion while we sang Happy Birthday. MY BABY IS ONE!!! 

He saw those blueberries and he was not shy about digging in! just wait.. 

He was ALL about the blueberries... until he tasted the frosting!

Aww YEAH! Thats the good stuff!!

He was covered head to toe in frosting! He was all shiny and sticky like a glazed donut. 

He needed a little milk to wash it all down! 

He probably ate like 80% of that cake. I couldn't believe how he just kept eating and eating and eating! His bath water was a gooey murky mess!  

Once our guests had left and the babe was in bed, we sat down and took a deep breath. We were both so overwhelmed with how full our life in New York City is. I was really bummed out about being away from family for such an important day in our lives. But, holy cow, did our friends make up for it. Sometimes I can't believe we've only been here for 6 months. It feels like we've known these people for years. 

We absolute could not have done this without our friends the Leals, (You can read her awesome blog here: Cooking Hat) They spent their entire day off helping us get ready for the party! I would have been an absolute wreck without their help! (THANKS GUYS!)

We are feeling so at home here and it's making us a little sad that we may be moving in a few months! I would not be disappointed even a little bit if we got to stay in NYC for a few more years! Fingers crossed everyone!!

XOXO SD

P.S. I've been thinking about doing some post about baking. Would you guys read that? Or would it just be annoying because you're only here for pictures of my cute kid in the city? I'd love some feedback!!