It's been a busy couple of weeks in the Duck household. I think the last time I wrote was right before the 4th (aka The Day Erin Became Old). Since then, we have had visitors, we've been on trips, we've dealt with all kinds of new issues, we've found new loves...it's been quite the crazy 11 days.

The Fourth



Andrea and Darren were awesome enough to come up to visit for my bday. It was a last minute surprise and wound up making my bday weekend even more fun than I'd hoped for. Plus, it was the first time that Aunt Andrea had gotten to meet Snuzzler, so it was a special weekend for all parties.





Andrea kept apologizing for following me around the house all weekend and I had to laugh because I so remember doing that to Anna after she first had Allie. There is nothing more fascinating than watching a friend with their new baby, especially when you don't yet have one of your own. I remember following Anna in when she'd go to put the baby down for her nap, following her when they'd go into the bathroom for tub time, following when they'd go into the nursery for a diaper change even, because at that point, I simply couldn't fathom all the work that went into this whole motherhood thing. And actually, I have to say, that as a mom, I find it kind of fun to have someone trail me around while I do the seemingly mind-numbing tasks that constitute a typical day in the life. That sounds harsh. There are lots of non-mind-numbing moments too, but let's be honest...diapering, feeding, burping, diapering, feeding, burping...some of it ain't all glamorous. Or at least it's nice to know that someone else thinks that ooh-ing and ahh-ing over your baby for hours on end is as fun as you do. Sometimes I think I've gone crazy with how long I can spend just sitting making stupid faces and noises at this kid...it's fun to see someone else enjoy the same nonsense.

Anyhow, so Andrea and Darren were there through the weekend, which was fabulous. We got out for brunch in the city - Cookshop - a place I'd been dying to go. And what happened to be stationed right outside Cookshop?? A truck that, I kid you not, is titled "Waffles and Dinges". That's right, BELGIAN WAFFLES. And not the "Belgian" waffles that you typically get in the US. These are Belgian waffles as designed by an actual Belgian. Sure, they didn't have quite enough crunchy sugar bits, but hey...when you can smell Belgium from down the street, they must be doing something right, no? So, fabulous food in the morning and then Chris outdid himself with a fabulous cake in the evening. For those of you who don't know, my mom used to always make me an American/Fourth of July themed cake for my bday each year. (If you can't figure out why, erm...) Since we started dating, Chris has taken on that mantle and has become quite the Americana Cake expert.



Impressive, huh? All in all, a fabulous bday. Of course, while I was dressed pretty demurely, Kayla was quite the showoff on Mama's big day. She went through three costume changes. THREE! Sheesh. I had NOTHING to do with it of course...she's a little showoff all on her own.






Truly, the kid is a shopaholic. I can't imagine where she gets it from.

Alas, it is late and I am zonked, so I think that this will have to be a multi-part post. I know, booooooooo. Sorry, but it's either that or I ramble incoherently for another 5-6 paragraphs, growing less and less comprehensible and more and more bizarre. Okay, that kind of sounds like a good time, but nonetheless...break for now. Back in the morn.