Monday, September 25

no meme, just random spewings

I seem to have that post malaise some other bloggers are suffering. I can't seem to form a coherent, much less interesting, string of sentences to constitute a post. Ack.

I feel like a cat with a stubborn furball.

See? I can't even come up with interesting imagery.

Anyhow, here is some random spewings from my brain:

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I went to mall today in search of a party dress worthy of the most magical and soon to be one year old, Ms. Bumper. I have a hard time shopping for Bump because I hover ever so gingerly between absolute mania (buy everything in sight) to stinginess (how much wear can she get out of this absolutely perfect, matches everything, six dollar shirt?). It's a difficult line to walk and is made more difficult when I actually take her with me. Today was one of those days.

I came home with one item for her: another hat. I just bought her two last week, and I came home with another one for her. I'm certifiable. It's not even the best hat. It makes her look like Andre 3000. Husband thinks I should return it and I think he's right.

I must clarify that there's anything wrong with looking like Andre 3000. But it's not the look I strive for when dressing my 11 month old girl.

Of course, once I got home, I decided I best liked the first two dresses I saw in the first store I visisted. And the store only had one of each left in her size. So I either go back tomorrow or keep looking. It ticks me off that I'm so damn indecisive sometimes.

Speaking of the two dresses, I find it strange that they look nothing alike. One is really girly, and in fact is way over the top girly which is a look I don't usually do for Bump. The other dress is more like me, a simple but pretty dress with no girly touches, save for the fact that it is a dress. So I guess if I do go back and am forced to decide between girly or tomboyish, I may just bite it and purchase both because I can never make up my mind until held at gunpoint. Which is absolutely unecessary when shopping for children's clothing.

Truth be told, I'm avoiding the topic that I'm actually think about: dressing my daughter girly style. I wasn't dressed that way and husband thinks she looks the best in her comfy overalls and t-shirts. And I agree, so when I do dress her up, I select no-pink, no-tulle, no-lace dresses. But for some reason I want to dress her like a little girl for her birthday and it's driving me insane. I'm having a hard time reconciling with giving into my lacy, pink, frothy doll fantasy and my projected tom-boy image I've assigned my daughter.

Then I slap myself and say "it's just a dress, deal with it".

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Moving right along.... I need to know if anyone else has the same irrational paranoia as I do. When approached by another mom or person identifying themselves as a mom, do they ever ask you simple baby-related questions that you do NOT want to answer?

Because I don't mind if a mom asks me "how old?", "how much did/do they weigh?", "is she walking?" and other development milestones.

I may lie just to screw with them but the questions don't bother me per se.

But one question bugs me.

It bugs me a lot and I think I might just be a wee bit strange. I hate being asked "what is her name?". I usually will just ignore the question if possible or keep talking like I haven't heard them. But I find the type that asks that question, usually persists and asks again. I usually lie if I'm by myself.

It happened to me today and I was taken off guard (it was the second question she asked me and I was busy and not really paying attention). I don't really understand my reaction because the other questions are somewhat personal but there is something about my baby's name that takes it to the realm of "excuse me, that is really personal, why would you ask me that?". Am I blowing this out of proportion? Anyone else?

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I talked to my mom today and it turns out she went to see the Rolling Stones this weekend with my dad. My parents are both in their seventies, they are more of a Peter, Paul and Mary type and I'm pretty sure they both shunned the Stones as young adults.

It was really freakin' funny to hear my mother say:
"that Mike (yup, she thought his name was Mike) was wearing a beautiful, shiny grey suit and at the end of the first set (yes, she said set) he took off the blazer and he was wearing the most wonderful red sequinced blouse (yup, she said blouse)."
OMG. What if my dad shows up for Bumper's first birthday wearing a red sequinced shirt? I don't think I could ever recover from that and it would be stamped on my brain forever. Gah.

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Okay, that's enough randomness. Thanks for letting me spew. Back to regular programming tomorrow.


keep an eye on her folks, you never know what she's going to cough up

20 comments:

moplans said...

hmmm
ok first of all my new shopping game plan is to buy everything and then take it back if I decide against it. Who knows when I will get a chance to go shopping again. you can't risk it.
you do not have to answer questions from any strangers who annoy you and last your parents rock

karengreeners said...

so much to laugh about!
I bought two pretty pretty (tho not too frilly) dresses for bumblebee's first birthday, and ended up dressing her in our favourite dark blue ralph lauren polo dress that I got at tj maxx in florida - she was the hippest baby on the block, and she could still navigate the party in such a sensible frock.

AND - my not all that cool mother also went to see the stones last year, even though she couldn't name 3 songs from them (she was more of a supremes, don't you dare pass me that joint kind of gal) - bizarre!

metro mama said...

Too funny!

The name thing is a little strange...I think it's just a conversational thing, like talking about the weather.

Her Bad Mother said...

My mother's idea of a rockin' good time is Tom Jones. Nuff' said.

Anonymous said...

I do the "buy it all and then return" approach.

At any given time there is a bag or two of stuff to be returned on my front couch. Okay, not at ANY time, but in the last month or two.

As for the name thing...i never really thought about it. I think people are just trying to make polite conversation. I don't mind, besides, my son will now tell you his name if you ask!

Anonymous said...

Ok, I'm picturing MY parents at a Stones concert and it's making me a little dizzy... or is that the earth falling out if it's rotation?

Blog said...

Loving this randomness. Sometimes the best posts are those we don't think we can write. I find that, anyway. this was enough for the whole week! You have loads to say! And, I LOVED the Andre 3000 analogy, and the furball one (catlover that I am). Made me LOL!

I don't mind when people ask me the monkey's name. And, I'm, like, the most paranoid person....It does bother me, though, when people say, "awww, that's okay, don't worry, she'll walk when she wants to." Blech. Who said I was worried!?!

Great post. :)

Sandra said...

Okay you are killing me. I was all set to say "ya I used to hate it when people asked my child's name too if I didn't volunteer it". Then you wrote about your parents at the Stones and I almost died laughing. It won't matter what Bump wears if your dad upstages her with a red sequenced blouse!

Anonymous said...

We usually don't go for pink and frilly. Colin had a strict limit the pink in the wardrobe rule so I was surprised when he expressed that he likes to see them dressed in dresses! It is fun to get them in something that is not typical especially for special occasions. We even once put a frilly head band on our child's somewhat bald head because it was too funny. Oh the pictures!

A lady in line at the grocery store asked me what Strawberry's name is. It did make me uncomfortable and I can't really lie at this point because she knows here name and she could say it herself if she wasn't playing shy with strangers. I think she might wonder why I told the lady that her name is Fredriqua and develop a multiple personality.

Could I write anything more? Yikes! And I haven't even got to your mom's love of the red sequined blouse. Too funny!

Gabriella said...

i never thought about the name thing; as you can see on my blog her name is there for all to see; if somebody does ask me i just usually respond without thinking about it; although me myself am not the type to ask other moms their kid's names
i always buy stuff that Samantha never wears; and usually gets taken back, i bought her a pretty plain cotton dress for her bday in august but she ended up wearing pants and a sweater because it was the coldest day in aug. I also think samantha looks cutest inher little jean overalls
the story about your parents goint to see the Stones was hilarious; my mom's single and she goes out to clubs; it's weird!

Gabriella said...

i never thought about the name thing; as you can see on my blog her name is there for all to see; if somebody does ask me i just usually respond without thinking about it; although me myself am not the type to ask other moms their kid's names
i always buy stuff that Samantha never wears; and usually gets taken back, i bought her a pretty plain cotton dress for her bday in august but she ended up wearing pants and a sweater because it was the coldest day in aug. I also think samantha looks cutest inher little jean overalls
the story about your parents goint to see the Stones was hilarious; my mom's single and she goes out to clubs; it's weird!

Jezer said...

What a pretty (and big!) girl...no matter what she wears, she'll be absolutely stunning. I tend to lean toward the not-so-dressy stuff myself, but that's just me.

Your parents crack me up!

GIRL'S GONE CHILD said...

So what is her name? Seriously.

I ask EVERYONE. Ha! Now I'll know not to. I'm big into names, especially in my neighborhood where literally people name their kids after LA streets and often just make random shit up. "This is my daughter Xcoalpalalpavenue. The X is silent though."

How could I not ask? I mean...

Heh.

Major Bedhead said...

The name thing never bothered me. I don't volunteer it, but I'll tell them if they ask.

I always want to buy the frilly stuff but I don't, because it's not practical. *sigh* I'm sick of being practical.

Red sequinned blouse. Heh. I don't know what's funnier - the thought of Mick in one or the thought of your dad in one. Not that I know your dad, but my dad is almost 70 and picturing him in a red sequinned blouse is making my eyes bleed.

crazymumma said...

ooookaaaay...so you sound a tad crazy today. But thats ok because Bumper is way cute.

I think you have to trust your spidey sense if someone is asking questions that make you wonder. trust those instincts, they are often correct.

i like to shop at Value Village for my girls, lottsa stuff and I have very little guilt about spending.

Oh, and Andre 3000? Hotter than lava girl. Hotter than lava. (I almost wrote larvae...maybe it is time to go to bed....).

Janean said...

I enjoy your blogs!
About the name thing? Don't worry too much. In about 8 months, she's going to be running around TELLING everyone her name and you won't be able to stop her.
In fact, when my kids hit about 2 1/2 or 3, they told everyone that stood still for 2 seconds not only THEIR name, but my name, all their siblings names, their father's name AND how old I AM! EGADS!
And I hope you bought both dresses. Even if she wears each only once, you can make your money back on EBay selling them in a lot. :D Smiles!

Anonymous said...

Buy em both.

It doesn't bother me when people ask Hailey's name. I guess it probaby should but I'm way to country. I trust everyone...not a great thing in Houston.

Chicky Chicky Baby said...

Wait a minute, your parents went to see the Rolling Stones? Cool.

I totally want a Andre 3000 hat for my kid. I say keep it.

I find that most people who inquire about my kid's name only want to know it so they can address her directly. But occasionally, and I wrote a post about this myself, a creepy guy will ask and I feel really uncomfortable about divulging that information. You could always give a fake name.

Canadian Mommy said...

I usually go for more casual styles for claire too. But, occasionally, I gotta go frilly!
Oh, and along with the 'what's her name?' thing? A WAITRESS PICKED MY DAUGHTER UP FROM HER BOOSTER CAUSE SHE LOOKED BORED! Don't TOUCH my daughter lady! GGRRR. I was mad...

Anonymous said...

OMG how funny that your parents went to see the stones!! My mom and stepdad went to see Aerosmith last year (I was so jealous) and it pained me to hear her talking about "That kid Rock guy." LOL.

P.S. I sometimes feel weird telling people my daughter's name, but I never refuse to answer. Now I might reconsider LOL.