Kale, Fried Artichokes, Top Chef

While in Miami we ate at Michelle Bernstein’s restaurant Sra. Martinez, and boy was it good. If you’re heading to Miami I would add it to the list of spots to try. First of all, it’s in the design district, so it’ll get you out of South Beach for a night. Secondly, do the chef tasting menu, you’ll get a mix of everything. The staff was great. The food delicious. We didn’t really eat one seafood dish and the chef sent a replacement…not everyplace does that.

MJD’s fave was the kale..who knew. Another vegetable I can try at home though to spice up the rotation. My faves ranged from the obvious – the bacon wrapped fig (why is that always so good?) to the large prawn to the oxtail pasta…delicious. Of course, I couldn’t sleep that night as I am an enormous pregnant lady who ate her weight in tapas, but it was worth it.

We also spent a lot of time in Miami talking baby names…it’s such a tough decision. I mean you are giving this little person a name to live with forever…and don’t we all remember having issue with our names at some point? So you just want to pick something that will have the least negatives…nothing too common, nothing too out there, nothing with too crazy a nickname, and nothing too long that you need a nickname. The list could go on and on and on.

Anyway, the discussion continues. It might go on right up until we meet the little one. I am such a planner though…it stresses me out not to have a decision. But maybe she wants a say in the decision!! ha! We tried saying names at my tummy but didn’t get much reaction. Maybe she’ll be more invested once she’s out here and has to use the name! I wonder how many parents say a variety of names to there little three hour old baby and hope the baby decides!

Birthday in a Fog

So, we’re having a baby. It’s been incredible, unreal, amazing and scary of course. I’m actually writing from Miami where we are ending our “babymoon” or our last trip pre-baby. It looks like we’ll be in DC from now until we are a family of four (Artie the doodle, of course).

Tomorrow is my birthday and we plan to celebrate by getting a Christmas tree…or at least that’s how I want to celebrate and the hubbie has agreed to assist me! Next year, we’ll have a little baby to decorate for and buy gifts for — so crazy! We don’t know too many other interfaith families, but I hope we meet them through the baby. It would be nice to have friends who also want to celebrate all the holidays! It’s an odd feeling how all of a sudden my birthday has taken a back seat to focusing on this little girl that we haven’t even met yet. Don’t get me wrong, I still want a few cards and a suprise, but I keep forgetting the day is even approaching. It’s as if December and I’m sure January are covered in fog. The only day on my mind is Feb 1.

I am going to go convince MJD to take a bet on when she will actually be born. But what are the terms of the bet – I can’t think of anything else that I want!