Yogurt Face

I recommend Pat's new blog, Zombie Public Speaking (http://zombiepublicspeaking.wordpress.com/), with all my heart. At least, I recommend it for those who like his style of music and for those who enjoy being nostalgic about my wedding. That last category is probably mainly just me and Jonathan, but we had so much fun that we enjoy it very much. And Pat deserves a good share of credit for that, along with Erin and Sterling, for providing such good music.

I am settling in to this job search thing, along with regular translation. It leaves a lot less time for stuff like blogging and sewing, but it makes me more content with life in general to be doing something intellectual too.

Yesterday it rained all morning, then cleared up in the late afternoon, and Jonathan wanted to see Tristram run around in the big park. Plus now all three of us are so used to going out and walking out of necessity every day that we get stir-crazy when we don't, rain or shine. So we went over to Chatou and let Tris out, and he went on an expedition all around. He was really into following the path for a while, then realized he didn't necessarily want to that way since the birds were off in another direction, and took off across the grass pointing out every gull and crow and picking up every stick.

He is big now. His 18-month clothes barely fit; he is in 24 month shirts now. The sleeves are a little long, but they don't pull up on his back like the smaller size does. He has short legs, though--he is still in 12-month pants though they are nearing the end of their wearability. Sometimes I wonder if I should be worried about his disproportionality. It's like he is (or is shaping up to be) the world's tallest dwarf.

He was very whiny all day, and I'm not sure if he has a touch of my cold (which is almost gone) or is just teething. He didn't sleep well last night, either. We are starting to refuse to give him what he wants when he is whining, since he knows how to show us nicely what he is asking for, or often how to just go get the toy or sippy cup he wants himself. I feel mean, but I really, really don't like his whining when he gets in that mode. He is frustrated because he understands everything but can't communicate as well as he wants too; he still only really uses the signs for "bird" and "dog," though he's starting to try out more, and he's great at repeating words and sometimes can come up with them on his own, but not well enough to explain what he wants us to know. Also, he'd just like it very much if we'd make sure his every wish were instantly granted and that he felt wonderful every second, thank you. He thinks we are very remiss for failing to do those things.

We might go the Cite des Sciences for my birthday, or we might not...in any case, I have been promised the chance to take a long, hot bath, which is all too rare for me these days. I think I am going to steal some sewing time, too. Ironically, I baked for Tristram and Jonathan for my birthday--I made raisin bars, though I am the one in the house who doesn't like raisins. That's okay; Monday is pastry night so I will get something good for myself in good time. And it would be kind of sad to bake my own birthday cake.