I can’t think of anyone I know whose parents don’t drive them crazy at least some of the time. When I was younger, I used to think my parents should win an award for being the most irritating parents on the planet.

Once I moved away they became easier to handle. Don’t like what they have to say? Don’t talk to them for a few days. Not interested in their suggestions? Put the phone on mute and have a perfectly pleasant conversation with someone else. Thinking about moving back to their area? Go visit for a week and swiftly change your mind and thank your lucky stars you live 3000 miles away.

Our relationship has evolved over the years, but more so now that I have a child. Or, as my mom puts it, now that I have “provided them with a grandchild.” The Chop and I look forward to them coming to visit and playing, feeding, napping, etc., the Peanut. My mom could spend hours with him on Skype, watching him climb around, jabber and reading books. We’ve become second fiddle to him, which is fine and dandy, because frankly everyone has become second fiddle to him for us as well.

Unfortunately the byproduct of this is the constant mention of us moving back there (not happening in this lifetime). Ah the guilt trips, they’re awesome!

Summer is 2/3 over and I couldn’t be happier. We’ve had several days in the 90s, a couple days in the 100s and as it turns out, the Peanut is built like his Daddy and hates the heat. He’s now 10 months, 2 days old. It’s almost impossible to believe that he’s only been around for 10 months – sometimes it feels like he’s been here forever, just waiting in the wings for his time to shine. And let me tell you, this kid shines. The Chop and I are entertained by him every single day.

Our summer has been nonstop – visitors, events and work. So much work. I’m not sure either of us realized how tough it would be to work from home with a squirmy little baby hanging around. It was easier in the beginning, of course, when he didn’t move much and slept a lot – now he’s thisclose to walking, crawls everywhere and gets into everything. It makes him more entertaining, but also severely hampers our ability to work during the day – which means our best working hours are 8PM to 1-2AM. Extremely tough when he wakes up at 7 or 730 (except when he’s teething, which is currently happening again, and he wakes up at 615 – ugh).

We’ve been discussing bringing in a nanny-type three days a week – but he loves other kids (playground, his little baby gym he goes too), so now I’m wondering if we shouldn’t be looking for something with other kids.

Parenthood. A never ending stream of questions. And wondering if you’re doing it right, lol.