New York City

I've been to NYC at least a dozen times in my life - most of those times having been in the last 5 years because my dear friend Faith lives there and because my central office is located in Brooklyn. I love to visit and enjoy being surrounded by the hustle and bustle. My trip this week brought on a whole new sense of respect for those brave New Yorkers that live there all year around. I now view the world through the lense of a mother...and wow, women who raise children in New York should be given medals.

When I take Mary-Michael to my mom's or Charlene's during my work days, I have at least 4 bags, sometimes a playmat and of course, a baby. I have a diaper bag, my purse, my laptop bag, my breast pump and often a cooler with milk and a bag of her cloth diapers. If I wanted to maintain this bag lady standard while in New York I would have to no doubt purchase a triplet stroller - 1 seat for M&M, the other 2 for the bags. The problem with this is that I don't think I could get a triplet stroller in the subway. It's hard enough pushing yourself through the mass of people to get a coveted spot where you can actually hold onto something to avoid tumbling into the people behind you. I can't imagine doing it while pushing an extra wide load. And I hadn't even thought about all the stairs to just get to the subway! I think I'd go broke paying for taxis or wear rollerblades so we could get places.

So, Mary-Michael - one day we will go up there for a girls weekend to visit your Auntie Faith and see all the cool stuff the big city has to offer, but I think we'll make sure you're potty-trained, walking, eating adult food and possibly able to carry your own things. Otherwise, Faith will find us sleeping in Penn Station because Momma didn't have the energy to make it any farther.