Parenthood brings something new everyday. This weekend Erin, Dean and I spent both days making our way to and from the same destination (the Upper East Side) with vastly different results emotionally and physically on both days. Saturday was long, challenging, and exhausting while Sunday was easy, fun, and invigorating. As parents, we learn from both the failures of Saturday and the successes of Sunday.

Saturday

Failure Lesson a.) traveling by subway from Park Slope to E. 86th St. involves at least one difficult transfer (in this case, from the yellow line to the green line). This coupled with the infrequency of trains on the weekend can make for a very long and crowded commute. 4 month olds do not like long, crowded commutes (unless you get lucky and they're asleep the whole time).

Failure Lesson b.) leaving later in the day for a such a trip means your ticking time bomb of a baby has that much shorter of a fuse, and when it blows up, it blows up big time.

Sunday

Success Lesson a.) traveling by car at 7:00 am on a Sunday morning in New York City is possibly some of the most stress free and enjoyable driving a New Yorker can experience. Cruising up the FDR Drive at 45 miles an hour as you soak up those glorious views of the city's awe-inspiring bridges and skyline makes you remember why you love this place so much. Finding free street parking 10 blocks from your destination doesn't hurt either.

Success Lesson b.) leaving early in the day for such a trip means you have ample time before your ticking time bomb goes off and you're ensured of being in the comfort of your own home for any explosions.

Exhibit a.) the result of Sunday's successes.