a blog prologue

So... Baby S hasn't actually arrived yet. With less than a week before my due date, Husband and I are finding it pretty hard to think about anything else but Little One's impending arrival. Looking around our cozy (translation: tiny) apartment, I still find it hard to believe that there will be another person joining us soon... but the SUV stroller (on lend from a very generous friend), swing, perfectly sweet crib and old dresser converted into changing table beg to differ. Oh, and the fact that the stomach and I can't get off the couch unassisted.

We are beyond excited while nervous/anxious/overwhelmed at the same time; can you tell we're first time parents? Just referring to myself as the "M" word is a tough one to tackle. Oh, the responsibility... the decisions... the worry that will manifest once this child appears. Whew. Husband reminds me to breathe and hormones prevent me from thanking him for this sage advice.

There are plenty of people who've wondered aloud HOW ON EARTH we could possibly raise a child in the Big Apple. This does wonders for the confidence, let me tell you. I do understand, however, that unless you live here it would be difficult to imagine. I have to mention that the sheer number of strollers on the street causes me to sigh in relief... and no, I don't think I ever noticed their abundance until I became pregnant. The truth is, I do feel that despite the obvious "spacial issues" and traffic noise that may indeed keep the baby from sleeping at times, I think NYC is a very livable city for families. I look forward to taking our child to the Museum of Natural History, Central Park, to book fairs and Broadway shows. He/she will grow up with an understanding of other cultures just by virtue of living in the melting pot that is New York City. That makes me happy. Now, it's entirely possible that we'll get fed up with the lack of space and begin to actually yearn for a lawn mower, driveway and close proximity to Target. It is possible. But for now, in this time and place, we are urbanites looking for the best way to raise our baby in this great metropolis.

The adventure will begin soon... and I do believe (hope) we're up to the challenge.