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.

The Voice premiered tonight and I am SO in love. I’m also pretty tanked, so perhaps I’m watching through vodka-colored glasses… but it’s really good. Although Carson Daly as the host.. I dunno, was Ryan unavailable? It’s awesome because a) there are no bad singers, b) Cee Lo is adorable and c) I just love music anyway.

We took the not-really-wee-anymore Peanut on a walk today, one of his favorite activities, and for the first time he fell asleep in the Bjorn. Which was nice, since he needed a nap desperately. Then after dinner he had such a violent diaper we had to clean off his onesie. Entertained? Ready to have a baby of your very own? Interested in babysitting? CALL ME! He’s cute, he giggles constantly and he LOVES being entertained. 😉

In two days the Chop and I leave for our belated honeymoon to Italy. We had pushed it off last year due to my being sick during the pregnancy, but unfortunately could only reschedule the tickets for a year out.

So here we are with an almost-six-month-old, preparing to leave him with my parents and travel to Italy for two weeks. For weeks now I’ve been stressing this. Parenthood most definitely makes you nervous and highly concerned about leaving your child and going to a foreign country. I know he’ll be fine, but will we be fine? Four airplanes, two weeks traveling from Rome to Venice to Florence, bereft of the munchkin who has occupied our time for a year?

We of course looked into postponing… or having our tickets put into someone else’s name (boo British Airways for not being accommodating to an insane new mom’s needs!), but we’re starting to come around. I got excited for the first time today, talking to the woman from whome we are renting an apartment in Rome. We’re going to Rome! We will eat hot pastry and fresh coffee at the local cafe, explore the city on foot, drink wine at the outdoor cafes and enjoy ourselves.

While my parents come to our house and watch their grandbaby. They are beside themselves with excitement. It’s a good thing I never got his passport, because if I did, I’d probably take him and they’d be crushed.

But really, could you leave this face?

About three weeks ago a new sushi place opened 10 minutes from us. I’ve been watching the building ever since the sign went up (at least three months ago… come ON people), and was extremely (some might say annoyingly) excited about it opening.

And I was right, because the sushi is amazing. Seriously, amazing. We’ve ordered takeout twice (New Year’s diet = boo), and both times we absolutely loved it. We also ate it standing up in the kitchen, taking turns holding someone’s bottle in someone’s mouth, but that did not deter the enjoyment. Two of the rolls last night had sliced jalapeños on top. Deliciously painful.

Yesterday was also a football day (oy), and a sad one at that. Both teams the Chop was rooting against won. Oh, and the Peanut’s sad tear duct is gooping up again, so he was a party in the morning (ie, two phone calls to the pediatrician, warm compresses and not a little screaming). So yeah. Sushi. Makes it allll better. 😉

My eye hurts. I'm sleepy. Football loss, boo. What a day!

The Peanut’s nursery is elephant-themed, so cute elephants are on the walls, in his crib and on his clothes.

The Chop refused to let me get a life-size (baby one!) elephant statue, however. Quite rude of him, I know. Because seriously, how cute is this little guy?!

Obviously, in five years, I’m going to torture my husband and son until they do this. 🙂

Superior, Speed Fly from Marshall Miller on Vimeo.

One year ago I married a really awesome Porkchop. I had big plans for today, but we didn’t anticipate having a Peanut before our first anniversary, and toting around a 12lb bundle of joy makes most of them hard, if not impossible, lol.

Fortunately my my sister surprised us by showing up on our doorstep Thursday morning, so our anniversary involved sleeping in a bit (we gave her the Nut at 8AM and went back to bed until 1130… heaven), getting laid right about the time we got married last year (the sister went for a run, the Peanut decided to finally nap = win) and going to dinner out — complete with gorgeous one-year anniversary ring. 🙂

Isn't he cute? Love you honey... Happy 1st Anniversary.

We’ve had one hell of a year, with all the ups and downs that come with getting married, getting pregnant and having a baby all within eleven months (not super highly recommended, but it has it’s pluses).

The Chop and I did our normal Thanksgiving, one that I’ve been doing, save twice, since I moved out here in 2003. Stay home, sleep in, watch the parade and eat in your pajamas. Before Chop, I would eat pie and drink coffee — then when he moved in, I started cooking. The first year, everything; the next two, just his favorites. Last year my family was here, so we did a big to-do, but this year we scaled down. Our local turkey farm sells fresh, sliced turkey and sides… no cooking, no cleaning and we eat about 15 minutes after we decide we’re ready.

I also didn’t get to sleep in (hello 5AM, you and I are close personal friends these days), but I was in my PJs and the Peanut and I did watch the parade (is it just me, or has it gotten kinda boring?). Later we’re heading down to visit friends and eat pie.

It’s been five Thanksgivings since I got to hang out in bed while eating pie by myself.
But this is definitely better.