Such a bummer because A. Week of Hell with zero teeth to show for it, and B. We gave Bodhi a virus because we thought the damn virus was teething! He had no fever and no flu or cold symptoms, but on Saturday morning I took off his clothes to find this:

Eesch.

Oye. The annoying thing about this virus is the rash doesn’t appear until the end, so we meandered around town and various toddler groups with a VIRUS. We’ve got some karma coming our way…

He’s feeling better and to celebrate, we hit the park. Actually, I think the park will be a daily necessity for this ball (pun intended) of energy.

Teething pain is at a new level. Medicated (homeo and not, I even put whiskey on his gums once), with a boob readily available and my complete attention, he sobs. Just lays in my arms and cries. Sleep is disturbed. He barely eats.

He’s also decided it’s time to play the couch game. He climbs up (which he’s allowed to do), then promptly stands and tries to walk (which he is not allowed to d0). First, he gives me a big smile, then proceeds. I take him down and tell him we do not stand or walk on the couch. It is not safe. I don’t know if he thinks I think it’s funny, or if he thinks my waning patience and badly disguised frustration are funny. Either way, now we’re trying to give him a one minute “time out” in the Pack ‘N Play which is now in the living room. Time will tell.

We managed to go to two toddler groups and hit up the park this week, which he loved, although he was coveting others’ soccer and tennis balls much of the time. I am ashamed to say that I was “that mom” at the park: No hat (he won’t wear it anyway), no snack, no drink, and no balls. And Ian was “that kid” at the park: Stealing other kids water bottles, snacks,balls, and bikes.

We had a lovely end to the week by spending it with Bodhi and Mama Ash. Bodhi is up on his feet, and Ian was a champion spotter.

At breakfast, we practiced with a very large spoon, and started saying the word “more” in addition to signing.

Then, we had a nap. When we woke up, there was two aunties and one magic blue horse named Rody.

Lastly, we got our very first haircut, courtesy of Auntie Tiffany (what can’t she do?). Ian was semi-patient for this in the exersaucer (we had to bribe him with apricot fruit leather). Between the water to wet his hair, the hair itself, and the dried apricot, we were all a sticky mess. Mom cleaned up while Ian roamed the courtyard, and she Ziplocked some locks for ritual or posterity, whichever comes first.

Things turned quickly, happily.

Ian does not have so many words. He is a man of action. Now that he can climb onto the couch, he likes to walk across said couch, coffee table, whathaveyou. We’ve put the kibosh on this stunt and he is not happy about it. Lots of screaming and head banging. He’s also trying to climb his highchair and scale the window sills.

I think I’ve lost two pounds dismounting him from various objects. The good news is he sleeps well.

These are Auntie Denise’s doggies, Jackie and Leo. Ian was a welcome addition.

I have shoes on, and I hang with the big dogs.

I ate a sheep. It was the most delicious sheep, complete with a raspberry heart in the middle. Felt like such a carnivore.

Went to Boa for husband's birthday dinner. This is French onion soup in dim lighting. It was fabulous, but how can you screw up hot cheese?

Next up was tableside Caesar salad on chilled plates. Perfection. Spicy! Holy garlic. Glad we both ate it.

My entree. Spaghetti and Kobe meatballs. Tasted like spaghetti and meatballs. A little bummed, but I can only blame myself for ordering spaghetti and meatballs from a steakhouse. I was really tired.

Husband's steak. He got the strip. I told him to get the ribeye, but he didn't want to deal with a bone. Next time, he'll get the ribeye. This was decent, but a little tough and not super flavorful.

Dairy-free, agave sweetened chcolate cake for husband. I'm way better at frosting than cake. Cake was dry. Frosting was epic. Think maybe I need to use grapeseed oil instead of coconut oil in cakes. Any advice?

The frosting was epic.

Curious about Boa? Food was good, but not life-changing. Service was great. Ambiance was dated. Do I think we’d go back? I don’t know.

Here’s the frosting I whipped up:

Vegan Agave Chocolate Frosting

1 tub Whipped Earth Balance

1 cup agave

1/4 cup tapioca starch

1 Tablespoon vanilla

1/2 teaspoon almond extract

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

Dumped it all in the stand mixer with the whisk attachment and whipped it until light and fluffy, about five minutes. Stopped periodically to scrape down the sides and make sure everything was getting incorporated.