what do charm city moms REALLY want for mother's day?

We thought about asking our favorite boutiques for the 411 on hot items this mother's day, but asking some of Baltimore's favorite moms was so much more fun.

Hanah Cho
Baltimore Sun Reporter & Charm City Mom Blogger
Mom to adorable 16-month-old Jacob, Hanah is currently facing the same dilemma that many of us modern moms run into: the digital photo crunch. She has tons of images stored on her computer, but would love a bound photo album of Jacob from birth until now. Another treat high on her list? A spa day at About Faces or Red Door. "I’d love a spa day, where I could relax and get a mani-pedi," said Hanah. (You'll see a recurring theme in this feature - - seems like a LOT of "Charm"-ed moms are craving a day of R&R).

Kim Gross
Founder of Rileyroos
If this busy mompreneur could have anything for mother's day, it would be a family reunion. She'd love to have all of the moms in her immediate family (scattered around the US) together for a celebratory day of fun, laughter and relaxation. "A little pampering by our husbands and children would be a nice added touch!" said Kim. She's also dying to try one of the gourmet meal delivery services and isn't afraid to drop a hint. She sent husband Brian one of the deal-a-day-site offers for a local company, Lynn's Meals in Minutes. Kim might love to cook, but finds weeknight mealtime can be stressful and would much rather spend extra time with children Riley (7), Cait (6), and Patrick (3).

Jill Smokler
Domestic Satirist (aka funny mom blogger), Scary Mommy
What we love most about Jill is her honesty -- and we get a daily dose of it on her fabulous blog, Scary Mommy (if you haven't read it, it's more laughs than scary). When we asked her what she wanted for mother's day, she said "alone time." While she might adore her kids Lily (7), Ben (5) and Evan (3), she's craving a few heavenly hours of "me" time. Preferably at The Mt. Washington Spa. And during said spa time she will, of course, dream of world peace. She added at the end of her email interview that she really thinks of every day as mother's day. "I may get sick of them and need a break," said Jill. "But the kids make my life complete. I don't really need a day to acknowledge that."

Mary Alice Yeskey
Director of Marketing, Charm City Cakes
The Charm City Cakes maven (and Duff Goldman's right hand marketing gal) is celebrating her first mother's day this year. {{Congrats Mary Alice!}} Son Spencer is just 4 months and Mary Alice is hoping for a fairy godmother - - er, housekeeper. "When my son was born in December, I got so much help and support in the first few weeks home," said Mary Alice. "But it's a bit of a harsh reality check when all the food and assistance from friends and family starts dwindling off and you're faced with managing everything yourself. What I would love more than anything is a full weekend to do nothing but spend time with my family. I think a wonderful gift would be a gift certificate for cleaning service to could come in and really get my house spic and span, allowing me to just relax and enjoy myself." Mary Alice's choice of cleaning professionals? Stacey's Clean Sweep. This company is local and green - two things that are important to her! {{Us, too!}}

Candace Dold
Reporter, Fox 45 News
Another new mom! Candace will be celebrating her first mother's day with 9-month-old daughter Gianna (although we hear she was treated a bit by her husband and own mother last Mother's Day since she was anticipating Gianna's arrival). What's top on Candace's list? For Gianna to say "Mama" and repeat it -- all day long. "I only get ma on special occasions right now," said Candace. Other things she'd love? A scrapbook full of pictures that capture favorite memories of Gianna since birth, or a spa gift certificate to The Pearl Spa in Howard County.

Claudia Towles
Owner, aMuse Toys
Mom to 10-year-old Sebastian, Claudia is hoping for a little family time this mother's day. "The gift of our moments together and the ability to hold onto the spontaneous and sincere love children are so good at demonstrating" said Claudia. " I think I would want to remember this Mother's Day-- their childhood expressions filled with enthusiasm and sincerity. Time flies, the kids are getting older." By kids she means Sebastian, and her niece Alexandra, who's not her biological daughter but might as well be. She'd love a photo book of the kids, too, because nothing is more precious to her than a moment captured. Probably why she's frequently referred to as a Mamarrazi... Her fav Charm City photographers? The fab folks at Love Life Images, Inc.

See, we told you spa treatments were a hot commodity this year. But let's be honest - - when aren't they? If you really want to score big, give the mom in your life a certificate and 90 minutes on a random Tuesday. You'll be golden.

What are you hoping for?

If You Ask A Mom to Go On A Business Trip...

If you ask a mom to go on a business trip, secretly she'll be pretty excited. Yes, she'll feel guilty but she'll also daydream about a whole night's rest, trashy tv and room service. (See, she forgot the conference she's going to will keep her busy from 7 AM to midnight).

Then she'll realize the trip isn't one night - - it's three. The guilt will creep up and tickle the back of her throat. Yes, she knows it's good for everyone involved that she go. But it won't stop the guilt.

So she'll go to Target and the grocery store and make sure there are enough quick-cook nutritious meals and fun things to do in her absence that a little someone won't even know she's gone. She'll also stockpile fruits and vegetables so no one gets scurvy. Because four days without veggies would inevitably cause irreparable development issues.

She'll grab her planner and start begging, borrowing and calling in all favors from everyone she knows for childcare. Because while her mother might be kind enough to say she'll cover the first two days, she also knows that's not really reasonable to ask. So an aunt will fill in here, the nanny the last two days, her husband will have to leave early one day, a neighbor will take a late afternoon here, a friend two hours there, dinner with the great grandparents...

By the time all 96 hours are covered, her planner looks a bit like a writer's four hundredth edit. Only a mensa genius would be able to follow the color coded pathways. And of course, six hours after her plane lands, something will happen and cause everything to shift. The childcare domino affect. But there isn't much she can do from 700 miles away - - everyone will have to deal. And luckily, while she may be stressed out, she knows no one will let her 16 month old fend for herself.

Business conducted on the business trip keeps her spinning. The guilt trickles up, but is quickly squashed while the deals are made.

After 48 hours she'll be ready to go home. But there is another 48 of meetings, talks, presentations, late night drinks (because that's really where the deals are made) she's not used to anymore, lunches and business dinners where she'll try hard not to create an international incident or show more than one photo of the adorable cutie she left back in Charm City.

She'll swear a little bit when the AirTran flight attendant tells her that her flight is grounded and they need to find another plane. Getting home before bedtime will be tight...

But she does it. And the enormous grin from the pj-clad toddler in the car seat at the airport arrivals lane makes coming home all the more sweeter.

If you ask a Mom to Dinner...

If you ask a Mom to dinner, she'll probably look at you with surprise. "Without the kid?" she'll ask.

"Of course," you'll say. "Just the two of us."

She'll grab her planner, iPhone, crackberry or other SmartPhone and start paging through possible babysitter choices. Her best friend will volunteer to come over for the night. You'll smile, because a friend's generosity means a little more cash in your pocket. And less worry about the kid. Dessert perhaps?

Then she'll head into the closet, toddler in tow, and play dress up. Skirts, dresses, shoes, belts, handbags and silk blouses will fly out of the closet. The two of them will create a giant fortress of rejected clothes on the bed. Your toddler will squeal with delight as she pulls mommy's blouse over her head and waddles down the hallway to show you what a big girl she is - just like mommy.

Nothing will do. The just-post-pregnancy clothes are too big. The pre-pregnancy clothes are just a little snug. She needs something that fits just right.

After all, it's not every night she gets to go out. Just the two of you.

There goes the extra cash.

She'll grab the diaper bag, stock up on some extra crunchies and organic fruit snacks, and head out to the closest clothing store.

The salesperson will track her around the store like a hunter. Distracted mommies must emit 'commission' scent. The salesperson isn't quite off - - but she's shopping for something special, not in bulk today. New styles in various sizes and colors are tossed on top of the stroller.

In the dressing room, she tries mixing and matching. But your toddler insists on playing peek-a-boo under the stalls of other fashionistas. The store manager is not amused. So she grabs the first thing that meets approval (ironically a new flirty top, funky belt and dressy jeans; after all, let's be practical. She doesn't get to go out much and she'll get a ton more use out of the jeans!), and heads to the cash register.

It's on sale. She has a coupon. Mommies have to be fiscally savvy as well and fashionable. But no, she'll decline the new Mastercard. That would be excessive.

The two of them will head home where you great them at the door. You've already showered and shaved. You knew she'd need some time to de-mom herself for the night.

While she's primping and polishing, her best friend arrives. You entertain her, explain the bedtime routine and give your toddler some sustenance - grilled cheese. Quick. Easy. And always a sell.

"Don't forget to brush her teeth," you say. And "she has the funny habit of climbing on the couch and trying to jump off." You want to forewarn the best friend - - don't want your night cut short by an emergency room visit.

The two of you leave and head downtown. She calls the restaurant to let them know you'll be a few minutes late. The two of you have never been on time ever - - not once in your collective life together. Why change now?

At the restaurant, you'll order appetizers and two glasses of wine. You used to order a bottle. But one glass now makes her a little tipsy.

She'll ask the waiter for an appetizer recommendation. She always takes the recommendation because she likes to try something new. But before she orders, she'll ask what you're having so she can sneak a bite of your 'safe' dish.

After she sneaks a bite, she'll probably ask you about your work week. It's her effort not to talk about the toddler. You'll ask about the new huge project that landed on her desk. But inevitably, the conversation comes back to the toddler.

During the main course, she'll order a second glass of wine. A little tipsy never hurt anyone. She's not conventional when it comes to wine-food pairings. You cringe a little bit because you can't understand how she drinks a sweet Reisling with a sirloin steak. Oh well. You watch her visibly relax, brain unwinding from the tangled web of schedules and to-dos. You'll abstain from a second glass. You're the driver. And neither one of you have really done the cocktail or bar scene since you found out two of you were becoming three.

The conversation will drift back to pre-baby. The trips you took. The ones you still want to take. What are your thoughts about getting the toddler a passport? A two year old in Italy? Surely you're both not crazy for thinking that.

You'll linger over dessert. Although you claim not to like it, you eat half of her chocolate pretzel cake with oatmeal ice cream. Delicious is an understatement. She'll ask for a cup of cappuccino. Decaf. The baby will be up at 6:00 AM and you're already out past your 10:00 PM bedtime.

At the end of the night, as you climb the stairs to the front door, she'll turn and thank you for a wonderful evening.

And chances are, if she thanks you, she's going to ask you to take her to dinner again.