I really liked this post Stephanie. I'm getting married in a few months and listening to you use the word Husband makes me so excited that in a few months I too will have one and he'll have a wife. We're honeymooning in MY Italy that I'm so excited to share with him and we'll be hopefully mingling at bars and restaurants with strangers that perhaps could become friends…who know, the world is our oyster right?
On another note, I'm a little sick of these asshole readers that love to point out your faults and comment on here like they are your teacher. Your blog does not need a moderator and I think sometimes your readers want to be that to you and it sucks balls.
Maybe they actually know you and feel that they are keeping you 'real' but I certainly know that most including myself don't have the balls to post about their lives for the public to see and take the heat that comes along.

I know you don't write for us, but feel the need to say it anyway. THESE are the kinds of posts that make me want to read your blog.

I am glad you prioritized this time together. 20 months later, my husband and I still have no sitter. Now that we are on our way to #2, I am sure it will be even more difficult. You have inspired me to make it happen. Unfortunately babysitting in NYC costs more than a night out, but what can you do.

Glad that you and Philip are making time to be alone and that spring has found its way into your step, too.

It's so nice, and OH SO IMPORTANT, that you and Phil are still finding the time to be a couple. The babies will be fine, even better off, in the long run, having happy, loving parents with lives of their own. This post was great.

Oh I love it!
I love everything about this post.
The approaching of spring (even though I live in Chicago and it may never come), people watching, bars and finger food.

Great post!

this post just gave me the warmest fuzzy!

it's all warm and toasty here in denver today too – nothing makes me want a cocktail in the afternoon like a little sunshine.

"I love that someone who can change our lives starts as nothing more than a stranger."

That's the best sentence ever!

This made me smile. I love these moments. I'm so glad you guys got out together and how great to keep these moments on record.

Love this post. And from my own experience I can say that it`s really not easy to find the time to be a couple when we`re parents. But it`s so so important. It`s important not to forget why we`re together, why we love exactly THIS man (or woman) and that our story begun before we became parents. It`s natural that a child is in the center of our attention, but it`s definitely not selfish to steal some time here and there just for the both of us, to be man an woman instead of mommy and daddy.

I love that last line…I might have to quote you!

I enjoyed this post. Happy to hear that you are getting out there and enjoying some happy hours with Phil.

PS- If you could, would you post the link where you list other blogs you read? Thanks:)

Jonesing for some new baby pics…

This is lovely

My boyfriend is a bartender and I know he enjoys having customers like you. I'm sitting here at work wishing I could go sit at the bar where he works and chat with him and the other people sitting there. I'm not a mom, but I work pretty long hours six or seven days a week and also find myself craving a night out, a happy hour. It is good to get out for a night and enjoy life outside of tater tots. I really get a kick out of how your entry reminded me of lots of things. Evocative.

Been noticing the comment wars happening here – I try not to say anything if I don't like an entry here or there. This is a rare event in a blog which is well written and has interesting things to say. I've noticed that as soon you write something on the topic of how to raise kids your audience has strident opinions which they yelp about just like little kids. Unfortunately, little kids are cute and the comments aren't.

I love that someone who can change our lives starts as nothing more than a stranger.

This is profound. True and gives me hope to pick myself up after the end of a four year relationship and meet someone. As you said, I never know. They could change my life.

Thanks Stephanie! And good for you for getting out there with Phil!

Stephanie, I would read whatever you wrote. However I have a request, maybe you will read this post, maybe you won't, but I notice that your faithful readers never are acknowledged in your posts. Not specifically anyway. At some point, can you write about what specific advice you took or the things that made you think, the books or movies you watched, the actual friendship provided and accepted. The two way street.

Hi Stephanie – this is my first post. I read your book and I've been reading your blog for a long time now, but for some reason I've never posted. I always wanted to tell you how much I admire you. You live the life I dream of living. Does that sound corny? My boyfriend will jokingly refer to you as "the woman I stalk". Maybe it's because like you, I have long curly red hair and I want to look just like you. Maybe it's because of your life in NYC which was always a dream of mine. Not sure, but something in this post made me realize that I am missing something in my life. I just asked my BF if we can go to a bar tonight because it sounded so nice in your post. He replied with "you know I don't like bars". This is true, he doesn't and I've known this for the whole five years of dating him. I understand it's because he doesn't drink at all, and why would he want to go to a bar. But coudn't he make an exception every now and then for me? Sorry now I'm just being whiny. Anyway, the main purpose of my post is to just let you know how much I love reading about your life. Thanks for sharing it with us!

Michelle

Eddie V's is a kick-ass upscale restaurant here in Austin (two locations). Phil and I hit the "uptown" one, or the "North Location," for our happy hour… this is where the oysters and tuna tartar come in. And when I say "upscale," I mean the kind of place that come nightfall is dimly lit with a waiter who brings over a miniature flashlight and shines it toward the center of your plate to ensure that you like the color of your meat.

And Tiina, good idea. Let me just start by saying I've made a few very good friends through this blog, particularly here in Austin. It's extraordinary how giving people can be, offering to show me around, cluing me in on their favorite spots and bands. I'm always up for meeting new people. In New York, some of my closest friends and I met through blogging. As for the advice, there's always more than a few grains of salt taken medicinally with this comment section. It's hard to say specifics, but in the future I'll keep watch and report on it. If, you know, I remember.

This was so refreshing Stephanie. My college years are coming to their last few months and going to bars – for those same reason – will be something I will always remember. Thanks.

In reference to Michelle's post. Many restaurants have bars at which you can eat dinner. My husband & I love eating at the bar instead of at a table. We end up talking with people seated near us, with the bartender, & sharing a more casual experience. If your husband prefers not to drink anything alcoholic, no one will look askance and I suspect it's the ambiance you're after rather than the drinks.

You know what? I have always wanted to be the 43rd comment. Now my dream has come true.

Stephanie.. does anyone ever recognize you out?

FROM STEPHANIE: Yes, though I guess I wonder why you'd ask that. Sometimes people say hi. Other times, I receive an email saying, "I saw you at Eddie V's, but I was too shy and didn't want to seem like a stalker…" I like when people say hi.

Pictures of babies??