dear philadelphia

Dear Philly,

You sure are a funny city. I get the biggest kick out of you. 

Yesterday I waited in line for a smoothie with a transvestite in American flag hot pants and knee high black boots. It was all kinds of awesome. She had way better legs than me. 

Sometimes strangers on the street ask me, "What are you having?" as I walk past. I always smile and say, "I don't know. It's a surprise!" Bonus points to the young man this morning for calling me "miss". Even though I'm about to be a mom, "ma'am" makes me feel old. 

I was waddling to the train station last week and stopped at an intersection blocked by cars. I tend to be cautious at intersections because a) these days I can't move as fast as I normally do and b) Philly drivers can be crazy. However, a very nice man in a pimped out purple shirt, tie and hat combo leaned out of his very shiny BMW and told me I was safe to cross. Put a smile on my face at the end of a very long day.

Philly, a lot of times you smell like pee. And too many people smoke. And I think I am becoming desensitized to all the homeless people (which makes me sad). 

But you are a funny city that continues to surprise me. I love you.

xo,

Julia

yes, please.

Really looking forward to wearing clothes with a waistline again. One that is actually at my waist and not clear up to my boobs. I'll just go ahead and start praying right now for my body to bounce back. You can pray for me too. It wouldn't hurt. Think there's a patron saint of post-pregnancy bodies?

No? Didn't think so.

And, yes, in case you were wondering I am also really looking forward to a big glass of wine. And a giant cup of caffeinated coffee. And a steak cooked medium-rare. And sleeping on my stomach. And living without the fear of cankles. I'm going to stop now.


image via Boden

a little update / good things lately

Life has been a whirlwind lately, but full of good things. I've reached the point where I'm pretty sure I waddle instead of walk. The belly gets quite the stares from strangers on the street these days (perhaps I look like I'm about to burst right then and there?!). I'm picking out paint colors, washing tiny baby clothes, sterilizing bottles, loving the chances I get to ride the train with husband, enjoying my new and glorious short commute, becoming increasingly addicted to Red Mango, and finally getting around to watching The Walking Dead.

All in all, life is pretty darn good. Hope everything is grand in all of your corners of the world.

dear baby

Dear baby,

I wish so much for you. But more than anything I want your daddy and I to be able to provide you with the experiences that make up the precious, precious gift that is a happy childhood. I want you to have:

• A big, goofy dog to love. One that is a part of the family and that you'll miss long into adulthood.
• The excitement that holidays bring. I want you to know that Halloween means pumpkins on the porch and homemade costumes. Christmas will mean dedicating a day to decorating the house and another one to making cookies.
• Family movie nights on the couch. 
• The thrill of catching fireflies.
• Vacations that require long car rides. At least one to Disney World. Because a childhood isn't complete without the ordeal of a family road trip. 
• Curiosity. The kind that results in muddy knees.
• The best kinds of afternoons that are made up of nothing more than a trip to McDonald's for lunch, a visit to the library for new books, and a stop at the YMCA pool.
• A little brother or sister to pester. And to pester you.
• Forts made out of couch cushions.
• Special nights where you are allowed to eat dinner on trays in front of the TV.
• Sledding in the winter snow followed by hot chocolate made on the stove. Barbecue chicken and drippy popsicles eaten on the deck or patio in the summertime.

This is a short list. There are many more things to add. We probably won't be the family that has the giant trampoline in the back yard. And you might not get the Barbie dream house (mommy didn't get one either). But you will be loved. So, so much.

Love,

Mommy

happy friday

Happy Friday, ya'll. My weekend plans include unpacking, unpacking and unpacking. As of Wednesday we started life in our new place. The floors are wood (yahoo!), the commute to work is short (double yahoo!) and we have plenty of storage space (triple yahoo!). A big, pregnant lady thanks to husband for doing all of the moving by his lonesome. I merely sat at work keeping tabs on his hourly Facebook updates as to how it was going. He's my hero.

My nesting instincts have recently kicked in and I'm anxious to get settled and make the place feel like home. Know what always annoys me about moving to a new place? How it takes awhile to smell like your own. Know what I mean? I already have a giant shopping list started. I am predicting many trips to Target and Ikea in our future.

So here's to the weekend! If you don't hear from me on Monday it's because I got lost in a giant pile of cardboard boxes.