I have to admit, after years of hemming and hawing over whether to go the family route, motherhood has proved already to be the greatest joy of my life (well, my first time in Paris and North Africa are both contenders for “greatest joy”, but I’m pretty sure Sophie squarely beats those on days when she’s not screaming bloody murder). The joy is at its maximum when I, as a mommy, am a) well-fed, and b) well-slept. That means at least 3 square meals a day (nursing mom needs a lot of sustenance) and at least 2 naps to make up for night after night of 3-hour sleep intervals.

And so today started out as such a lovely day, expanding my joy bubble even further… it was the first day of sunshine in weeks…Sophie awoke happy, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed… I was joyfully released from my house-slash-baby-prison for an outing to the mall involving a proper breakfast, a caramel macchiato, and brief but heavenly shopping (if you can count Budnikowski - kind of like a SavOn or RiteAid - as shopping). Things took an alarming turn upon our return home when Sophie projectile-pooped all over the changing table AND me (wearing my favorite, freshly washed-and-ironed white linen skirt). The floor was quickly strewn with poopy carnage including clothes, underwear, burp-cloths and a towel. We left the mess behind and attempted to recharge the afternoon with a visit to family where Sophie generally cooed and smiled for all involved… although unfortunately by evening things were getting a little edgy (tears, tears)… by the time we made it to Klaudia & Mehmet’s for a BBQ, it was a 5-alarm meltdown in the makings. She proceeded to cry (SCREAM) unconsolably for hours. This, on the first day since the birth that I have not had a) lunch, or b) a nap. It was truly a mess. My eyes were spinning in opposite directions.

We finally gave up and took our over-tired baby home. Klaudia (bless her holy heart) handed us a to-go box filled with homemade brownies soaked in chocolate sauce. Upon our arrival back home, I proceeded to enjoy these brownies straight from the box while standing at the kitchen counter, fork in hand…

Our wild child is now blessedly fast asleep in her best “I surrender” position (hands/arms face up above her head) and mommy is about to surrender too.

In Sophie’s defense, she has generally been a really easy baby for the past 2 weeks. Her easiness coincided with the day that we got a baby swing from my latest lifesaver, Kirstan. (Note: Babies Loooooove Baby Swings! Parents Love Baby Swings Even More, because they provide us with uninterrupted hours of peace and quiet….)

And so, to complete this someone unrelated chain of thoughts…I announce that Sophie now has a German passport! California here we COOOOOOOME!!!!!!!!!!

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Here is the best advertisement a baby-swing-manufacturer could hope for: