Give My Regards To...

To my dog. Like Ian, you can't tell me how this is affecting you or why you feel it necessary to push his door open and jump up at his crib to wake him when it would have been just as easy to let him sleep while we peacefully made breakfast and took care of a little business before resorting to such measures. If you could now try not jumping on him while we're practicing walking on the patio, I would appreciate it.

To those with the ability to shower and dress at leisure. Less than 2 weeks ago, I also unknowingly indulged in such things. Today, I walked in proximity of a mirror and called it a big accomplishment.

To the one armed people in the world. I never knew of your obstacles until now. I am right handed, yet due to an old injury need to carry Ian with my right arm....pretty much all the time. He has not yet found comfort in our deluxe weight berber carpet and padding, rather it is panic inducing. It could partially be the 35 pound beast lumbering toward him for some of the leftovers on his face. Today, I did things with one arm that I never thought possible. Many were not particularly safe. I'll leave it at that.

To the makers of Recaro car seats. Yes, the "how to adjust chest straps" section in a small buried section in the back of the manual, but once I figured it out, Ian liked it and slept most of his stay in it. Could I drive around all day? Gas prices say "no". My sanity says "For the love of all that is holy, yes!"

To the engineers of Bellevue Square Mall. You must be childless, because you managed to place the one and only elevator to service the entire parking garage in a far corner and a mile away from my usual parking spots... If I had only realized this BEFORE parking, unfolding the stroller, getting Ian out of his comfy car seat an into said stroller, figuring out two of the straps and deciding to ignore another that made no sense at all, getting across to the entrance... before a flight of stairs came into view. Fabulous. Thank you childless structural engineer. Thanks a lot.

To the same engineers mentioned above. Again your sense of humor or cluelessness superseeds you. I would also like to thank you for thoughtfully planning for no fewer than a dozen conveniently placed escalators in the million-plus square foot mall...and again, one elevator. How hard could it be to make escalator steps 3 feet wide rather than 1 and placing ramps where you decided only steps would do?

To the cute mom in front of me with perfectly styled hair. I'm so glad that you had the time this morning to shower (and probably leisurely shave your legs), style your hair perfectly, then pick out a coordinated outfit including your $200 jeans and Coach handbag. I'm not even sure my socks match and I think need deodorant. I don't really care at this point.

To the makers of the 2001 Peg Pegero stroller. Would it have killed you to install a cup holder? I know for a fact that lattes existed way back then. Just because I bought it used on Craigslist doesn't mean I can't afford a much needed coffee during my child's content moments in his stroller.

To the kid who asked "Would you like help out with your groceries?". Two weeks ago, "no thank you" would have been more of a involuntary reflex, but today you are a God to me.

And finally...

To my husband. You have been a bigger help than you know. Eventhough my dad said "Tell him he'd better step up and help or his name's mud", you've been amazing. Without a second thought, setting down your keys and taking Ian mid tantrum...and letting me relax; which in this case means unloading the groceries that had been in my car for 3 hours, starting laundry, unloading the dishwasher, making dinner, sorting 3 weeks worth of junk mail, and returning a couple of emails, and finally taking a shower. No massage or facial could have felt better.

I fished out my camera, but now need to find the docking cable. I have a few pics, but not much. My China retrospect and packing lists will have to wait a few more days.

For those wondering, Ian slept almost all the way through the night last night with only one 20 minute incident. He then slept until 8am, when as you know the dog decided she wanted to say good morning. It was a rough day of tantrums, but better than the day before thanks to some outings, which Ian seems to really like. I'm hoping I'll be feeling a little better by tomorrow and Ian will be that much closer to getting over his jet lag. Now if he could just let me set him down for even a second, I would feel a lot better.

One day at a time.