Public Relations

Toddlers don't care what people think of them. At least not with any consistency. One minute Lu is so charming she's practically running for mayor: saying "meet you? meet you?" and shaking people's hands, counting in Spanish, lifting up the shirts of strangers or very new acquaintances and demanding to see "bellbutton," kissing everyone (sometimes with tongue). You know, the stuff we all do when we want to be liked. The next minute, she's that kid. The one you wish would go home already. You're not judging, you feel sorry for the parents, sorry for the kid whose parents have kept her out so late, but really, you want the whining to just...stop...now.

So lately, we have seen a lot of that kid. Not to be confused with Lucy Sugawa for Mayor 2027. We saw her on Saturday at Marc and Lauren's Lobster Fest 2005, the food event of the season, where she should have had a fabulous time. I mean, everyone was wearing a bib — just her style. There was a piano, a guitar, stairs, a dog, other children. Rice Krispie treats! When a Rice Krispie treat won't make you happy, you are in a grouchy, grouchy place.

And this is the place we have been for days now. I hope the other Lu comes back. I'd vote for her.

Keep Lucy Weird

Proof that Lucy is an Austinite:

Yesterday at Chuy's, Lucy wanted tortilla chips and then "dippin'? dippin'? dippin'?" which means "something to dip the chip in please?" But the salsa was a little too hot for her, so we tried to keep her content with chips. Then the waitress asked if Granny and I wanted to start off with some queso, and Lu went ape. "Queso? Queso? Queso?" We ultimately settled her down with a little guacamole for her chips, but the kid likes queso. Which is good, because if she weren't happy in Tex-Mex restaurants, she should really consider moving.

Hair Club for Toddlers

We're making some progress in the hair department. Not much, but we have definitely moved beyond what you would call bald. [Those of you who haven't seen Lu lately, I promise to put pictures up soon.] In fact, people keep marvelling at her hair. Much the way you would if some bald guy starting growing hair. You have low expectations and are pleasantly surprised.

She now has enough hair for pigtails, of sorts. More like two sparse sprigs in rubberbands, slightly to the sides of her head. Like little horns, which is fitting. It is a funny-looking hairstyle, but people seem to like it. I am convinced that they compliment it because not to comment on something so obviously attention-seeking is, well, insulting. Like when you have on a really interesting vintage blouse that you think is SO CUTE, but is apparently so loud that you can't hear any of the compliments people might be giving you on it. Perhaps because they are not...saying...anything. Because your shirt is ugly and they don't want to tell you.

I fix her hair in this daring style and tell her how pretty she looks because it makes me feel better. I am fixated on her (lack of) hair. And also pretty certain I manifested this hair situation by saying once, "I sure hope our baby isn't one of those kids who has all their teeth and no hair. That's so weird-looking." So God struck Lu...bald.