Gratitude journal: The benefits of dragging a pregnant woman around the city with you

It is remarkable how much more patient and kind people will be to you when you are holding the hand of your pregnant wife.

Valets smile and try to be more helpful.

Hotel rooms get upgraded to the finest available.

Desk clerks send complimentary plates of fruit and water up to your room with a cute little card featuring a stick-figure drawings of a pregnant woman.

Cab drivers patiently wait as your wife says goodbye to her parents and sister.

Waiters are decidedly more attentive.

Tonight I am thankful to the dozen or so New York City service personnel who treated us like fragile little birds today.

Elysha’s back hurts like hell, but at least we’re getting something out of it.