Happy Valentine's Day

Yes, today is the day to tell that special someone just how special they are to you. I did so by taking Greg for lunch at the Aquarium. It was definitely a power lunch if I've ever been to one. Parking the car at CNN, trucking a good couple of blocks to the Aquarium and wading through miles of people who have no idea how to enter a line or pick out a soft drink is just the start of it.
We sat down to a lunch of veggie burgers, fries and oversized cupcakes. Not bad for twenty bucks. Right.
We had ten minutes to spare before it was time to head back to work, so Greg decided we were heading to the Tropical Reef exhibit for a quick looksie. It isn't the biggest exhibit there, but Greg loves it. I think he aspires to own one of similar size one day. It's simply amazing and this picture doesn't do it justice. The tank spans an entire wall and curves above your head where every few minutes a wave breaks. We stood there for just a few minutes, but it was worth the trip downtown.

Georgia Snow

Today marks the first and perhaps only snowfall of this winter in the Atlanta metro area. This is always exciting. If you're a true Southerner, you know it might be about time to head to the grocery store and stock up on bread and milk. I never know why those two items always sell out with the threat of snow, but they do. Heck. If I'm going to be stuck in my house for a few days, I'm going to stockpile wine and key ingredients for soup making.
I've included a picture from our deck with a few flurries highlighted. I doubt you can even make out the snowflakes. As I was out there documenting this momentous occasion, I realized that this was Pinochle's first snow. She was very excited about watching the falling snow even if they were nothing but microscopic particles floating in the air.
2/13 Update: As Greg and I drove into the city this morning, we found that snow had stuck to the ground in a mini winter wonderland. A nice way to start off a hectic work week if I must say so myself.

Baby Business

This weekend was the beginning of a new era for me. My first baby shower. My friends Amanda and Aaron are expecting their first child and I was invited to spend my Saturday afternoon surrounded by baby paraphernalia and lots of ladies. Luckily, Danielle and a gaggle of work buddies were there to help ease me into this new arena.
Let's start off with all the weird stuff there is to buy when you find yourself soon to be a parent. Danielle and I were searching through Amanda's registry for proper gifts and we came upon an item that looked like a travel neck rest thing-y. We were wondering why you would need something like that? We chalked it up to the fact most parents appear to be very tired and deserve a neck pillow if they want one. But then, she wanted a slipcover for it, too. That seemed a bit odd. We came to find out this thing is officially called a "boppy" and you use it as pillow support while breastfeeding. Here's the real kicker: she also received an item known as a "Pee-Pee Teepee". It's basically a hat for the baby's you-know-what to keep away unwanted surprises while diaper changing. Can you believe it? It totally blew my mind.
To wrap things up, I've been baptized into the baby world now. And what a strange, strange place for a gal like to me to end up.
I wish Amanda and Aaron the very best in their journey into parenthood. They are far more prepared for life's little surprises than I am.