July...

...is turning into one big waking dream, wherein we:

1. Went to Portland, Maine for a long weekend (and a long car ride with two children!)

2. Watched Lena walk, then walk fast, then proceed to climb low chairs and beds every time we turned around (!!!)

3. Are attempting to night wean the above scrambler so that I have the stamina to (a) drive places that lie beyond 10 minutes from here (no, I did very little of the NJ-Maine driving) to enjoy the remainders of summer; and (b) chase aforementioned scrambler.

4. This week I am trying to shake a bad earache (1 word or two?) that brought us to the doctor's office today where a nurse/secretary muttered under her breath about my lack of a stroller. I forget sometimes that most of the country doesn't tote their 12 month olds to public places sans stroller or shoes. But mostly, that is the lack of sleep operating...

5. We are also celebrating today's news story that rats that ingested caffeine and exercised were better able to fight sun-damaged cells than other rats with one or none of those conditions. Score one for moms chasing kids in the sun!

6. Better attempts at clever blog creativity next month! Cheers!