It always amazes me how, for a toddler, just about anything can become a toy. Some of L’s favorites over the last few months have included an old cell phone, a wooden spoon and the tassel on a pillow at the cottage we rented in England (of course yours truly named the tassel, “Furry Tassel,” [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

Curiosity is L’s new approach to life, which means that just about every outing these days is a field trip.
Yesterday, for instance, an ordinary errand-run to the local Safeway turned into a date with the “robot” at the self check-out counter. L watched in amazement as the computer told us precisely what to do, then [...]

Is there anything more life-affirming and wonderful than a baby’s giggles?
I’m not talking about the giggles they make when you tickle them, imitate an emu or sniff their freshly tubbed bellies like a dog. I’m talking about the giggles they make when they’re finding happiness completely on their own, when they’ve put themselves in a [...]

After a slow start to the holiday season, Christmas 2010 is in full effect at our house, and little L is reveling in every minute of it.
She requests carols four or five times a day (“Jingle Bells” and “Frosty” are her favorites, though she also likes “Santa Baby”). She plays with the stockings every [...]

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 [...]

For those of you who aren’t opposed to television time for the kiddies, a friend of mine told me recently about a great holiday gift: A DVD with a fun new approach to get kids reading.
The DVD, dubbed “Mr. 7 Yea!” features kindergarten teacher Marc Sevigny reading two popular children’s books in an engaging style. [...]

Generally speaking, I’m pretty easy to please. I like being outside. I appreciate conversation. I don’t need diversions to have fun.
Naturally, then, I have been looking forward to the day when L is old enough to walk and talk and talk with me, enjoying my company while the two of us enjoy everything that comes [...]

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 [...]