Made in Richmond

I realized it’s been two whole months since I filled you all in on my skin!

HOW HAVE YOU HANDLED SUCH SUSPENSE?

Well, basically, no news is good news at this point. I still get a few whoppers every now and then and they are always on my chin — although I remember reading somewhere that blemishes on that part of your face are caused by hormonal fluctuations, so I feel somewhat better about it.

The most important lesson I’ve learned is when I get one of those whoppers, I just need to leave it the mess alone. A little touch of tea tree oil and MAYBE an application of spot treatment left on for 10 minutes are as far as it goes. Other than that, it’s hands off and keep moisturizing — none of this “ASSAULT” mentality that I used to have. I’m getting older and my skin can’t take all the riff-raff.

But, while we’re on the topic of spot treatments, what do you use?

Drinking
I’ve developed a new unwinding ritual as of late and I highly recommend it: a John Daly served in a jelly jar. It’s just about the most perfect thing ever.

Watching
Ron Livingston’s video diaries of Band of Brothers Boot Camp. Ever since finishing Band of Brothers a few weeks ago, I’ve seen my obsession with it grow. While watching episodes of the show tend to make me ugly sob, these are a nice alternative. They also remind me that Ron Livingston (my boyfriend) was not *actually* a member of Easy Company.

Reading
One of my former jobs was, um, not fun. So from time to time, in order to save myself from the pits of hell cheer myself up, I’d turn to these two blogs. Recently, I happened upon them once again and thought I’d share…

The Dairi Burger: As the About Page describes it, “My goal is to reread the entire series to relive my tween years, and also to get really angry at how SVH gave me a false and misguided view of high school life. And life in general. In fact, I blame all my insecurities, problems and worries on these books.”

What Claudia Wore: Ok, it’s not just about Claudia; the author of this blog dissects the hideous clothes sported by *all* the members of The Babysitters Club.

You’re welcome. And my apologies to your employers, families, and friends, as they will never see you again.

Wearing
I tried the mineral foundation route, but it just doesn’t seem to work for me. So, I bought Revlon’s PhotoReady Foundation on a whim and I’ve really liked it so far. It even manages to somewhat conceal my gigantore pores.

Obsessing
Things have calmed down somewhat work-wise (for now), so my brain has become quite occupied with making it look like we actually live in this house; in fact, I’d say I spend about 67% of my day thinking about it in some capacity. I have paint chips taped up on the wall. I scour the Internet for rugs and lamps and coffee tables. I recently bought a new bedspread AND throw pillows. This place will be civilized yet.

JR,

What the…? What is happening? How are you A YEAR AND A HALF old? This unacceptable, young man, and you just wait until your father gets home.

Now I will gush.

So, yes, my sweet boy, you are 18 months old today. That means in six months you will be two years old. And I will be dead because my head will explode with the absurdity of that.

You are…oh, just so incredible right now. While I loved it when you were a tiny baby, this stage of your life (our lives, really) is the most fun I have ever had.

You talk constantly — some babbling, some actual words. Here’s what our days usually sound like (and please imagine these all said in an extremely high-pitched voice, even though when you babble, you take things down a few octaves):

Cracker? Milk? Mama? Dada? MY Dada? Shoot-ah? Wawa? Bath? Heddo? Na-night? Teeeeeeth? Soap? Wash? Ross? Watch? Peeeeeeease? Ah-side? Walk? Car? Dog? Na-night? Ca-poot-ah? All gone? Down? Up?

You’ve recently realized that saying “more” isn’t always specific enough and started tacking on nouns to that from time to time. Usually it’s “more cracker?”

Speaking of food, we’ve had a couple days lately where you’ve been willing to try new things. You ate a ton of watermelon on Mother’s Day (with strawberries mixed in without your knowledge), and you scarfed down a ton of sausage the other night. You even tried some asparagus, which you promptly spit out, but, hey, trying counts for something.

School is still going well. You’re napping better there (but you still won’t give them the solid three hours that you do at home — thanks for that, by the way). It seems like you and the kids in your class are getting to be more interested in playing together. See?

You love coloring these days (although your word for it sounds very much like your word for “cracker” which is sometimes frustrating). You’re getting better at holding the crayon and pushing down so you can make a mark. Pink seems to be your favorite right now. Your Aunt Stephanie will be pleased.

Recently you’ve developed a fascination with hiding things. You enjoy hiding your shoes (usually right before we need to go somewhere) and putting your toy cars into your dad’s mixing bowls stacked on the island in the kitchen. While it can be frustrating, it’s pretty cute after you tuck something away because you lift up your hands and make a face that seems to say “Where did it go?”

You’ve also gotten to be more cuddly. We were in the store today and you started getting fussy. When I turned to you, you reached up and said “Cuddah?” I bent down and nuzzled you a bit and you snuggled right into my neck. We sat like that for a few seconds and then you were fine for the rest of the trip. It’s exciting that you’re getting better at communicating what you need or want from me. In fact, last Friday, I was doing some unexpected work on the computer while you were playing. You kept coming up to me and fussing, but I had to finish what I was working on. Finally you toddled up and said “Mama? All done?” I can take a hint.

This month we took our first solo family “vacation” together. Actually it was just a weekend trip to Blacksburg, but this was the first time we’ve headed out of town without your Mamaw and Papaw to help out. We shared one room at the hotel, and despite a brief scream-fest that first night, you did very well.

We went to Blacksburg so you could see your first Hokie football game — they play their Spring Game every April, and it’s free to get in, so we figured it made sense to try things out then. Even though the game took place right in the middle of your nap time, you held it together. We only stayed an hour, and you were more interested in the cranberries we had brought to snack on (which you haven’t eaten since), but overall, it was a success.

We tried to get you to say “Touch down!” during the game, but you were too distracted. However, as we walked out of the stadium, passing other Tech fans, you enthusiastically threw your hands up in the air, hollering “TAHHHHH DOOOOOWN,” charming the pants off of everyone you passed. As usual.

My boy, I must say, it’s been a pleasure being your Mama these past 18 months. I can’t wait to see how you continue to grow and change into a little man.

But don’t change too fast, ok? I don’t think my heart can take it.

Love,
Mama

I’m not really a “music person.” Sure, I enjoy it, but I’m not someone who needs to have it on in background or would even list it as an “interest.” Despite coming from a very musical family, it’s just not in me. (That thump you just heard was my father falling over and dying from disappointment. He’ll leave a comment and deny it, but it was him.)

But! From time to time, I do become mildly obsessed with a particular artists and try to listen to everything he or she has done. My current love right now is Regina Spektor.

I have no idea if this makes me hip or lame or nondescript, but I recently found myself fine tuning a Pandora station to focus on her. I can’t help myself. Consequently, her songs are in my head pretty much all the time these days. Now some of them will be in yours.

(Fidelity)

(On the Radio)

(You Don’t Know Me At All with Mr. Ben Folds OMG I LURV HIM)

I’d love to hear what you’re listening to.

Today I’m especially thankful for these boys. One whose birth made me a Mama, and the other who I’m so pleased to have along for the ride.

It’s really, really easy.

1. Jump on the bed.

2. Stand in the middle of the bed.

3. Walk in a circle.

4. Plop down.

5. Sit for 0.43 seconds.

6. Frantically stand up.

7. Jump off the bed.

8. Repeat steps 1 through 7 until the head belonging to the small woman who feeds you explodes.

Guys! Food poisoning is horrible! But luckily, relatively short-lived!

(Apparently I also love exclamation points!)

On with the bullets…

• We have started watching The Pacific. I like it but I am not in love with it, as I was with Band of Brothers. The reason? No epic bromance as of yet.
• Alavert is my new best friend. This morning my allergies were trying to make my face fall off. One Alavert later and I’m sitting pretty (but tweaking out slightly — you take what you can get, kids).
• JR has learned to say “Shooter.” Now most dogs are “Shooter.” It’s pretty, pretty cute.
• He also is refusing to eat strawberries. I’m thinking of taking him in for a DNA test, because how can a child of mine not like strawberries. They are of the heavens.
• It’s like 90 degrees here, or something. This is distressing because pale girls like me need a couple weeks warning about weather like this so we can start applying self-tanner. Trust me, it’s for the good of society. Not much gets done if everyone is blind.
• I’m currently reading The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood. You should be reading it, too.
• I got a new laptop a couple weeks ago, but I’m currently going back and forth between the old one and the new one. Because do you know what having a new laptop requires? Moving files and downloading applications. Do you know what moving files and downloading applications requires? Time? Do you know what I don’t have much of? That.
• I just scheduled JR’s 18-month checkup. HALP!

Ok, your turn. Fire away!