I don’t have time for a proper entry, but as much as I enjoyed the responses to my last one, I feel compelled to state that I did not intend to create a meme per se, with everyone logging their numbers in the same categories I used to sum up my past five years (categories to which, I admit, I gave relatively little thought), and am anxious to assure you that these are not categories I would necessarily hold forth as definitively defining. Whether you have had children needn’t be a measure of what you have done with your fifth of a quarter century, and “men married”…well, I would never. Maybe you married a woman, or would have married a man but for the preposterous one-penis-per-union marriage laws currently on the books, or perhaps you didn’t feel compelled to marry anyone at all. It is none of my nevermind, certainly (and extra points to those who recognize the movie reference). It may be a silly point to be driven to clarify, but I am sensitive about such things. Having children is not a prerequisite for fulfillment and marriage is not a prerequisite for anything save a host of unfairly hoarded legal benefits. (And if any of you felt chagrined about not having had a single kidney stone, rest assured that I’ve heard you can live a full and happy life without ever passing a calcified anything through your ureter.)
Probably none of this bothered you at all, because you were too busy wondering the same things as everyone else: does Jodi live in a mansion, or is she just really hard on couches? And why do Lu’s answers make one feel so depressingly inadequate?
This final bit is entirely unrelated, but as long as I am up, allow me to offer some guidance on a matter that seems to have discombobulated the media. I am speaking, of course, of rompers—specifically about who ought to be wearing them. Personally, I would have thought that the name alone would be enough to clear up any confusion (How old are you? Would you say that you romp, nowadays? I thought not.)
Alas, this is not the case, and so I offer a photograph of a romper in—or on—its natural habitat:
You’re welcome.
{ 32 comments… read them below or add one }
Sure! Dash my hopes on the whole kidney stone thing. Fine!
And AGREED on rompers. When these and harem pants started popping up on the runway, I couldn’t help but think it was a Punk’ing perpetrated by the fashion industry on a global scale.
What else, pray tell, were we to conclude?
I dare say that even your lovely daughter has only a few more years at most to enjoy the romper before succumbing to the EVIL of post preschooler romper wearing. BEWARE.
Time for a prairie romp…
The Parent Trap!
Love a little girl in rompers. I’m a little sad that rompers are no longer practical for BG–and hey, there’s a good guide right there: when you are potty trained, NO MORE ROMPERS. Though as someone who (hanging head shamefacedly) wore a romper when I was 21 (THAT WAS A LONG LONG TIME AGO) I probably shouldn’t talk.
Parent Trap! I say that all the time, and no one ever gets it, just look at me like I’m talking nonsense!
Also: I think that’s the first romper I’ve seen properly sported in YEARS. Nice work, Simone.
i don’t think there are any numbers in the world that we could all use to measure the years of our lives, but i found it kind of fun to see yours and others’ responses!
and sheesh, when i read what others have accomplished and gone through, i feel as though my experiences pale in comparison, so i would hope that i don’t make anyone feel inadequate at all! i suppose there is truth in what our parents told us and we are all unique and special. and the interwebs is a great tool for us to be able to share that across miles, cultures, borders, and experiences.
and yes, i would really like a romper in my size if i didn’t think it would ride up at inopportune times…!
I’m still pissed that they don’t have rompers in MY size.
That is too much cute for one picture!!!!
I attend a wedding over the weekend, where I spotted a woman wearing a black satin romper. I kid you not.
I grew up LOVING the Parent Trap – and I still think of that quote all the time!
I didn’t think about it until I read your post…but I TOTALLY wore a romper…IN MY 20s! :o|
My daughter has the same romper. Ala Target? I find it to be one of cutest things I have ever purchased for her … and I would wear a matching one in a minute if I could find time to tan my thighs ;) … (and I’m 27)
Oh, that picture made my day. Don’t feel bad about the meme. It made me stop and think about the last 5 years, and that was a good mental exercise (even though I didn’t post mine).
Yeah, um. I’m 37 and own 2 rompers — one fancy, silky one and one casual, cotton one. I’ve been loving them this summer. But I do jokingly refer to them as “adult onesies.” It’s not a look for everyone.
By the by, I do “romp” often — that’s why I am so hard on couches.
Simone gets cuter every time I check your blog. :)
LOL The romper thing….. It is the juvenille version of the jumpsuit.
Just wanted to let you know that Amazon just shipped my copy of YOUR BOOK! I am super-excited!! Congratulations :)
Got your book! I stayed up extra late reading it last night. Of course, my girls got up extra early this morning to punish me. It was worth it :)
Love the romper!
I got your book in the mail yesterday! One of the sections is named “Hang On Little Tomato”, as you know. That was the first dance at my wedding. I’ve never met anyone who has even heard of that song. (I am assuming that’s where you got the title). Anyway, it looks great. Congrats!
Your book arrived today! (Amazon, why did others get it yesterday?) I’ve read only the prologue, and it’s terrific. Congratulations!
I got your book today!!! I preordered on Amazon months ago and it came!!
Just got the book, only on page 12, had to stop to tell you how wonderful it is. I love your writing on this site, and had no idea how amazing it would be in the book – you are truly talented. It was ‘where’s the prosthetic ass?!’. which forced me to stop, but I’d been contemplating it for several pages. I love you Alexa in a completely non-creepy way and will now stay up till the wee hours reading your book.
Your book arrived at 4:35 today. I am already on page 110 and don’t think I will sleep until the end. I am hoping to come to the book signing, but I might have to work.
and I meant to add the I LOVE YOUR book. I am going to pass it along to everybody in my residency, partially because it is awesome and also because I work that the same hospital that you delivered dear Simone and will be rotating through the NICU later this year as well.
I just got your book today! I pre-ordered it on Amazon so long ago, I’d almost forgotten, and there it was in the mail today. :)
Your book is beautifully written. I’m so glad that I knew ahead of time that Simone is doing so well. I only came to tears a few times as I read it. Thank you for having written it.
Delurking… Loved the book, congratulations!
Long time reader. So sad that I will be moving from Seattle to Dallas just days before you are due to arrive here. Completely forgot that your book was due to arrive today (amazon). Was very happy to see it in my mailbox, now if only I had time to read it. Packing a family of six and moving cross country takes up a bit of spare reading time. Can’t wait to crack the cover.
Yay! Your book arrived today, to Norway via New Zealand!?! Amazon is strange sometimes. I’ve already cracked it open and had to tear myself away to make dinner.
LOVING your memoir. Cannot put it down – houselike things are being neglected …
What a cutie-pie! I had to dress my daughter solely in rompers from about age 18 mos. to 2 years because they were the only article of clothing she couldn’t strip naked from in the middle of the mall, park, post office, etc…