Seattle Was Awesome

Tim and I got  home from Seattle yesterday. What a beautiful city. I was there for less than 48 hours and I made the absolute most of every single minute. I leisurely shopped, struck up conversations, drank wine with lunch, ran and then ran some more, took long baths, slept in, read a book, and admired the view from our hotel room.



I did wander down to Pike Place Market where I didn't watch them throw fish. I was too starry-eyed over the flowers. Rows and rows of them wrapped in paper and bowing their heavy heads ever so slightly.

OK, I did stop to stare at the monster shrimp (center). Only for a second though because then I spotted the poppies (lower right). Holy cow!

There were street performers playing the flute and the cello.



And there was humor to be found everywhere.




Tim had benefited all week from the benevolence of radiologists who are gainfully employed. I kept hearing about these amazing meals he was having and I was hoping I would have a chance at it too. I was not let down. We met for drinks at the hotel bar until the dinner club, which included Courtnay, was gathered.

We went to the Pink Door. We descended the stairs into the concrete basement to hear Squirrel Nut Zippers playing while the band set up. I knew it was going to be good. Starting with champagne in the bar while we waited for our table. Dinner included candlelight, crystal chandeliers, handlebar mustaches, beautiful wine, oysters, prosciutto, and laughter - so much laughter. We moved into the lounge again for dessert. We lingered for nearly an hour and a half over hazlenut ice cream with hot chocolate, limoncello, coffee, and a really fun band. If you ever get to see Bakelite78, do check out this macabre mix of jazz and cabaret.





We haven't had a night this relaxed since Ada was born. We've been out and we've had fun it's just that this night there was a freedom we haven't really felt in a while. See, usually, we know that we will be up with her at the crack of the dawn no matter how late we were out or how much we indulged. In the back of my mind is always the tally of how much we owe the sitter and how much the cab ride home will be. There was none of it Tuesday night. Our girl was safe and happy without us and we really didn't have a thing to worry about.

That's not to say that I didn't miss her. Oh, I did. In fact, I find that when I am apart from her for any reason I turn into a crazy baby-stalker lady. I notice them everywhere I go. If I hear a baby cry my body responds physically  - similar to after giving birth when your milk would  let down if you heard any baby cry, it doesn't even have to be your own! I strike up conversations with total strangers about their babies or I gaze at them from across the restaurant with a far-away look in my eyes and my lips curled into a smile as I remember my own baby.

This baby slept just like this for over an hour. So sweet.
I drafted a short letter in my head after I took this incognito picture:
Dear rich, buttery french food,Please don't clog my arteries leading me to an early death. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely,Monica 

While terminal 2 at SFO makes me think I'll never fly anyone but Virgin, the Sea-Tac airport made me reconsider flying again altogether. Tim and I both opted out of the security x-ray because hell, no I don't trust them to callibrate the machines correctly or give me honest information about exposure. Like I need more radiation in my life! My eggs are on the brink of extinction as it is. So Tim and I both opted for the pat down, which wasn't so bad. It was the passive-aggressive, annoyed behavior of the security staff as they made us wait to be patted down that was a real bummer.



We came home to our girl, hugged and kissed her, and watched her play with her friend Sophia. Life is good.