Date of lunch:
Sunday, February 1, 2009
The company:
One of my dearest friends from high school who is a brand new mom! Her beautiful and amazing son Evan was born in August. I thought taking Ali out for lunch would be a great chance to hear what it’s like to be a mom for the first time. And Evan came too – although he quietly slept the whole time in his stroller. Did I mention he’s amazing?
The food:
We went to Soho Bistro at Yonge and Lawrence in Toronto. Ali had a chicken quesadilla and I had the turkey bacon club on focaccia, both meals with mixed greens and I had a coffee. The meals looked amazing when they were served but we both thought it was a bit bland – needed a bit more spice, flavor or sauce of some sort – I’m not a chef so I don’t know what exactly was missing but it was something. Total bill with tax: $27
The lunch:
I have known Ali since the very first day of grade 9 (I seem to remember she was wearing overalls – Osh Kosh pinstripe) but I have never quite seen her in this light. She is so happy and at peace. Ali has always been a positive person but I think Evan has just put her over the edge to where she has found true happiness – as a long time friend, it’s a great thing to see.
But I did get to hear how being a new mom comes with challenges. Little baby Evan wakes up about every two hours EVERY night so Ali has not slept a night through in five months. He also tooted on my leg – but I was cool with it, the smelly bugger! Ali mentioned that everyone told her that her life would totally change when she had the baby. I have heard this too from many women at my work. Obviously her life has changed in that she’s on mat leave and almost all her time is dedicated to taking care of Evan but she seems to have taken the change in stride and the adjustment hasn’t been as life altering as she had anticipated. Ali knows that this may change once Evan starts crawling… and then walking!
When Ali first found out she was pregnant, she said the wave of emotion she felt was something she had never experienced before – joy, fear, anxiety, anticipation all rolled into one. But as she went through the pregnancy and right into the 18!! hours of labour – she said she was just amazed at her own body. I remember seeing her at about 8 months and I couldn’t get over her belly! So round and awesome – I could even feel his feet.
Ali’s parents live in Ottawa so I wanted to know if it was hard to be a new mom without her mom around. Us both being from Ottawa and living in Toronto, it is likely something I will deal with when I am a new mom (yikes – that is scary even to write!!). She does try to see her mom and visit Ottawa or vice versa when possible and her husband’s family is in town so that makes it easier. But I know I call my mom sometimes to remind me how long it takes to boil an egg so I am sure I will miss my mom and wish she was around more to check out a weird sounding sneeze or red cheeks or anything.
Ali has a glow about her and hanging out with her is like a breath of fresh air – her positivity is contagious. And I am so happy to have met Evan because now I just want to spoil him, hang with him and Ali and watch him grow up.
Evan and I – so smiley!
Lunch with Mary 
thats awesome.. good start to ur blog.