1. As nauseating as this is, feel free to vote in my baby name poll.

2. Big, giant bear hugs to Jennie, who called me this morning to leave a cheery message on my voicemail but actually got me (driving to work late after dropping Jake off at Smart Kids Camp).

3. Speaking of Jake, I don't think it could get any fucking hotter at that damned school. They're holding SKC at a local elementary school, since the building they usually use at Northwestern is under construction. However, Local Elementary School (LES) has no A/C. And we're having one of the hottest, most humid summers in about 10 years here. Thankfully, the heat doesn't seem to bother Jacob (unlike me and Danny, who can only tolerate very short bursts of this weather). Jacob, however, will play with all his might until he drops from exhaustion and dehydration -- or has a massive toddler-type tantrum.

I think the SKC is great for him in a lot of ways, and it's certainly keeping him from being bored for a few weeks, which is crucial. But the heat! My G-d, the heat! My mom picks him up most afternoons, and she says it's awful in the gym where they have the kids playing after school. We're paying extra, mind you, so he can have his bagged lunch there and have free play for two more hours. I'm paying for my kid to run around like a maniac in an indoor sauna. I'm a horrible parent.

4. My patience is infinitesmal. I feel like a really bad mom. But Jacob just talks and talks and talks until you want to stuff feral cats in your ears just to block out the noise. And Danny, while my adorable muffin-faced boy, is in a pretty whiny, clingy stage. I adore the baby snuggles, and want to get them in before Baby #3 usurps Danny's rightful throne, but I'd also pay good money (that I don't have) to get a decent damned night's sleep.

5. Speaking of which, can the weird dreams stop now? I assume the hormones making me depressed during the day can also be blamed for the bizarre nightmares all night long. By now I've dreamed of the baby dying, my own impending death, unwanted sex, wanted sex (for which I'm sure not in the mood when I'm awake), pain, suffering, being lost, trying to escape, trying to run away from someone, etc. Seriously. Enough already.

6. The A/C isn't doing so well here at work, either. They supposedly got it up and running by 9 am, but the Pit of Despair is still a good 15 degrees warmer than the rest of the floor. I'm really looking forward to plopping on my bed in front of the air conditioner tonight!

Hope you're all cool and happy where you are....

["Born To Fly," Mike Ruekberg]