WWJBD

Part of redirecting Baby Girl from mistaking her brother's head as a Nerf ball is a little game called "Justin Beiber." We play this game at least a couple times a day.

Now pay close attention, lest you miss the stratego of this highly amusing sport.

Place baby in swing or some seat in which he is reclined.

Peer in at his face, and with a slightly droning tone of voice, ask him, TATUM, DO YOU LIKE...JUSTIN BIEBER?

A small pair of edible cheeks will concave into the most adorable dimple cheekset ever.

JUSTIN BIEBER? DO YOU LIKE JUSTIN BIEBER, TATER?

Oh the laughter, the full-belly, dimpled-out chortling that will ensue.

YOU LIKE....JUSTIN BIEBER, DON'T YOU, TATE!

I don't know any of Justin Bieber's songs, I could barely pick him out of a line-up. But I know someone that just likes the sound of his name....

*** The other night, it was just Little Man, Baby Girl and I eating a highly nutritious dinner of pasta and Weight Watchers Giant Latte bars at the kitchen table. Baby Girl said she likes cutting shapes and putting them on her magic wand. "I believe you," I said.

"But do you believe JUSTIN BIEBER?" said she.

I love having inside jokes with 2 year-olds. They are the best.

I always never notice

The insomnia has returned and since I am not a counter of the sheep nor a committed nighttime reader, I suppose I'll ride out the Sandman by making another list. I always notice:

- dimples. (Uggh, I love those retarded muscles!)

- gaps in teeth. (I adore people with gaps in their teeth! Oh those enviable gappy teeth!)

- shoulder tattoos. (I am way too conservative to get one, but I'll confess I really think shoulders are such a beautiful body part, and tattooed? I think they're pretty.)

- your name's spelling. (Whether you're an Alyson or an Alison or an Allison is important to me.)

- the books on your shelves.

- eye make-up. (I may even ask you for some tips.)

- whether you used the correct subject or object pronouns (who/whom, I/me, he/him, she/her, etc.).

- the tone and octave and rhythm of your laugh (I remember laughs of people I haven't seen in 15 years.)

- whether or not I'm given a receipt. (I always ask for one if I'm not.)

- Asians. (What can I say? I've got yellow fever.)

- when you don't finish your sentence.

- in sitcoms, when they don't shut a door or close the cereal box or leave something unfinished. (Annoying!)

- when "Forrest Gump" is on TV. (And I watch and sob every.single.time.)

- symbolism and object lessons. (Well, not always, but often.)

- interior improvements to your home.

- when peeps use the word "irregardless." (Ew.)

- Dairy Queen and whether it's a Brazier franchise or not.

- whether someone is a radio listener whilst driving a car, or not. (I definitely am.)

- Ann Taylor clothes, particularly items that I sold when I worked there from 2004-2006

***

I never notice

- architecture. (Until my husband points it out.)

- handbags. (I'm not a handbag kind of gal, shocking even to myself.)

- where I put my glasses last. (Even though I only put them in 2 places in my house.)

- panty lines. (I think thongs are dumb.)

- that you like me. (I generally assume you are humoring me.)

- when bands are in town that I've always wanted to see until it's too late. (Gah!)

- when my kid is about to whiz on the couch (until it is too late)!

Thirteen for a Thursday

Let's see if I can scrawl thirteen coherent sentences that have Nothing to Do with Pregnancy. 1.) Our cable package does not include New England Sports Network. Ergo, I cannot watch le Red Sox.  I don't go to bars.  I'm too preg--shoot--I don't have the opportunity to go to games.  The deprivation is real.

2.) I had the best sandwich of my sammy-eating life today.  It was from here. It was called Farmer's Lunch.

3.) I used to own a lot more hats than I do now, but I wear my limited collection on the regular.

4.) Patio sets are on my mind.

5.) Smiling people toting yoga mats and looking cute in their lululemon pants cause me to feel irrationally annoyed.

6.) All the reviews said "Coco Before Chanel" was base and boring, but I disagree.  How could you go wrong with Audrey Tautou?

7.) I have recently been working on a project that has me squirreling away in my office and trolling through archives and it gives me so! much! pleasure!!

8.) I absolutely adore well-stocked mini-marts.  There is one near our house that my friend Lucia calls a "lotto spa" because it's like an oasis for scratch-ticket addicts.  That said, it has one of the most impressive candy counters, always has Diet Dr. Pepper in stock, a full selection of Slush Puppy flavors, and is clean and spacious.  Big fan.

9.)Why is gold trading all the rage?  For what purpose is all this gold being used?

10.) My brother left me a voicemail on Sunday and I have yet to call him back.  I have mad guilt about this.

11.) My daughter suddenly loves pretending that she is swimming in a swimming pool when she takes a tubby.  The funny thing is that she hasn't been swimming in a real swimming pool (not a wave or wading pool) since she was...six months-old?

12.) I never watch "Dr. Phil" but I borrow his trademark, "How's that workin' out for ya?"  I think it's funny and useful.

13.) This picture was taken a thousand years ago. In June 2008.