Conversations with myself while dining with a tiny, cute person who can't talk

When I was working, lunch was a big deal. Lunch was a break, the middle marker of the day, a chance to socialize, get a manicure or just watch a TV show on my computer while I ate at my desk.

Lunch with a 9 month old is still pretty cool, but it is so different. We go on lunch dates with friends where I've learned to feed him with one hand and feed myself with the other at the same time while carrying on a conversation with another adult. When it works out this way, I feel pretty on top of things. Of course, there are times when I know 5 minutes in that he should probably be napping - those don't go quite as well.

When it's just me and Charlie eating lunch at home, it's a bit different. I put 4 pieces of fruit on his tray, or 4 Cheerios, he gobbles those up in seconds, repeat. While he is focused on eating those 4 pieces of whatever, I get about 45 seconds to myself.

during those 45 seconds, my mind wanders into all sorts of little crevices of memory. Example: I'm eating Chic-fil-a. I haven't had this in soooo long. I used to like it more. Like I wanted to bath in Chic-fil-a Polynesian sauce. When was the first time I ate Chic-fil-a? In high school? Oh yeah! It was when I was in elementary and they put a new CFA in West Oaks Mall! And I always wanted to eat there when we went to the mall and no one else - oh, Charlie, you want more peaches? Here you go. You're so cute!

Repeat.