Next step, chopsticks.

Being sick sucks. I’m not even (knock wood) as sick as I could be, particularly compared to my friend Suzanne’s recent battle with the flu de swine. It especially sucks with an adorable toddler and out of town husband, as every ounce of energy is absorbed in not neglecting/engaging said toddler while trying not to breath on him and thus get him sick. Thank heavens for Ana, our Super Nanny, who called all day yesterday (she doesn’t work for us on Wednesdays) asking if there was anything she could do to help. Its so hard not snuggling with my little Schmumpkin!!

On the upside, I’ve been no better, no worse (not that bad, just a sore throat and major congestion– no fever and normal amounts of exhaustion) for going on my fourth day. And I’ve consumed the entirety of what I originally thought was a ricidulously large box of Emergen-C. Must be doing something right…

Ari has his first try at the keyboard. Jocelyn instructs.

P.S.S. (post script from sara)– Before becoming a doctor, Jos was a professional orchestra pianist. It is just one of the many fabulous things about her.

Today Sara convinced me to throw away some old clothes. Like this beloved t-shirt, which failed the “throw away after 10 years” test. Sayonara.

Well, Sara was in charge of the costume. But Ari (Max) had a great ride. And we got more than a few compliments, which never happened to me on Halloween before. This fatherhood thing isn’t so bad. Not to mention husbandhood.

King of All Wild Things

It’s a milestone. Sara and I both kind of forgot Ari’s 14-month birthday. Oops, but kind of not a big deal. He’s growing up.

I so wish I had a photo of this!

Last Thursday, Ana mentioned that one of the nannies she hangs out with would be throwing a party today for the little girl she takes care of– Vanessa. She said it would be great if I could stop by, because I could meet the other nannies and kids that she and Ari hang out with. Now, I love Ana, but I was a little nervous about this.

False alarm.

This party was amazingly awesome. Like a really lovely family birthday party, exactly how you would imagine it in a super effusive, loving latin family. These are not the ladies who sit on the side of the playground– these are the ones who adore the children they take care of, and each other. The ringleader (one hosting) had her daughter and her daughters husband there helping (he cooked AND made the pinata!!), and I swear, they had some of the most delicious food I’ve ever tasted (including this weird delicious corn drink thing I brought home for Roy, who will die when he tastes it and I’m sure try to replicate it in ice cream form). In all, 10 ladies and probably 15 or so kids, who were all very well behaved and having a great time.

I cannot imagine feeling better than I felt seeing my son (who did see me before anyone else did, from about 25 feet away, and smiled and pointed and waved– yay!) in the company of all these wonderful ladies. I love that a couple of days a week he has an outside life about which I don’t know every last detail. And that every once in awhile, I get invited in. And that tone-wise, those moments feel like an extension of us.

Last week our friends Abby and Steve revealed to us that they had a couple of extra tickets to see U2 in Vegas. Now, I’m not a huge U2 fan myself, but they are one of Roy’s favorite bands, so this was exciting news and I was inclined to make it work. Which is not to say that I felt great about bringing Ari to Vegas (or about leaving him home, which we didn’t even seriously consider). As I said to some parents at our Tot Shabbat class, it just feels wrong to bring a kid to Vegas, probably on account of some first-hand knowledge of the mischief that goes on there. In the end though, we decided to bring him, and to make it a short trip, 24 hours there and back.

I’m shocked to say it couldn’t have been better.

It was my first solo flight with Ari and it was perfect. He had a nap on the way to the airport, long term parking was full so we were upgraded to the on-airport lot for free (yay!), we checked in and got upgraded to first (yay!), made it through security and had lunch. No napping on the flight but it was only an hour and fifteen minutes anyway. Zero meltdowns. Car service was ready and waiting with a carseat, and then when we checked in we were upgraded to a 2-bedroom suite. For reals. Seriously people. Did I mention we were in Vegas?

We filmed this little masterpiece while waiting for Roy to arrive (he was in LA and an hour behind us).

Then we had dinner together, our babysitter (my friend Jill’s brother lives in Vegas with his family, and they gave us the name of one of their sitters– MUCH better and less expensive option than hotel sitter, which charged $45/hour) arrived, we put Ari down and party time was upon us. He slept through the night, leaving his parents to one of the most clean-fun, shit-we’re-old, can-remember-every-minute nights Vegas has ever seen. Despite all signs pointing in the direction of gamble!gamble!gamble!, I played $50 of blackjack for about 10 minutes. In total. Roy may or may not have stayed out longer, but not much, and the family bank broke even.

The next morning we woke up hacking up second-hand smoke, a less than lovely experience. Feeling sufficiently guilty we ordered up breakfast and headed to the airport. And now, home sweet home. Our entire house was asleep by 8pm last night.

Today I’m feeling less guilty about taking him to Vegas, but more sure of the judgmental stares we got having a toddler in Vegas. Can’t say I blame the folks doing the judging, I did too. I gotta say though, aside from it being kind of gross and completely atypical for Ari to spend 20 hours in a hotel room, the kid had a great time.

Also, if anyone is wondering…no, they will not let you play Wheel of Fortune at the airport with a 1-year-old strapped on your back.

I guess sometimes its better not to push your luck.

This has been a long time coming. A few steps here, a few there, for 2 months. But last Friday, walking finally overtook crawling as the preferred mode of transport. Video coming soon…

Maybe he has a little Texan in him after all. This is from about a month ago.