Hello. How Are You?

You guys. I'm back.

It's been 6 years, 8 months and 15 days, if my math is correct (and my math is rarely correct), since I've posted on this sweet blog o' mine. A LOT has happened (I mean, fucking christ, I have a SEVEN year old!), and it's way too much to try to catch up on, so Imma just pretend like I never took a 6 year/8 month/15 day hiatus. Mkay?

It may just be me and my myopic tendencies, but it seems (seemed?) that blogging is not as popular or prolific as it once was. Is that true or just my inaccurate perception? Like, why spend time blogging when you can tweet? Or post a pic to Insta? Or post a petition on Facebook? Or, do whatever you do, on snapchat. (I do not even pretend to know what snapchat is or how to use it. I'm 42 and I've hit my social media technology limit. Any new social media platform that comes out from now on is just beyond my capabilities. Tumblr you say? Um yeah, no idea). When I first started this blog 12 years ago, it felt like everyone was blogging. It was a bloggers paradise! You linked to other blogs and talked about other blog posts on your blog and just blogged, blogged, blogged all the live-long day. Now? Eh? Not so much. I know there are people out there blogging their little hearts out, I just haven't found them or haven't found the time to follow them regularly. But, dammit! I miss blogging. Even if no one fucking reads this, it's still super therapeutic to type words. Words that are coming from my brain. I have thoughts. Occasionally. And I like writing them down. It's a hybrid journal/diary/letter. It's a record. Blogging has value to me. I wish I hadn't taken a hiatus.


And here we are. I'm back. I think. I hope.

Stay tuned. Or not. Whatever. You do you.


The thing is, here's the thing, I've changed. In the past 12 years, many of my opinions, perceptions, and expectations have grown, morphed, and developed. I seriously thought about just starting over fresh. Erasing this blog and beginning anew, because lets be honest, some of the crap on this blog is seriously cringe-worthy. Embarrassingly cringey.

But that's what humans do. We age. And hopefully when we age, we mature. And we grow emotionally and intellectually. We learn new things. We re-learn things. We meet new people who expand our horizons. We try new things which widen our experiences. It's a good thing. And so, in that spirit, I will not erase my younger self's ruminations (however misguided or embarrassing). I will simply carry on.

How To Eat Oatmeal

according to Hector.

Step 1: Empty entire contents of bowl. Bowls are unnecessary and completely undermine one's enjoyment of oatmeal.

Note: Be sure to smear oatmeal liberally in hair. Oatmeal is a wonderful conditioner.



Step 2: Use spoon to artistically spread oatmeal on plate/tray. This will allow for a more accurate assessment of quantity, plus your mom will lavish praise on you for being creative.



Step 3: Use fingers to scoop oatmeal into mouth. This is actually more difficult than it sounds and it may end up on your forehead and/or chin. Then, as I understand it, you're supposed to chew on your spoon while managing a mouthful of oatmeal. Don't worry, it just takes a little practice.



Step 4: The oatmeal that didn't make it down to your tummy, just go ahead and spit that back out. If you're lucky it will fall back onto your plate/tray and you can simply re-insert into mouth. Otherwise, there's a good chance it will end up in your lap. This is fine. Your mom will eventually take the time to remove oatmeal from your crotch. No harm, no foul.

We're Being Exclusive

Yep. Since the likelihood of this blog turning Hector-centric is pretty high, I am going to make it private in an attempt to be a responsible parent. Wait! Don't panic! If you want to continue to view occasional (okay, infrequent) updates on my life and Hector, simply send your email address to: archgrrrl@gmail.com and I will in turn send you an invite to view this blog.

Thank you for your cooperation. Carry on.

This One's For You Mrs. Huber!

Hi Mrs Huber! *waves*

Since I suspect you are the only person who still checks this poor forgotten little blog once in a while, this post is for you!

I don’t get to see your daughter nearly enough, but I when I do, it makes me happy. We went to see The Help last Friday evening and it did my soul good to get out and spend time with friends. Everyone is so busy these days. Do things ever slow down? I do hope so. At least at some point.

Hector turns nine months old tomorrow! I know! He has one little nubbin of a tooth that has barely cut his gums, but he uses that thing like a lethal weapon against any finger food we give him. And the kid is NOT picky when it comes to food. If he can pick it up and get it into his mouth, it's all good.

He is also crawling everywhere and climbing everything, which means we have to be ever vigilant. It’s not so much physically exhausting (although climbing up 3 flights of stairs multiple times an hour can be wearisome), as it is mentally exhausting. You have to always be ON. You know what I mean? He’s becoming very brave and letting go of whatever he’s holding onto and will stand unassisted for a few seconds. He is quite pleased with this new trick.

Speaking of tricks . . . Hector has been clapping for a couple of weeks now and just started waving over the past couple of days. It is freaking amazing how quickly they learn new skills. It seems like just last week he was a little bump on a log, and now he’s like a little person - with a personality!

Needless to say, this miniature human being pretty much consumes mine and Daniel’s existence right now. This parenting thing is not a piece of cake and I suspect it only gets harder. Maybe not physically harder, because he has to sleep through the night at some point, right? But emotionally harder. Right now the choices we make for him seem pretty instinctual and elementary. We hold him, love on him, feed him good food, laugh and play with him and do everything we can to make sure he feels safe, secure and loved. Pretty simple right now. Is it always this simple? I doubt it.

But that’s okay. We enjoy being with him more and more. He brings us such delight and I am excited when I think about my future as Hector’s Mom.

Below are a few recent pictures per your request, and I will try to post updates more frequently, even at the risk of my blog turning into a virtual Hector shrine. :)

Double fistin' the H2O:



Monkey Boy:



Showin' off those rolly legs:



"This can't possibly be food!":



Let's climb, let's climb, let's climb, let's climb...



Hangin' with Dad:



Nothin' but CUTE:

Just Poking My Head In The Door

I'm ashamed to say that this blog has all but been abandoned. Perhaps someday when Hector is sleeping through the night and Daniel and I are not walking zombies, I will begin posting again in a regular fashion.

Until then, here are some pictures of our 5 month old for your enjoyment :)