Visit To the Emerald City

Well, Ella had her first adventure away from the Big Apple (actually the first time off of Manhattan), and it started with a car ride to JFK. That may not seem like much, but it was Ella's first car ride over 10 minutes (longer than a yellow cab). Up next....security at JFK. All in all not that bad, we had a new travel stroller and mom carried our little package through the metal detector. When we got to the gate I'm sure everyone was thinking "Oh No," but Ella was an angel on the plane. Mom used the Baby Bjorn to both allow mother and child to take a nap; and all in all the five hour flight didn't seem that long.

We decided to rent a car, so after we got Ella in the stroller and picked up our bags, it was off to the rental car counter. After a wait and the discovery that the car was off site, we proceeded to the shuttle bus. Alas this is where we saw the first cracks in the armor. Ella had about enough of the travel as the bus pulled into the car rental facility and decided to let out her first true cry of the trip. Once we had her snuggled into her carseat and were moving she was fine once again.

Since it was Saturday, dad dropped off mom & Ella at the grandparents house and headed up to Seattle for a night out with the boys. There was plenty of yucking it up on lower Queen Anne including a visit to the "establishment" where Mom & Dad met.

Meanwhile on the parental front, Great-grandma had flown in from Spokane. It was a great opportunity to capture four generations of the ladies.

The oldest and youngest members of the family were both in good spirits.

And, since Grandma & Grandpa had visited the big city separately, everyone was gathered for a round of pictures.

After a couple days in Enumclaw, Mom was itching for some civilization. A trip to Seattle was in order. We thought we'd hit all the old spots. First off to REI to spend last year's dividend and look at all the camping gear that has no use in Manhattan (Central Park...?). It worked out well for all, it was a bit chilly so Ella got a nice Patagonia fleece. Mom was a bit surprised by the cashier actually being nice, a far cry from the city. We dashed across the street to a baby store and ducked into a coffee shop for a moment to bundle up our little girl (dad's beard didn't help her stay all that warm).

Off downtown for a stroll and some lunch. It was all seafood: salmon chowder, dungeness crab, and a nice view of Elliot Bay. Ella was in great sprits as always.

After coffee at the orginal Starbucks (purely coincidence) it was a stroll through the market. The flying fish were as big as our little girl, and the monkfish could have probably swallowed Ella!

It was a quite tiring...

The field trip to Seattle ended with a trip to Jaliscos, a couple cervezas, and some baby admiring.

It was a relaxing week for Mom, maximizing family time. We had a drinks out with Aunt Cary and her boyfriend and Grandma was on a mission to fatten everyone up when we were at home. There was a day at the spa for mom and plenty of studying time for dad. Ella went with the flow, visiting all around the Enumclaw. Back in the claw, we didn't have all the normal tools of the trade in our apartment, but we made do. Ella enjoyed the improvised accomodations.

Alas the adventure had to come to an end. We packed up early Sunday morning and goodbyes were said at 5:30 Am. It was off to Sea Tac and a day of traveling. Delta had pulled a fast one on us, changing our seats to the last row of the plane, right next to the bathrooms. Oh, and those bathrooms did not have changing tables. The open air of the cabin was acceptable to Ella, and the none of the neighbors commented when diaper changing time came. Once again Ella was an angel, to the point that our neighbor was able to catch a few Z's. A car service through horrible NYC traffic got us home in the evening and the first great journey had come to an end.