January 14, 2008

What do I do when I run out of questions?

Sigh.
As predicted, I completely jinxed myself. Mere hours after I posted yesterday, Right Bottom Molar reared its ugly, ugly head. What a mess of Motrin, teething tablets and tears. Many, many tears. It is so frustrating to hold a child as they writhe in pain and not be able to do much to ease their suffering. Arun is doing better today, but no school for him since he was sick last night. One advantage to a talking toddler is that Arun was able to tell us that yes, his tooth hurt and yes, it is this tooth that hurts and why yes, he would like some Motrin, pass the syringe already, DUDE.

In other news, a friend of mine started blogging last week. However, I want to give her a month of writing before I link to her. Can you help a blogga out by giving her some newbie advice?? Seriously - think back. WAY back. What advice would you give a new blogger? Here is mine:

1. Play with it for awhile. Have FUN.
2. I recommend not using real names until you figure out what you want to talk about and how anonymous you want to be. I was VERY anonymous on Rancid Raves for the first year because I was working at the Fed back then. Little by little I started coming out.
3. Be your own Audience of One. If it does not interest you, then do not write about it. However, if it interests you, but you think it might be boring to others, still write about it. Sunday's post is a good example. That was a rather boring post, but I wanted to remember what a sweet weekend it was. That post was totally for me.
4. Don't use your blog as a stomping ground for loved ones. X and I are a normal couple with normal problems. However, he is the most important person in my life. I want my blog to reflect that.
5. Respect your children's privacy. I used the Middle School Rule. I imagine one of Arun's Middle School friends reading this blog. Would what I write bring Arun unending shame? If so, it doesn't make the blog.
6. Carry a small notebook with you to jot things down that you think you might want to write about.
7. Did I say have FUN with it?

So......Little Miss Thang turned 6 months last week - I finally downloaded the snaps. What a sweetie! Although, with a coiffure like that, we should have named her Blanche. With that hair, Anju looks as if she is much closer to collecting Social Security than I am. At least those curly locks are not blue.

It is insanity to me that she is now 6 months. I cannot believe that she is log-rolling across our living room. That she can roll in both directions. That she can sit in a shopping cart. That she is trying to pull her legs underneath her. That she is belly-laughing at Arun's antics. That she cries when I leave the room. That she can reach for toys and pull them into her mouth. That she can sit in a playground swing. That she squeals for her daddy. That she babbles all the time. That she is ready for solid food. That she was ever not in my life.

I had no clue as to what I was missing.

6 Months




Floor Potatoes

13 comments:

meno said...

I think you already gave her the best advice you could, have fun and don't try and make anyone else happy.

If it's not fun, don't do it.

Mojavi said...

sh eis absolutely adorable... man she just gets more adorable every time I see her.

My advice is to blog for you and no one else. REally in 5 years you will be the only one reading your archives anyway :)

Anonymous said...

I agree with mojavi, if you're not interested in what your writing your in trouble because no on is going to pursue these, unless you become president or pose nude for some magazine, then they'll read here and publish all that dirt too..

your advice was great, I hate when people trash their family on blogs...pointless and problematic.

CPA Mom said...

I think you gave the best advice already. Be anonymous, don't be hateful or vindictive, don't blog anything you wouldn't tell someone to their face (I should know since I was eviserated on someone else's blog), write whatever you want to write - you'd be surprised how interesting the daily details of your life will be to others - I think we all write blogs to feel validation - to have people say, Yes, I get it, so have fun, but remember, everyone you know can and might end up reading it.

6 months already? WTF?

Christy said...

AHHH! Anjali is too freaking cute. SERIOUSLY! I love her hair (she already has more hair than Porgie!).

Anonymous said...

OMG she's a doll! Even more so than last time!

Advice? I like to tell people to always talk as if someone is recording you and could play it back anywhere, anytime. I guess the same could apply for blogging.

Mamma Sarah said...

You gave great advice. Oh, just remember that your friends have phones and don't need to read details on your blog first and then get upset that they didn't get a phone call first.

OMG 6M!!! WOW! She's so freakin adorable! Her hair is totally fantastic and those eyes! I thought my dearest boy had the blues going on!

Diana said...

Aren't they just the best together?

As for advice, I'd echo everything on your list, especially to write for yourself, do the jr high test, assume your boss, your husband and your mom all read the damn thing, and HAVE FUN!

Also, if you want to connect with others, you'll likely have to do the reaching out. It can be scary, but it is so rewarding. I've become quite close to several of my blog friends.

Monkey McWearingChaps said...

Love, love, love the last photo. Arun is so tall! Her hair is so wild! Too funny.

Don't be afraid to take breaks

Use the trainwreck standard. I like to think about whether or not I present myself as a complete and utter trainwreck such that people are only tuning in for the drama. Sure, I write about some problems on my blog (I feel that unlike someone with a family/kids I also have less to lose)...but even I have stuff where it's Don't Go There.

*Issues with my family: I touch on some stuff but for the most part I really focus on the positive because that pretty much reflects my life

*My Job: absolutely, not no, never. Let Dooce be a lesson to all of us.

*S.O.s-I have written about how they've made me sad in the past, but I really curtail it. If/when I get engaged/married, I am probably going to lock those posts, too. As in, take down the ones about my exes and probably lock the posts about my relationship (which is just likely to be gushy stuff but which I still feel uncomfortable having out there if I'm actually going to get married).

Anonymous said...

She is too cute, too cute!

When do those molars start coming in?? I fear we may have one on the way as well.

Anonymous said...

Ok, on a completely different note, how is it that your carpet is so clean with two small kids?

Moderndayhermit said...

Beautiful photos! What gorgeous kiddos!

In terms of blogs, I write mine not only as a reminder of things my son has done etc. But also because I know nothing about my Mom's opinions and good or bad I think when my son is older he can see who his mother was at different points of life. I would love to have a journal of any of my family members as they react to different situations, the mindset of the time etc.

In terms of relationship strife (husband and wife) I figure if I write how the hubster is getting on my nerves he knows that its normal and to just soldier on because fairy tales don't exist (usually).

Colleen said...

What a gorgeous daughter you have! Those eyes are just so captivating.