I'm One; What's Your Excuse?

I have no excuse. :)

I have an new admiration for all good parents. (When I said this to my mother Monday morning, she laughed so hard and for so long I was a bit concerned.) I also understand why I am totally not ready to be one.

Grec and Pem can this weekend with Baby W for a visit. The last time I saw Baby W was when he was not yet walking. What a difference a few months makes! This time he was walking and moving all the time. And he's like a whole person now, complete with personality and an adorable, heartbreakingly awesome smile.

I have always liked visits from Grec and Pem. They are the perfect guests that you wish for (ok, I wish for). And even with Baby W in tow, they were still a welcome addition to my now empty and too-quiet apartment.

So Saturday was jammed-packed. I finally got to see a bit more of SF thanks to Grec and Pem. (Pictures TK)
1. We started off by going to second b-fast at The Grove on Chestnut (Eggs Florentine, only so-so)
2. Then we walked to the Bay
3. Then to Fort Mason
4. Out to the walkway leading to Alcatraz
5. Then the little beach
6. Then Ghiradelli's
7. Then down to the Embarcadero, Pier 39 and then to see the Sea Lions
8. Then we took the Light Rail (muni pass works) down to Market and the Ferry Building, before arriving at the Yerba Buena Carousel.
9. I got to go on the Merry-Go-Round too and got to watch Baby W's first ride.
10. We went to the Zeum playground, where completely by chance, one of the playground people made up a song and rhymed a song with "Aunt Winnie" while I was standing there (he didn't know my name!). I got to take Baby W with me down a slide!
11. Then we went to dim sum and beard papa.

I know that was just a long list, but this post will never end otherwise. I now have a much better idea of what I live around at least. And that night, I have never fallen asleep so quickly. Sunday was great... had brunch at Squat & Gobble with Grec & Pem and A & D. While I normally love the crepes here, it was a bit too crowded for my tastes but the company was nice and the conversation was lovely.

Grec and Pem are good parents... I say that not only because of they way that they take such good care of Baby W, but also because in a short 14 months they have already perfected the art of distraction. After this weekend, I realize that I am still an immature toddler compared to Grec and Pem. I had seen almost nothing of SF since I arrived and they managed to exhaust me to the point that I forgot to be nervous about babysitting, changing diapers, feeding, or dropping the baby on its head (accidentally, of course). And you know what, they were right, it turned out fine... though I have to attribute most of that to my friend Ann who came and kept me company and played tag team with me when it came to Baby W. Wihtout her, I would have been reduced to fetal position as well.

Like the book, All the Things I Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten, there are a few things that I learned from Grec and Pem's visit.
1. I need to clean more; dustbunnies are my enemy
2. Babies are way more durable than I thought
3. I too, want a stuffed animal whale taller than me
4. Dustbins are my friend
5. Sharing is much easier than I thought

And to Grec and Pem: Come Back! I miss you already! :)