Baby Baby Baby!

I'm back in NY now from what I like to think was a very successful baby shower thank you very much. And thank Mom very much. And thank everyone else who helped us put it all together. And thank H for getting pregnant so we have an excuse to get together to eat pink cupcakes! H looked radiant in her beautiful dress and got a lot of great gifts. I can't wait to see the baby's room now that she has all the fun bedding in it!

New York has been lovely the past few weeks. I have been enjoying that feeling spring brings of wanting to shed a layer of pounds and clothing. It's yet another fun thing about being on this coast again. This morning I was discussing some of the things that make NY well NY. Here are a few fun tidbits:

- if you are waiting in line, people in NY say you are "waiting ON-line" (mental note to not make fun of G anymore for saying this since he can't help it, it's how they do it here
- coffee regular - means you want coffee with milk and sugar
- when you get a bagel from H&H bagel you ask what is still waaaaahhhhhrm (insert accent)
- if you are a guy, no matter your age and you are purchasing something at a deli, coffee cart, etc. then your name is BOSS (how cool is that?)
- when you refer to a freeway you don't say the 405 like in LA or I-95 like in DC, you say it's name so it's The Van Wick or whatever

Once again proving I am a fountain of useless knowledge.

Heading Home

It's funny how no matter how long you don't live somewhere you still consider it home. They say home is where the heart is. Then I must have three hearts. One in Virginia, one in California and one wherever G and I might be at the time. I guess I will eventually have four since New York is quickly becoming a place that I love.

This weekend I'm going back to Virginia for my friend H's baby shower. I'm really looking forward to seeing all my ladies from high school and spending time with my folks. I am blessed to have come from such a great place. I know we Virginians are snobby about our homeland but hey, what can I say, it's really that great. If you've ever spent a day driving down Rte. 29 or floating down the James River drinking beer you know what I'm talking about. There is something about our fair state. The history, the rolling hills. It's like slipping into a warm bath and letting it sink into your skin. I may not live there but I carry it with me wherever I go.

Madre, Maman, Mama, Mommy

As mother's day approaches I thought to myself, oh no! I need cards! I went to the Duane Reade near my house last night to pick some up. As I got to the counter, the woman laughed and said, three cards? I had to explain well there is my mom, and the there is my left coast mom, and then there is my sister. I am blessed with knowing so many lovely moms. Life is good.

In the spirit of my last post, here's to you #1 Mom!

Because of you:

I can shop better than any woman alive

I care so much about others sometimes it hurts

I believe in myself

I love with my whole heart

I am brave and know that I can do anything

I never get sick of taking care of others

I know the power of a really amazing hug

I can cry and know that it will make me feel better

I know saying I love you to someone every time I speak to them is not dorky, it's just right

I am special - at least to one person in this world

Thank you mom for being there for me every moment of my life. For being the rock of our family. For being you. You are truly an amazing human being. I love that as I get older you are more than my mother. You are my friend.

My Dad

I was just reading a friend's blog who lost her father to cancer a few years ago so I thought I would give a shout out to my father here.

Because of you Dad:

I have a spring in my step

I have to get my eye brows waxed bi-weekly

I know what love is

I love history

I have all kinds of cheesy one-liners like busier than a one-armed paper hanger

I enjoy the simple things life has to offer like my walk to work

I know that there is no point to complaining (no one would listen to me anyway)

I see the good in people first before anything else

Know that every day I thank god or Allah or Buddha or whomever for you. Every extra moment I get with you is precious to me.