Jessica Rapp
Top 5 Places to … Eat Eggplant
Argo
With toys, games, cushions and a kids' menu, what more can you ask for to please the little ones? There are plenty of eggplant dishes here to choose from, but the babaganoush with warm pita is delightful.
Daily 11.30am-11pm. 59 Wudaoying Hutong (100 meters west of Vineyard Café), Dongcheng District (8403 9748)
东城区五道营胡同59号
Treat Yourself to Apple Pie
Pie House
Sink your teeth into a flaky crust and gooey, cinnamon-laced apple filling. This bakery will deliver a fresh, authentic dessert right to your door for no extra cost. Just order five hours in advance.
Daily 9am-9pm. www.piehouse.com.cn. To order, call 5166 4464 or e-mail order@piehouse.com.cn.
What's Fun In: Beijing Zoo
It's time to put away your flippers and let Beijing's aquatic life do the swimming for you. Watch dazzling dolphins show off their acrobatic tricks at the Beijing Aquarium, and find hundreds of the world's most awe-inspiring animals waiting for you in the surrounding Beijing Zoo. A shady oasis full of lakes and streams, the zoo provides a relaxing and educational outing for the entire family. Don't expect to stand by idly and watch the creatures sleep; there are plenty of opportunities for interaction. Kids can spend quality time with man's best friend or feed the goats at the Children's Zoo. The Panda House is sure to bring delight, whether the bears are exploringtheir outdoor playground or lazily lounging in the shade. This inner-cityanimal kingdom is located mere meters from the Beijing Zoo subway station, so pack a camera and prepare yourselves for an all-day adventure.
Pregnant at 39
Moms can spend hours browsing stores picking out the perfect pair of pajamas, the perfect bottle and the perfect mobile to hang above the crib. But ask them to name the perfect age to have a child, and they probably couldn't give you an answer.
The Golden Age
Doctors and psychologists have an equally hard time pinpointing the best time for women to have children. Some say it's as early as the late teen years, when the body is physically prepared to deal with the tolls of pregnancy, while others will claim that the late 20s are the golden period to ensure emotional stamina. Statistically, the age of first-time moms is on the rise. According to the US National Center for Health Statistics, the average age of first-time mothers in the US has jumped from 21 in 1970 to 25 in 2005. The UK Office of National Statistics reports a similar increase in the average age of first-timers, rising from 26 in 1971 to 29 in 2005.
