Happy Birthdays

"What do you want for your birthday?" I was asked. It was a tall order. I requested that I be able to sleep in on both Saturday AND Sunday. The reaction to my answer was a concentrated "Hmmmmmm". As if she was pondering if such a feat could actually be accomplished. Yeah, it has come to that. I'll reach in my coat pocket to grab my phone and I'll pull out a small sock.

So I turned 31. About as exciting as turning 26. But on an interesting mathematical note, I'll turn One Billion Seconds old this year. October 7th at roughly 8am. At least, that's what http://www.brainbashers.com/billion.asp says. Katrina took me out for a really kickass dinner at Le Bernardin and had their 8 course tasting menu with wine pairing on each course. Unbelievable meal (foie gras, caviar, kobe beef, etc) but you'll need to take out a mortgage once the bill comes. It was actually a surprise. A 10:45pm reservation at that. One of the grannies showed up at our apartment to watch Alina. I really had no idea and was certainly perplexed when Katrina asked me to wear a jacket and shave. Maybe it's because I look older or maybe restaurants are worried about being sued, but lately when I order something spicy the waiter feels that they need to point out that it's spicy. Okay, I get the little red pepper next to the menu item means it's spicy and it's not like I'm 50 and have an ulcer or irritable bowel syndrome. They'll say "Sir, that's spicy." I typically respond with, "I hope so!" Next thing you know someone will be offering to help me cross the street.

So, I blinked and then Alina was almost One! February 13th! I was warned repeatedly that this would go fast so I suppose I shouldn't be surprised. People ask when the next one is coming. I tell them Katrina will have to catch me first but in all honesty, we've got Baby Fund II accruing as you read. As a child, since my birthday is just after the holidays, the running joke was to get me batteries for all the toys I got for Christmas. They weren't always included. Or, if they actually came with batteries they'd be dead by my birthday. Now I'm experiencing that all over again. We try to go old school when we can and buy blocks or those plastic rings that fit on a pole. But, A LOT of Alina's toys need batteries. Literally every size is needed. Most of them get used, which is nice. But she's ultimately happy with eating my cell phone or the remotes. Must be the silvery color. Lights, Colors, Music be damned. My kid prefers knives! And the occasional old Cheerio discovery under the table.