Well, I have not been around much and when around have been in a procrastinating mood and in need of a jolt. I even think that this account has expired. I need to look into that.

I did do my escape to NYC at the beginning of June. Planned 5 days of shopping and museums - saw the museums shows I wanted to see, was even incredible geeky and went all the way up to the DIA:Hudson (80 minute train ride out of NYC) to see the Torqued Ellipses sculptures of Richard Serra that I had first seen in 1997 before seeing the 40 year retrospective of his work that the MOMA was putting on. Got a facial and pedicure. Went out to dinner (and bars!) and felt footloose and Lolo free. The shopping was a complete disastrous and despite having budgeted a fair bit for this trip, I only bought one top and a skirt.

Got home and the Lolo said MAMA, which she now says on a regular basis. Hurray!
Got home and found out I was pregnant! Oops on the bars, but there is no sense fretting about it. I had a bit of a scare and bleeding at one point, but an ultrasound confirmed all is OK. Now it is the routine of blood tests, etc... I am due at the beginning of February. So far: nausea (check), tiredness (check), acne (check)... I had nothing with the Lolo so I am a little frazzled. I am so sensitive to smells that certain ones - poo - will make me throw up. On the upside, no more diaper duty for me! On the downside, I will throw up at the smell of my own poo which frankly in the realm of pathetic-ness must rank me pretty close to the top.

We got back last night from our 3 weeks in Tuscany. It was wonderful, but hectic. I'll post pics if I can. The Lolo loved the house we had. There were chickens and ducks and rabbits and cats and a turkey. Every morning, afternoon, evening, she would issue the order: WALK! And off she would go with one of us trailing her. We are entering the 2s. naOoooo! says Lolo when she is not pleased. She makes her "no" sound like the cry of Victorian grand dame faced with a great tragedy: dramatic, anguished, and utterly hilarious coming from such a small frame. We all end up laughing which I am sure she will include in some later autobiography in the chapter: my family, endured tortures.

More later as my Victorian dame has woken up. MILK!