Sunday, July 28, 2013

A Day in the City










On Friday Andrew and I decided to take a day to really explore the city. We do live in the city limits of Austin, but we love in the north part of the city. We mostly did this to be close to Andrew's parents as we adjusted and also for when the new baby comes. If we had moved to south Austin, it could have been an hour drive from them to us over just twenty minutes from where they live north of Austin. I am glad we decided to do this. We also weren't too sure of where Andrew would even be working. He did get hired at Whole Foods. However he is working at the one downtown. So we will see how long we stay where we are. The only thing I don't really like as much being in northern part is that it feels like we are sort of in the suburbs. A lot of the "nice" shops and restaurants are around us, but Austin really gets more "weird" in the center. Andrew and I like the weird. Or at least that more creative part.

One thing that is also different about moving to a new city with a baby or toddler, is that you can't just take a whole day to explore and figure things out. We are pretty laid back with Blanche and her schedule, but the girl has to have at least one nap at some point in the afternoon. Which that can really break up a day. Having to drive home and wait for two hours.

On Friday we decided to just pack everything we could possibly need. Swimsuits, changes of clothes, lots of diapers, snacks, water, etc was put into the van. We decided to just conquer the day. Blanche has actually taken to falling asleep pretty easily in the car now, so we thought we would just take it as it came. First we ate at Taco Deli. I had a breakfast taco with mashed potatoes and bacon. That can really rock a pregnant lady's world. I was feeling strong for the day ahead. Then, we headed out to Barton Springs Pool. Its a huge spring fed pool. It is 68 degrees year around and has moss and grass on parts of the bottom. Blanche has been pretty good about water, although she does like to stick to the steps at our new apartment pool. I did not think too much about what she would think of "the big pool." She kept talking about the pool and seemed excited enough. The first photo was when we first arrived. I love that I accidentally got the woman doing her yoga in the shot. Blanche was excited and couldn't wait. She did great as we all waded as a family into the freezing cold water off the entrance ramp. But that was a as far as she wanted to go. Another mom who was also pregnant with a toddler told us we could borrow their little floaty boat. Blanche cried at that. She cried at us picking her up. She cried at us taking her out. And by cry I mean half cry, half scream, with added "no No NO." I really tried to keep my cool for quite awhile. But it wasn't that she just didn't want to get it. She wanted to walk, okay run, every where on her own, cry, and try to do everything independently. I was a little stressed at one point. We obviously survived. Andrew doesn't care that much for swimming so he helped and walked with Blanche while I at least swam a little. I figured if I ate mashed potatoes for breakfast I should at least swim a little.

Of course, when I look back today at the pictures, I really feel for Blanche looking at that second picture. Eating her snack with a worried little look on her face. She is like me. Like almost all me. She wants to be independent and free, but she worries and wants to do things her own way. I get that. She told me later (several times) that she cried at the pool. It was cold. And very slippery and different. Maybe next year.

I knew Blanche was exhausted. We decided to change clothes and head out. I went into what seemed like a 70's built dressing room. There was a courtyard with beautiful plants and yellow walls. All the dressing rooms were lined around it. I would have taken a picture but there were lots of naked women. Mostly women in their 60's with long gray hair and trim bodies. I felt like I was in a hippy commune or something. Maybe I just haven't been around a lot of serious swimmers. Plus I forgot to pack a bra, so I felt like I fit in. I really felt like I was finally in Austin, Texas.

Blanche passed out in the car listening to Justin Timberlake (its always him or Regina Spektor, and she will tell us which she needs). Andrew went in and tried a coffee shop while I sat with her. Then we switched, and I was going to "pop" into a natural baby store. Thirty minutes later I came out with a bag of natural mama samples and the name of a new "friend." We went on to eat lunch and then decided to take Blanche to the Children's Museum. I love how serious Blanche looks in the first picture. She did have a blast though. There was so much for her to do. We ended the day getting frozen yogurt and driving home in five o'clock traffic. We were out for probably eight hours with a toddler. And we survived. It was a good day.

The only thing was yesterday I felt like I had forgotten I was pregnant all day Friday. I felt so tired. And nauseous. But luckily those seven eleven slurpees can bring me out of anything.

No comments:

Post a Comment