The Cape

Although we haven't been able to take a real vacation this summer due to work schedules and that little trip we took in May, we were able to get away for a long weekend to the Cape. My sister and her family graciously invited us down to their rental house and we eagerly accepted.





















My mom and more of our family were also renting a house in the area.

We relaxed on the beach, took walks, breathed the clean ocean air, ate amazing food, and spent time with the people we love most. We couldn't ask for a better time.

We also stopped to see the legendary Mr. Wagner, the man who found my rings on the beach 3 years ago (a story I hold close to my heart and will share some day soon). He and his wife are so lovely. We got to share our new story of finding a ring, which they were amazed by. Mr. Wagner even buffed Tony's ring for him. We said we wanted to leave the little nicks in the fine metal for nostalgia, but there's no way we could deny Mr. W when he offered. And what a perfect way to come full circle in our ring sagas.

He and his beautiful wife made us promise we'd visit again. Since we're already planning our Cape vacation for next year, that shouldn't be a problem. I don't think I can go another summer without taking a week off. We will be back next year for certain.

Welcome to the World

Cameron James!

Born Sunday 7/31 at 5:42pm, 7 lbs (not sure of the length).


Nana holding her 10th grandchild.


Snuggly

So Des has a new little cousin who will live right down the street. I have a strong feeling they are going to be best buds, despite the fact that Des banged on the side of Cameron's bassinet in the hospital. Cam barely flinched. That's a good sign.


Proud parents, Janet (my sis and best friend in the whole world) and Nick (one of the coolest guys on the planet). That is one lucky kid.


Was Desmond ever this teenie? :tear:

I am beside myself with excitement to get to know this new little person, and to see my best friends become parents. It is such an amazing adventure. We are lucky to be a part of it.

Congratulations Nick and Janet. I love you both to pieces. You guys make beautiful babies.

The Perfect Day

At least it was perfect in my mind. And it was Father's Day. So I hope Tony enjoyed it too.

I let Tony sleep in yesterday, which means he woke up a little past 8am. I was.. ahem... not feeling well, due to a little too much fun at our friend's wedding the night before (Congrats Sarah and Adam! Such a blast). So I threw on Buzz and Woody and let the kid veg in front of the tube as I rested my eyes on the couch. Why yes, I am a fabulous mom, thank you.

It was a beautiful lazy family morning. We spent a few hours recovering, munching on breakfast, and getting ready for the day.

We had lunch at our favorite Mexican place. Des was a funny little angel, a bit of a change from recent antics in restaurants. Mad props to my boy for that.



And I enjoyed a little hair of the dog. It did the trick.



That afternoon we went for a long walk, as the weather was amazing, and we stopped for ice cream. Des enjoyed his first bites of a chocolate cone and kept coming back for more. So okay everybody, he is officially Tony's son now. I know you were all worried.



Later we filled up the kiddie pool and laughed as Des climbed in and out and splashed all around, giddy with excitement. I'd post pics but they're mostly nudes. And that would be creepy. What, the kid enjoys the fresh air on his nethers. Again.. his father's son.

Later after Des went to bed Tony took a bike ride down to the baseball field and caught up with old friends. I enjoyed some alone time with laundry and the Real Housewives.

We both fell asleep early with the windows open and a kitty purring at our feet.

We haven't had a day like that in a while. It was much needed.

Happy Father's Day, my love. You are the most incredible father I could have ever hoped our son would have.

Check out my Father's Day piece on the Patch. It was a fun one to write.

NKOTBSB

I'm not sure whose idea it was so many months ago. But someone in my crazy family decided we should all go see New Kids on the Block and the Backstreet Boys when they come to Fenway Park. It would be a belated 30th birthday celebration for my sister Janet! And baby Guppy would also get to enjoy the sweet sweet sounds of Step By Step.


Oooh baybeh!



We somehow managed to get 12 tickets together, thanks to my savvy husband. The seats were great, the company was ideal, and the show was a blast!







The ages of our group ranged from 11 to 64 and everything in between. We still all had an amazing time. We're good like that.





I thought the New Kids were going to look all old and depressing. But they didn't! They were fit and fresh and on-key. They took off their shirts a lot, so we got a good look.




Nick was Hangin' Tough. The beer helped.


Bill was a trooper too.





And then it started raining. Many buckets. But it couldn't dampen our spirits!





My sister Maureen said that watching me and Janet sing and dance to the New Kids was like a flashback to 20 years ago. There were many flashbacks happening that night.



It was such a fun night, a great way to start the summer.

Many of these pics were stolen from my cousin Breanne, our gracious host for the weekend. Thanks Bre!

Mountain Mama

I apologize for the long break between updates. We've been away for a long weekend with family to the mountains. Lots of fun in the snow, gorgeous scenery, and hanging out by the fire with the people I love most.






It was a blast. Some much needed time away from reality.

I went skiing for the first time in my life. Although it wasn't so much skiing, as it was hysterical, out of control zagging down a mountain, and then falling every 30 feet. Cuz that's how you stop, right? By violently hurling your body, your skis, your poles, and the last stitch of your pride into the snow?

Tony said as he was watching me, there were times he could hear my thoughts saying, "OH SHIT OH SHIT OH SHIT OH SHIT."


Hey, at least I looked the part.


Here's me on the chair lift, mere seconds before I panicked, stayed on too long, and finally flung myself off in a frenzy, forcing the operator to press the big red IDIOT button and halt the lift for everyone. Aint I precious?

Despite my assertions that I would never put on a pair of skis again, I will keep trying. I want to like it. I want it to be fun. I think I CAN do it. Eventually, with lots of practice. The first time was just... wow. A clumsy, discouraging, painful disaster. Tony said I surpassed his expectations. Not quite sure how to take that. Either I did better than I thought, or his expectations were very, very low.

He spent the day on a snowboard, his first time as well. And he was like a graceful swan, the bastard. Sometimes it's really annoying how quickly he picks things up.

We have a chance to go to a smaller, more klutz friendly mountain in a few weeks. We'll see how it goes.

Post-holiday Slam Fest

There was a nice little lull there for a while. Sure the holidays are busy, but at least it doesn't feel like I'm being pulled in every direction. Now the post-holiday SLAM is in full effect. Between being crazy busy at work, caring for an almost 1-year-old, planning a big bday bash for an almost 1-year-old, swim classes, doctor appointments, not sleeping at night (me, not Des)... It's gonna be a busy month it seems. I'm apologizing right now if the blog is lacking, both in frequency and content. I'm going to try to keep it up. I have much to say.

Just when I think the day can't get any crazier, I get a visitor at the office:



And all is right with the world.

Thank you dear husband and beautiful son for being the bright spot in my crazy days.

Photo Update

So.

Hi.

Been a while.

My lazy, pajama-clad self is not able to put these past few days into words yet. Once I get back into the swing of using my brain and forming sentences and making any kind of sense in written form, I'll post a proper recap of our first Christmas with Desmond. Or maybe not. Maybe it was all too magical, wonderful, warm and sweet for words.

Anyway... For now, I give you photos.


Auntie Jaclyn came home. She did not let go of Des for many hours.

He was totally fine with that. As were we.



There was Christmas Eve.




And Christmas morning.



And Christmas day, which was apparently so crazy I don't have a single photo of it.


Then there was snow.


Shoveling and 'blowing' of said snow.


And watching of said shoveling and snow blowing.


Then someone came to the house, took our baby, and replaced him with this toddler looking kid.

He will be 1, as in year old, in 19 days. Which is a whole other can of worms.

I am off to bed for a good night's rest, during which I will hopefully become bathed, skinny, and totally ready to do actual, real life, grown-up work this week.

I am in trouble.