What is the worst thing you can do to an otherwise sweet and well-mannered dog whose forbidden fruit is people food? Put her in the same proximity as a highly generous and overwhelmingly ‘dropful’ 16 month old. Through no fault of her own, Lily has eaten raisins, animal cookies, green beans, cheese and various other vittles that Stella has shared both willingly and absent-mindedly.

As Dad’s punch list shrinks, ours grows. Aside from the final finish work (appliances, light fixtures, etc), the only thing left on his list is kitchen floor. Our list on the other hand has grown rapidly. Stain & seal mouldings/window trim, paint touch-up, add baseboards, stain & seal bathroom cabinets, touch-up grout shower, kitchen backsplash, etc, etc, etc.)

Mom and dad will be heading out on Thursday and we will be left to our own devices. Which isn’t saying much. One on baby duty, and one on house detail doesn’t make for much productivity. This is one of those things that isn’t outlined in the baby books: “everything will henceforth take you 26 times longer than it did in your pre-baby days.”