A very tired New Year's Eve
Monday, January 3 2005
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Look, Interent: I am smiling. And then one hour later at 10:30 PM I was asleep. (Picture kindly taken by Beth who says she made it all the way to midnight back at her house. Parents, we ROCK.)
12. Laura C. said:
And a very happy-looking one, at that. :)
13. 0xcc said:
Happy new year!
I know I can't be first...
14. Eva said:
First!
15. kEma said:
You are smiling! WOW beauty
16. AM said:
First??? Glad to see all is well.
17. Angela said:
Wonderful picture! I hope this new year brings you much happiness....and some poop!
18. Ali said:
Aw, you guys look so happy together. What a beautiful family :)
19. Courtney said:
Happy New Year!
20. Laura C. said:
Hot damn--My winter break is over today, but I don't even care, cause I was FIRST! Happy New Year to all. I really do adore this pic.
21. Jenny said:
Hello, Pretty! Happy New Year!
22. mrs. george #2 said:
SMILING!!! happy happy joy joy.
23. Liz said:
Dooce, so lovely to see you smile. You always look like you are ready to take someone face off. :) What a great picture of you two. Happy New Year to ya.
24. stella said:
Yall are so cute! Happy New Year!
25. bb said:
aWWW. top 20 i can hardly contain the excitement myself!
26. jules said:
http://www.cnn.com/2004/TRAVEL/12/31/road.trip/index.html
look! 3rd paragraph from the end, Leta's not the only squawking baby!
27. Susan said:
aw you look so HAPPY. :) i love it
28. AgMommy said:
We had a very similar New Year's. All my friends displayed their pity on us for not being able to leave the house, but we had our own kind of fun. Happy New Year Armstrong Family!
29. Stephen McKenna said:
Horray for happy!
30. Aliesha said:
Very cute picture!
31. Jess from B-lo said:
You should smile in a lot more pics, you gorgeous thang you.
Is it me or does Jon look a lil tipsy?
32. Dyanna said:
Oh my! Jon kinda does look like a Temple worker! (um, sorry, Jon. If I ever saw you on the streets of NY or NJ I wont say anything, I SWEAR)
But seriously folks, its good to see you both looking so cute and cheerful! HAPPY NEW YEAR!
33. christy said:
I made it all the way to 11! I am *so* rock and roll.
34. Colleen from NJ said:
That's a great, happy pic... I see you are wearing nice clothes, not pjs (like we were). That counts for something.
35. Library Girl said:
Here's too a fabby New Year Armstrongs!
36. Fish said:
Must be one of them breast milk white russians in that bottle.
37. Circus Kelli said:
WONDERFUL, Wonderful picture, Dooce! What a terrific looking couple you two are! No wonder Leta is so freakin adorable! :)
Happy New Year!
38. KellyH said:
Awww, nice. Happy New Year to the Blurbodoocery!
39. Bucky Four-Eyes said:
The only way we made it to midnight at my house was the fact that neither of us felt like drinking this year.
Someone take our temperatures, immediately! Um, rectally, if I get to have my choice.
40. Sherly (soon to be aka La Pixiatrix) said:
Party On, Armstrong Parents!
[Hi Fish!]
41. Kristine said:
Jon was hitting the bottle pretty hard eh? Oh...wait...that's a baby bottle.
42. Biggest Apple said:
Dear God - staying up until midnight this year was a challenge. The only thing that kept us awake was A) the kids - the kids shouldn't spend New Year's with their parents asleep. B) the realization that we must now be officially old. We sat and laughed at each other until 12:01. then we fell asleep.
43. Stephanie said:
Wonderful smiles! Nice bottle in the background! Was Jon sucking on that?
44. Jazzy said:
Happy New Year to you, Jon, Leta and Chuck. May it be healthy, happy and full of poop.
45. jennay said:
On Saturday afternoon I was waiting on a family at the restaraunt where I work and when I brought out drinks the little girl asked me, "Did your mom let you stay up until midnight last night?" and I said yes, and asked her if she watched the ball drop on tv. She said, "I wanted to watch it, but I fell asleep before midnight. I'm only six you know."
Happy New Year!
46. amit said:
happy new year!
47. LadyBug said:
You have a beautiful smile, Heather. Thanks for sharing it with us. Happy New Year!
48. Closet Metro said:
I'm with Jazzy - may you have a shitty year in the literal sense.
49. Em said:
You look sleepy and HAPPY. Happy 05' to the whole Dooce family.
50. Fish said:
I bet you never had braces, did you?
*g-dam Mormon children of Zion breeding stock*
51. Gia said:
What a great smile!
I hope 2005 is full of them.
:)
52. Eric said:
I like the baby bottle in the background
53. steph said:
aww, dooce, you look hot when you're not smiling, but you look HOTTT when you are. Happy New Year to you, Jon, Leta and Chuck!
54. Girl.A said:
Yes, very nice dentatas you have there.
And I like your wood-paneled ceiling too.
55. becca said:
Such a wonderful photo.
56. Kathleen said:
Ah, parents indeed. That explains the baby bottle instead of the Makers Mark bottle over Jon's shoulder.
:)
Happy 2005!!
57. cara said:
When are you people going to learn that when there are no comments and you are in the middle of leaving what you think is the first one, you are not "locked in" to the position?
Some other person is typing frantically, fingers shaking with anticipation, thinking they are going to be first. You can't BOTH be first. Sheesh!
Happy New Year everyone.
58. Carol said:
Great smile!! Happy New Year to everyone.
59. Chris said:
Whoa! A smiling Heather captured in photo? Awesome! I hope 2005 brings many more of those.
(Both, smiles for you guys and pictures of you smiling!)
Happy New Year, Armstrongs!
60. Mary said:
What a sweet photo; you both look lovely.
Jennay, what a cute story! I love it when kids say things like that.
61. Olly said:
Hegh, you two look knackered ;o)
62. SEK said:
What a sweet couple!
63. August95 said:
You look like you are both having a great time. We napped and then woke up at 11:00. Sorry I am old, it's the only way I can see midnight.
1. Cheryl said:
Heather might I say that you have the most adorable smile!!! You should do it more often... I was up until 12:10 and passed out. The kids banged pots and pans around my head and I still didn't wake up. Oh well. I was happy in dreamland. Happy New Year!
2. gardens grey said:
Beautiful picture! Happy New Year!
3. pismire said:
I love this photo. Note the baby bottle in the background. Usually a NYE pic has a martini glass or a pint of beer in it. This is a classic.
4. Olga said:
I think (on the picture) your ring kinda matches your eyes. Wow! :)
5. honey bunny said:
youze guys is awesome!
6. Scott said:
Excellent picture. Looks like a good way to ring in the new year to me. No signs of a Boobah either which makes the image doubly sweet.
7. Jennifer in Kansas City said:
Happy New Year to all of you in the Armstrong Household! Nice smiles. Isn't New Year's Day nice when you're not hungover? It took me many years to figure it out - the irony of getting stinkin' drunk & then starting the new year RIGHT! (please! keep your voice down! my head is splitting & the floor is spinning! BLEAH! This year's gonna blow, just like me!) I say, save the hangover for the 6th of May, when the tequila is plentiful & encouraged the night before..... cheers!
8. Sue From Ohio said:
Heather, you are ebautiful when you smile! You two look sooo happy! Have a WONDERFUL NEW YEAR ARMSTRONGS!
9. honestpaula said:
Heather, you have beautiful teeth. I'm looking forward to seeing them more often. Jon is looking handsome as well.
10. sara said:
Woah. That picture really shows Leta's genes in action. She really is the perfect hybrid of you two.
Happy New Year!
11. TracyDee said:
Lovely picture :)
64. Melanie S said:
What a great couple!
65. ha... said:
looks like you might need a second timer for all those that clamour for first place....
66. JulieT said:
Now that's much better.
Happy New Year Armstrongs!!!
67. Chris From Ohio said:
You can here the Jaws theme quietly being played as the baby bottle circles its prey. The crescendo hits somewhere as the two of you nod off around 10:30.
68. dänika said:
It's the Scrumptious Bearded Armstrong!
Heather, you are beautiful. And yes, it's easy to see Leta in each of you two.
69. Girl From Ipanema said:
Happy New Year! You guys are a very handsome couple :)
70. pretorched curious joe said:
You had said earlier that someone suggested that your baby has autism. For one, parents do not cause autism. Don't know why she would suggest that? But from reading this stuff about your baby for a few months or so, I, myself, can see signs of autism. Of course, I don't claim any expertise in the matter, but I've met parent with autistic [and creative, intelligent] kids. My suggestion, should you not frigg out on this post, is do some research. I'm sure your baby is wonderful and beautiful in every way. And she's worth the effort in talking to your doctors about these concerns.
71. AyEnDeeAreEeAyAitch said:
I see Jons beard is really working out for him!
You both are loverly!
72. pretorched curious joe said:
You had said earlier that someone suggested that your baby has autism. For one, parents do not cause autism. Don't know why she would suggest that? But from reading this stuff about your baby for a few months or so, I, myself, can see signs of autism. Of course, I don't claim any expertise in the matter, but I've met parent with autistic [and creative, intelligent] kids. My suggestion, should you not frigg out on this post, is do some research. I'm sure your baby is wonderful and beautiful in every way. And she's worth the effort in talking to your doctors about these concerns.
73. Assuming said:
Assuming Heather has or hasn't talked with doctors about "these concerns" is like assuming SHE NEVER SMILES because she doesn't post pictures of herself smiling very often.
FOLKS, repeat after me:
I am not ominpotent. I must not assume I know anything comprehensive about Heather's life.
74. Kieran said:
AHHH Black Bear the Ass Pirate has caputured a new Wench! ARRRRRRRR
Pirate Joke - WHat kind of socks do a Pirate wear? ARRRRGYLE
75. Paddy said:
Holy crap you are a star. It's like you and Jon just won the most beautiful people award (not that the picture isn't great...it's very nice...). Is it wierd to google yourself and find like a million pages on yourself? I was almost surprised that you didn't come up in IMDB. I thought the search engine might be comprehensive enough at this point to just start listing famous people period. I was wrong.
76. theresa said:
Heather,
Please ignore the post from pretorched curious joe.
Screaming babies do NOT equal autistic babies. That's fucking stupid. Don't let that comment get to you or fill your day with hopeless searching on the net for tests you can do at home to determine whether your child is autistic. Your baby is fine. She sounds totally normal.
77. Bucky Four-Eyes said:
Lord help us all, Kieran (#74) just had to start with the pirate jokes.
Did you hear about the new pirate movie?
It's rated ARRRRRRRR!
78. Jessica said:
Awesome pic! No better way to welcome a New Year!
79. Terri said:
Beautiful smile! Hoping you have a very happy new year and thanks for the daily bread!
80. Chris said:
Speaking of ROCK, that's one nice diamong you got there, lady. Good job, Blurb!
81. dooce said:
yeah, that ROCK is from Avon and it's, um, not real in any way. my mom gave it to me for free. jon's wedding band cost 10 dollars. we got it at the one of those cart/stands in the middle of a mall. we are C.L.A.S.S.Y.
82. Kieran said:
Where do Pirates live when they retire?
ARRRRRRRRkansas
83. Liza said:
I just had to say that I do THE SAME THING when my 6 month old is screaming. And I totally did it when my 4 year old was little. Hee hee. I don't care if it bugs my hubby, it entertains me and makes the baby laugh. The 4 year old even joins in. It's a wonder the neighbors haven't called the police.
84. Paige said:
I hope that's your bottle cut with Bourbon in the background. :P
85. Bucky Four-Eyes said:
Heather, you guys really are C.L.A.S.S.Y, at least in my book.
'Course, Jim and I have been married since 1989 and still do not have proper wedding rings (we used $2 specials for the ceremony). We could afford them now, but it's sooooo fun to watch his Mom go bonkers every Christmas when Jim *still* hasn't bought me a real weddin' ring. (she said the nipple ring did not count)
86. Kristine said:
Bucky-
you can have my old wedding ring. I really don't need it anymore ;)
87. Bucky Four-Eyes said:
Who's a pirate's favorite baseball player?
NomARRRRR GARRRRciapARRRRRa
88. Girl.A said:
I drank out of a baby bottle on NYE too. Doesn't break if you drop it. Easy to drink out of if you're already drunk. Can't break your dentata because there's no glass rim. Perfect tequila delivery device.
89. wealhtheow said:
Not that I'm giving out unsolicited advice, but as a general post to the whole wide world, if one has sinus or congestion issues, one has not truly lived until experiencing the irrigating joys of the Neti Pot.
90. sclark said:
That is a really cute picture. I also like the bottle in the background. As a fellow parent I know the importance of having a bottle close at hand...for you or the baby, erither work well in a pinch. ;)
91. Sarah said:
YEAH!! You're smiling! Finally! What a very nice picture of the both of you. You look like you had a fab New Year's Eve.
I hope 2005 is the best year yet for your entire family.
Best wishes,
Sarah
92. Somebody said:
I must agree that all of the unsolicited advice about Leta is ridiculous and presumptuous. If it were true, my children would both be mentally retarded. As well as their mother. Father, too, come to think of it. But you handle it well. I'd have already posted pictures of myself mooning the camera, flipping them off, or something equally foul.
Also, and I couldn't help but to inform you, that because of you I am more in tune with my GI function than ever before. And that's a good thing. Thank you, Dooce. My 2005 will include a healthier colon.
Happy 2005, by the way!
93. Fran said:
Gorgeous couple! Even your eyes are smiling Heather. It just makes me feel all warm inside seeing you two together.
94. Jenny said:
You're smiling!
You're very pretty when you smile.
95. George Lover said:
Thanks for giving us a glimpse into your life.
96. Fran said:
I am not a stalker or voyeur, voyeour, voy- a peeping tom. My previous post sounded kind of funky.
97. Pete said:
just comment on the pictures people and stop the obnoxious sucking up for God's sake!
98. Amanda B. said:
Beautiful smiling Heather. The 40days and nights of tinkywinky are over. Ahhhh.
When my friend Chanda's daughter Dylan was about Leta's age, and started the screaming for no apparent reason, Chanda would say, "Dylan...cut the shit.". It was amazing...worked every time. Dylan would give her the "i hate your ass face" look, and all was well again.
I'm sure my spawn will not be so easy. We're pretty sure that raising them with the dogs in the back yard is a good plan. That way, any inside time they get will be better appreciated.
99. George Lover said:
Amanda B. You are SO funny!!
100. Amber said:
You two look so perfect together! It's cute!
Speaking of pirate jokes..
A pirate walks into a bar and the bartender says, "Dude, you have a ship's wheel in your crotch."
The pirate replies, "Arrr, it's driving me nuts."
Sorry. Jeez, that was so corny I think I am going to crawl into a hole now and act like I never told that joke....
101. Mariposa said:
ok... smiley Dooce and Jon are nice to see.
But that Boohbah shit is scaring me.
All I see is WARTS. Warty little uncircumsized peee peee!
102. tiffany said:
Heather:
From briefly skimming your web site, I hate to tell you that your daughter sounds like she may be almost totally illiterate. You should definitely talk to your doctor about your concerns about her poor reading skills, and the many ways she tries to mask her struggles by pretending that she would rather chew on Go Dog Go than read it. Over 20 million Americans are illiterate, including many young children. Although I haven't had him tested, I strongly suspect that my child is functionally illiterate as well. I'm a pretty crappy mom though; I keep forgetting to mention it to the pediatrician.
103. Zeb said:
good idea amber. that was pretty bad.
104. Unfunny Tiffany said:
That was sad, tiffany.
105. Jenny Mahler said:
You two are adorably cute. And you have a very pretty smile. :)
106. Ottoman said:
I like the pic of Jon that Beth has up better. :)
107. melanie said:
hey look - a smile!!!
aaawwwwww.
108. patti said:
Yeah, my engagement ring was free, too, from my Nana A. But a marriage is not about the ring....on your finger!(ahem)
PS love the smile.
109. sweetney said:
dear people posting unsolicited, uninformed, and presumptious parenting "advice" here,
please shut the fuck up.
thank you,
xo trace.
110. DeAnn said:
Heh. 10:30 p.m. I'm usually still at work at 10:30 p.m., so I was definitely still awake at midnight.
I don't have any kids, though. But my new puppy sure does make me get up early. This morning he woke me up at 7:30. And, for someone who works until almost midnight, that is LATE!
111. tiffany said:
My apologies to any of you Dooce readers who are illiterate or who, like me, have babies who cannot even recite the alphabet. I did not mean to make you sad. I was trying to make fun of that curious joe person who, by the way, I can tell from his sentence structure may have adult onset diabetes and needs to be tested immediately.
No offense to anyone who has diabetes or autism or whatever. :)
ps. Heather, you look terrific. Jon looks happy. And very, very beardy.
112. Renae said:
Happy New Year, you guys! I'm so happy I found this site. :)
113. karen said:
great pic, but my guess is Jon wasn't sucking on a bottle, he was sucking on "jay" ... yehaw...happy new year!
114. La Pixiatrix said:
Dooce, I feel the same about not being able to wrap my head around the loss that's happened in other parts of the world. And that it makes me feel more deeply connected to the people that are most precious in my life.
115. Kristine said:
The pirate joke, -driving me nuts-
I FINALLY just stop laughing. It was so lame it was funny.
Thanks, I needed that this morning. or...late morning...
116. Dazed & Confuzed said:
What an absolutely wonderful letter, Heather. I can imagine a 35 year old Leta, commanding the troops of the 40,000 employee company she runs, espresso being pumped into her veins via I.V. and then stumbling across your beautiful letters and for a moment, JUST for a moment, smile a bona-fide Leta smile and think of her lovely mamma back home in Utah, boozin' it up with Pop.
117. christy said:
Another great letter that makes me wish I had been doing the same thing for my babies, but it would just come out so dorky.
We also do very little for Christmas for the kids because you know the Grandparents will go totally overboard. And that's what grandparents are for, I suppose.
Hmm ... can I get a nomination for the dumbest comment ever? Thanks.
118. Dazed & Confuzed said:
Oh...and Tiffany...I agree. Surely an 11-month-old child is old enough to at LEAST have gone through a couple volumns of Proust.
119. wix said:
wonderful picture, and how wise of you to just go to bed early!
we foolishly kept CX up to ring in the new year, which he did with bleats of protest. (his bedtime is between 10 and 11, so we weren't keeping him up *that* late.) we also tried some sparklers, but, um, i was a dummy and got the newfangled fancy color-changing kind with the lovely paper wrappers, which also pop, and (worst of all) smoke, and are just too much for daddies and babies and mamas to handle. come july 4, we'll go back to the old-fashioned metal kind.
120. Lisa said:
My wedding ring is from WAL-MART. So is my husbands( and cost under a total of 70$'s). How C.L.A.S.S.Y are we?? Lol.
Whoever said that Leta was autistic seriously needs to get his head out of his a**. If one of the signs of autism were crying and biting cardboard and paper then we better get every single baby in the counrty tested including my own child because she has actually eaten a half sheet of notebook paper before. I guess that means she's severly autistic and needs to be in a home.
I'm being totally sarcastic by the way....
121. Fiona said:
I'm amused that people who think they are posting first hardly ever are.
122. zchamu said:
Awesome pic!
Are Uncle Tom and Jon twins? Because I seriously had a triple take on that picture..
123. Lisa said:
Sorry for the typos....
124. leah said:
i cry every damn time i read one of those newsletters!
125. Em said:
I adore the letters you write each month! What a treasure they will be to her one day! She is so beautiful!
My youngest is getting her 1 year molars. I think all babies should be born with their teeth - would put a damper on breastfeeding - but ya know somethings are just really too much to deal with!
126. jesslin said:
I've been waiting so long for a smiling Heather picture! This is an exciting moment for me.
127. Library Girl said:
*sob* those freakin' newsletter's get me everytime! Damn it! I was fine till I got to the "search the world over..." part, then the tears started. Man, I bet next months will be a doozy.
128. Melanie S said:
Reading your monthly newsletters always makes my heart happy.
129. Liz said:
Question for y'all - how does one go about finding someone across the nation? I have tried white pages and regular directory assistance. I have even tried this very cool search engine that I am only supposed to use for work but we won't go there. Does anyone have any bright ideas?
I am well aware that this does not have anything to do with dooce, but I thought y'all could potentially help me. Thanks a million. :)
130. Liz said:
PS Dooce, you about kill me with those newsletters. Geez, might as well just grab the tissues when I see the title.
131. Trance said:
I am so not a sentimental fool, but those letters get me a bit misty, too. Damn. I imagine a teenaged Leta reading them and rolling her eyes but secretly thinking about how much her mom rules.
132. Crystal said:
Happy New year!
133. muffy said:
The more I read your blog and look at your pictures, the more I see bits of you in your beautiful daughter.
Happy New Year!
134. Lisa said:
I talked to GEORGE! It was totally by accident but I got to talk to him through aim.....he probably now thinks he's being stalked of course but I talked to GEORGE!
135. Kristine said:
Careful Lisa, Mrs. George #2 might attack!! hee hee.
136. AgMommy said:
Lovely monthly newsletter. I hold my little girl a little tighter every time I see the news. Thank you.
137. Girl From Ipanema said:
Wow...you totally get me, too, with those newsletters to Leta...she will cherish them so much when she's older. You are an amazing mom...and make me want to be a mother. Thank you for sharing the love you have for your family.
138. Jenie said:
OMG--that last pic of Leta made tears come to my eyes...she is so adorable. (I know I'm a sap!) If my future babies are only half that cute, I'll be thrilled.
139. Jenie said:
oh...and I just went back through the comments...our wedding bands are from wal-mart too. (One year ago on New Years! yay) I guess we're C.L.A.S.S.Y. too....
140. becky said:
That last picture of Leta in the latest newsletter is gorgeous!
141. patti said:
Don't mean to comment 2x in 1 day, but your newsletter first made me laugh and almost snort hot cocoa out my nose, then made me cry. You rock, Dooce, you do.
142. Girl.A said:
Thanks to you, Dooce, humping Zing Zing Zingbahs is not just for kids anymore.
Takes the actual risk of STDs out of the rush of risky sex with a bumpy penis.
Sex with psychedelic ritual-scarred PBS toys is still risky, it's just so much less defined what the possible outcomes could be.
143. Lisa said:
Hehehehe. Mrs. George#2 can probably talk to him too he's very nice.I don't know if I'd ever IM him again though, it was an accident the way we started talking and of course being me I was amazed to be even talking to George and was incredibly lame.....
144. Amanda B. said:
I love your letters to Leta. And as if I didn't already love you, you go and mention Stewart Copeland. Can you be married to Jon and me??
145. TulsaOkie said:
Wonderful letter to Leta dooce.. You have a beautiful way with words.. That is an awesome thing you do for your daughter!!
Happy New Years.. a little late.
146. AuntieClio said:
I saw those Boobah things while running errands this morning. How on Earth do people think these things up? They're sillier than Teletubbies!
147. emdot said:
what? there is a brother armstrong?
more photos of uncle tom, por favor.
happy 11 to leta and man, that last paragraph wiped me out.
148. the other Paula said:
What an awesome letter to Leta, I hope someday if I ever have a daughter I can write her such heartfelt letters also. Your family is beautiful too.
149. Donnelle said:
I just realised that my little boy is exactly nine months younger than your Leta! You inspired me, I wrote him a letter yesterday on his two month "anniversary" (yesterday... time zones, you know).
Every time I see the news, I think about my little boy and how I would battle for him, and it just makes me so scared and sad.
Your little girl is beautiful.
150. Colleen from NJ said:
Dooce, thanks for posting your letter to Leta. I enjoy your experiences as I, too, discover who these little people are.
I cannot comprehend the devastation of the tragedy as well, and I feel a bit guilty of that fact. It is nearly too painful for me to think about it. What a luxury it is for me to even say that as I busy myself with the every day crap, huh?
Thanks for letting me know I am not alone in not getting my head around what happened.
Sorry for the serious post, people.
151. Spellchecker said:
You misspelled 'internet'.
152. Coelecanth said:
Can't let a chance for a pirate joke slip by:
Why do pirates drink rum? Cause it's chock full of vitamin ARRRRRRRRRR!
153. Super Turtle Girl said:
HAPPY NEW YEAR! So glad to see you both looking happy.
I made it waaaayyyy past midnight. And I'm not even 1 yet. Parents are SO LAME.
154. Karen said:
You two look great. By the way, I'm rather envious of your eyebrows, so I will shake my fist at you! From Saskatchewan! Because my fist-shaking is so powerful that people in Utah can see it.
155. Cammie said:
Wow, you have beautiful eyes when you smile. Had you just pooped? I actually have something to tell you. *ahem* It's a secret that I learned from another friend that made us laugh hysterically when she told me... then I tried it myself and... it worked. I'm embarassed to type this, but fuck it, what have I got to lose? My blog is gone.
When you have to poop and the poop just won't GO... push on your taint. Push on your perrinneum with your hand wrapped in toilet paper. Push on it, then push your poop, and I bet it pops right on out.
Ha...
156. JenE said:
Happy parents and a beautiful baby. Thank you for sharing your family with us, Heather!
157. Another Lisa said:
Cammie:
eeeeewwww
158. karen said:
I can't believe you gave your baby laxitives to play with. But then I thought, maybe it's a good idea with your pooping track record to start Leta early...
Either way I still wanted to marry you for some reason...
159. romy said:
great picture, great newsletter.
thanks. :)
160. mrs. george #2 said:
I talk to george all the time, kristine and lisa. no worries. just back up off my man.
161. Badger said:
Love, love, love this month's newsletter and oh my God, could that child look any more like her father? I beg you to eyebrow-pencil a beard onto Leta and then dress her and Jon in matching outfits and take a picture. Please? For me?
162. Gia on Guam said:
*I* thought you were funny Tiffany.
Great monthly letter as always.
Leta's eyes look like deep dark pools in those photos.
163. tory said:
dooce - i'm glad you said something about the tsunami disaster.. yes to be so so grateful... and an overwhelming feeling of EMPATHY. I apologise for bringing up the question of whether this is because you're american. i was gutted about the last election and now i can't help but see the negative. sad but true... that's why i read some of these blogs to remind myself there are some people in the US i can still relate to.
164. Aliesha said:
Dooce,
If Leta likes tags, I bet she would LOVE one of these
http://www.taggies.com/home_us.html
165. trisha said:
Terrific photo, D!
Your newsletter just made me bawl all over myself. Thanks, I guess, for that!
166. Sarah M said:
Where is little Chuck? *misses chuckness*
167. A N N A said:
bloody hell, dooce is even MORE FAMOUS!
p.s. the newsletter, as always, was swoon-worthy. happy 2005. :)
168. A N N A said:
eek, my lame attempt at including html didn't work! if you want to see it, go here-
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/4115073.stm
dooced!
169. dr. dave said:
That was a nice letter to Leta and all, but if you really intend for her to read these some day... Stewart Coupland?? No teenager TODAY would even get that reference!!
Now Leta is going to have to UNPLUG from her Virtual Implant Matrix 2025 and go root around in the decaying rubble of the post-apocalypse public library for a 1983 copy of Rolling Stone just to figure out who the hell her mom (The Brain of the Former Heather Armstrong in a Vat) was talking about.
dr. dave (doctorsilence.blogspot.com)
170. DG said:
Re: Monthly Letter.
A-yup.
Heart ripped out by the last paragraph again.
I will nevah learn, nope.
171. George Lover said:
Thanks for sharing the link, A N N A. You're right, Dooce is even more famous!
And what a great newsletter. Really great.
172. becky said:
jon's the one looking tired. and the newsletter is great. the pictures are precious - my how she's grown!
173. Taylor said:
Beautiful smiles. What kind of ring is that? Is it blue?
174. Dr. Johnny Fever said:
That's not just a smile, Heather. It's an ear-to-ear, "I just drank half a bottle of Southern Comfort and I'm gonna get laid tonight" grin.
175. jordan said:
Your letters to Leta always make me tear up a little. Happy New Years to you and your beautiful family.
176. Gooooder said:
Leta is so cute, and Dooce is famous on the BBC. Well, sort of! Look --
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/4115073.stm
177. Girl.A said:
We're GOIN AQUA! Go Dooce!
Reminds me of The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou...
178. George Lover said:
Love the new masthead! Fabulous!!
(And this comment is not to be mistaken for obnoxious sucking up.)
179. Amanda B. said:
Ooooh, pretty color. I love the new masthead.
For what it's worth, I thought the essay about your coworker's hands molesting the air was one of the funniest, best written story I've ever read. Oh well, no accouting for taste.
180. acb said:
I love the new masthead/color scheme!
181. trisha said:
Sweet masthead!
'Course, I was here like four times w/o refreshing, so I didn't know until I read those there comments, up there.
182. Lisa said:
Awesome colors and masthead Heather!!!
183. the husband said:
Dr. and any other people dissing on Stewart Copeland,
The Police will be in heavy rotation once Leta starts talking about "Punk" and "Post-Punk" and "Post-Nirvana Punk". And she'll god damn know who Stewart Copeland is, because aside from Neil Peart, there isn't another drummer today who can hold a candle up to Mr. Copeland, whose middle name is, you guessed it, Armstrong. Dave Grohl? Please.
[walks away from computer, gets on Rascal scooter and mutters something about how the kids today don't know shit about poly-rhythm while driving away at 3mph]
184. Em said:
I love the new look!
185. jenn said:
I love how there is a bottle of milk in the background. Totally sets the context.
186. DG said:
>Spellchecker said: "You misspelled ‘internet’."
Duuude, Dooce * *OWNS* * the Internet.
Therefore she is free to spell it however the hell she pleases.
187. Audrey said:
Today, while shopping at Claire's - you know, the cheap accessory store for teenaged girls - my friend told me to go look at some weird stuff on the back wall. I went back and was greeted by none other than Zing Zing Zingbah!
They are selling Boohbah stuffed animals and purses at Claire's now. The purses have the fur and the pimply penis heads and the eyes and everything, but with straps and a zipper... and the stuffed animals talk when you squeeze them.... there were also a few purses that featured pictures of the boohbahs, labeled with names.... it seemed untouched, and my friend had never heard of it before. I wonder who thought it would be a good idea to carry it there, especially since it's virtually unheard of here in Atlanta. It doesn't even have the kitsch value that other cartoons do, since nobody knows what the hell it is. I laughed and laughed, but my friend just didn't understand when I explained about this website.
I nearly bought one of the horrible little purses to send to Dooce, but I figured there's enough boohbah in the house already. Besides, I obviously don't have money to spare - I do shop at Claire's. But if anyone wants to see them in person, check your local mall.
188. debbie said:
didn't anyone else notice how it looks like leta is holding the top of her severed foot in her chubbilicious little hand in the bathtub photo?? precious, nonetheless.
and i agree on the stewart copeland tip. neil peart may be awesome, but do you really need a 50 piece rotating kit to show how good you are?? i think leta needs a little drumkit so she can bash along with the screaming. now *that's* punk rock!
189. Amanda B. said:
Bwaahahaha. Jesus I love you guys. Damn right! "Bed's Too Big Without You" still blows my mind. Copeland is one of the best composers of our time.
Ammendment: Can both of you marry me? (and my hubby of course)
190. Dr. Johnny Fever said:
Who was the drummer for the Spice Girls? That dude shu-redded! Neil Peart couldn't carry his BVDs.
191. DM said:
Heather,
Love the pic. You look great if you're smiling or not. Happy New Year. The new masthead's cool.
Oh, and thank you so much for getting that stupid milkshake song stuck in my head for two days just because I was checking out the previous mastheads.
192. Amber said:
It's green! So beautiful!
193. Beth said:
I really can't get over how much Leta looks like Jon.
Happy New Year to the Dooce.com cast. Especially to GEORGE! Happy New Year, GEORGE!
194. Kath said:
This has been the best Dooce weekend in AGES! First, Baby Chuckles, then the Zing Zing Zingbah scary pic, then Jon and Heather with Her Dooceness SMILING, then the Crazyus site re-do, and today the letter (and Heather, it's so cute we can see the back of Leta's head in one of the pix & see all her hair!!) and now the site re-design....which is really cool.
I'm impressed...it's been one surprise after another.
The only thing missing was George!..of France!
195. Scott said:
Leta gets cuter every month.
If we are talking drummers, I nominate the dude from Tool. I forget his name. He can kick it.
The Police f'n rule.
196. Big Gay Sam said:
o.k., the new look? scrumptious! I have the uncontrollable urge to eat a cold cucumber sandwich.
très chic!
Don't be offended by the food analogy. I think in terms of food. It's a good rating. Trust me. :-P
197. Candice said:
Dear Heather,
Your new design is off tha motherfuckin' CHAIN.
198. Psycho Kitty said:
Niiiice!
199. Katie said:
BBC News refers to losing ones job as a result of blogging as being 'dooced'.... and yet no mention of here! Odd!
200. Closet Metro said:
I concur, Metrosexuals do not eat books. Especially "The Metrosexual Guide to Style," the Bible of all that is Groomed and Stylish. Heather, please stop reading "Go Dog, Go" to Leta, she's obviously in dire need of some daily readings from the Guide.
201. Jen said:
While I was reading this, my cat became fixated on your picture, and then put her paw over Jon's face. I think she's jealous. I just thought you should know.
202. Karen Rani said:
Awww love the picture and the new masthead at the top - great work as always........
This months newsletter is beautiful as always!!
Hugs,
Karen
203. little miss pixel pants said:
Dooce-tastic new colour scheme! Bravo.
204. Dr. Johnny Fever said:
Is that seafoam?
205. dasha said:
No, not sea foam-at-mouth blue. I miss the toilet and the ornaments. Will only compulsively check back 2 times a day now. Sigh.
206. Girl.A said:
Gay Sam,
I also have the urge to eat a cucumber sandwich. wink wink
And some salami too
207. Dr. Johnny Fever said:
Big Gay Sam says, "I'll never understand straight chicks."
208. Closet Metro said:
Neither will I.
209. Heidik81 said:
Dooce, your masthead and colours rock! Check mine out at heidillydoo.blogspot.com - Dasha, if you don't like this colour scheme, you'll hate mine for sure!
210. Amanda B. said:
Metro- maybe you could be a lesbian?
211. Big Gay Sam said:
Understanding straight "chicks" wasn't part of my job description. Hell, I have a hard enough time understanding straight MEN! Even with my grunt-click to English dictionary. Gay men are easy to understand. Mix drama with a little color, stir in some panic attacks, great fashion sense, impeccable hygiene, sprinkle generously with intelligence, wit, charm and let set in a dark closet for 18 years. Voila! A gay man is created!
What's ta know? :-P
212. JulieT said:
Okay, add me to the list of people who are now CRYING from the newsletter. :(
213. Closet Metro said:
Amanda B - I don't wear much plaid flannel, but I do drive a Subaru.
214. David Kornahrens said:
Gay in the sense that you are "on the other side of the tracks", or happy?
215. Megan said:
Seriously, just stop it. These monthly letters just make me cry. So nice. :)
216. Girl.A said:
Dr Fever,
Were you thinking my inappropriate non-politically-correct sammich comment means I am straight? (Not that there's anything wrong with that)
It just means I am an ass. And no this is not an impostor. I am an ass. But it's a good kind of ass.
217. Closet Metro said:
Santa thought so too, right Girl.A?
218. Mrs.Stray said:
Woooo I am like # 218!! neener neener
But really, even though smiling is totally over rated you are very pretty when you do it.
And really smiling MAKES you happy.
Do it.
Right now. Yeah you feel like an idiot, but it will come over you............ The boy I *am* happy even though I am an idiot smiling at my monitor feeling.
219. nana said:
hey dooce,
thought you might be interested in this article on BBC news.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/4115073.stm
nana
220. RazDreams said:
Yippee!!! A new masthead!!! *Don't forget to change your copyright to read "2001-2005" though.*
221. Girl.A said:
I don't know, all Santa said was
ho ho ho
222. Fran said:
I am living the baby experience without the pregnancy, midnight feedings, childhood illnesses, etc. Thanks for the touching and poignant newsletters, Dooce.
Look ma, no stretch marks!
223. Kristine said:
Mrs. George #2
yes, yes, I do talk to him. It was going to be 'our little secret' but I must come clean.
I taunt him when the Kings beat his team. That's it, that's all it is...two geeks that like basketball and xbox.
Besides, his mother called me and swore on every bible in the world she would find me and kill me if I corrupted her son.
I told her that Heather and Jon already did that, but she said that was rubbish and Heather was a angel sent from heaven. You can't argue with George's mom. I told her I wouldn't talk to him anymore under one circumstance...he sends me a picture of him in a foam cowboy hat.
224. Amber said:
Ooohhh cucumber sandwich. That! That is what the green made my mouth water for!
And the taggies website! Ahh! I gotta get something from there.
Dooce, absolutely love the colors. I can't see the masthead, though, because I am using a stupid pc.
Can't wait till hubby gets me that mac he promised...
225. mrs. george #2 said:
sounds promising. good luck with that.
226. galaxy said:
adorable! happy new year!
227. torph said:
I just wanted to let you know how much I have enjoyed reading your blog these past few months. I am about to go live in a mud hut in a small village in Sudan, East Africa. When I come out of the bush every two months your blog will be one of the first things I check once I get bact to the internet. I love your monthly letters to Leta and your never ending sense of humor.
YOU ROCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
228. bushra said:
ah! new colours! nice and fresh! i'll stop the exclamation marks now!
(and it's about time you bragged about the whole 'fired for this website in 2002' thing...)
229. Peter Hentges said:
Thought the dooce fans would want to see a "dooced" reference:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/4115073.stm
230. Gia said:
Your new masthead rocks!
231. La Pixiatrix said:
I like it. That lady silhouette is a real bad ass intimidator.
232. La Pixiatrix said:
Funny on my blackberry it seemed to say "Unlearning The Inner Monologue"
That should be my masthead.
233. Cheryl said:
Love the new masthead... i only wish I could be as clever as you Dooce. :-)
234. Chiara said:
I am so moved; by the letter to Leta, Dooce readers comments, the masthead, the photo, etc. What are all of us Dooce readers getting Leta as a birthday present?!
235. Nikki said:
Let's buy her a pony.
236. La Pixiatrix said:
Let's buy her a web server and some RAM.
237. lulu cornichon said:
Hey, Dooce--you could really harness the power of the internet and set up an Amazon wishlist for the kid...
238. Sissychong said:
That was the most beautiful entry about Leta yet! She is a lucky child to have you. Love the pic of her smiling.
239. Erika said:
Love the redesign of the colors and masthead, great shots of he frog and her gnawing ways, and that cursed Dooce writing CONSISTENTLY leaves me laughing with tears in my eyes. Keep up the great work. Have got to get Leta some Dooce donations for her birthday...
240. RazDreams said:
That's just about the purtiest green I ever did see.
241. Julie said:
As a Mommy myself, your 11-month letter to Leta just made me cry because it expressed everything my heart feels for my own little girl. You're such a gifted writer.
242. Dr. Johnny Fever said:
It's not green. It's seafoam.
243. Zach said:
Seafoam was a bit hard on the eyes.