Pool!

Today Tiffany was introduced to the wonders that is a swimming pool in southeastern PA in July. Love at first splash. At last, a place where she can splash her fingers and tootsies in comfort without her mother screaming at her to "Get that out of the toilet!!!"

I use three exclamation points here, because, as Terry Pratchett once pointed out, using four or more constitutes a diseased and deranged mind.

We had a wonderful time playing. A wonderful time that will be eclipsed by tonight's wonderful time sleeping. She's going to sleep SO GOOD now that she's tired out, and I'm going to get some much needed early bedtime myself.

If she ever stops wailing... not my fault. The tv is having a personality crisis this week. The little gizmo that controls the volume is busted. Periodically it goes off and raises the volume to MAXIMUM sound, thus startling the heck out of anyone in the house. This is able to be corrected about 50 percent of the time. The other 50 percent, the only two options are to wait it out or turn it back off. I was nowhere near the tv when it did this, five minutes ago. I did not wake up the baby. Therefore, I feel no desire to get off the Net and soothe her back to sleep. Besides, she's nearly asleep anyway. It's more a protest at this point.

(Quick- babies everywhere unite! Raise your picket signs and sing songs of solidarity. Let's end the oppression of bedtime!)

Surprisingly enough, Mommy doesn't need a nap at this point. A heating pad for the cramps and a gallon of herbal tea for her anxiety-ridden stomach, but not a nap. This is a good thing.