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!

Fire Pit Fridays

Speaking of favorite things about summer...

This year we started a tradition of blazing up the fire pit on Friday nights. We invite friends in the area, and whoever can make it comes over if they can. Attendance has ranged from 3 (including me and Tony) to 15 people. Very low-key, chill, like most things in our lives. Bring brews and throw some burgers on the grill. Maybe we'll use plates, who knows. It's the weekend! Everyone's just lucky Tony's wearing pants.


Des even has his own fire pit chair! Although he's usually asleep for the bulk of the action. We'll teach him to hang with the gang in due time.

It's something to look forward to at the end of a long week, and a perfect way to enjoy a summer night with friends. On the really late nights (I'm talking like 12-1am... PARTY. ANIMALS.), it can make for a rough Saturday. Des is up around 5am, no matter how much I beg him, "Mommy's got a headache, baby boy. Just sleep a little longer." What's up with 7-month-olds these days? So unreasonable.

But the recovery day is totally worth it. The smell of smoke and bugspray, so many stars above, a cool breeze if we're lucky. And stories around the fire.


Fuel


Gibby and Des watching Daddy prep the pit.


Some day we hope to turn this area into a stone patio. Maybe get some chairs from this century. Times are tough, but we still have fun.


Chad Dixon. Adventurer, world traveler, dog whisperer.


Jaclyn's last night on the east coast, spent with family and friends at FPF.



We'll keep up these weekly pit get-togethers into the fall, I'm sure. But it is such a true summer activity. I'm looking forward to autumn, but I will miss these summer nights.

The Boys of Summer

One of my favorite parts of summer is baseball. (So cliche, right?) I'll watch it at any level, any day... Little League to the Majors and everything in between. I wouldn't be a true Boston native if I didn't live for the Red Sox. One of Tony and my first dates was at Fenway. And hi, have you met my husband? He's a lil' cuckoo. One year he went to every.. single.. Sox home game. Free of charge.

I should make him post that story some time.

Truth be told, my favorite games are Tony's. He's been playing in a mens night baseball league for 8 years. My bro-in-law Nick and some other friends play in the same league. All the games are played at a beautiful field less than a mile from our house. I'll usually walk down with an insulated mug full of wine and spend an evening chilling with my sissah Janet at the field.

Tony's always telling me to get a hobby. Is it wrong that I consider this one? Okay, I joined a book club, get off my back.

It may or may not be totally coincidental that there will also be wine at book club.

This year I've only been able to attend a few games due to the early bedtime of He Who Runs Our Lives. But it is so fun bringing Des down to the field. Even if he doesn't quite understand what's going on yet. I made him a cute little outfit to show daddy some support:





This year my cousin Justin has also joined the league. He plays on the same team as Nick (The Green Shamrocks), and they are holding strong in first place due in large part to their new ace.

The night the Crush played the Shamrocks, a bunch of the Cawley clan made the trek up north of the tunnel to see the boys play.






Photos courtesy my sister Deanna.

The bad guys won (green), but it was still a fun night.

As everyone talks about the end of summer, I think about the end of the season and how much I'll miss taking Des down to the field as a baby. Next year he'll be walking with me and want to play on the swings.

And I'll have to make a bigger t-shirt!

From the Mountains...

In light of the fact that my vacation time is all but depleted (thank you, extended maternity leave... totally worth it), as well as the fact that traveling with a baby poses certain challenges, we are working on perfecting the art of the local weekend getaway. If we can get there by car in >3 hours, we're in!

So when my family proposed a long weekend in the mountains of New Hampshire, we were so there. It took a lot of planning (see previous post), both among my extended family and within our little 3 person pack. But it was pretty much the perfect weekend. The weather cooperated, the home we rented was beautiful, the company was a blast as always (my fam would have fun in a paper bag, I swear... as long as there was wine ;-), and we took full advantage of everything the mountains have to offer.

The only mission that went unaccomplished was a hiking trip for the 3 of us. When we tried to put Des in the hiking backpack for the first time, his head was too low and his arms too high. He's a big boy, but not quite big enough. Perhaps in the fall.

So far on these day trips and weekend getaways, Des has put his toesies in the ocean, a river, a lake, and a pool. A trip to Walden Pond has been added to the list!

And perhaps the warm waters of the Carribean? Can't get there in a weekend. Sigh...

What a Difference a Week Makes

I grew up with a pool in my backyard. It was such a huge part of my childhood summers. Luckily, my sister Maureen and her family have a beautiful pool. When I thought about Desmond in the summertime, taking him to the pool in Braintree was the first thing that came to mind.

But before we threw him in the deep end, baby steps are in order. Time to fill up the kiddie pool!

Unfortunately, Des's first attempt was on a hot, cranky, 'DEVIL-HORNS-ARE-BURNING-THROUGH-MY-GUMS' teething kinda day. Hence...

Deanna is a brave woman for even attempting.

Needless to say that didn't go so well. But my dreams of having a pool baby were not dashed. We would not give up! One week later, and in a much better mood, we tried again.

Whoa whoa whoa

Wait... Is this the same stuff from tubby time?

Dude it is SO the same stuff! KICK-KICK-KICK-KICK.

So fun even mom had to join in:

The second time around was much better. He even went in the big pool! In mommy's arms of course. Lots of curiosity, splashing, and no tears. Hoorah!

Next steps... Swim lessons, olympic medals, endorsement deals, and early retirement for mom and dad. Dream big kids!

Summer Time

I can't believe it's already summer! I feel like I missed a good chunk of the year because it was spent at home with a newborn, sleeping and waking in 2-3 hour intervals. Days and nights were turned upside-down, oozed into eachother, and somehow months have gone by without my realizing.

And p.s. In two weeks, Desmond will be 6 months old. So uhh.. that's happening. Wow.

I missed a lot of what I love about summer last year because I was pregnant and pudgy and exhausted. There's also a good chunk I can't even remember due to that whole seizure-hospital stay fiasco. So this summer is going to be the Summer of Sarah!... and son. And. Soul mate? Tried to find a good s-word for Tony. Stony. That's it, I'm calling him Stony for the rest of the Summer.

Our plans for summer are always pretty much the same. Day trips, camping, beach, pool, family and friends, maybe an overnight here and there. Now that they include the little one, these adventures will be a little more complicated.

For example, this past weekend we took a trip down to my mom's house for a day at the beach and an overnight at her cottage. Here is how we packed the car for ONE DAY:

There was more in the back seat too.

We used to pride ourselves on our packing skills. We could take a single bag between the two of us for an overnight and be dandy, fly anywhere for a week or two with carry-on only. Those days are obviously long gone.

As are the days of bikinis (thank you, stretch marks) and spending all day on the beach with drink in hand. But that is a-okay with us. We seem to have more fun now on Desmond-time.





Our first trip to the beach was a success! Although by the time we got there, Des was hungry and in need of a nap. We fed him and tried to lay him in his beach tent, but with all the commotion around, he wasn't having it. Despite the slight crankiness, we got a couple hours in, were able to relax and laugh and soak in the perfect weather (with sunblock of course!). Every new experience comes with challenges, but they get easier each time.

This weekend will be more beach, pool, and fun in the sun with our little (and big!) family. Can't wait!!