Adventures in Narcissism

I've been thinking that I want to have a different picture as my avatar, since it features Adelay with me and that sort of seems like favoritism (or perhaps as though I am using her as a distracting prop.) I decided I either need both of the kids with me or neither. I opted for neither, because the odds of ALL of us looking cute in one shot, particularly one I was attempting to take myself, were not encouraging. I have it narrowed down to three pictures, now, after taking probably eighty. I am not even kidding. It is both horrifying and addicting, doing self portraits. I've never actually tried it before.

I literally spent TWO HOURS, with minor childcare interruptions, trying from all angles to get a shot that downplayed my too-shiny (read: slightly greasy) hair, minimized my nose, emphasized my eyes, and didn't look like I was being forced to smile at gunpoint. I also discovered after several unfortunate shots that I most definitely have a good side and a bad side. Left side- strong side! Left side- strong side! (Big imaginary bonus points to whoever gets THAT reference.)

Also, peed on another eighty-cent stick this morning, because I just can't help myself, apparently. I'm like a moth to a flame. "Can't- stop- unwrapping- shiny- package. Must- watch- reassuring- single- line- appear- one- more- time..." In my defense though, it's a hell of a thing when reading a Mr. Roger's parenting book makes you literally choke back a sob because Oh! He was such a good, sweet man! If only every child in the world had someone so kind and understanding to look after them! It's enough to make you worry about the state of your hormones.

We're on day three here without Daddy. Adelay's been asking for him, but hasn't cried over it yet or anything major, so I'm hoping we're ok. My mom watched them for me on Monday night so I could get the lawn mowed (FIL came over to help me finish, as we have almost an acre to PUSH MOW,) then yesterday I hung out with my sister most of the afternoon and had dinner at my parents'. Tonight my friend is meeting me for dinner and then plans to spend the night with me, so I'm not too lonely or anything. And it's nice not to have to cook as much. But bedtime has been a little rough.

Also? I know that conferences can be boring and that the Orlando weather can be hot and unforgiving and that layovers are a be-otch and all, BUT: I don't think too much can trump the fact that in ONE DAY, I changed EIGHT poopy diapers, collected bits of torn up dirty diapers left on my bedroom floor by the DEMON EFFING DOG, and mopped up PEE out of the hallway where our daughter decided to just kind of pop a squat on her way from the bathtub to her bedroom. I WIN the worst day award.