In search of something to do...

As a lazy academic prominent scholar I spend all week surfing the internet and blogging working hard and writing. So, when the weekend comes we are excited to spend time with Felicity. But the weekend is also a bit daunting. When Felicity wakes up at 6 a.m. I am always struck with a panic---just what can I do for three hours until something opens?? Often we are blessed with time-sucking activities until naptime playdates and visits with friends. Other times we are greatful for trips to the corporate nightmare money-well-spent Gymboree. But yesterday we ventured to Lamb's Farm where it smells like pigs and you feel like you need another shower even if you don't touch anything. Felicity, of course, loved it. And she even wanted to climb in with the pigs. This, from a girl who once screamed at the top of her lungs when she found a speck of dirt on her hands. Ahh, time flies.

Congratulations, Nanny!

Just wanted to let you all know that as of July 10 Nanny is officially an American citizen.
Which means a lot. The most important thing, of course, is that she can cancel Chris' vote ;)

She liked the cake, but not as much as Felicity, who, by the way, pooped blue icing for two days. Too much information, I know. But it was rather, umm, interesting.

Summer Fun

This summer has been simply wonderful. What's great about it, you ask?
1. We are not getting married.
2. We are not moving.
3. I am not pregnant.
4. We do not have a newborn.
5. We have daycare.

The daycare thing is great. Like really great. But I miss Felicity like crazy. I have been able to get a lot of work done, but alas it is still not enough. The publishing requirements have me down lately as I am midway through four different projects yet none of them is complete. And, while I AM proud of him, my husband's recent publication sprint (2 down and 2 more on the way! )has me realizing that I, too, need to get in scholarly shape.

I have had a slave research assistant and so I have had quite a bit of help. Which is nice. Because I would be so far behind if I hadn't. And it's been some fun stuff. We've been researching the HPV vaccine controversy and the more I read about it the more angry I get. But I'll refrain from going all militant anti-vaccine on my dear readers and suffice it to say that the state of Texas is one scary place.

In other news, Felicity is doing great. We had another fantastic playdate with Noah on Sunday. (Now, as I write this I am realizing that it is Friday. My how time flies. And what have I actually done in terms of publishing!? Ahhh!!!) Felicity and Noah are now more aware of each other, but despite her many efforts, Noah hasn't quite been wooed by the Felicity charm and the spontaneous hugs.

Speaking of hugs, she's a hugging machine. She hugs everything and everyone. And hugging has joined the repertoire of procrastination tactics before bed. "Ti-ti hug Daddy?" "Ti-ti hug Mommy?" "Ti-ti hug popcorn?" Her hugs are so sweet that we let her get away with it. But only just a little bit.

She is very interested in narrating what I am doing. "Mommy takes a shower." "Mommy drinks hot juice" [hot juice= green tea.] And she is also interested in bossing us around. Her latest phrase is "COME ON!" Which, usually is directed at Chris. So from upstairs I frequently hear, "Da-ee, COME ON!" And when I went to investigate this yesterday morning I saw Chris and Felicity pushing baby strollers in a circle around the dining room, through the family room, and into the sunroom. Apparently Chris' stroller aptitude is not up to Felicity's standards.

We are trying to maintain Felicity's diet as best as we can. She is still fighting her pooping woes and the doctor told me to up her vegetable and fruit servings to 5 times a day. That takes work! And it means that there will be less french fries and more broccoli snacks. She is also supposed to lay of milk products. I am trying to prepare as much as I can during the day so that she can have well-balanced meals. Between cooking, shopping, cleaning, laundry, and trying to publish, I think I might need to sleep for a month.

We are expecting our onslaught of company this Friday for Felicity's birthday. It'll be great to see everyone and hopefully she can make a smooth transition back into her routine after everyone leaves. She loves loves loves the attention, but it is always hard to give her as much when grandparents leave! What can I say, we just can't compete.

Well, it's nearly noon and I need to get to the city for a meeting.