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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

It’s as if The New York Times has been overrun with new parents these days.
Last week, the paper ran that article about the impacts of cone-scan technology among pediatric dentists (I blogged about it earlier this week). Since then, the Gray Lady has published two other informative-yet-disturbing articles pertaining to the development of our children.
The [...]

A good friend of mine became a father last week—the latest in a series of spectacular milestones for him (he’s an accomplished author of multiple books). Now, the fun for him really begins.
He learned this immediately. After he and his wife spent their first night home with the new baby, he sent me (and, I [...]

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 [...]

Generally speaking, L has been a maternal mood of late. This doesn’t mean she’s ignoring me completely, it just means she’s gravitating toward Powergirl and the other women in her life. This weekend, for instance, whenever the baby wanted something, it was “Mommy, Mommy, Mommy,” or “Grandma,” her name for my mom.
Daddy, it turned out, [...]

In anticipation of our upcoming post Christmas and New Year’s trip to England, Powergirl and I took L to the local branch of the U.S. Post Office today to get her passport. Needless to say, the experience was harrowing and adorable at the same time.
First, the good stuff: The baby, bored out of her mind, [...]