Life With A Ladybug

A ladybug infestation has been plaguing the New Jersey suburbs of late. It's also hit close to home, in the form of a certain ten-month-old in her Halloween costume.
Here's what you need to know about ladybugs:
Ladybugs are adorable creatures but they travel everywhere, quickly.

They even have a tendency to creep along your dresser. They'll get in your drawers and clothes if you don't watch them carefully.

Although it's tempting to succumb to the ladybug's charms, don't be fooled: They are hungry little critters and will soon have you in their clutches, feeding them from your own hand.

Photo Booth

It was one way for a photogenic baby and her mommy to kill some time on a random Wednesday night.

Ten Months

Happy ten month birthday, Piera! Ten months ago you arrived in a joyous hurry, and you haven't stopped making everyone smile since.

Right now you are sleeping--tired out from a long day in which you invented a new-style crawl/scoot hybrid as a means of escaping us quicker. It was a very long day and an even longer week; it's little moments in long weeks like these when I suddenly catch your eye and it hits me how lucky I am to have you in my life. I love you!
--Mama

Bad Mommy

Appearances, like that of an attentive mother, can often be deceiving. Tonight Piera had a diaper blowout; she's outgrown her size three Huggies and Mommy has procrastinated for almost a week in buying the next size up. After the mess was cleaned up and bath time given, Mommy let Piera crawl all over the bedroom while she, Mommy, attempted to surf the web. Good idea, huh? Piera promptly discovered Mommy's glass of white wine on the desk: She pulled it down, spilling most of the contents onto the rug and some onto her just-cleaned hair and onesie. The glass, remarkably, didn't break. Piera went to bed smelling of Pinot Grigio.

NOLA

Last weekend, Piera took her first trip to New Orleans. She stayed at Hotel Richelieu in the French Quarter; her room was the Paul McCartney Suite (the actual Beatle once lived there for a month!) The trip was so much fun, especially the giraffes at Audobon Zoo, seeing old friends like Susan, partying at Marion and Chris' wedding and, last but not least, drinking her first beer, an Abita amber.

Stripes!

These are what Daddy refers to as Piera's "Where's Waldo?" pajamas. Thank you, Hanna Andersson!

Jean Jacket

Piera's first jean jacket from the Gap is so cute: It makes this cooler weather seem completely worth it.

Bedtime

One Nano highchair on Amazon: $180
One pack of Gerber's Graduates puffs: $2.00
Falling asleep in your highchair while eating: Priceless.

Daystar Air

Not everyone has a Jeff and not every Jeff has a plane...but Piera's Jeff does. His airline, Daystar Air, is Piera's favorite. It has leather seats (just like Jetblue!) and you can even bring liquids larger than 3 oz on board—sweet!