Happy New Year!

WORD OF THE DAY
bibulous \BIB-yuh-luhs\, adjective:

1. Of, pertaining to, marked by, or given to the consumption of alcoholic drink.


Best Wishes to Everyone for a Healthy & Happy 2008

I hope you all enjoy a bibulous spirit (unless you are under 21, pregnant, or nursing...what?? - these types of people run in my circle)

Jaime Lynn

I think the money SHE IS MAKING OFF HER PREGNANCY should be donated to Teen Pregnancy Prevention. This is so very sad. This is also very sad that this story is so heavy in the media right now and other teenage girls might portray this situation as acceptable. FYI - her story was sold to OK! Magazine for $1 Million.

12 Things I've Learned in 12 Months

As our son's 1st birthday approaches, I ask the question, "where has this year gone?" It seems like only yesterday, my water broke at the Des Plaines Pancake House only to deliver my sweetheart 15 short hours later. For one thing, I can't imagine my life any other way. I've been somewhat house bound, a slave to flannel pj bottoms, soiled sweatshirts, and the infamous sports bras. Its been a year since I left that utterly senseless and awful job I was a slave to, and yet I feel like I am on the clock 24 hours a day. I do not regret one second. However, I am definitely not the same. My newborn has been long gone and before my eyes, a little boy with words, likes, dislikes, affection, and curiosity has emerged. So, being the learner lover I am, I've thought about qualities and abilities I did not have one year ago.

12. I can peel and quarter a grape at lightening speed - - fast enough to satisfy his demand for the sweet, juicy fruit.

11. I can change a crib sheet in record time without cursing, crying, bruising, or scraping my wrists or hands.

10. I can let my house go. If you know me personally, you know my borderline obsessive/compulsive behavior disorder. Cleaning is stress relief for me and it burns calories, but I can force myself to let it go (at least until he is asleep for the night)

9. You can never take enough pictures. If I have 8 pictures of the same pose, I can never decide which ones to delete.

8. I'm actually going to go through childhood again - - and damn it, it might be a little more bearable this time.

7. Boys are wonderful. This statement comes from a mom who always thought she'd give birth to a baby girl first.

6. Things will never go my way all the time. A disastrous welt on his cheek two days before his 1st birthday party is my most recent lesson.

5. The lugubrious cicadas of the world are insignificant. I do not hear their constant noise anymore.

4. Patience is a muscle in the heart that we continue to build - my neighbor wrote me a note with those words I will never forget.

3. Sleep is over-rated. Seriously..who needs it???

2. Life is precious.

1. In the midst of chaos, weariness, selflessness, marriage, kids, a barking dog, bills, home repairs, accidents, and a dedicated & hardworking husband who walks in from the snow in his work boots right after I finish washing the kitchen floor........there is LOVE, at the very CENTER of it all - like a giant, beating heart pumping life succinctly to everything outward. I know how cliche it is to quote the great John Lennon and the Beatles, but I can't help it when I say to myself...

"and in the end, the love you take, is equal to the love you make."

Happy Birthday Son!

My Answers

1. Favorite Christmas Song RUDOLPH the Red Nosed Reindeer

2. Age you stopped believing in Santa 7

3. Real Tree or Fake Tree? FAKE - the mold count is too high for a real one

4. When do you open the bulk of your presents? Christmas Eve or Christmas Morning?
I favor Christmas morning, but with so much family, we get a little of both
5. Favorite Christmas movie or special? Peanuts - Charlie Brown Christmas

6. What is your favorite type of Christmas cookie? The peanut butter ones with the Hershey's Kiss in the middle and my aunt's sugar cookies with icing.

7. Do you know the names of all of Santa's reindeers?? (without using Google) and which one would you be if Santa asked you to guide his sleigh??? YES I DO!VIXEN - I bet she has fun!!

8. When is the last time you make a snow angel? a mere few years ago believe it or not.

9. What does your stocking look like? Its different colors of felt with Santa on it

10. If your wished could be granted for 3 things this Christmas, what would they be??
1. War ended and troops home with their loved ones
2. Everyone in my family healthy and happy
3. One wish needs to be a secret...........

What Kind of Christmas Are You?

In the spirit of the holidays and other posts I've read lately, I decided to create my own. 10 simple holiday questions to answer and delight your friends and family....PLEASE POST ON YOUR BLOG, IF YOU DON'T HAVE A BLOG, POST ON MY COMMENTS.


1. Favorite Christmas Song

2. Age you stopped believing in Santa

3. Real Tree or Fake Tree?

4. When do you open the bulk of your presents? Christmas Eve or Christmas Morning?

5. Favorite Christmas movie or special?

6. What is your favorite type of Christmas cookie?

7. Do you know the names of all of Santa's reindeers?? (without using Google) and which one would you be if Santa aske dyou to guide his sleigh???

8. When is the last time you make a snow angel?

9. What does your stocking look like?

10. If your wished could be granted for 3 things this Christmas, what would they be??

I love this album~

Raising Sand by Robert Plant and Alison Krauss

They've been playing the first single, the VERY catchy and blues-y "Gone Gone Gone" on WXRT a lot lately.

Everyone knows Robert Plant (Been a Long Lonely Lonely Lonely Lonely Time -yes it has) and Alison Krauss plays with Union Station. She is more of a folk/rock and bluegrass artist.

They sound great together. Most of the album is more mellow than "Gone Gone Gone". Most of the songs were all written 30 or more years ago.

The album was also produced by the legendary T Bone Burnett who has practically worked with everyone in Nashville and did all the music for film, Walk The Line.

I am not a huge country music fan, but I love the folk elements of the record, which are mostly the storytelling aspect of the music.

You can listen to the whole album if you click on the link.

Check for other reviews in the future.

Black Friday

Well, we just decided to venture out for the fun of it. Marie "rang" my cell phone once at 10 minutes to 4. "You still wanna go?" she whispered. We hadn't gotten to bed before 11 and the baby was up at least twice.

"I don't think so," I answered, and continued to have a hushed conversation for about 5 minutes. "Have fun," I said and hung up.

Screw that - if I don't fall back to sleep in ten minutes, I'm going....I think my mind was already made up. I nudged my husband, "Hey..I'm going."

"mhmmm," he mumbled.

"I'll be back by 8."

"mm..k..lvu"

I actually managed to brush my teeth, slip on my Nike's, and scoot out the door into the brisk, silvery night without waking a single soul (including the yellow-belly beast).

Marie showed up at Kohls with coffee and donuts for both of us. Kohls was packed. I have to admit, shopping at 4am, doesn't necessarily sound that desirable, but there was something about the day after thanksgiving that sparks excitement for me. I absolutely love Christmas. Most especially because of the kids and now that Massimo is almost 1, its even more exciting.

We had a few things in mind that we wanted to get - but no pressure - we took our time and cruised Kohl's for about an hour.

Then, off to Circuit City and Old Navy at 5:45. There were lines outside, people had been waiting since 6pm on Thanksgiving to get in. Old Navy was giving away free MP3 players with a purchase of $20 or more. I heard someone say they ran out in less than 10 minutes. So, you wait in line for an MP3?? It not even an Ipod. This did not make the least bit o' sense to me.

After waiting in line for almost 40 minutes to purchase a highly coveted item for DJ, my legs started to go weak, my blood sugar was low, I was daydreaming about a soy latte. Marie had Bon Jovi and Ozzy playing on her phone to liven the mood.

After we got to the front of the line she complimented the tall, lanky, young man who had put up with all the crap of the people who were waiting in the "camera-only" line and refused to leave it. He did have a lot of patience. One good samaritan, came up and asked him if he needed some food.

"No, thanks," he answered, "I have a lunch break at 12." It was 7:30!!! No wonder he was so skinny!

There is your Christmas spirit right there. Help others, serve others. Marie thought maybe it was his mom. Maybe - but I like to think that people like that still exist. I would like to try and be like that lady. If I was Terrence, I would have been like, "a venti soy latte and a lowfat blueberry muffin, please..and make it snappy, love!!"

We didn't participate in Black Friday to get super deals or trample our way over people trying to get that perfect toy, or wait in line in the cold. We just went for the curiosity, to get in the holiday mood, and just to have some good old-fashioned fun doing something we love - SHOPPING. Would I do it again??? Absolutely - you bet I would.

enjoy the Steely Dan video....I was singing the song all day long in a withering daze of very little sleep. Am I the only one who thinks Don Fagen is sexy in those sunglasses???

PINCH ME

Our son finally slept through the night. An accomplishment he has not acheived in several, SEVERAL months. He began sleeping through the night at the ripe old age of 2 months. Everybody told me how lucky I was. We must have made the perfect baby. As the summer months had worn on, however, and he began moving around, crawling, and standing, his waking became more frequent. Getting him to go back to sleep has been a challenge. Yet, its been a challenge I've accepted with heavy eyelids and moderate amounts of caffiene.

I actually slept LESS than usual last night because I kept waking up wondering why HE was still sleeping - peacefully. I kept tiptoeing in to his room to make sure he was okay. I've experienced many different kinds of joy in my life, but my own sleeping in such a state of tranquility, causes my heart to heat up and bubble over.

I repeadedtly told him how proud I was of him this morning, which he continued to answer, "e - i - e - uh" (Old McDonald is the tune of choice). Check back tomorrow, when I tell you that he woke up five or six times tonight.

11 MONTHS ON THE 11TH DAY OF THE 11 MONTH OF THE YEAR.

I'll be sure to make lots of wishes today....

WORD OF THE DAY

woolgathering \WOOL-gath-(uh)-ring\, noun:

"Indulgence in idle daydreaming"

I do so much of this.

PS - u have to at least be 30 years old to appreciate & remember this video

The Monkey Who Became a Bee

I had decided early on in the year, being a new mom and all, what my baby was going to be for Halloween. There was no question - a monkey. We had come to this decision based on the obvious fact that we CALLED him monkey, just because he reminded us of one. Later on when he started grasping objects with his feet and then recently when he began climbing things (couch, furniture, his crib), well then the name MONKEY was completely justified.

I spent $25.00 on a costume in early September. For a costume that's probably only going to be worn for a few hours, if that, its a lot for me to spend. Remember - one income. My mom and I quickly pulled it over his clothes in the store, "it fits, let's go."

Had I taken the extra step to make sure the SNAPS actually SNAPPED on this $25.00 costume, I wouldn't have been in the predicament I was in only 3 days ago. Or was it FATE that intervened????

Sunday October 28th came around. I had a great start - I went to 8am Mass all by myself, returned home smiling, Dominic and DJ are giving him breakfast - perfect!! That great start turned to chaos since he decided he didn't want to take a nap. We had plans to go down to the city for Stroll on Southport with Mara, Ella, Joe, and a handful of others.

The anxiety was now setting in. Forget the nap, we HAVE to leave in half an hour. Lizzy needed to shower, and Massimo needed to be dressed. I couldn't wait to put the costume on. Crying and crabby, on top of a short sleeved onesie AND a long sleeved onesie, sweats, and a pair of warm socks, I struggled to get the thin, brown fleece on him. He cried and wailed. All I have to do it snap it shut and he's done. The first snap puzzled me - it wouldn't CLOSE. WAIT! None of these snaps will close??!! What's going on??? Lizzy is out of the shower, attempting to complete her beauty routine and she walks on on my conundrum, "THESE SNAPS DON'T WORK!!!!!"

She tries, "I got 3 closed," she smiled, the girl with the glass half full.

"I AM SO MAD!!!" I shouted. "We're not going!!!"

Baby's 1st Halloween, don't let the disappointment of this costume get the best of you

Okay, we fly out of the house, only I had to run back in twice for his hat, a blanket, oh, and yeah - my cell phone.

We went to Target, I RAN in and booked to the far corner where the costumes had been ravaged and picked over. DUCK?? nah...Pea Pod??...no legs, Bat??...not that GREAT.... and then I spy the costume you see in the post - THE BABY BUMBLE BEE!!! The light had shone down from heaven. NO SNAP!!! IT ZIPPED!! HOORAY!!

As I strolled, the weight of the world off my shoulders, only 15 minutes late by this time, ALL the way back across the store to check out, I began to think about how things usually don't turn out the way I plan and the biggest lesson I have not learned yet in my 32 years on this earth - - is how to actually DEAL with it.

I wanted so bad to have a little monkey for Halloween, but now I was going to have a Bumblebee.

After an AWESOME afternoon in the city with friends, I realized that maybe what you don't plan, the things we do in haste, and the times where things don't go the way you want, are really a blessing.

Last week I had hooked up with my BEST friend from high school after 11 years of not seeing her. Okay, we are so cheesy that we pulled out her yearbook and read what I had written (at 17 years old!!) "I'm nervous about the future," I wrote, "Will things turn out the way I want them too?? I hope so!!"

So, then I thought about how things had turned out, 15 years later. If my mom and Joe would have never started dating, Joe never would have gotten me the job at Lake Shore where I worked all through college, where I met Debbie Bruno, who got me the job working for Josh, where I made great friends who DRAGGED me to a birthday party where I met my gorgeous husband who gave me this BUMBLEBEE - who I can't imagine not ever existing!!

Did things turn out the way I wanted them too? In my experience, I have come to the realization that there IS A PLAN, although we aren't sure what it is and we're not the ones making it. We just watch it unfold.

The Halloween Hustle

We couldn't have asked for a nicer day. On Saturday, Marie and I ran the Halloween Hustle in scenic downtown Palatine. The cause was Fathers Supporting Fathers regarding parental custody issues (an often overlooked but important issue). There were about 250 participants, some in costume and even a cute little dog who ran too. Although I couldn't convince my sister-in-law to dress up, we had a great time, finished in record time, and enjoyed breakfast and conversation at Durty Nellie's afterward.

**On a side note, I finished 4th in my age group (30-34). Awards were given out for the TOP 3. I bet if Marie and I wouldn't have stopped at Spunky Donuts before the race, I might have inched out a place in the Top 3. Oh well, there's always next year and the donut holes really hit the spot!

My Favorite Things

Okay I'm copying Oprah and I don't even really like to watch her all that much. Once in a while she talks about things she's really in to. The difference between Oprah and me is obvious.......she is insanely rich and I'm not. Still, we both get excited over things, hers are broadcasted all over the world, mine are nestled in a lonely blog where no one EVER comments.

1. Alice White - Lexia

I thought it was a Pinot or a Chard, its not, its sweeter and tastes like mangos and peaches. You can purchase at Jewel or Trader Joe's for about seven dollars. Chill and sip slowly.

2. Mylar Balloons

My son is fascinated and intrigued by them. He's even squeezing his insides to blurt out the word, "balloon", but he can't. He can only get the "Bah" We have about five of them floating around the house, thanks to Grandma Jane, and when Dom or I ask him, "Where's your BAHLOOOOON?" He smiles and looks up, hoping to find one nearby.

**YES, fellow mothers, I know the safety hazards and he's completely supervised when attempting to mangle one.

3. LUSH Bath Bombs. They won't magically transform you in to a goddess or give you super powers, but they smell lovely and the fizz is cool. Light a candle and sink in.

4. Waffles with Real Maple Syrup

Nothing to explain here, I am just really loving them right now.

5. My NEW coffee grinder

Why the heck didn't anyone tell me how great the difference is? Yes, its an extra step that's worth it. Especially since I picked up BAKED APPLE PIE gourmet coffee in Long Grove last week.


That's it. If you need a little happiness or a pick me up, try one of my suggestions. They might not work for you, but if you never try you'll never know.

Let's hear from YOU? What are 5 THINGS you are in to these days???

****I'm going to TAG my sister-in-law, "DMR", since she has a blog too.

Van Halen Reunion Tour

In 1984, after we got cable, and I was an MTV regular at the ripe age of 9, I patiently waited for JUMP to make its hourly appearance in the video rotation. (MTV actually used to play videos - good ones too). When JUMP came on, I pushed the coffee table back to butt up to the couch and moved the two arm chairs in to the dining room within a matter of 10 seconds - - and then I JUMPED - I JUMPED all over the room -just like Dave.

I am and always will be a very big fan of rock n roll. I might have been not quite a teenager (plus I was a girl who wasn't having tea parties)when the original Van Halen was at their height, but I was no less of a fan than my older brother was in his teenage years. Eddie's mastery of the guitar had an effect on me and the showman that was David Lee Roth was someone I immitated and enjoyed.

I also remember being on the back of the bus in 5th grade when the announcement was made that Dave had been replaced by Sammy. "What are they going to call themseleves now?? Van Hagar?" someone said.

Here I am, some 20 or so years later, still a huge fan of Van Halen and truly convinced that the Dave years were the best years. Obviously I was at the concert last night with my sister-in-law (fan) husband (big fan) and brother-in-law (even bigger fan). The Even Bigger Fan (V) was disappointed, as I was, because Dave forgot the words to songs he sang on a regular occasion for 6 years. I felt a little betrayed by Dave. After all, I counted how many outfits he wore in the Panama video and I even played his first solo, "Crazy From the Heat" to death. C'mon Dave Gimmie a Break! He was slower, and he didn't hit ANY of his high notes (The Even Bigger Fan also noted). I realize he's old, fried, and can't JUMP like he used to. I commented in the car on the ride back, "You can't ever really go back to the past."

Still, I AM the girl who always looks on the brightside. It was great to be there and enjoy a night with my hubby, V, & Marie. I had always been disappointed as a kid, that maybe I would never get to see them in concert. Yes, Michael Anthony was gone, but he was barely missed and his replacement, Wolfgang Van Halen, who is obviously respected and loved by his father, is so very likeable.

Eddie never ever disappoints. I've seen him with Gary Cherone in 98, Sammy in 04, and last night. His is a master, innovator, and a commander of his machine. He twists and contorts his hands and fingers in a way that so masterfully brings to life that wailing, screeching, mesmerizing, and magical sound that is THE GUITAR.

So after a long night and a woken baby upon return, Dom and I were talking about the concert. Well, Dom was talking and I was mumbling responses.

"We should have gotten front row," he whispered, "that would have been awesome."

"Mhhmm," I answered.

"How much do you think they make in one night?"

"I dunno, a lot?"

"I wonder if Thursday night is sold out??"

"You're picking up the kids and I have church," I reminded him.

"Oh, yeah," pause pause and more pause, "That was a really great concert wasn't it?!"

GOODNIGHT DOM!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HELEN

We hope you have a fantastic day! See you this weekend!

P.S. i know for a fact that 4 people read this blog - i know..i know.. i'm huge in the blog circuit. Helen is one of them - thanks :-)!!

My Family IS Perfect

Hi Everyone,

My name is Erin and I just felt like telling the world how perfect and flawless my family is. No, not just my family, but my whole life.

I am at my goal weight of 120 lbs after giving birth a mere 10 months ago, to the most perfect son in the whole entire world. I felt absolutely NO PAIN in the delivery room because I had such a perfect pregnancy. No complications whatsoever. My baby is so perfect, he is already practicing division and can recite all the Presidents of the United States in alphabetical order.

He follows his flawless brother and ideal sister whom will be skipping their next respective grades because they are so smart and gifted. They have so many friends, their social calendar is packed. We can't keep up with Lizzy's cell phone bill because she is so beautiful and PERFECT, everyone calls her. Oh wait -- yes we can, we have tons of untainted, crisp, clean bills to throw at her for whatever her perfect little heart desires. DJ won a LEGO contest for his PERFECT construction of the Sears Tower made with 100,000 LEGOS, which he completed in only 1 HOUR. WHOO!

Don't even get me started on my husband. He is the most supreme being on EARTH. He is handsome, hardworking, supportive, caring, and loving. He is the most unblemished father of the 3 most perfect children you will ever meet (above mentioned). He started his own business which he runs with absolute perfection. No struggles in his profession, no difficult people to deal with. He also has a garage full of crowning antique cars which he restores himself.

We live in a perfect house. The ceiling has no cracks and the floors never squeak. We have top of the line electronics and appliances. We are all whizzes on the computer! We all eat off the floor because it is always to immaculately clean.

Most of our neighbors stand in front of our house during the day and comment on what a perfect bunch on people we are. We couldn't be prouder. I hate to brag, but we were voted FAMILY OF THE YEAR for 2005 AND 2006. I wonder who's going to get it in 2007? hee hee, probably US!

I drive the hottest SUV in town. Its a Denali and its loaded. It has never broken down and my favorite music plays upon command of my most perfect voice. When we drive down the street, we roll down the windows and shout, "Just LOOK at us, we are so perfect!"

As far as family dynamics go, we couldn't be more perfect! Dominic and I have never even had a fight. We don't argue, or curse, or ever get mad at anyone or anything.
We never have disagreements. We don't have problems, we don't get crabby, or anxious, or frustrated with ANYTHING! We never are lacking for sleep because out son, Massimo, is the most perfect sleeper ever.

I love being perfect and having the perfect life.

Gee, I hope I don't make anyone feel bad when I tell you about how perfect my family. If you want to come and live with us ON FANTASY ISLAND - YOU can be PERFECT too! Until then, I would stick to being just a normal family - there is nothing wrong with it - really....

"A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality."

12 Steps to Aging Younger

Chicago Tribune Magazine published an article on Sunday about tips on how to make a woman's real age younger in as little as 90 days. Michael Roizen, M.D. is the co-founder of RealAge.com and the site is interesting. As women, we are all constantly searching for the fountain of youth. We can't turn back time, but according to Dr. Roizen, we might be able to slow down the clock a bit.

1. An aspirin a day after age 40 (thankfully, I still have 8 years :-)

2. Floss your teeth (my mom - the hygienist - would tell you this anyway)

3. Know your blood pressure (go to Wal-Mart Pharmacy)

4. Reduce Stress (this is a BIG one - make friends and take hot baths)

5. Take your vitamins (Trader Joe's has a nice multi-vitamin for women)

6. Quit smoking and avoid smokers and smoky places (who smokes anyway these days??)

7. Be active (Run or jog, if you can't -- walk. Yoga is wonderful also)

8. Wear your seat belt (Reduce your risk of injury in a car accident)

9. Fill up on fiber (25 Grams in optimum - Oatmeal ROCKS)

10. Monitor your health (Be proactive - schedule those check-ups)

11. LAUGH (movies, tv, your favorite people, books, comics - seek it out!)

12. Become a lifelong learner (take if from a learner-lover - its true!!)

HAPPY AGING!!

Not Over Yet!

A true Cubs fan must still take heart
The play-offs have brought us a very rough start

I believe they can do it
I'll be watching again
I can only hope to hear those words...

CUBS WIN!

Ozzie Who? We got LOU!

I wasn't sure throughout the season if I liked him. He's kind of crass with a bad temper. I didn't think the Cubs would even make it to the play-offs this year. In previous years, the last oh, 22 or so, I have been following the Cubs fairly diligently. I am a life-long Cubs fan. I remember my first game, where I sat, who they played, the smell of Wrigely Field, the ivy, the fans, and the peanuts. Baseball is by far my favorite sport and the Cubs my most beloved team.

So, I haven't really been following them this year probably due to the fact that Massimo takes up, oh, 24 hours of my time. It's time well spent, nontheless. So I know a little bit about Lou Piniella. He's won two world series playing for the Yankees and one as a manager in Cincinnati.

This morning I was multi-tasking at 6:30 am - - baby in the high-chair shoveling cheerios and grapes in his mouth - - emptying the dishwasher, making Dom's lunch, all while listening to Lin Brehmer on XRT. I was waiting to hear the outcome of last night's first game against the D-Backs.

I had fallen asleep last night in the first inning. So, Mary (Dixon - who does the news on XRT) came on and reported the loss. Then, they played a sound byte of Lou talking to the press after the game. He's not really warm and fuzzy, but to the point. I don't remember exactly what he said (I was multi-tasking remember), but it was something along the lines of, "Yeah, we lost, we played well, blah blah, this is not over, its the first game." He don need ta esplain hiself ta nobahdy! He's confident and completely optomistic and he's not going to let anyone, especially the press, get to him or his team. Nobody is going to break their focus. This is definitely NOT OVER.

So I start thinking maybe the Cubs CAN do this. Maybe they CAN go to the World Series. I think Lou Pinella can take them there. I think he might actually know what he's doing. He sure seems to think he does.

The last word in all this is my 90 year old grandmother who has been a Cubs fan for longer that most of you reading this have been alive. She grew up near Wrigely Field and has been a devoted baseball fan for as long as I've known her. She rarely misses a game when broadcasted in Arizona and politely pretends to listen to what you're saying when a game is on while her eyes are glued to the tv. She has become a bit of a D-Backs fan since the franchise was born (they don't get as many Cubs games anymore in Arizona and because of the D-Backs, so she's got to watch someone - she just loves baseball). A frequent exchange this summer has been:

E: Hey Grandma, the Cubs are in 1st Place

G: Yeah, I know. And so are the Diamondbacks. I really like the 1st baseman.

I called her last night around 8:30 and my first question was "So who are you rooting for?"

"I'd like to see the Cubs win," she said, "It's been a long time."

Yes, it has!!

GO CUBS GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sleep Deprived

Here are the unhappy Massimo pictures I promised. Almost 10 months, he has given up sleeping (unless he passes out on me) in favor of pulling himself up and crying until someone (usually me) saves him from peril. I guess I didn't realize how lucky we were when he was sleeping through the night at 2 months. Nevertheless this is still the greatest job in the world because he learned to clap his hands this week and he does this really funny thing where he cocks his head from side to side as he smiles at us.

Sweet Baby Turns Sour As Teeth Sprout

LOOK at this face! I mean really, he's CUTE...isn't he? I even entered this photo in a baby contest (stay tuned), but the emergence of his first tooth is wreaking havoc on his pleasant and sunny disposition. He's screaming....SCREAMING at the top of his lungs for something - - ANYTHING, any kind of relief he can get. Most of the time its my chin he wants to gnaw on. Oh yes, there is Motrin, and Tylenol, and even those great homeopathic teething tabs. Then, there are the home remedies like teething rings, ice chips, and frozen wash cloths. Not much is working here. I realize I have to ride this out like every other patient mother..yeah yeah yeah, it doesn't make it any easier. I just realized that I NEVER take any pictures of him upset or crying. I seriously have none. Maybe I SHOULD do that and post one, so you can see for yourself.