A Mommy Story

Wow, it’s Wednesday already? Where has the week gone? Oh yeah, I remember now – I’ve been so busy trying to get things done before this baby comes and the rest of my life gets put on hold for a month or so.

The quick update: No baby yet. I’m 37 weeks, 1.5 centimeters dilated, no effacement. No name yet. Still waiting on that burst of energy known as the “nesting instinct” and wishing it would show up soon, because I could really use a little boost to get all this cleaning done. I’m starting to wonder if I’ve evolved past that particular instinct, because I feel like I could sleep all day long.

Last night, Aaron and I were treated to a very nice dinner. His brother and brother’s girlfriend gave us a gift certificate to a fancy restaurant and promised babysitting as well so that we could have a night out as a couple before our lives are once again thrown upside down by a howling infant. It was a welcome break.

When I say fancy restaurant, I mean fancy. This place was based around their very large collection of high-quality wines (oh, the temptation!). It was a small-ish menu compared to the huge wine list. However, it took us a long time to consider what to order, mostly because we had no idea what half of the menu items were.

There was no bacon cheeseburger or pasta alfredo on the menu; instead, we had to look like the uncultured heathens that we are by asking for menu translations. “What exactly is beef carpaccio? How does Napa slaw differ from regular coleslaw? Can we get no anchovies on the caesar salad? Chili pepper-flavored ice cream – seriously?” (That last question was mine – Aaron has had chili ice cream before. And here I thought I had more sophisticated tastes.)

The meal was excellent, and we finished it off with a layered chocolate and cashew mousse with a fried marshmallow peep “O” – an Ohio State tribute dessert. Total cost for the meal, before tip: $50.71. Total cost to us, with tip: $10.00. Woo-hoo!

Our waitress encouraged us to come back after we have the baby to show her off, but seeing how one meal there is the equivalent of 5-7 meals out normally, it probably won’t happen. But it was so much fun to have that time together last night, talking like adults, with no toddler to entertain at the table, and sit down to a meal that didn’t include french fries or ketchup.

Edited to add: Thank you so much to everyone who shared advice for Liz, Tammie and myself in the Virtual Baby Shower. You’re all awesome. I’ve made some progress getting through the generous outpouring of advice and laughing at all of the assvice as well. It may take a few more days, but I promise I’ll read every single post.