Well, so much for posting twice a week. What can I say? These past couple of weeks have been doozies, and they’ve turned me into a very bad blogger.

We’ve had a lot going on–good and bad. I know I don’t need to explain to y’all how busy life can be, especially with a tot. So, I’ll stop making excuses. Sometimes, being with the family has to come before writing about being with the family. (Sorry, blog.)

I’d planned to post about our first Mother’s Day, but I never got around to it. I shot a wedding the day before, and I knew I’d be pretty pooped. Rather than fight the brunch crowds, we decided to play it low-key, and we took Finn to the lakefront for a picnic. Best. Idea. Ever.

Except that Finn is absolutely terrified of the grass. And even though we put a quilt down, that kid wasn’t fooled. He KNEW there was grass under that quilt, and he wasn’t having it. It took a good 30 minutes to get him warmed up to the idea of sitting. But it was still an amazing day–warm sun, a lake view, our little family, and lots of snacks. Note to self: we need to do that more often.

The weather has turned in Chicago, finally, and we’ve been spending a ton of time outside, going for walks, visiting our neighborhood farmer’s market (yes!), taking Finn to the park, trying to fend off his grass-phobia. You know–just the typical summer city livin’. It’s been wonderful

Have I mentioned that our son is obsessed with bread? Yeah, he’s definitely my child.

There have also been some not-so-sunny days, lately, as Finn was struck by his first cold (which he got right after Sona and I were sick for a week, ourselves). His cold turned into an ear infection. And the ear infection led to antibiotics. And now he may have a mild case of thrush, which we suspect for two reasons: he’s not really eating and Sona has sore nipples. So, that’s been fun!

No, no it hasn’t. It’s actually been really tough. He’s also about to get his two bottom teeth; his gums are red and swollen. All of this is to say that our poor little guy has been out of sorts of a couple of weeks, and mommas are pretty tired.

At the height of the ear infection, there was one sleepless, scream-filled night. It was probably the worst night Sona and I have had as parents (and I know we’re pretty lucky to be able to say that). Nonetheless, we are ready for our little dude to be healthy and happy, again.

Of course, in the midst of Finn’s Blue Period, we had a house-guest. My dad, who hasn’t seen Finn since Thanksgiving (and let’s just admit that he’s basically a different person since then), came for a week.

It was actually nice to have someone around to entertain Finn when our tanks were running on empty. And, really, it never gets old watching your parents fall in love with your children. So, we enjoyed the visit more than we thought we would, even though things have been completely bonkers, lately.

And, unfortunately, things won’t be settling into anything even remotely resembling a harmonious normal anytime soon, as we have some big stuff coming up this summer. It’s all good, but it sure will keep us on our toes.

More about that, Wednesday. (And I’ll try to follow through on my blogging promise, this time.)

We’ve had a rough few weeks, here. It’s just been one of those times when it feels like there are a thousand things to do, everything is going wrong, and we can’t catch our breath.

Sick nanny, calling off for over a week. Work stress. Family drama. More family drama. A cat with a tooth problem. A car that locks us out for no reason. A calendar full of all sorts of extra stuff, resulting in very few “normal” days. Separation anxiety. A week of very ill, exhausted mommas. And now, a baby with his first cold.

I could go on, but my complaining is even annoying me.

Let’s just say I’ve spent a lot of time fantasizing about saying “*!&% it!,” giving it all up, and moving to a Caribbean island to become an ice cream scooper, lately. (Have you read this article?)

I’m sure you’ve been there, too.

Here’s the thing: Finn doesn’t stop growing. No matter how distracted and busy and overdrawn we are, Finn keeps changing. He doesn’t wait for our life to slow down. He doesn’t wait for us to find the time for him. He doesn’t wait for us to prioritize.

And so, I’ve been making a list. (Yes, another one). A list of the things I don’t want to forget. A list of the things that, when the fog of never-ending madness lifts, I’ll remember.

Us parents are always quick to make record of the big things: first tooth, first steps, first day of school. But, even more, I want to remember the little things.

Here are some of those little things that I don’t want to forget:

• the way Finn looks back over his shoulder, twisting to look at me when he’s in the car-seat and I’m driving;
• how he slams his legs, pounding the mattress with excitement, when we go in to get him in the morning;
• his never-ending head shaking (which, yes, has caused us some concern, but is also adorable);
• the way he buries his head in my chest, giving little nuzzles;
• the way he buries his head in my arm while sitting next to me on the couch, usually right after looking up and giving me a smile that stops me dead;
• how he “sharks” food, coming after the fork or spoon like a rabid animal;
• the way he talks to the cats–and only the cats–frequently;
• how, when he sees you move to pick him up, he’ll drop the toy he’s holding so fast, reaching his arms into the air;
• his ridiculously sweet “O” pout, which he first did a lot as a newborn and which now includes his sticking his tongue out just so.

These aren’t the sort of things that any baby book would prompt us to jot down, but they are the most important things. WAY more important than any of the miscellany that sometimes clouds the goodness.