Goin' to the chapel.... or the golf course!

We just got back from Jillian and James's beautiful wedding at the Dublin Ranch Golf Course. It was cloudy and cold when we were seated but just as the ceremony started, the sun broke through and we warmed right up. I knew Jillian had planned the wedding down to the last detail, but that was really impressive!

Look for more photos in the album I'll be sending out tomorrow!

The ceremony:



Dario with Uncle Chris and Auntie Ice:



Matteo enjoying some hors d'ouevres (did I spell that right?):



Dancing with Jenni:





Poor little Dario did not have as good a time as everyone else though. He slept in the car on the way up since it was his normal late afternoon nap time but woke up when we got there and just couldn't get back to sleep, making him very fussy. We tried nursing, walking in the wrap on my front, in the mei tai on my front and back, walking inside, walking outside; nothing worked. He was awake for over 4 hours straight when he can barely stay awake for 2 hours at home. I thought for sure he would pass out in the car on the way home, but no. He screamed every second of the 40-minute drive. My ears are still ringing even though he's now happily snuggled into his jammies and swaddling blanket and sleep.

It certainly wasn't anyone's fault, least of all James or Jillian, but I think it's a good lesson for all those newlyweds out there (and you know who you are!) who are thinking of becoming parents sometime soon. As cute and sweet as they are, babies don't give a #$^* what you want to do. Their needs for food, comfort, entertainment, and sleep trump your needs for the same things every time. No exceptions. If they were a friend or boy/girlfriend, you'd dump them in a heartbeat because all they are so selfish and never think about what you want.

So when you become a parent, you have to be ready to give, give, give. Every time. It's a hard lesson to learn with your first baby, even if you know in your head that's how it will be, but it's easier the second time around, thank goodness. Because you know what it's like to put your own needs last: to eat a complete, sometimes cold, meal in three minutes, with one hand, while standing up; to hold your pee an hour longer than you should; and to sleep in 2-hour chunks for months on end. You know what it's like to watch your first baby grow up faster than you can believe. And you know that in no time at all, you'll be watching your own babies getting married and instead of giving to them like you've always done, they'll be the ones you're giving away.