Destination Maternity

I'm sure shopping in New York has the potential to be more fun than it was for me on this trip. Why bother torturing myself by walking into some boutique full of brightly colored, formerly-flattering frocks, when any purchace I would make would be out of fashion by the time I got to wear it?

I ignored most store signage, unless I noted that they only sold accessories. Besides, shopping is tiring when you're not pregnant, and I needed to conserve energy.

There was only one sign that drew me inside (and it wasn't Geox):

And rightly so! I have to admit I was quite enamored. It was kind of a wonderland--and somehow much less stuffy feeling than the mall versions of Motherhood and Pea in the Pod.

Holler atcha girl--a saleswoman walked right up to me, and offered me juice! Mama like!

And shortly thereafter, she offered me a free arm and hand massage :) don't mind if I do.

Of course, you're being sold products throughout your bout of relaxation, but it was still nice to sit and chill for a few minutes. Frank was offered a massage too, but decided to pass.

Every time I picked an item off the rack, someone found me, and delivered it to my dressing room, so I didn't have to carry anything, except my juice.

I left the store with two pairs of pedal-pusher leggings (equipped with bands of course), a really cute top, and some free snacks for the road! I felt great, and super happy to get a special preggy-shopping experience.

Mine v. Mama Mio's

I did end up buying a Mama Mio product--Lucky Legs--after hearing that in addition to revitalizing your legs, that it also feels great on your lower back (IT DOES), and can relieve some sciatic pain, which I was having a TON of at this point in the trip. It has a great, menthol-y feeling, without the warm weirdness of icy-hot. It's specifically for pregnant ladies, so no worries about the ingredients.

Also of note: the skin therapy oil pictured is some that I had purchased a week or so before. I told the woman I was using it when she asked if I had any belly balm-type product I was using. Upon hearing I used a Palmer's product, she mentioned that she doesn't really recommend them, because it has cocoa butter (mine has it as the fifth ingredient) in it, and your skin can absorb some caffeine. Also, she said that while it helps to moisturize, it's not helpful for skin elasticity. She added that it has a canola oil base (true), and it's "not a very clean oil"--whatever that means.

She's selling her stuff, so I'm not sure how marginal the effect of mine vs hers would turn out to be. All I know, is that my midwife group said that my oil was totally fine to use (and it was only ten bucks). I really like it, and plan on continuing to use it.

Pregnant Comedy

How's this for a precursor to a Comedy show (we got tickets from a guy on the street in Times Square the day before):

We had to eat something before we got there at 8--time was running low, and I had tapped out after just over half of my mozzerella and tomato panini. Nothing was allowed into the club, and all I had on me was my trusty wristlet. I couldn't throw it out...should I just eat it?

Nah. I spot some foil on the counter, ask for a piece, and think quickly, using the brain of a woman constantly possessed by stabilizing her own blood sugar in public.

That's my sandwich. In my cell phone case. GENIOUS. And SO worth it.

Here's a poor self-shot of us with the funniest guy of the night, Ryan Hamilton.

Also, randomly, in a crowd of 50 people or less, managed to run into a girl I went to high school with mid-show. She hugged me, told me congratulations, and scurried to the bathroom, haha. Love it.

Princess Mommy

We did manage to do a little shopping in NY--my favorite was FAO Schwarz. I had no idea they had so much baby stuff! Of course, we didn't want to carry a lot of stuff (or spend a million dollars), so we found some cute little baby caps to satisfy the itch--here's my fave!

I keep saying that I really don't want to go the "Teddy" route with the whole Theodore thing, but I could. not. resist.

If you spent ten dollars or more on this particular brand (Zutano), you got a free TIARA!

I wore it proudly around the store for about 15 minutes, before giving it to a jealous three-year-old girl. Figured it'd be more acceptable for her to prance in public than me...

But it didn't stop me from wearing another tiara in the Disney store.

Prepare to have a craving

After eating giant hamburgers at Five Napkin Burger, we found this little gem.

Sandwich board outside advertised ice cream sandwiches.

They certainly delivered.

We got to choose our own cookies--we went with a suggestion from a young, enthusiastic cookie clerk--one maple bacon cookie, and one peanut butter cup cookie.

mmmmmmm.

Fun food adventures in NY

We ate a LOT of food. Delicious, delicious food.
It started as soon as we got there--there was a treat of cheese, honeycomb and fancy little grapes waiting for us in our room, with the names "Ms. Li Mao and Ms. Li Xiaofei printed on the accompanying envelope.

We laughed, checked with the front desk, and then ate it.

The next day.......
Vegetable buns and magic salad with avocado (before a bowl of the best Ramen EVER.)

Another day...

Fried pickles and pastrami on fresh kraut--surprisingly, not disgusting. Delightful, actually.

Pretty little fruit tart from the Guggenheim cafe.

Best Pizza I've ever had--a stop on our "Taste of NY" food tour, which also included cannolis, egg creams, borscht, kosher pastries aaaand....

HOT DOGS! YUM! (By the way, I discovered that Grey Poupon is the secret to the great NY dog.)

We had another one later before seeing ZARKANA at Radio City!

Don't judge me, nitrate hawks. Sometimes, you just gotta look at yourself in the mirror, and say, "When in Rome".

"Baby, you stink"

Actual quote from my husband. Sadly, I agreed. My farts have a special level of potency these days.