25th Anniversary Time-Out

We interrupt this broadcast of our family vacation to wish Aunt Carole and Uncle Ric a very Happy 25th Wedding Anniversary. Camden (and the rest of us) love you very, very much!

Day Three - The Big Apple

We got up and explored Times Square first thing in the morning.

A lot of the street was blocked off (for a street fair the next morning we later learned), which made getting pictures much easier & safer.

After grabbing a bagel with cream cheese from a street cart, we headed into some of the shops. All the cheesecakes in the windows were tempting us, but we checked out M&M World instead. It was three stories of chocolate bliss!

Then we headed down Broadway for a stop at the Late Night with David Letterman studio and the Hello Deli next door. Rupert was even in and gladly took a picture with Camden.

A few blocks further found us in Central Park. We wandered in just enough to walk though a big playground, see a few street musicians, and climb some big rocks.

Next, we made our way to FAO Schwartz (another of my favorite stops in New York).

I was a little disappointed that the big singing clock was gone from the entrance, but there were other really cool toys to discover. Austin found some electronics while Camden and I danced on the floor piano from the movie, "Big."

A stroll down 5th Avenue to window shop was next, with a stop in Tiffany's to admire all the sparkling jewels. Kevin snapped a picture of us in front of one necklace before security quickly descended and let us know, in no uncertain terms, that photos were not allowed in the store. I asked a salesperson for a blue Tiffany's box for Camden and he gave her a little blue leather bag. The rest of the day she loved holding it (and putting it in her mouth, of course). One day she may be able to enjoy what comes in those famous little blue bags.

By this time it was getting to be lunch time and we were famished. After a quick detour through Trump Tower, we made our way back toward Times Square and stopped at the famous Carnegie Deli. Almost anyone who's anyone has eaten here. All the pictures on the walls are autographed. Many go back to the 60's and before, but President Obama was one of the most recent visitors.

Like most decent deli's in NYC, they make there own pastrami and corned beef. We saw the portions of our "neighbors" that we shared a table with and decided, even with our big appetites, Kevin and I could split the "Woody Allen." Sure enough the huge sandwich had over a pound of both meats. It's hard to get a true understanding of the size of this monster because Kevin's hands are so large, but it was HUGE!

Can you believe this was all just half our day?!? We stopped back at our room for a brief respite...hoping Camden would take a nap. Of course she was wired, and didn't sleep a wink, but it was a good break regardless.

We headed out again in the late afternoon heading toward the Empire State Building. We made brief stops at Washington Square Park and the NYC Public Library.


Kevin and I had both been to the top of the Empire State Building, so we talked about going to the Top of the Rock instead. I heard it had shorter wait times, but we figured both the kids needed to experience the ESB at least once in their lives. The line was incredibly long, but definitely worth it. Camden was completely enthralled up there. It made me quite nervous, but she wanted to look out over the edge the entire time. She cried if we moved her away from the view. Our little dare devil! It's scary how fearless she is.

That's the Statue of Liberty to the right of Camden on the tip of the first island off the tip of Manhatten.

We walked the 13 blocks back to our hotel, stopping to grab a Mister Softee ice cream cone for a refreshing snack...oh, I miss the ice cream trucks out East! Camden finally gave up and took a nap during that stroll back.

She had been the talk of the town all day. I seriously think every other person we passed made some comment about her. Usually it was about her big blue eyes. The Kelty stroller we borrowed from friends probably added to it, because she sat up almost like she was standing. She was perched to view everyone and waved constantly. But many, many people fell in love with our little cutie. Several even remarked that she should be on TV or the movies!

One more rest break back in the room, then we headed back out for Times Square after dark. We found a great pizza shop for some authentic NY pizza (again, I sure miss some of that East Coast food!). Kevin loved the stromboli he got...and Camden liked helping her mom eat a slice.

Toys R Us in Times Square was, of course, gigantic. It had a ferris wheel inside! Camden (and Kevin) were enthralled by the T-Rex in the Jurassic Park display. It was animated and so life-like. The eyes even open and closed like in the movie. It also roared (is that what dinosaurs do?) every few minutes. I just love Kevin's expression in this picture!

We also found the perfect stuffed animal for Camden. It was the perfect monkey for our little monkey. We actually didn't end up getting it because she loved a fuzzy bear with a New York t-shirt on even more. I wanted to over-rule her, but it was her souvenir after all.

A few shots of the neon lights in Times square and then Camden and I headed back to the room...with the slices of Junior's Cheesecake we picked up earlier in the evening. Kevin was lucky it was still untouched when he and Austin got back, because it ended up being some of the best we've ever had.

I can't believe all we did in one day. Camden is a tremendous travelor and the darling of the Big Apple.

Day Two - Hershey, PA

We plan to get to New York City tonight. It's a 6-hour drive from Pittsburgh, so we break it up by stopping in Hershey, PA.

When I worked for UrbanPromise, we took our 3rd graders on a weekend retreat to Messiah College over Halloween and spent one evening at HersheyPark and Hershey Chocolate World. The place has fond memories for me and I thought we would enjoy the stop at the half-way point in our drive.

It's changed quite a bit since I was last there. It's much larger and has many more attractions and visitors. It wasn't quite the quaint little stop, but it was still a lot of fun to see, smell, and taste all the chocolate.

We did a "tasting" adventure. It was a little corny, but educational. Even Camden went to school.

We drove the final 3 hours...which turned into a little bit more when we hit traffic going into the city on the Lincoln tunnel. But we made it by early evening. Just in time to check into our hotel (1/2 block off Times Square - gotta love Priceline) and for Kevin and Austin to go the the corner pizza shop for dinner.

We were warned that hotel rooms in NYC were tiny, but this was comical. The hotel was geared to the young, hip, chic tourist...definitely not a family of 4 on a vacation. It was perfect location, so we aren't complaining, but our room was probably 8'x8'. Just enough space for a full bed...and a pack-n-play and a sleeping bag on the floor.

This is the entire room - wall to wall...and I'm in the bathroom doorway! All-in-all, though, we loved the stay.

Day One - Pittsburgh

Camden is a trooper. She began our 9-day adventure by sleeping the first 4 hours in the car! That was a good start and a foreshadowing of what a good girl she would be on our vacation. We drove to Pittsburgh (about 6-7 hours) the first day. We stopped there so that we could visit with our friend Elizabeth and her children, Salim and Ramire.

There was a huge thunderstorm when we pulled into the Pittsburgh area. A tornado warning was in effect and the roads were flooding quickly. Originally we planned to meet at our hotel and order in pizza and swim. But the weather put a slight damper on things, so we met at a local restaurant called, "Quaker Steak and Lube." You can't beat good wings. Salim anxiously awaits the food to arrive.

It made for a brief, but good visit. And Camden got to enjoy some Elizabeth lovin'.

Kevin and I are Ramire's Godparents, so it's always good to see him and hear what he's up to. He is all boy...and a complete ham!

Gotta love the unibrow!

Ramire was very loving toward Camden. At one point he turned to his mom, pointed at Camden, and said, "My godsister doesn't have much hair!"

Hopefully we'll get to spend more time with this dear family very soon!

Then it was back to the hotel for a quick swim before bed.

Camden was a bit fussy the last hour of the drive (who can blame her?), but overall it was a wonderful day one.

And They're Off

We're leaving today for our first family vacation. The blog will not be updated for almost 2 weeks, but then we'll have many pictures of Camden's adventures in New York City, the Jersey Shore, Philadelphia, and Washington DC. And, of course, she's going to see her nameplace and meet some amazing people in Camden, NJ.

Camden's ready to go...

KFC

We needed a new stove. Unfortunately, we took the old one out before the new one arrived and we've spent the last week eating out or cooking on a grill and in the microwave. Actually, I've learned you can make cornbread or cookies in a grill...pretty cool!

We got KFC one night. Camden likes chicken-flavored baby food, so I decided she was eating well enough to have her own pieces of KFC. She did exceptionally well. All those teeth are coming in handy...she now has 4 teeth on top and two on the bottom!

Her Own Room

Camden has a new "go to" sleeping position.

I find her sleeping like this all the time! Cracks me up!

She also loves napping on someone's lap. I guess I kinda spoiled her with this because I love holding her while she naps or goes to sleep at night.

Her cousin Rachel found a unique position, but Camden doesn't seem to mind! Is it me or does she look sooo long?

The other big news is we have moved her (I know...finally!) to her own room. In putting the house on the market and "staging" it for showing, we knew everything would look bigger and more put together with her crib in her bedroom. Wednesday night was the first night since she was in NICU that she has stayed in another room than me. It went well...and we finally got to use that monitor we spent good money on a year ago!

This was the sight when I came to get her the next morning.

"Get me outta here, Mama!"