Back to reality.

We're back. We had so much fun last week and we're having the post-vacation let-down. Scott started his sub-internship in medicine this morning. He called midday to tell me that he'd be home around 11 tonight. Ugh.

As I write, Phoebe is screaming blood-curdling screams of "Daddy! Daddy!" in between dry heaving and the occasional "Blankie!" She was always a daddy's girl, but she became even more attached over vacation and seems to have times where I can't console her at all (like now, for instance).

I have a zillion pictures to put up and stories to tell, but they will have to wait until later in the week when I have a few other issues under control (like the laundry on the couch and last month's condo association meeting minutes sent out....).

For now, check out this awesome picture of the Raymond Cousins.

Seen at Grandma's

We went to Ohio this week and stayed with my parents. Scott had a week off, which is so rare we just had to do something. Phoebe learned how to work the parents and grandparents pretty quickly to get whatever she wanted.
And most of the time she wanted cupcakes.
My mom made these fancy treats and left them on the table as a centerpiece for a few days. Phoebe pointed, signed, climbed, and cried her way into getting cupcakes. When she got one, she would lick the frosting off (of course!) and pick the sprinkles out. When she didn't get one....
(note: the above photo was taken at about 10 p.m. - and eventually she got her cupcake)

Speechless Phoebe

Phoebe doesn't have much to say these days. She is supposed to be saying 5-15 words by 15 months, and 20 words by 18 months, but she's not saying more than "mom," "dad," and "no" (which she's said once, but she meant it!). She's 17 months. We started Early Intervention, which we did with Bruce because he had motor skill delays and now with Phoebe because of language delays.

Early Intervention is a state-funded program for developmentally delayed kids under three years old. A social worker from the program comes to our home once a week and plays games with Phoebe to try and get her to communicate. Words haven't come yet, but Phoebe learned to sign "more" this week. Today Bruce and I baked cookies and she scooted up to the counter and signed "more" while grunting at the bag of chocolate chips. I'm trying to reward her for making signs, so I gave her a few chocolate chips. She signed again, and I rewarded her again. She figured out the game and is now a proficient signer. Next, we need to break our chocolate chip habit.

"Hello, this is Kara."

I'm writing an article about elite runner-mommas for New England Runner Magazine's July "women's issue." I've been interviewing mostly regional elite runners who have kids, but by some random hookup the editor of the magazine got me in touch with Kara Goucher (shown above, kicking booty in the 2009 Boston Marathon before finishing third). She called me yesterday and we talked for a half-hour about running, diaper changes, Nike, and motherhood. I tried not to sound too star-struck, but I totally was. While we talked, Bruce watched PBS Kids and fed Phoebe a steady stream of chocolate chips in her high chair so I could talk in peace. It's probably a good thing that my "chocolate chip babysitter" isn't available for marathon training runs.