Ben got his first camera for his birthday. We got him one of those Fisher Price kids digital cameras. He loves it. Here are some he took that day. No too shabby, eh?
Three Years Young
Sunday was Ben's birthday and we had a little celebration here at the house. I would have loved to have all of our friends and their kids but I just wasn't up to that many people, so we just had a few. Ben had a GREAT time and didn't want it to end. A BIG thanks to Kell and Melanie who helped me with the photographing and video coverage. The mamarazzi and paparazzi were on duty big time. It was so nice to have help and get different perspectives and voices. I get tired of my own.
Beautiful Creatures
Geni and Kell's kids are amazing. I love to take pictures of them and they oblige me so patiently.
Best Letter EVER
Meagan had me read this emailed letter she got and it is HYSTERICAL so I am sharing it here.
This is an actual letter from an Austin woman sent to American company Proctor and Gamble regarding their feminine products. She really gets rolling after the first paragraph. It's PC Magazine's 2007 editors' choice for best webmail-award- winning letter. Dear Mr. Thatcher, I have been a loyal user of your 'Always' maxi pads for over 20 years and I appreciate many of their features. Why, without the LeakGuard Core or Dri-Weave absorbency, I'd probably never go horseback riding or salsa dancing, and I'd certainly steer clear of running up and down the beach in tight, white shorts. But my favorite feature has to be your revolutionary Flexi-Wings. Kudos on being the only company smart enough to realize how crucial it is that maxi pads be aerodynamic. I can't tell you how safe and secure I feel each month knowing there's a little F-16 in my pants. Have you ever had a menstrual period, Mr. Thatcher? Ever suffered from 'the curse'? I'm guessing you haven't. Well, my time of the month is starting right now. As I type, I can already feel hormonal forces violently surging through my body. Just a few minutes from now, my body will adjust and I'll be transformed into what my husband likes to call 'an inbred hillbilly with knife skills.' Isn't the human body amazing? As Branch Manager in the Feminine-Hygiene Division, you've no doubt seen quite a bit of research on what exactly happens during your customers' monthly visits from 'Aunt Flo'. Therefore, you must know about the bloating, puffiness, and cramping we endure, and about our intense mood swings, crying jags, and out-of-control behavior. You surely realize it's a tough time for most women. In fact, only last week, my friend Jennifer fought the violent urge to shove her boyfriend's testicles into a George Foreman Grill just because he told her he thought Grey's Anatomy was written by drunken chimps! Crazy! The point is, sir, you of all people must realize that America is just crawling with homicidal maniacs in Capri pants... Which brings me to the reason for my letter. Last month, while in the throes of cramping so painful I wanted to reach inside my body and yank out my uterus, I opened an Always maxi-pad, and there, printed on the adhesive backing, were these words: 'Have a Happy Period.' Are you f***ing kidding me? What I mean is, does any part of your tiny middle-manager brain really think happiness - actual smiling, laughing happiness is possible during a menstrual period? Did anything mentioned above sound the least bit pleasurable? Well, did it, James?? FYI, unless you're some kind of sick S&M freak, there will never be anything 'happy' about a day in which you have to jack yourself up on Motrin and Kahlua and lock yourself in your house just so you don't march down to the local Walgreen's armed with a hunting rifle and a sketchy plan to end your life in a blaze of glory. For the love of God, pull your head out, man! If you just have to slap a moronic message on a maxi pad, wouldn't it make more sense to say something that's actually pertinent, like 'Put down the Hammer' or 'Vehicular Manslaughter is Wrong', or are you just picking on us? Sir, please inform your Accounting Department that, effective immediately, there will be an $8 drop in monthly profits, for I have chosen to take my maxi-pad business elsewhere. And though I will certainly miss your Flex-Wings, I will not for one minute miss your brand of condescending bullshit. And that's a promise I will keep. Always. Best, Wendi Aarons Austin , TX
And get this: Always even has ecards to wish your friends a "happy period". How stoned was the marketing exec who came up with THAT one?
Not For Sissies
in portraits
The Haircut Redux
On Saturday morning we headed out early to have Ben's hair cut. He was not too happy to be there and it took multiple bribes to get him to calm gown (hence the lollipop you see in the photos). He ate the lollipop while watching a cartoon and sitting on a chair shaped like a carousel motorcycle. It was like 'kid on crack'. After it was all over I realized the haircut he got made him look like a little skinhead. I wanted to hit command z but there is unfortunately no do-over in haircuts. It's okay. It will grow. His days of looking like a member of Aryan Nation are numbered.
Busy Day
We ran from one thing to another today. We did manage to make it down to Halcyon to meet up with an old friend of Josh's from SF who is here for SXSW. His name is Jon and he has a wife Heather who writes the very popular blog dooce which I have mentioned previously here and here. I met Heather for about 2 seconds and got one far away photo of here (below) but at least got a few seconds to talk with Jon who seems like a great guy. I can see why Josh is so fond of him.It was funny because Heather had arranged an informal get together with readers of dooce and I had anticipated a bunch of people sitting around some tables drinking coffee and conversing. It ended up being more like a book signing or a wedding reception where people queued up to meet her and have their pictures taken. Felt way more celebrity reverence than informal shoot the shit. Must be weird for her. It would have been for me at least. All that adoration for what? Being as fucked up as the rest of us but having the chutzpah to write about it and speak the truth? Strange culture we live in.
We also met the lovely Madeleine and her adorable daughter Eleanor (both pictured below) from SF. Their dad/husband writes the blog 43 folders. I wish I had more time to hang out there but it was on to a birthday party after that. Being a parent is exhausting.
Real Advice
The Umbrella
Time
Time is SO not on my side right now. It is the thing I am currently most ambivalent about. There never seems to be enough of it and at the same time I keep wanting it to pass quickly so I can get a place in my life where I have more of it. Or at least more of it that is free for me to fill as I wish. I am so overwhelmed by all of the things that 'need to be done' right now. And on top of the need to do list I have oh so many things I want to learn more about. I am so hungry to be exposed to new stuff. The internet has been a bad thing for me in some ways. Everyday I hear or read about something else I NEED to know more about.I have always been one of those people who wants to know a little bit about everything. A dilettante of sorts. I will immerse myself in one thing and live, eat, breathe it until I get bored and move on to something else. In some ways this trait has served me well. In other ways, not so much. I have always been overly impressed by people who knew from a very young age what they wanted their life to look like and have stuck with the original plan, without wavering. It seems like they accomplish real things. I am always beginning again and sometimes that is exhausting. But I don't know how to be something else.
The Brotherhood
in portraits
Monsters
I did a photo shoot for my friend Stephanie the other day and in addition to her son we borrowed Tanya's daughter as well as Tre's son. It was very fun for me and the kids were such good sports and just fun to photograph and be with. I know that Stephanie is chomping at the bit to see these so I thought I would offer a little teaser preview here. She gave both Ben and Sam a monster and they are SUPER cute and cuddly. I fight with the boys every night over who gets to sleep with them. Ben has a mean right hook.
So THERE!
in portraits
SO Excited
When we go to California in two months we will visit my parents in Southern California for a few days. When we are there I have arranged to have a session with one of my FAVORITE photographers, Tara Whitney (and her blog). I can't wait. Hopefully I can shed some pounds before then. I was going to wait until I felt really good about my appearance, but then I figured that life is short and we are who we are. Anyway, Tara is an amazing photographer and I can't wait to meet her in person and watch her weave her magic on my cherub boys.
Truth
Dear Ben
I know that I said I do not do these anymore, but after doing one for Sam it seemed only right to do another for you, especially since it has been so long since the last one. You will be three years old in a few days and I can hardly believe it.
You love television. I mean LOVE it. Many parents don't let their kids watch tv and I say "to each his own". I also love tv and still read more than anyone I know. I don't think the two are mutually exclusive. You think that we have a magic tv because of Tivo. You just plop down on the couch and ask to watch a giraffe, a hippo or a lion. As if I could magically conjure things up at will. It makes sense since you ask for 'Cars' or 'Dora' and they instantly appear. None of that "it's not on right now" for you.
I love how you say "please" and "thank you" and "bless you" when I sneeze. How you miss your daddy when he goes out of town. At night you sneak out of your bed and come downstairs and sit on the stairs. Your dad and I will be watching tv and suddenly realize that you are there. It's so cute and a bit eerie. We think you have a wonderful future ahead of you as a cat burglar. I love how much you love your little brother and how when you see him you say "What is that?" instead of "Who is that?" And when you want to tell us what something is, you say "what is that?" just so we will say "I don't know. What IS that?" and you can show us how smart you are. You are truly the puzzle master. I have never seen anything quite like it. Recently we bought you a 35 and a 60 piece puzzle. Josh thought I was being ambitious with the 60 piece, but I said you would grow into it. Within 30 minutes of returning home you had done both. You showed us.
You love your school. It took awhile for you to warm up to it but now you really seem to enjoy it. You walk into school and all the teachers you pass say "Hi Ben" and you just walk on by as if you were a rock star who could not be bothered. And when your daddy brings you home in the evening you hand me your latest creation and when I ask what it is, you say "art".
You always want to help out and you seem to really enjoy cleaning. I blame this on your nana (my mother). Last night you were taking a bath and asked me to give you the washcloth I was using. You then proceeded to scrub down the faucet and the tiles. You also like to observe all that we do and drag your stool everywhere so you can see what's going on. You finally let your daddy brush your teeth at night without trying to kick him to death and you two have your bedtime rituals from reading books to shadow chasing. The shadow chasing is my favorite. Right before you get into bed you run around your room "chasing your shadow". SO cute.
You love your daddy more than I can say and that warms my heart. Lately one of your favorite father/son activities is playing games on the computer. I admit that I am not so sure how I feel about this. It is a little strange watching you sit in the Aeron chair operating your own little mouse. It makes me want to add 'carpal tunnel syndrome' to your health insurance coverage. Your love of computers is a bit of a puzzle to me. I always see them as an adult activity since we did not have them as children. The other day you walked up to me and put the laptop on my lap and said "Trains mommy."
I was a bit worried about how you would react to Noah living with us but you seem to take it all in stride and always ask where Noah and Meagan are if they are not at home. You and Noah have so much fun together and you are such boys. There is a great deal of rough housing and physical play. I keep trying to take you to kids events all over Austin but you could care less. You are obviously not a "joiner".
I often write about motherhood in this blog and how challenging it can be. This is not at all a reflection on you. You are a wonder and the joy of my life. Motherhood is hard. Being your mom is easy. It is a role I would never relinquish no matter what. You and your brother are everything to me. I love you Ben. I can't believe you will be three years old. It is all going so quickly. I want to freeze you at this age and at the same time I can't wait to see what will happen next. It's a wonderful quandary to be in.
I Love You, Mommy
Lollygagging
in portraits
Tagged Again
This time by my dear friend Anjalika for a new game I had not heard of called 'A to Z'.A -Available? So married. B-Best friend: Josh. C-Cake or Pie? apple pie D-Drink of choice: cold beer, coffee, water E-Essential thing used everyday: coffee F-Favourite colour: orange, chocolate brown, robin's egg blue G-Gummi bears or worms: Just about the ONLY sugar I say "yuck" to. H-Hometown: San Rafael, California I-Indulgence: sugar, chocolate, caffeine J-January or February: January K-Kids and names: two: Sam and Ben L-Life: is an adventure M-Marriage date: July 30th. I think. N-Number of siblings: two brothers O-Oranges or apples: apples P-Phobias: death Q-Quote: "What fresh hell is this?" (Dorothy Parker) R-Reason to smile: beautiful photographs S-Season: Fall T-Tag three people: tanya, erin, melanie (you know who you are) U-Unknown fact about me: I was a cheerleader in high school (it's my dirty secret). V-Vegetable you do not like: lima beans W-Worst habit: procrastination X-x-rays you have had: teeth Y-Your favorite food: ice cream and pizza Z-Zodiac: cancer
Sweetheart
in portraits
Texas Hold 'Em
I had a blast the other night playing poker once again at the fabulous Tanya's house. Here are some of the pics from the festivities. Please note that the destruction of the beer bottle label was all Melanie (get that girl some valium). There is even a rare photo of yours truly taken by Melanie. I have no idea what I am doing to that beer bottle. Even Tanya's daughter Mia partook in the games and had to be dragged from the table to bed. Who can blame her? She just wanted to hang with the girls.
