Today was the monthly DC Area MM Romance Group lunch meet up that Joyfully Jay helps organize. The meet up which brings together readers and writers in the DC Metro area. [Though I’m sure anyone from somewhere else who wanted to come would be welcome.]  Today the venue was Freddie’s Beach Bar in Arlington VA. Since I used to be neighbors with Freddie, who owns his name sake, today was a do not miss for me and ‘lil q. Aside from ‘lil q being a bit fussy at times – not really her fault, we had swim class right before, so she was tired – the day was outstanding.  ‘lil q had competition/company in the baby department as Bella Leone brought her …

A few pictures from the last two weeks. She seems to be in a very good mood lately.  The two “portraits” were an attempt to get her to smile for an evite picture. The one with cupcakes was us trying out the cupcakes from the person we’re using to make them for her birthday. And the one with the dog is her on the dog walk with our dog Emma. ‘lil q loves dogs and they like her. 🙂

Sunday the weather was beautiful, so ‘lil q and I went to the playground.  I’ll add a few videos tomorrow.

Lily put up some pictures we sent her of ‘lil q and her new bear. I think her captions are better than mine. 🙂

I took ‘lil q to lunch Saturday with some people who read and write M/M fiction. It was organized by the Metro DC Area Romance Readers group.  As you can see, she had a good time.  The weather was beautiful and she got to see up close one of her new favorite things – boats. (She’s so not getting one btw).  Since weekends are when I spend most of my time with ‘lil q this was a perfect setting – nice people, nice location, nice weather. (And lots of boats for her to point out to me.) Thanks to Susan for reserving the space and Julie for inviting us.

Wednesday ‘lil q finally had the surgery to put in the ear tubes. After weeks of doctor visits and coordinating schedules, surgery took all of five minutes. It was over so fast, they told us not to leave the waiting area because we wouldn’t have time to even get a cup of coffee.  They were right. In the three days after, it seems she is speaking more and clearer. That is saying something as despite being the youngest in her toddle class, Isobel’s language skills are as good or better than the other kids. I added some pictures that show, before, right after, on the ride home, and five hours later.  We’re all glad it’s over and she’s doing well. …

Last night, at 18 months, and 9 days, Mike and I finally left ‘lil q at home while we went out for the night.  We’d left her during the day a couple of times, but not like this. In truth, it’s not like we didn’t want to leave her, it’s just that there wasn’t anything we were itching to do that we couldn’t take her with us to do. Given how it took to have her and how fast she is growing, spending time with her is usually tops on our list. Surprisingly, I didn’t even worry while we were at dinner. We were showing pictures to our friends, so we clearly were thinking about ‘lil q, but I know …

For the first time since ‘lil q was born, we took a vacation. And by vacation I mean, just us, our family, somewhere that wasn’t a friend or family’s house, with no purpose other than to take a trip.  Call us daft, but we chose the beach in February. In reality, the beach, in a beach town, in the winter is a great time for a quiet vacation. Seats at a restaurant, empty beaches, no crush of other tourists. Of course the big question is always the weather, but that’s always an issue. As some know, ‘lil q spent the first week of her life in a condo overlooking the Pacific Ocean compliments of her grandparents. She didn’t get to …

I saw this article today and it struck me hard. Gay Oregon Teen, Taken Off Life Support After Hanging Himself I read about this young man and wondered how he must have been hurting to do this. I thought about how much he left behind, how much he’ll never do. Never fall in love, get married, have a family, laugh and cry with his friends, celebrate his triumphs, and pick himself up from his setbacks.  I think of how much I’d want to say to him, because when I read this, I immediately wondered what I can do to be sure my daughter never feels so despondent that suicide seems the only avenue left. I want to cry with his …

So Sunday morning, I woke, looking forward to the start of a glorious day of shopping, shopping, more shopping and cooking.  I kinda hate to shop, but morning coffee can do wonders to put me in a good mood.  So I cleaned the tank, measured the water, scooped out the coffee, turned it on and went to take care of my baby daddy duty. [Stop snickering I said duty, not doodie.] When I came down to get my supposedly made coffee I got nothing. Nada. Not a drop.  Ever want to scream, but couldn’t because you have a sleeping baby?  The rule in our house is, “you wake her, you bought her.” Making matters worse, the machine, a Cuisinart DCC …