Everyone in our house has been dealing with different sleep issues over the last few weeks, and it’s high time for reflection.
For me, the issue is a lack of sleep; the very same guidebook that has kept me from blogging regularly also is keeping me from putting my head on the pillow for more than [...]

Yes, it’s been a while since my last post (don’t say I didn’t warn you). And yes, there’s much to report about that stretch, including a rundown of our trip to England, the baby’s foray into potty-training, and additional attacks on The New York Times Motherlode blog (read the comments).
But for now, I leave you [...]

Between life as a full-time parent and full-time freelance writer, blogging has sunk on the list of priorities this week, and there’s nothing wrong with that at all.
The bad news: this scenario likely will occur more frequently in the next year, so get used to it.
That’s my crass way of notifying you faithful readers that [...]

The Villano family spent last night in the guest cabin at a well-known Napa Valley winery. Since the place didn’t have a crib, we brought L’s travel Pack-N-Play, an old-school model that’s about twice the size of the ones they sell today.
As always, L took the opportunity to make us laugh. Hysterically.
It usually happens when [...]

Thanks to an unexpected turn of events this morning, I am suffering from what I like to call PTSD, also known as Post Tantrum Stress Disorder.
The tantrum was a doozie, a 30-minute episode that started out of nothing (she didn’t want to brush her teeth) and ended only after I gave L a long while [...]

Today was one of those days that makes being a work-at-home dad difficult.
In one corner: Dreaded deadlines, many of which had piled up after extensions and other various schedule adjustments. In the other corner: L, all cute and eager to come into Daddy’s office to listen to “Frosty the Snowman.”
I anticipated how challenging it might [...]

You’ve undoubtedly heard the saying about how absence makes the heart grow fonder. Despite the importance of moms and dads being there for their children, I’d say this concept applies to parenthood, too.
Powergirl and I were reminded of it last night, as we spent the night at a swanky resort in the Napa Valley. While [...]

Considering that I fell asleep at my computer four times in six nights last week (and considering that I’m writing this at 3 a.m.), I’d say it’s high time something about my work schedule (watch the baby all day; work late into the night) changed.
And so it is with great excitement this week that I [...]

How do you know you’re a grizzled work-at-home veteran? When you pull a stunt like the one I pulled today here at home.
I was upstairs. L and the nanny were downstairs. I had to run out to drop off a UPS envelope at the local UPS Store. But since L gets upset when she realizes [...]

One of the biggest upsides to being busy in my professional life: Cold, hard cash. One of the biggest downsides: Long days without the opportunity to kiss L goodnight.
Such was life for me on Tuesday. After spending the first three hours of the day together, the baby I parted ways when the nanny arrived. Then [...]