The Goodbye Post

It's 11pm and I'm waiting to transfer a load of laundry to the dryer. So please try and ignore my run on sentences and my slightly melancholy tone.  Even though we are 95% packed, there's still a lot to do by tomorrow morning when the movers arrive. I will be awake for a while. Anyway I'm finding it hard to believe that these 2 and half years in Philadelphia are coming to an end. I'm finding it really hard to say goodbye. Now that I have my own family, I understand the saying "home is where the heart is" and my heart lies with Craig and my kids, but I'm going to miss my family in NYC, and I'm going to miss all my friends in Philadelphia. They were once new friends but now I feel like I've known everyone forever. This week I've had so many goodbye breakfasts, lunches and dinners. (and I can't fit into my skinny jeans at the moment) I can't believe how kind everyone has been to my family. I can't believe what a great time I had here and I can't believe it's coming to an end. When I left Los Angeles, I had a similar feeling. I remember thinking, oh this what death must feel like. It's like hey wait a minute, I just got my groove and now its all coming to an end. Of course I should see this as a new beginning and I do. I'm  really excited to finally make roots. I never planned on living in San Francisco, in fact I told Craig, that I would never live in Northern California, but in the end, I agreed and I'm happy with that decision.

Any way as soon as I settle in, I'm changing the name of the blog. I'm not sure what I'll be writing about, but I will always have something to say if the Real Housewives are on the air.

So goodnight Philadelphia. Thanks for all the good memories. And see you soon!

Love, Daniela

42 Days Left

As most of you know, from my FB postings, we are leaving Philadelphia. And as most of you also know, I truly hated living here the first 6 months. Ok, so "hate" is a strong word, but I cried a lot during the first half of 2010. I also fought with Craig, and somewhere in between the crying and the fighting, I got pregnant, so I was also throwing up too. Plus, the winters here were brutally cold, and the summer unbearably hot.

What I wouldn't have given for a rainy Los Angeles winter, and some Santa Ana Winds. I  had planned on not liking it here for the two and half year sentence I'd been given. But a strange thing happened, I actually began to enjoy my life in Center City. Charlotte was born at Hospital of University of Pennsylvania.  I made a few good friends, and a lot of  lovely acquaintances.  I joined two book clubs, and read some books, but laughed a whole lot more. I ate at amazing restaurants, and discovered bikram yoga, (i've only gone 3 times - but it sounds very impressive doesn't it?) And Craig and I stoped fighting and relaxed. I only regret not seeing more shows and theater. Admittedly, I got pick pocketed twice, but it is part of Philly's charm (not really - its sucks) But that's not the memory I'll be walking away with. Mostly, I want to tell every single friend that I made here, thank you for being so nice and welcoming, thank you for making the city of Philadelphia my home. 

One aspect about moving that I like, is that it gives me permission to check out for a few months. I can stop worrying about what I'm not doing, (career, working out, and possible grad school dreams) and instead, I get to focus on a "transition" period. Which ultimately leads to  justifying my awful reality TV habit. Like Bethanny Ever After.  I loved Bethanny last season, but no so much this year. She seems to have gotten what she wanted and is edging Jason out of her life, but in that cowardly way, where she wants to make him the bad guy. If I hear her tell one more person how Jason, keeps calling her "damaged", I may have to turn on off the TV (although its unlikely). Plus she surrounds herself my people on a payroll that "yes" her. I have a slight feeling that Veronica just wants to scream in her face, "you are insane, lady." I also have a theory that Bethanny's therapist is in love with her and is driving a wedge between her and Jason. He never, ever defends Jason.  May I add on a separate note, that I loved Bethanny's evening birthday ensemble, the black off the shoulder dress, hair parted in the middle and hoop earrings. And isn't fitting that Jason bought her a diamond spear necklace? It suits her personality. But on to the next show..... The Real Housewives of NJ. It is only the beginning of the season so I have time to get out while I can. But here is what I want to know: what is Jacqueline thinking by sending her daughter, who seems to have a drinking problem, to Las Vegas? How much longer can Teresa pretend that everything is Ok with Joe? and why does Jacqueline stop talking to Teresa? Alright it looks like I'm in for the season...ugggh. I have no willpower.

I have been reading a little too. I just finished Then Came You, by Jennifer Weiner. I laughed through the whole book, and like most of her stories, got teary eyed at the end. I'm currently reading Some Assembly Acquired, by Ann Lamott. While not as compelling as Operating Instructions,

Ann Lamott, is so honest and therefore very funny, so I'm enjoying the read. And in all fairness, Operating Instructions was about becoming a mother, and this book is about becoming a grandmother, so maybe in like 25 years, I'll appreciate it more. Or thirty years..

Finally I have a new blog that I check into from time to time, Mayim Bialik's official blog site.  Mayim's best known for her role playing Blossom, and now she's  she's also written a book called Beyond The Sling, which I have yet to read.  Her parenting style couldn't be further than mine, at least on the surface. I'm not into bed sharing or breastfeeding past a year (but no judgement on others who do- I mean that!)  I don't know what her stance on immunization is, and personally, I hope that she vaccinates her children, but that being said, I'm amazed at how strong her convictions are, her commitment to living a Jewish life, being a vegan and not to mention her Phd in neuroscience. She seems to do it all and with a sense of humor. 

Philadelphia's very own Jenny From The Block

I am a Jennifer Weiner fan, if she speaketh, I cometh. Well, with the exception if I'm giving birth or can't find a sitter.  I love going to a Jennifer Weiner reading, she's sassy, smart,  a tad self deprecating and overall very funny. Seeing her, is like having a long and satisfying coffee with an old friend, who leaves after an hour and who you may not see for a few years!  I love her blog posts and her tweets almost more than her books, but I do love her books.
Today was a great day from start to finish. Everyone seemed to be in a great mood. Even the city of Philadelphia was all gussied up and particularly pretty looking. The cherry blossoms were in full bloom, and the temperature hovered somewhere in the 70's, sunny, but low humidity (remarkable for this town). Furthermore it was Thursday and who doesn't love a Thursday? It's the best day of the week in my opinion, the anticipation of Friday and the end of the work week. Nothing beats it. But back to my great day,  I had a morning and an afternoon sitter, plus Craig was home before 5pm. I met a friend for lunch, took Max to art class, hung out at the square with both my kids, and then ordered in from Rotissuer, a whole chicken, yummy corn muffins and hot roasted potatoes (they were out of the collard greens) Max ate in front of the TV, the sitter fed Charlotte. I had like zero clean up. I left Craig to bathe the kids and put everyone to bed. Then I washed my face, put on mascara and even sharpened my eye pencil, which made applying the eyeliner nice and pleasant, instead of scratching my eyelid like I usually do. Then I got a cab to Headhouse bookstore, where I met a fellow Weiner fan and now friend of mine.  Liz Moore, Philly author and a Jennifer Weiner friend, read an excerpt from her new novel, "Heft".  I only winced a little when the cashier said, "that will be $56.00," when I purchased Then Came You by Weiner and Heft by Moore. The night ended with Rita's water ice. I had Mango and I brought Craig a vanilla custard with m & m's . Yes today was lovely.

How To Raise A Brat - American Style

I haven't written for a few of months, due to a combo of writer's block, laziness and nanny drama
( which has since been resolved) but the WSJ essay, "Why French Parents Are Superior", got me to crack open my laptop and vent a little.   After reading the article, I'm still not quite sure what makes the French superior parents, except that their kids sit quietly at restaurants. 
In my world, I do what I can to get through the day, and if that means getting take out from Schelssingers,  or bribing Max with a lollipop to get into his stroller, then that's what I'm going to do. And furthermore, if feeding my son goldfish after 4pm, is a pre-cursor to a misbehaved kid, well I risk my chances.  Honestly the article wasn't too critical of American parenting styles, I was a bit oversensitive when I read it (a sleepless night will do that to me). However, I'm going stay away from parent handbooks for a while.Or write a book called,  Instinct, Love and a Clean Tushy, because that's what parenting comes down to for me.

On a final note: I turned 36 today. I feel surprisingly optimistic.  I have two goals for myself this year. 
1. Live in the present. No more being nostalgic or  talking/living as though my best years are behind me!
2.  Get more organized. Ever since I had Charlotte, I struggle with losing stuff - phones, earrings, wallets! And I made a major screw up this week by forgetting to show up to a volunteer appointment I had. I don't want mom brain anymore, hence I need to live and die by my calendar.

Weekend Update

Max and I made a trip to the ER last night. He was complaining about a pain in his groin. So after a 5+ hour wait, three Mickey Mouse episodes, an ultra sound and x-ray; a young, tall and handsome resident solemnly declared, "the good news is he does not have a hernia, but he is really constipated." 
My little Max was sent home with a prescription of Miralax and nutritional advice for his mommy. At midnight, I hailed a cab with one hand and carried Max, bundled in coat over dinosaur pajamas, with the other. In the taxi, Adele's "Someone Like You" was playing on the radio and Max sat quietly next to me, his little legs dangled over the seat as he looked out the window. And at that very moment, I never imagined loving someone so much.