Life's a Beach

Today Parker met another very important developmental milestone: he spent his first Memorial Day at the beach! After a weekend in PA meeting the extended family, spending some time in the California sun and Pacific ocean was very necessary. So we packed our stuff and walked the longest 11 blocks in the world to the beach. 11 blocks is short when you are childless; while carrying a baby, and all of his diapers, food, toys, and extra clothes, plus umbrella, beach blanket, and beach chairs? Well, it wasn't our most efficient trip, that's for sure.

Parker LOVED the beach, though! I say this because he couldn't stop putting the beach in his mouth, so I think that means he loved it. Unfortunately, the water was a bit cold for his liking; so there wasn't any swimming yet. We'll just have to save the waves for a future milestone. Looking forward to spending a lot more time here this summer!!!

My Solo Career

Jeremy and I both used to travel all the time for work. Now that I'm in school, I definitely stay in one place. And Jeremy's travel is also infrequent. So I guess when you travel all the time for work it's just work, but when you travel infrequently it becomes a "business trip." Well, that's what Jeremy was on this past week. A business trip to San Francisco. Which left me to embark on my solo career as a parent, albeit briefly, here in Santa Monica.

Yes, just Parker and me. For five days and five nights. Five evenings negotiating solid foods. Five evenings of baths with only two arms to catch a very slippery little baby who refuses to stay seated now that he has learned that he can stand. Five nights of Goodnight Moon and all the other books that we read before bed with just one voice for sound effects. Five mornings of 5:30 AM wake-ups without the option to ask, "Can you get him?" Five days and nights. All. By. Myself.

On Sunday, after Jeremy left, we (successfully) dined on pureed spinach. On Monday, we were out the door and headed to daycare by 6:30 AM. On Tuesday, we had to go earlier, 6:15 AM, as our friend helping us with transportation had an early meeting. After less than six hours of sleep for three nights in a row, I decided to play hooky from school on Wednesday, and I hung out with Parker all day. We walked all over Santa Monica and played with our friends Amanda and Hallie. It was great.

Success with Spinach!

But I did not get much work done this week. Nor did I make it to the gym or eat very well. In fact, on Monday night, "dinner" consisted of half a pint of ice cream and a glass of wine. I reasoned that since it was already 8:45 PM and I hadn't eaten since lunch that it would be better just to move onto the dessert course. It was a good choice, I think. I'm exhausted, and I don't know how single parents do it. They inspire me.

So I was overjoyed when Jeremy got home last night -- EARLY, and more importantly, in time for Goodnight Moon! -- so that the band could get back together. Because as a parent, I'm just not as good on my own. My solo career is not that of Beyonce's, and even she leans on Jay-Z. And that's great! Because the Boltano band is much better as a trio than as a duo.

Welcome back, Jeremy. We missed you!

Catching Up

Oh, the shame. The last time I blogged was twenty weeks ago? I was bragging about Parker sleeping seven hours in a row? OK, it wasn't bragging, but it was definitely a show of appreciation. Noting that he was rolling over was definitely bragging. A little.

Well, Parker rolls all the time now. In many directions. He's actually crawling these days. The consistency in his form varies, though. Sometimes he's all business and up on his hands and knees, crawling with focus and purpose. Other times he's belly flopping and wriggling and just hell bent on making it to a toy so that he can promptly stick said toy in his mouth as soon as possible.

And Parker sleeps pretty well these days, too. We hit a serious rough patch right after the last post. (I'll blame that rough patch on why I stopped blogging...) The little guy just didn't like to go to sleep at night. So he cried for 2-3 hours every night. 6-8. 7-9. 8-10. It didn't matter what time we would try to put him to bed. It didn't matter if he was starting to look tired (he gets quiet) or definitely showing signs of being tired (he rubs his eyes). It didn't matter if we gave him a bath or a little baby massage. (Which never worked for us, by the way. Parker would roll over and want nothing to do with a massage.) When he was about 18 weeks old we did a bit of sleep training. It sucked, but wow, 3 days later he was able to put himself to sleep. OK, I exaggerate. He still needs to have a bath and read a few stories. And one of those stories, the last of those stories, MUST be Goodnight Moon. But I'll take 20 minutes saying good night to a "...comb, and a brush, and a bowl full of mush..." over two hours of hysterical screaming any day. Here's a favorite picture of him after waking up from a nap.

And Parker's now currently clocking sleep between 8PM - 6AM almost every night. It makes me *almost* remember what life was like before he was born. I say *almost* because as soon as he goes to sleep, I pretty much want to go to sleep, too. And I can't tell you how many time I actually have gone to sleep during the 8 o'clock hour. Tonight, we're going to get crazy and stay up late. Until 10PM, I think. Yes, 10PM. Why? Because it's Saturday night. Time for we parents to live it up a bit!

Let's see, what else is new? Oh, Parker recently started to eat "solids." Oh, solids. Total joke. Why? Because 1) Parker spits out most of the food we put in his mouth, he doesn't eat it. And 2) Said food can hardly be classified as solid. It's all blended and mixed with some breast milk. Nevertheless, it's hilarious to watch the little guy eat and drink...

Carrots from Nicole Bolton on Vimeo.


Parker's First Sippy Cup Sips from Nicole Bolton on Vimeo.

Today, we hit another milestone: we went jogging as a family! Yes, we strapped Parker into the baby jogger and did an easy 3 miles along Palisades Park. I think Parker had a great time, and it felt great to be on the road again. I may have to sign up for a race soon. We'll see. For now, time to enjoy some wine and time with Jeremy while Parker sleeps. Promise to post again soon!