Cute, cute, and CUTE

She sure is growing up fast. It's funny, you know...at one point I remember thinking, "Oh my goodness, one day Boba will crawl." And then she did, and about a week after she started it was like no big deal. Then I also remember thinking, "Will she ever hold her bottle on her own?" And, lo and behold, she starts doing it almost immediately. It's like, right when I start wondering when she'll do something, she ups and does it. So of course now my thoughts are along the lines of, "I wonder when she'll find an agent and book her first national commercial."

Think big, I say.

But seriously, here's a quick update on the CUTE things she's added to her repertoire-of-stuff-she-does:

1. She brushes her hair! If you put a baby brush in her hand, she'll pat her head with it. She'll even pat my head with it. And then, of course, she begins to eat it.
2. She plays ball with us! She looooves to throw balls and have them thrown back at her. It's so adorable; after she throws she pumps her arms up and down in delight. Sometimes she throws it and it goes absolutely nowhere, but then she does the pumping thing, so I don't mind too much.
3. She can say "Daddy"! Which naturally just melts Jason's heart. She used to say "Mama" alot, but I think she realized that I respond to pretty much any noise she makes, so the frequency of "Mama" has dwindled. Bleah. I do enjoy hearing her say "Daddy", though.

More new photos soon, I promise! Work has slowed down, but so has my brain. Must be the heat.

Babyfaced

Check this out...as a parent you don't actually see your baby's face changing, but then you look at pictures and it's like OHMIGOD - the baby is no longer a baby but a person who looks a little bit like you. But really has her own unique face.

It's both enthralling and terrifying at the same time.

Behold:

(Progression: 1 month to 3 months to 6 months to 9 months)

And now, a mere two-and-a-half weeks from her 1-year birthday, here's her cute little mug:

SHE'S ALL GROWED'S UP!

(Okay, okay, so it's not like she's old enough to get a MySpace.com account, so I don't have to worry too much yet, right? Right??)

Happy Fathers Day! (And a note about where I've been)

And now, for yet another beeyootiful Father-Daughter photo (I have a lot of those, don't I?):

Yesterday, Father's Day, was actually spent rather uneventfully - we had lunch at Black Angus (again!) and then Daddy went off to do his shows while Mommy had to work and Lolo, Lola, and favorite babysitter Christina took turns watching Boba. Oh well, so much for trying to celebrate. Like Mother's Day, however, Father's Day should be a regular celebration instead of this once-a-year silliness. But that's no excuse for our lame festivities yesterday. Daddy, sorry...Boba and I will make it up to you soon, promise!

* * * * *

So, I've been absent for about a week and you're all probably at the edge of your seats wondering where the hell I've been. Well, let me tell you! I know I keep complaining about how rough life has been (yeah, yeah, poor me), but let me just say that if you don't hear from me at all then it means that things have to be pretty hectic to have me disappear for a while. Let's just do a quick run-down of the events of the past week, shall we?

• Monday: Boba was pretty fussy, more so than usual. When she returns home from a party with Jason, I notice some red bumps on her butt. Figuring that it's a bad case of diaper rash, I slather her with Desitin and call it a night.
• Monday night: Boba doesn't sleep.
• Tuesday: I notice a blister-type bump on her right hand. I immediately make an appointment with her pediatrician. I suspect Hand-Foot-Mouth Disease, but I want confirmation. At 10:30am, after her appointment, Jason calls to confirm the diagnosis, but tells me that the doctor thinks it's a mild case. This does not assure me too much, as Boba is still fussy and irritable.
• Tuesday night: Boba doesn't sleep. (And in case I hadn't mentioned it, this means that Mommy and Daddy don't either.)
• Wednesday: I come down with a full-blown cold that I've been ignoring for the last two days. I can barely breathe. Luckily, Boba seems to be doing better, but I am slowly wearing down. Also, it' s the first day of rehearsal for one of our shows, and I'm the assigned dramaturg on the project, so I am busy the whole day.
• Wednesday night: Boba sleeps a little better. But my stuffy nose and sore throat prevent me from doing the same.
• Thursday: My health continues to deteriorate, but Boba shows signs of improvement. Meanwhile, my other "big" project, my boss' 25th Anniversary Gala, is approaching so I am doing double duty as I switch back and forth from dramaturgy-mode to party-planning-mode. I am thisclose to passing out.
• Thursday night: After a little (ahem) sleep-training, Boba seems to sleep better. But this totally wreaks havoc on my nerves. And again I can't sleep.
• Friday: Program deadline. Luckily I'm informed that our program doesn't go to print until the end of the month. THANK GOD. That way I can concentrate on my VIP-wrangling and my research on the British economy. The fact that I can separate the two at all at this point is an accomplishment. (I am also building a slow addiction to Afrin at this time. Scary.)
• Friday night: Boba has another "good" night. (As in, she only wakes up once, and goes right back to sleep.) Still, I can't seem to get the hang of going back to sleep when she does. SUCKS.
• Saturday: Pick up my boss from the airport and attend a work event. Boba comes along, so I get the benefit of showing off my cute baby to my co-workers. And my cute husband. (Boba gets more attention, but Jason has always been appreciated by my co-workers. Yes, the male ones too. Yes, I work in the theatre.) My cold has descended into my chest, but at least I'm no longer congested.
• Saturday night: Boba sleeps through the night! HOORAY!!! Mommy has, for once, a pretty good night, too. DOUBLE HOORAY!!!
• Sunday: The big Gala day. And Father's Day (see above). I spend the afternoon attending to the VIP's who are my boss' friends...big names in the theatre world who are just some of the nicest people I've ever met. Oh, like Terrence McNally. And Mary-Louise Parker. And my new best friend, who is the most wonderful and most-unlike-his-TV-counterpart-ever, John Glover!!! I swear to God, these people are soooo sweet! I kid you not, I will be vacationing in Aspen with John before the year is out, I SWEAR. Totally platonic, of course - I'd bring Boba & Jason and he'd bring his partner Adam - but we are totally BFF now. All because of this Gala!
• Sunday night: Boba sleeps through the night AGAIN!!! Life is soooo good at this point!

I am slowly resurfacing from my cold, which I still sorta have, but not as badly. I'm absolutely EXHAUSTED, but today I turned in my program notes, the party is over and the VIP's are being flown back to their respective homes as I type, and table work is over so my dramaturgy duties are pretty much done. Of course, I have a PILE of scripts to read, that have been neglected for the better part of a month or so, not to mention the scores of other little things that I could be doing, but for the most part, the major stressors are over. Done! And done successfully! So, as much as the last month (and most especially last week) was crazy, it is all beginning to wind down (a little), and I can now actually relax (a little).

And Boba is a happy healthy little girl once more! She's so close to walking that I swear it will be a matter of days before my post entitled, "DEAR GOD HELP ME NOW - SHE'S WALKING."

Until then, thanks for checking in!

Boba's first Birthday party!

Wow, it's been quite the slew of "firsts" for Boba, hasn't it??? First time at the beach, first time at the pool...and now, her first birthday party. Not hers, of course; that's not for another month, but the first time she's attended a birthday party for a fellow small-person - that "small-person" being Chamina Elise, daughter to my cousin Chamina Sr. (a.k.a. Jamie) and her husband Edgar (a.k.a. Egger).

Mama Chamina shows the Bday girl how to blow bubbles as Cousin Jillian looks on

It was Boba's first opportunity to really meet and play with her fellow cousins, and what a time she had! They had all actually met her when she was still a newborn peanut back in August of last year, but of course this time around she was able to interact with them. Needless to say, we all had a fantastic time.

Discovering bubbles with Cousin Joey and Auntie Armi

Hugging Cousin Marley

Checking out Cousin Johnny-Boy

Discussing the finer points of the monkey exhibit with Auntie Armi

Wanna know something kinda cool and scary at the same time? Well, this party marked the first time for all the 3rd generation Maniquis-babies to get together, and I kid you not...it was like seeing me and my cousins, the self-named "The Westside Posse" (WSP), all over again! I mean take a look at this shot...it's the WSP REDUX!!!

The West Side Posse II

Oh, to be small and cute again. The party was a blast, and Boba had such a great time with her cousins. Good thing we went too, 'coz now I know all about small-people birthday parties! And Boba's is in a MONTH! Gotta start preparing now!

Anywayzzz...Happy Birthday, Chamina Elise! Hope you had a boo-tiful day!

Childproofing the house is inevitable

She is sooooo close to walking, it's ridiculous. But unlike those days when I was so anxious for her to crawl, I am now waiting in trepidation. Because walking? Opens up a veritable world of possibilities, "disaster" and "mayhem" being on top of the list.

Among some other cute things she now does that clearly indicates what a genius she is:

• She can operate a door knob! Of course, she's not tall enough to reach it, but when I hoist her up she knows what to do!
• When I say, "Feed Mommy" while she's eating, she'll pick up a piece of food and put it in my mouth.
• She plays her toy piano note by note, IN SUCCESSION. As in, "do-re-mi-fa-so", or "so-fa-mi-re-do"! A budding virtuoso, I tell you!

This girl's got MAD intelligence on her! I can just feel it!

Swimming in Coronado

Yep, it's summer, alright. And what this means is that we slowly increasing Boba's exposure to all things June-July-&August...including...WATER SPORTS! And...CHLORINE! And...SUNBLOCK!

And...SEMI-NUDE BABY SWIMMING WHEN MOMMY FORGETS YOUR SWIMSUIT!

Last weekend, Boba was introduced to all of these (re-introduced to sunblock, as she was well-slathered once again) when Poppy Tom & Grandma Julie, Jason's folks, were in town to see Jason's show. They stayed in a sweet little hotel in Coronado that had a rockin' pool, so Jason and I suited up, packed our baby bags (and yes, Mommy forgot Boba's swimsuit so she swam in her diaper), and headed over. Needless to say, the grand-units were thrilled to see the growing Boba once again, and were more than happy to float her around the pool. At first she wasn't really sure what to make of the whole oversized-tub thing, just like the weekend before at the beach, but she was darned happy the rest of the day, so my guess is that she had a good time.

(Yes, the photos turned out a little dark, but you get the idea.)

Boba & Poppy

G'ma Julie & Boba

Pool Party

Boba's still a little bewildered

Poppy & G'ma Julie left the next day for a week in Lake Tahoe, but we were so glad to have had at least a couple of days with them! And mark my words, this isn't the last you'll see of Boba in the water. After all...it's summertime! In San Diego! My word, I may just have to get her a bikini!

Anyhow, thanks again to Dad & Julie for the great time at the pool. Boba misses you already! Hurry back!

It's been rough.

I haven't been absent on purpose. It's just been...well...crazy. And kind of difficult. Boba is going through some kind of weird sleep phase (or lack thereof). It's as though she's decided that sleep is merely an OPTION, something among many OTHER options that she could be doing in the 8pm-6am time slot. Oh, like squirming in Mommy's arms (okay, not so bad). Or, flinging toys and socks at your face from her crib while screaming (okay, BAD).

To coincide with this is that, suddenly, my work load has seemingly QUADRUPLED. Don't get me wrong; it's all kinda good in that it indicates that I'm actually needed around here (have I mentioned how I am serially insecure about my career? So yes, this is all kinda nice for my otherwise-fragile ego). But I find myself grappling with the eternal guilt of the working mother: am I neglecting my child by devoting 40 hours a week to my job? Is my daily absence going to damage her in some way? Of course, I don't really believe it will, but mother-guilt can be a bitch...(oh, and did I also mention I am serially insecure about being a mother?)

And so, May sort of came to a head in all those regards. I'm not sure how much better June will be, but perhaps I will at least have more camera ops so I'll have something pretty to post. Hey, she could be walking any day now, so I'm sure that will be the June HEADLINER! Exciting, huh?

So, keep checking up on Flamboba, and if I'm AWOL for a couple of days, don't fear. Boba and I will be back soon, promise!

Memorial Weekend (a.k.a., Boba's first time at the BEACH!!!)

I have some cute photos from Memorial Day. I'll let them do the talking.

You can't tell, but she is SLATHERED in sunblock

Not sure about this sand thing (apologies for the wedgie shot on the right)

Fun in the sun

Outfit change!!! Hell, she's cute in whatever she wears!

We had a really nice time at the beach. Granted, we were there all of 45 minutes, but it was so worth it!! Oh, and confession - Sunday for Mommy was spent at a day spa with the cousters (that would be my cousins who are like sisters to me). AWESOME time. I would post photos and talk more about it, but: a.) cameras were not allowed on this excursion, and b.) I spent a LOT of time venting. Because, if you couldn't tell from the blog, I've had a rough couple of weeks lately. Good thing Boba's healthy...and so am I, for that matter, finally...because my brain is about 5 steps behind the rest of me. It ain't a good feeling. Fortunately, Sunday's spa day provided a much-needed recharge that is probably the only reason why I am able to type complete sentences today. Good lord.

But what makes up for it are moments like this: today, Boba learned a new word. And she says it over and over again. And that new word is....DUCK!!! As in:

"DUCK!"

She loves this freaking duck! And she can't stop saying it!! IT'S SOOOO CUTE!

This, ladies and gentlemen, is why we have children. For beach days and bathing suits and new words. That's right:

Good Weather + Cute Outfit + Word Repetition = INCOMPARABLE JOY

And that, my friends, was my Memorial Weekend. Hope yours was sweet. :)

All about DABIN

"What'd I do???"

"Dabin" is Boba's word for "food". She will actually tell me from time to time, right as she's in the middle of playing with her blocks - "Dabin." As in, "Feed me." As in, "I just got a hunger pang and I must be fed RIGHT NOW."

But then it gets confusing. You see, when we first started her on solids, she pretty much welcomed everything we gave her. It was a slow process, but I had her on a fairly balanced-yet-diverse diet. She wasn't exhibiting any signs of allergies, so I would introduce new stuff to her on almost a daily basis. She just ate it up. Once in a while, she'd wrinkle her nose and turn her head away from the spoonful I was offering her, but for the most part, she was a really good eater.

Until she had the stomach flu.

We did everything according to the book as far as treating the flu, and sure enough, she got better. BUT, all of a sudden, even though she was better, eating became a chore. Not surprising, I suppose, but it became quite frustrating when old favorites were suddenly pushed away with impudence. The only things she would eat were one of 4 items:

1. Bananas (fresh or baby-food style)
2. Applesauce
3. Special K (Mommy's cereal obsession)
4. Biter biscuits

(The biter biscuits are a loose addition to that list because mainly it acts as a filler until I can get the Special K out of the pantry and sprinkled in front of her. She is CRAZY about Special K, like me. Then she drops the biscuit on the floor like it never even existed.)

I'm getting a little frustrated at the lack of variety in her diet right now, but no matter what I try to feed her she twists away so violently I'm afraid she might get a cramp. Finally I feed her one of the 4 items above just so she has something substantial in her tummy!

Do food woes really start this early????

Anyway, she is still on at least 6 bottles of milk a day, so there is that source of nutrition. But I really do need to get her to eat more veggies and stuff. Any suggestions on foods that worked for YOUR child?? I'll try anything!

I am so out of it.

I've been trying to keep this out of the blog, but I can't any longer. I have a really bad cold. It knocked me out last week for a day, and then because I felt guilty for taking a sick day when Boba wasn't sick, I decided to return to work the next day. Plus I've only got one to spare anyway. But my thinking was that, if I could nip this cold in the bud right away, Boba would have less of a chance of catching it. Well, that was stupid; she's had the sniffles since Mother's Day, so either she had the cold originally and I got it; or she had a mild runny nose that I contributed to by catching a new cold at work. Ah, screw it. It's not worth trying to figure out the contagion-chain anymore with Boba and I. I kiss her waayyy too much to track it all down.

Thus,....I am miserable. Miserable, tired, and at work. What a great combination.

(On an unrelated note, congratulations to Daddy for a fabulous Opening Night of ZHIVAGO!!! Yay, Daddy!)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DADDY!

Today is Boba's Daddy's birthday! And since he is in show business, I'm not allowed to tell you his age, BUT I can tell you that he is not quite as old as twice the legal drinking age, he is older than Sally when she lamented "But-I'm-gonna-be-FORTY!" in the great Rob Reiner flick, and has been able to rent a car for over a decade. And he still gets carded.

Oh, and he happens to be a great friend, an amazing listener, a brilliant thinker, a talented performer, an awesome father, and a truly incredible husband.

Happy Birthday to the love of my life. We love you, Daddy!

"Jiga bye guhbye! Ick kababa jiga BAH!"

(Above title translated: "I know how to talk! Really, I do!")

We've got a real talker on our hands. Boba has graduated from the realm of repeated vowel sounds ("gagaga" and "bababa"), and is now actually sounding out word-like noises, complete with intonation and varying emphases! I kid you not; it's like she's got her own special language. I would even say that it is her own version of conversation in that she seems to be forming actual sentences that have meaning. I mean, it may just be jibberish to us normal folk, but in her developing little mind, she probably thinks herself verbally rhapsodic.

Here are a couple ideas I have about what she's trying to tell us.

• "Dadajiday kuhbejidegagah, ajubye KUPIK KUPIK."

Translation: When I drop food on the floor, that should be a clear indication that I NO LONGER WANT TO EAT IT.

• "Geebuhjee, dajeebugabig bigaga! Jee kupik ababa..."

Translation: I'm telling you, my diaper is NOT WET! Just let me play already...

• "Bye yagudah jibeday uhbabah."

Translation: I don't think I need as much sleep as you think I do.

• "Amama bikajay. Ahgahgah, jubee amama jukubah."

Translation: My mommy rocks. When I'm older, I'm going to buy her expensive things.

(The above translations are purely speculation, but are based on a thorough analysis of Boba's behavior and facial expressions. I am the Boba expert, after all.)

Favorite words continue to be "Dabin" (food) and "Bah bah" (bye-bye). One of these days if I figure out how to post a link to an audio file, you all can judge for yourself what she's saying! I do think I'm right about that last one, though.

"Buh jee guhjika BYE!" ("And that's what I have to say about it!")

A Mother's Day Toast (one day late)

In celebration of Mother's Day, I will do something that I try to avoid doing on Flamboba: post photos of Boba's mother.

Yes, that would be ME.

My first Mother's Day was quite lovely! I did wake up early with her, but only because I truly prefer to get her first thing; and also, as a working mother I sort of have a self-imposed rule about it: be the first person she sees in the morning, and the last one she sees at night. Besides, "sleeping in" for me is kind of moot since my body expects to be awake at 5:30am. So Sunday morning we snuggled together on the guest bed (a single...perfect for snuggling with a baby), and then, after breakfast, we played to our heart's content on her playmat. Yes, we do this every weekend, but on Mother's Day it all did seem a little sweeter!

Then, after Boba's nap, we all headed to Black Angus for lunch. (Yes, a steakhouse for brunch! Because prime rib is good ANY TIME OF DAY!) Boba was very well-behaved and even allowed the adults to eat together at the table. As in, at the exact same time! (Parents will understand what I'm talking about here!) Shots from the restaurant:

Note the makeshift bib. Hey, at least I remembered to bring the "diversion device" for the table.

Boba re-enacting her favorite scene from the movie, "The Exorcist"

The two loves of my life (the one on the right sure looks bored with the whole Mother's Day thing)

After lunch, we did a little shopping, then back home for Boba's afternoon nap. She slept in her crib for half of it, and then for the second half we snuggled again - there is nothing quite as wonderful as snuggling with your sleeping baby.

We spent the rest of the afternoon playing out in Lolo & Lola's yard - pretty, ain't it? - even though what Boba did doesn't really qualify as "playing" since she sort of cringed everytime she went near the grass. She opted to sit on my lap for most of the time instead.

Flambo & Boba

I hope all you mothers out there had a wonderful day, just as I did. There is really nothing quite as life-changing as motherhood, I think. And while there is only one official day a year to recognize all the mothers in our lives, I hope this is something we do often, and with joy.

Here's much love and praise for all the mothers out there. Happy Mother's Day! Cheers!

Month X

I'm just not one of those parents that post long monthly letters to their son/daughter, so I'll just say that while I think the practice of doing so is quite lovely and imparts a nice poignant-yet-inspiring tone to the whole notion of online-scrapbooking, I just won't do it.

Besides, how does one put a blubbering, emotional breakdown into words?

That said...

Yesterday, Boba celebrated her 10-month birthday. That's right, folks...10 months ago yesterday, I was strapped down in the OR after 13 hours of labor (4.5 hours without drugs/8.5 hours with MANY drugs) to have a C-section in order to finally welcome our 2-week-overdue baby into the world. (Would you believe, right before they opened me up my anaesthesiologist hit me up for Broadway show tickets. That's right, for SPAMALOT.) And then, ...

...we had Boba.

I'll tell the whole story some day, maybe when she turns a year-old. But for now, I am still marveling at the fact that in 10 months, she has become, well, a person. Not just a feeding-pooping-sleeping lump, but an actual little girl who's got a brain and a personality, and a temper, and a voice, and a heart...

Oh, the list goes on. I look at her these days and I am unexpectedly breathless by how much she's grown in the past 10 months. I mean, I know she's a baby and all, but look at her!

Boba's first pair of jeans

SHE'S GOTTEN SO BIG!

She has already outgrown her 9-12 month wardrobe, and can now fit into clothes for 18-month olds. She's not really chubby, but very very tall for her age. Tall, like her Daddy.

But then, in the blink of an eye, she is a little baby again, Mommy's little girl who's got an entire household of adults wrapped around her little finger.

Can I state the obvious? This child is everything to me.

And doesn't she just look incredible in denim?

Daddy...before and after (which is really now before)

The Daddy-Boba post got a really nice response, so I'm going to post a couple of new-ish photos of them together. These are kinda funny because they feature Daddy during two stages of facial- hair-experimentation. I'm a fan of the "before" goatee, but NOT a fan of the "after" mustache that somehow evokes the memory of a certain historical-dictator/mass-murderer-who-is-unfortunately-kinda-linked-to-our-family-name. (If you think about it, you'll know what I mean.)

BEFORE

AFTER (though not really, because this only lasted 1 day)

As you'll see from my post about Daddy & Boba in Reno, Daddy has since shaved the mustache off and is now facially bald. And I sorta prefer him that way. Boba too...kisses don't hurt as much.

(As a side note: LOVED the VM finale! OMG! It was soooo good!)

Is it 9pm yet????

I. AM. OBSESSED.

I was going to write about how much better Boba is doing after recovering from her stomach virus, and believe me, I am totally grateful, but in truth all I can think about today is the fact that tonight is the VERONICA MARS finale.

Oh. Good. Lord.

I have turned sixteen again. I have, I really have. Kristen Bell and Jason Dohring and their simply-amazing-off-the-charts CHEMISTRY have reduced me to a blubbering teenager that combs the internet (yes, at work) for any articles written about these two (and their show, of course). And, guess what? I'm not alone.

I am so shamelessly immersing myself in my own obsessive fan-dom today, because we (VM fanatics) are not sure (no! don't say it!) if VM will be picked up for a 3rd season. So, lest this be my last chance to pretend to be a head-in-the-clouds groupie ("pretend"?), I am celebrating my love for LoVe (VM fans will understand this), and pish-posh to all those who would think me some kind of daydreaming loser.

And so. At 9pm it begins. I expect to be weeping by 10pm. With both joy and frustration, I'm sure. But only the most delicious kind.

Boba will be asleep by then. I am giving my mother the monitor. She can handle monitor-duty for 1 hour.

This blog will be devoted to Boba again tomorrow, I promise! But for now, my TV obsession awaits.

In case you were wondering

Yes, I've been away from Flamboba for much longer than usual. That is because Boba contracted the stomach flu shortly after arriving back from Reno. BLEAH. Must be fate's way of punishing me for having so much fun at Vegas. Only I wish I had gotten it instead of her. I've only said this a million times before - doesn't it SUCK when your child is ill???

Meanwhile, Lolo & Lola aren't doing too hot either. (Yes, the bug is contagious! Hooray!) Plus Jason is deep in tech for ZHIVAGO, so I see him, oh, about 20 minutes a day. And of course this is the week my super-important boss is in San Diego. Plus deadlines galore on Friday. Boy, do I pick my timing, or WHAT???

While I was at Vegas...

So, while I was in Las Vegas partying up with my high school gal-pals, Jason decided to take Boba on an overnight trip to visit our friends in Reno, NV. (Yes, he wanted to take a semi-mobile 9-month-old on a plane for a 2+ hour trip, BY HIMSELF. Crazy, right??) Here they are on the plane:

Well, even though I was just a few cities away having a martini (or two), Boba apparently did quite well on the trip. Once they arrived, they met up with Jason's two best friends, Jeff and Matt, and their families. Jeff and wife Jan have 2-year-old twin girls named Kathryn and Cosette, adorable as can be:

Still can't tell which is which...

And Matt and his wife Wendy have the beauteous Olivia, who is only 3 months older than Boba:

What a cutie-patootie

Needless to say, it was quite the celebration of baby girls. Boba has always loved watching other small children, so she was quite taken with her new circle of girlfriends. I love this one of the girls hanging out:

(I swear I think God gave the three Ohio-boys daughters to prove some kind of point. Or maybe even as payback for all their....frollicking in their twenties. But since this is a family-friendly site, I'll leave it at that.)

Anyway, Boba and her Daddy had a perfectly wonderful time, although they definitely missed Mommy (who was probably somewhere between Caesar's Forum Shops and the Bally's lobby bar at this point). Boba also had the chance to meet a horse for the very first time:

She looks like she's thinking, "What the HECK is going on here?", doesn't she?

Other than a rough night of sleep (which is to be expected), Boba had a fabu time, and Daddy was a magnificent single-parent for the 30-something hours that I was not present. I mean, even I would probably break down from the stress of traveling with her by myself, but Daddy seems to be an old hand at it. What can I say, I married the Best Husband Ever. I know I hardly give him credit on Flamboba, but he's truly amazing. This trip totally re-affirmed that for me.

(No, that's not the guilt from taking a 3-day trip to Vegas with my girlfriends talking. Really.)

Some last photos of Boba & Daddy:

Boba enjoying some gifts from her new friends

Jason parties it up Daddy-style

A love letter to K, J, & A

I have to confess something.

I've been Boba-less for the last few days. And though I missed her like crazy, I still had a fabulous weekend. Why? Well, to preface...a few months ago, I got an email from one of my high school gal-pals saying, "Let's all have a reunion in Vegas. The four of us."

And so we did. Just this past weekend!!!

IT WAS SOOOOO FUN!!!

Kay Hoskey (formerly Thompson), Jill Martin (formerly Carpenter), and Angie Beach (kept her maiden name) and I met up in Las Vegas for a fun-filled, ladies-only, eat-shop-and-pamper-in-style weekend. The four of us were best friends in high school, and we haven't been together as a team in 14 years.

That's right, 14 years.

So, how do four grown women (two of them mommies) party it up Vegas style after not being together for so damn long? Well, as the cliche goes, it was like riding a bike. We didn't miss a beat. It was as though no time had passed since we were all seniors at Jakarta International School in Indonesia. Crazy.

I'll spare you the details of our whirwind trip (YOUR loss), but suffice it to say that it was definitely one of the most fun & fulfilling weekends of my life. I'm not exaggerating. There's a lot of discovery and re-discovery in a reunion like ours. And one of the things I love the most about it all is that while we have all taken such different directions in our lives, we are still so strongly connected not only by our history together, but by our shared experiences as women. It was glorious.

So, even though I missed Boba like you-would-not-even-believe, it was worth it. Three days with three amazing women. Thanks, ladies. I love you all.

Angie, Kay, me, & Jill. And Martinis all around.

I'm no website designer, but...

...I did manage to add a couple things over on the sidebar, to your right. I realized that some people who visit Flamboba probably wonder, "Who the hell names their baby Boba?" Well, no, that's not her real name, and no, my real name is not Flambo. Go click on "Behind FLAMBOBA" and you can learn the origin of these fabulous nicknames.

Sometimes I wish I had more website experience so I could really spruce up this page. Maybe add a banner with little photos of my baby girl. Or even vary the colors a little bit so you're not always reminded of Pepto Bismol every time you visit. I've been meaning to write her birth story and also have that be an option on the sidebar, 'coz boy, that's a story-and-a-half. Let's just put it this way...I had a birth plan, with all my preferences and wishes listed neatly in bullet form. The actual birth? HA!

God laughs at plans. She really does.

But I got a really cute baby out of it, and healthy to boot, so all's well, right?