1. A consistent schedule is our salvation. No matter where we go, who we're with, or what we're doing, Roman always goes down for a nap (with not much fuss) and always sleeps through the night. And if his schedule gets a little screwed up, he falls right back into the schedule (with a little fuss) within a day or two. He also is happy and generally cooperative on this schedule.

2. He is beginning to come to us for comfort. He has moved past the "hey, I recognize you!" stage, and he is turning to us for calming when he has been scared or he thinks he's hurt in some way.

3. He is most comfortable at home. He has fun at a lot of different places, but when we return home we can practically see him let his hair down as he chases the cats, digs into his familiar toys, and toddles around the house to check on his favorite haunts.

4. Get gas at the beginning of the trip, not in the middle. Just like at home, if Roman is sleeping for a little while and he wakes up, he will NOT go back to sleep. That isn't to say he won't be grumpy and shout at you...

5. Fresh air makes kids especially sleepy. Which is a good thing.

6. Roman will eat food at other places that he wouldn't touch at home. We don't know why that is.

7. If your child has a wet cough for a couple days, go to the doctor earlier, not later. Roman's has progressed into rattling and wheezing, and we now have to skip swimming this morning to go to the doctor.

8. A kid apparently senses if you've had too much wine the night before. He'll wake up earlier than usual, just to spite you.

9. Bare kid feet on a deck is probably not the best idea.

10. Man, our kid just keeps getting cuter and cuter!