Sunrise, Sunset...

Cover of Sunrise, Sunset

Maybe I am getting emotional in my old age, but the other day, I sat down with Gianni (child #3's nickname) to read her some books (she loves that, which is great.)

And I found a beautifully illustrated version of the song "Sunrise, Sunset" from Fiddler on the Roof.

I barely made it halfway through the book, holding Gianni in one arm, before I got all chocked up and began to cry.

So difficult to hold on to the moments, no matter how hard we try, isn't it?

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3rd Child QT

I think it is fair to say that Gianni (nickname for child #3) doesn't get as much attention as Tonka (#1's nickname) or Paco (#2's nickname) at a comparable age.

It's not fair, but the words of every parent are "Life's not fair."

While the NFO works on Sunday and I have focused time with all three kids, it's rare that I have focused time just with Gianni.

So, when the Nanny called to say she was sick and the NFO had to go to work, I had the opportunity to take Gianni on some errands (CVS and the bank) and play one on one with her.

She's almost 10 months old and really beginning to develop into her own little person.

It's tougher with later kids to appreciate all of the milestones (because you are so busy with all of the other kids), but it was fun to have a "strong fathers, strong daughters" moment with her...if only for a few before she crashed for her nap.

Of course, there are trade-offs and seeing how the siblings play and interact with each other is but one of the many ones.

And, as my friend said, "don't feel too bad, you did give her LIFE."

True. True.

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Certified Stop and Smell the Roses Moment...

Paco and Tonka were spending the night at their grandparents, so it was just Gianni and me before the NFO returned home.

I took her for a walk and made a deposit at the bank ATM (it was working this time).

I ran into a friend going into CVS, she held up a roll of film saying "I have to get this developed."

I tried to take a picture, but she demured, so I put out a note on Twitter:


to which a friend replies:



but that was only part of the story.

I noticed while I was talking about the film that the Gianni was in a really great mood, so, as I walked home, I tickled her, smiled, made faces, and really made an effort to engage her.


Towards the end of the walk, Yoni calls my cell.

"I just saw one of the cutest sights of my day driving by you and your baby."

 His observation validated a moment in which I had been totally immersed. For that time, I wasn't aware of my surroundings, wasn't thinking about anything else, wasn't multi-tasking. Just appreciating the beauty of my 6 month old little girl.

Thanks, Yoni!

Pak ‘n’ Play

As I’ve written before, there are some moments in parenting where you know it’s a transition. And others, where it happens and only later do you realize it.

Well, I just moved the Pak ‘n’ Play out of our bedroom. Gianni is officially in her own crib every night.

Moment noticed.