am I first?

I'm feelin the love today!

Awww, little "Björk"-baby and her Valentine hug! Almost makes this day tolerable...

adorable :)

nothin' like little girl lovin'. enough to melt your heart.

Leta is such a cutie! & those pigtails make me miss having hair of my very own.

That is so incredibly cute! I love her pigtails!

Awwww! What a great little picture! I can feel the love all the way over here!

Hugs!!

Happy Valentine's Day!

How very sweet! love, love, LOVE the pigtails!

Awwww so cute. And PINK! for Valentine's Day.

Happy Valentine's Day Blurbodoocery :)

Pigtails. So cute. I am going to make my future daughter wear them until she's about 12.

Oh my god she is adorable. I can't believe how fast she is growing.

Happy VD everyone! Lesbian infants always get me in the holiday spirit!

Thumbnail scary.
Huggy baby picture, not scary.

Happy Valentine's Day, and make sure you get lots of hugs (the sweet baby kind, and the naughty BABY kind).

Oh, mg2, you didn't just go there, did you?

*sigh*

I think I love you.

all you need is love ...dumpt dah dah dah dum..all you need is love ...dumpt dah dah dah dum...all you need is love - love - love is all you need!

Hug/strangulation - it's a fine line.

I love the dorky new design too!

Leta looks absolutely PRECIOUS! The love between those two little friends is so obvious! That picture definitely brightens up an otherwise dismal Monday!

I'm with Amanda B. My ovaries are killing me!

My biological clock just stopped ticking...it's now chiming BONG BONG BONG...

awe- so precious!! happy valentines day, armstrongs!

I love the thumbnail today, I thought it was a tree or something.

Cutest. Pic. Ever.

I so badly didn't want to trim my daughter's hair for your same reason. But my husband did it anyway a few weeks ago. I'm so jealous of Leta's pigtails!

ooo, pigtails, such a girl now. and already establishing the supergirlfriend bond.
happy vday to you Armstrongs and all my fellow Doocedorks. Love you all! mmmmmmmwaaahh!

Babies! Hugging babies! I love Leta's hairdo - I looked like that all the time when I was small.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Too cute!!

Loving the hair-do!

That picture made my Monday. My little niece and nephew are all about the love. Big hugs and blowing kisses to each other goodbye. Leta is quite precious with the pigtails!

Adorable.

Is Leta really giving her a hug, or is she fixing her collar, saying something like "my mom's going to put you on the internet, you have GOT to look put together"?

Happy Valentine Day, everyone!

haha. you're having wayy too much fun with her hair. have some pity!

MG2, you should be ashamed. VERY ashamed.

Leta and Izzy are absolutely precious. Happy Valentine's Day Heather, Jon and Leta (and Chuckles, too!!!)

Wow oh wow oh wowee wow wow. Oh, the wrenching of the heart. Such cuteness I have not known. Heart... wrench... ow.

cute pic indeed.

susie in response to your post yesterday. My use of the name "dang" is pertaining to its backwoods 'deliverance' (squeal like a pig, boy!!)connotation. I'm not vietnamese. I'm a mix breed mutt...like chuck.

Way too cute.... Love it!!!

Dear lord, I thought Leta couldn't get any cuter. But I think Leta with Piggytails is the cutest thing ever.

The earlier poster was right: total Bjork baby. Awesome.

This is probably my favorite layout yet. Good show!

Woooo! Comment numbers! Heather *does* love us!

Little girls in piggy-tails is too too cute. :)

sweet!

Leta is so freaking cute!!!!
*sigh* I'm a jealous Mommy because my baby is still bald! Dont' cut her hair!!

I most certainly am NOT ashamed. Girl-on-girl action is nothing to be ashamed of. It's perfectly natural.

At least Bucky loves me.

I love Leta's hair like this. It's very cute.

So cute! Love the new masthead.

I swear, this is the best pic yet. I just wish that we could see Leta's face.

So, why can I see the numbers now when I couldn't see them before? Undoubtedly some mystery that only dorks can understand/explain. Love the new masthead.

Heather, thanks for the enjoyment you provide every single day. It's the start to my workday and really makes it.

Hell ya don't cut that hair. It's so much fun to play with. And twirling baby hair between your fingers after the baby falls asleep is better than heroin. So ... soothing ... must ... do it ... more.

Whoa, bolding gone wild.

That speaks volumes for what your husband must look/speak/smell like, BFE. Did he make you moist as a snack cake down there? All mildewy?

neat. BFE also equals Bum-F*** Egypt. i remember an ex-boyfriend's prim-and-proper mom who asked me what i meant when i said, "BFE" all the time. ooops.

(one more lame thing: dooce's new masthead reminds me of that joke, "what's black and white and red/read all over?" a newspaper. or, in this case, dooce's site. take *that*, naysayers!)

Oh.my.god, how adorable is this picture....between the pigtails and the spreading the love, it's a good thing I've already got a baby, or I'd want one!

Love the new look of the site, and LOVE having numbered comments. I also wonder what is next to Heather's face in the masthead....no guesses, here, either. Someone in the know, fill us in!

They just wanna, They just wanna-a-a,

Girlz just wanna have fu-un.

Leta and Izzy - I'm sorry but how much do these sound like rocker girl names?

Whoops, 'Manda, hope you don't mind me lovin' on your wife.

It's purely sexual, I assure you.

There aren't many things cuter than darling kids hugging each other. Mine will grow out of it soon, but I love that my boy still hugs all his friends, teachers, martial arts instructor, people he's just met, etc.

To the rest of ya -- Happy VD indeed!

Awwww, sooper kyewte!

And CanadianAmy, I clicked on your name and can I say that picture of the fish lips boy is awesome! Those EYES!

Happy vd day everybody!

This place is the adult version of the Big Comfy Couch. People just flop here and hang out. And there's always something interesting under the cushions -- babies, dogs, personal lubricant, steak sauce, monkeys -- I like it here.

moist as a snack cake, huh?

No, it's ok Bucky SweetPea, I like for everyone to share in my SpoonyLove.

Girl A.- my love for you has not changed. So, Friday at the laundry mat, right? Bring the A1.

Metro- I love your quacking G-string the bestest.

Dooce! Thank you for that beautiful post about your dad, and about fathers. Well-written, poignant, beautiful.

I truly don't see how he could NOT be anything but proud of you and how you conduct yourself. Especially if you got your humor from him! ;-)

Damn it, Dooce, you made me cry. That's one of the most moving posts I've read. I hope your dad does hear you when you write because you said it as loud and clear as a body could and it's beautiful. Happy Valentine's Day.

Leta: "You disappointed me Izzy for the last time."

beautiful post. "He taught me to smile at strangers." Wow. He surely did. That's why all these strangers hang out here.

most as a snack cake...oh man that is ssssteamy!

i shouldnt have read that post while at work.

now i have to go cut up a cucumber. maaaan.

hey...arcade fire! i missed them in atlanta for about $10!!!!! doh! i heard they do a really good live show.

I know how you feel when talking about your dad and his feeling that he's done something wrong.

Growing up LDS and living less than a block from the church it always feels like your under the microscope.

Especially if you come from a long line of mormons and have forefathers that were general authorities.

When I came out to my folks the first thing they asked was what THEY did wrong. My mom cried for days.

I learned that day that no matter what you do in life your parents will always love you.

Now that's something to hold on to. ;o)

I just read it too gooooder. Right now I feel like I need to be alone for a bit.

BG Sam...

Big Hug for you. That was a good one.

Wow, Circus Kelli. You ask the tough questions, don't you? The one you never knew, you can imagine him and make him any way you want him to be. The one you don't get along with, as long as you're both breathing, there's still hope. Things do change. I want to hand you a candy heart with an encouraging message on it. Here . . .

Dooce, your comments about dads struck a major chord with this daddy's girl. Happy V-Day to all y'all.

Gah... the sweetness is going to make me cry. Loving the pigtails, but who wouldn't?

I did want to thank you for turning me on to Interpol. If you hadn't mentioned Antics so many times, I never would have remembered their name long enough to get their cd, which I *love* with the white hot intensity of 1000 suns (lets not mention where I got that term from, shall we?) I've been listening solely to Antics in my car since January (I got the cd for christmas). I also got the Joshua Tree this christmas (ah, classic U2), but I haven't even listened to it yet, because of the previously mentioned Interpol love. So, yeah. Thanks. I need to hug someone. Too... much... love!

the pigtails are FAAABULOUS.

and: i feel you on the music issue. i've listened to the shins - chutes too narrow pretty much non-stop for the past year, and only in the car, running errands. were it not for jamie's continued efforts to find and expose us to new music, i'd default to our reserve of "all indie rock produced between 1990-2002" and never emerge.

Unsolicited laundry advice: forget the hard baskets. Get those pop-up, tall, mesh kind. They are soft and springy and you drag them down the steps by the handles, no hip-balancing required.

Heather, that was a beautiful post. Your father must be very proud of you, despite his feelings about your website and your falling away from the Church. Through your words, whether they be humorous, sad, ironic, or witty, you always convey an overwhelming sense of intelligence and standards. We might not always do exactly as our parents did, but we always carry with us the lessons and standards they taught us. For years I tried to live as my parents would see fit, and finally I came to the realization that that wasn't really making anyone happy. I am sure your father looks at you and really sees more of himself in you than your physical attributes. One of these days he will come around, because the love you have for your father is something so many people wish they had. Kudos on a wonderful entry today. Thank you for sharing such personal thoughts.

All four, CanAmy, 'tis true.

Is allotta wetness anything like allotta Fagina?

Marie, thanks for posting the U2 link.

Hugs to Dooce, Sam, Pix, Marie, Bucky, Kelli.. aw hell, I'm tired of typing. Hugs to all.

(I think I need to call my dad.)

OK *sniff*

*chocolates all round*

eh?

Katie-B-Bored: Very well put indeed. I should have just waited for your post and replied with "Ditto".

If you get really really bored, email me, we'll chat... I'm not exactly getting boatloads of work done here today...

The daddy-daughter thing is so complex. My dad died years ago; we did the best we could to repair the (serious) cracks in the relationship before that happened. I'm thankful to have had that opportunity.

Everyone knows how tough that relationship is, that's probably why "Daughters" was song of the year. I heard JM say he wrote it after a relationship in which a girl was so screwed up from the dad-daughter thing that she was unable to trust him (JM), etc.

Does anyone REALLY like those candy hearts? I mean we like to read them, but do we really like to eat them? I made these Cocoa Krispies treats shaped into giant Hershey's kiss shapes, wrapped in foil with our own little V-Day message on the slip of paper sticking out the top . . . HERE, have one of those instead . . . everyone, there's plenty to go around . . .

Aw. That's precious.

why is it so damn cute when kids hug?? even when i force my boys to hug another kid, and they're making that "i'd rather be picking my nose" face, i still go AW! heh.

leta's rocking a favorite hairstyle of my mom's when i was little in the other photo you posted! we call it "the palm tree". oh to have girls to dress and do their hair!

Susie - go check out Scott's hearts. (click on my name).

Heather,
I love that U2 song and I too have been screaming it while in the car. The sad thing is that I cry about this dumb ex that I have been thinking about alot lately. And now it's Valentine's Day...

That was a very sweet post Dooce. Your Papa did an awesome job, because you are one good kid in this wacky world. I bet he is very proud of you.

I absolutely love the pigtails. She is adorable!!

Circus Kelli, what is your email? I went to your blog and couldn't find your email address. When I clicked on "Email" it didn't work because something is wrong with that function in my Outlook. Damn work and their ridiculous security functions!@! I'd love to e-mail you! I am getting absolutely NADA done here at work, also. What else is new?

Too cute! Leta's hair looks adorable in those little pigtails!

HAHA. Everyone else disregard that email address. I-be-writing you in just a little bit, Kelli!

I'm used to laughing out loud at work all the time, but not so much with the crying.

Beautiful post, Dooce. I'll have some of those hugs and chocolate if there is still some kickin around.

RE:Raz #96 (woohoo numbers now~!)

What brown, red, and in a ditch?

A bloody brunnette who told to many blonde jokes.

CK~ Thanks hon! I am not sick...I am in that limbo...you know where you hack a lung at 2 am and you feel like crap...but you can still function and half smile.

The baby feels icky to so we took a nice soothing shower this morning, and she fell asleep in my arms. Makes it all worht it. :0)

Striz... oooooo... that sounds like a little slice of heaven that you have there -- even if you are in limbo. Lucky duck. :)

This is totally off topic, but I felt the need to share this with you all.

I have just received an email with no less than *171* exclamation points.

Trust me, I copy pasted it and counted it in MS Word.

Take that, Of France!!!!

I know this comes about 20 years too late, but I'm sorry to hear about Jon's father. They found a brain tumor in my uncle a few weeks ago, and while they were able to remove 95% of it, he has what they call a Grade Four Astrocytoma brain tumor, and chances are he won't live to see the end of the year. Right now he's just hoping he makes it to my counsin's high school graduation. I can't even imagine how she must feel, although she's always been a tough little cookie.

One of the chemo drugs they're using on him is experimental at best, and hasn't been approved by the FDA. We will see, though.

For Valentine's Day, he and my aunt are getting remarried. They said it was something they should have done a long time ago, as they have been divorced but living together for a few years, now. I hope it makes them both as happy as they can be, at present.

Happy V-Day to everyone here, as well. I hope you all ate a crapload of chocolate.

Erin H -- Great big hugs to you, and good thoughts and best wishes for your family as well.

Here, doll, have some chocolate. Seriously.

wow, meggan. that makes me look pretty good.

happy valentines day, everyone!!

sweet post about your daddy, dooce.

Circus Kelli- Thank you. Let the chocolate eating commence!

Ahhhhh - uber cute!

We need a full frontal pose of Leta w/ those double pigtails! I can only imagine the full effect!?! UBER CUTE!

Bravo BFE! Bravo!!

<

Yeah, what Bucky said.

That could quite possibly be the cutest picture I've ever seen!

--MM

Those pigtails are spectacular! She's getting so big! I'm sending Leta hugs from Florida!

Happy Valentine's Day!

(I just used four exclamation points in one comment! Of France!!!!)

Heather,
Thanks for making me (nearly) cry and laugh in just a few minutes. Today's post is beautiful and the photo of Leta with the pony-tail is a riot. Bless you for giving this SAHM something interesting to read between all the usual you-know-what.
Steph

Laura, I've been where you are now, and still have moments where I'm really ticked about the choices THEY made. They will never know their grandkids. The one time Adopted Dad told me I had cute kids, I agreed with him in a "Yes, too bad you won't know them either" kind of way.

Finding him and talking to him face to face helped me quite a bit, even though he lied to me, to my face, about things. It still helped, though. Deep cleansing breath, indeed.

My sister (his only biological child) is still VERY ticked at him and all he's put my Mom through over the years. Adopted Dad paid child support sporadically, as well, and still owes quite a bit of money to my Mom.

There is no question that someone who can cause that kind of emotional damage has no place in my life... it still makes me wish things could have been very different, though.

My dad died two years ago last Friday. It's never too late to call. If you don't feel like you can explain it all, just tell him you love him, and that you see him in the mirror, and save the rest for another day. *hug*

Welcome aboard Tanya...help yourself to the big honkin bowl of chocolate at the center of the table. I like the stuff with the gooey cherry stuff in the middle.

Dooce - thanks for the tears on the daddy article. My father and I have never been really close; I wish it weren't that way.

A Disney moment to share with all of you -- Clay on Playhouse Disney was just encouraging the viewing audience to say "Hoo Ha" over and over again, saying that it was fun to say "Hoo Ha." (The otters are sailing on Lake Hoo Ha today.)

Isn't a Hoo Ha a vagina? I thought Disney was all about the good clean fun. Otters sailing on Lake Hoo Ha? What's up with that?

Dooce, I just want you to know I find you very savory.

If I was serious for a moment, I would say I deeply respect what you are doing with this site. I respect your honesty and willingness to be open about your life. You help people, and you've certainly helped me.

I respect you just as much for what you reserve from public view. Which is why I feel like a terrible person. Because you know now that I've just been buttering you up before my loathesome and purient request.

When do we get to know what is up with Jon's first marriage?

God, I hate myself for asking but we are all dying of the curiousity.

Aww...what a cutie pie!

Bucky Four Eyes - EXACTLY what you said. Couldn't have said it better. I read Dooce every single day and don't comment often but really enjoy reading the posts and some of the comments - you all are a lot of fun and Dooce and all of you make me smile every day! Thanks!

Dooce - your post was really nice - brought a few tears to my eyes.
by the way - photo - TOO CUTE...my heart has exploded into tiny, tiny pieces all.over.the.room.

Someone get me a ladder I need to put up this big W E L C O M E banner so I dont' have to keep saying it all the time.

*dang cold on his knees painting said banner and wearing a bandana*

the "The reason I have resisted all requests to trim this kid's hair" photo makes Leta look like an evil genius putting a hex on us all. LOVE IT.

Holy shit I can see the numbers now!

Happy V-D to everyone.

BFE:

Brava!

PIGTAILS! Those are the cutest pigtails EVER. In fact, they're so freekin cute I just might...

KABOOM! SPLAT!

Oops, too late.

Ha My "real" Dad lives wicked close to me and my mom is all like do you want to meet him, so and so says he is still a really nice guy.

Um yeah, ok. NO

*said in my best Cameron Fry voice*
Bucky Four-Eyes, you're my hero.

Wow, Heather, that was beautiful, you made me cry! I look like my daddy too, only curvier and with more hair on my head!

Mrs. Strizzay, WORD! Right, because if he's "still a really nice guy" then where the hell was he the whole time you were growing up? Good for you!

*Eclair* (Comment #210)

No offense, but I don't think we're *all* dying of curiosity.

You can find some words from Jon here:
http://www.blurbomat.com/archives/2004/11/10/refurbished

I don't think it's polite to ask for more than that.

My grandfather, my dad, me and my daughter all curl or toes when we are sitting down.

I just think that's so cool.

Heather, you are such a gifted writer. I wonder what your dad's reaction was when he read your entry.

Bucky definitely nailed it on the head with the letter to Heather's dad!

(I really liked the alliteration in "steak sauce sodomy", too! )

Regarding the best laundry 'basket' EVER...

My mom got me one that is more like a gigantic backpack than anything else. Now, I don't have laundry facilities within my home, so the Schlep Factor is higher on my list than it may be for some. Wearing it into the laundromat is SO easy!

It really is the best.
You can hang it on the back of your bathroom door. It has its own indicator for when it's time to do the laundry built in: you can no longer open the door enough to get in the bathroom!

http://tinyurl.com/5re69

lovely post.
Thank you for being so candid.