Of course it is

On top of everything else that's gone so spectacularly wrong, Micah's daycare is closed tomorrow because of swine flu.

Seriously, y'all, this week could not possibly be any more effed up.

Transitions

The weather forecast for the last week and the next doesn't vary much - low 80s, a slight chance of some popcorn showers in the afternoons. Spring is on its way out here, and Summer is moving in. Soon, you won't be able to set foot outside in the evenings without either melting into a puddle or being mauled to death by a cloud of voracious mosquitoes, but for now, it's beautiful. Our roses are covered in the first wave of blossoms, the blackberry vines are blooming, and I wish I had more time to really enjoy it.

Starting last week, Micah's able to balance sitting up. He's getting better at staying upright for long periods of time, and the cloth diapers help prop him up a little, just by giving him a wider base, but if he gets distracted by something above eye level, it's over. Of course, now he wants to sit up all the time. He's no longer content to just lay back in my arms, no, he has to be UP and DOING THINGS.

Also, on a scale of 1 to 10, this baby totally rates a NOM.

Rats

As with so much else on Friday, my plan to purchase the object of my camera-goodies lust was foiled. Saturday and Sunday, other things came up. This, children, is why they created online ordering.

Saturday, I used my time to wander out with my sister to purchase cloth-diapering accoutrements. She intends to cloth-diaper their next child full time; because of daycare, I'll only be using them nights and weekends. It's a little bit because we're kinda sorta bunny-hugging hippies (at least I admit it), but mostly because have you SEEN the price of diapers? Sweet Jeebus, those things add up. Why, for that money, you could purchase a LOT of organically-grown, sustainably-harvested, free-range, hippy stuff beer.

Anywho, I now have an adorably-diapered baby, and yet no sweet lens to photograph him in said adorable diapers.

But hey, the old lens works just fine, as somewhat proven by the following photos of my thankless (yet still delightful) child:

Geekling onesie courtesy of my awesome cousin, David

Also sharper than a serpent's tooth? Baby claws.

Today has been nothing but an exercise in suckitude. The capstone of it all is that Micah has absolutely refused to nurse at daycare these last few days. Today, rather than eat, he dug his little velociraptor claws into the back of my neck, nearly drawing blood, then proceeded to repeatedly pinch the everliving shit out the backside of my arm. All while biting, of course. I finally gave up and handed him back to his teacher, who then fed him a full bowl of applesauce, which he enthusiastically devoured. And so I left, totally defeated, demoralized, and BEATEN UP by a 7-month-old.

To make myself feel better, I plan on purchasing the Canon 85 mm f/1.8 lens on my way home this afternoon. I've been quietly lusting after it for a while now, and everyone says it's a fantastic lens, especially for portraits and low light. Based on the reviews I've read, I fully expect rainbows and unicorns, and possibly fluffy wittle bunnies, to burst forth once I pop the lens on the camera. If that happens, I'll be sure to let you know.

Not marching...more like a dance

Okay, first, what is up with the unintentionally hilarious conservative movements? Teabagging? 2M4M? And NOM? I mean, even if I were inclined to take these nutters seriously, I STILL don't think it'd be possible to discuss them with a straight face.

Secondly, I kind of love this parody of NOM's "Gathering Storm" ad:

A Gaythering Storm from Jane Lynch

A dangerous activity

Daycare Lady: "Hi, it's not an emergency, but we're calling to let you know your child broke out in a rash from the Cool Whip."

Me: "The...Cool Whip."

DCL: "It's not bad, he just has red splotches all over his face. They're already fading."

Me: "Wait, Cool Whip?"

DCL: "Well, yes. You can come check him out, if you want."

Me: "Lady, you're telling me the most nommable baby in the universe is covered in a delicious whipped topping. If I come over there, I MIGHT EAT HIM."

In the flowerbed

Retreat

Over the weekend, Micah and I traveled to Red Boiling Springs, Tennessee to visit with most of the women from my mother's side of the family. My grandmother, mother, two aunts, sister, and cousin all spent the weekend catching up, getting massages, and eating some pretty terrific food WE DIDN'T HAVE TO COOK OURSELVES. It was awesome.

We stayed at the Armour's Hotel, built in 1924, and although it's a little run-down these days, it's a neat place. The new owners are just starting to refurbish and redecorate, and they're incredibly nice people. I don't know that I'd recommend the place if you have more than one person in a room, but if you're all staying in separate rooms, it's pretty cool.

Anyway, a few photos: