If I’d known what I was getting into yesterday before taking Connor to her first official outing involving a large group of babies, I would have done some deep breathing exercises or yoga beforehand.
We went to our first Kindermusik class, which is like a loosely organized music circle for babies. There’s a guitar-playing teacher who leads the troupe through songs and dances and baby sign language lessons and, basically, I lived a lifetime of emotions in the 40 minutes we were there. I got all the feels! Girl, I was a mess.
What does this have to do with these new Urban Decay Vice Liquid Lipsticks? Well, I’m wearing them in this episodic representation of the emotional roller coaster ride I went on in Kindermusik class, LOL!
The Urban Decay Vice Liquid Lipsticks are a new line of lippies from UD. They’re $18 each, and these are the purple and pink shades. (I reviewed the orange and red shades and the nude and brown shades last week.)
These last about four hours on my lips, which is consistent with the other bright shades I’ve tried and OK for a liquid lipstick…although not exceptional. I was hoping they’d last longer, but I do have to say that they feel FABULOUS! The formula isn’t drying at all — another plus for a liquid lipstick — and I think they look great.
They’re available now online and at UD stores and counters.
The first emotion: nervousness, as told by Urban Decay Vice Liquid Lipstick in Twitch
I was a little nervous when we walked into the class because, ya know, it was the first time Connor had hung out with a large group of babies. Was she going to scream? Was she going to be quiet and coy? Would she be outgoing? Would the other babies be nice to her? Would she try to meow to everyone like she does to Tabs? I didn’t know!
Turns out she was fine. She was super cautious and reserved when we first sat down, but maybe she was picking up on my energy.
The second emotion: pure joy, as told by Urban Decay Vice Liquid Lipstick in ZZ
As the music started and everyone began singing and clapping and dancing together, she started to really enjoy herself. She was laughing, smiling and VERY interested in the teacher’s guitar.
The third emotion: togetherness, as told by Urban Decay Vice Liquid Lipstick in Firebird
Pretty soon Connor and I got into the zone! I was lifting her up and twirling her around and bouncing her up and down. We rocked out, man. You don’t even know.
The fourth emotion: slightly grossed out, as told by Urban Decay Vice Liquid Lipstick in Mad
Then we did this one activity where we tossed a whole bunch of small inflatable balls across the room and, you know, babies being babies…some of them put them in their mouth.
I remember grabbing one of the balls, and it was completely soaking wet with spit. I thought, “Good lord, please don’t let Connor put this one in her mouth.”
I kept telling myself c’est la vie. It’s just what babies do, but still…I was slightly grossed out.
The fifth emotion: bittersweet, as told by Urban Decay Vice Liquid Lipstick in Pandemonium
There was a moment during the class — the strangest moment in the whole experience — when I felt overjoyed, but also a little sad. It was during quiet time. The teacher turned down the lights and turned on a quiet, soothing song. All of the parents quieted down and sat along one of the walls, and then the teacher started blowing bubbles into the air.
The babies emerged from the wall like awkward butterflies exploring the world for the first time. Most of them stayed close to their moms and dads, but Connor just took off! She crawled as fast as she could to the center of the room all by herself like it was a stage, then stood up, did a little dance and waved both hands to everybody.
Then she crawled to the other side of the room and chased some bubbles. I kept trying to get her to come back to me, but she was too busy having a good time.
I started to tear up… It was a glimpse into the future. Someday she’s going to go out into the world, and I won’t be there to catch bubbles for her. 🙁
Makes me a little happy and sad at the same time.
The sixth emotion: relief, as told by Urban Decay Vice Liquid Lipstick in Big Bang
After seeing how happy and comfortable Connor was in the group, I felt relieved. She’s going to be OK. Me, on the other hand, I don’t know. If a Kindermusik class can drive me to tears, how am I gonna be when she graduates from high school??
OMG! I’m getting ahead of myself.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Jenn says
This is one of my favorite posts by you! Loved it. And you rock those colors something fierce!!
Karen says
Thank you, Jenn. It felt really good to write this one. 🙂
Happy (almost) Friday to you. Got any plans for the weekend?
Stephanie Smith says
Girl, you are doing everything right! Having a confident daughter that wants to explore is exactly what you want! That is fantastic!
Karen says
I hope so. 🙂 I got lucky… She’s a wonderful little one.
How has your week been? I’m so glad tomorrow is Friday!
LeeLee B says
This is my favorite post you have ever done! I loved how you paired the colors with different emotions! And of course, the way retold the baby music class story was so endearing. Made me remember those days fondly when I did the same with my boy (11 years old now… sigh). Thank you.
Rebecca says
I remember someone telling me that a parent’s job is to prepare your child to leave you. That is the saddest truth in the world, besides the fact that the super high calorie ice cream really does taste the best.
It doesn’t get easier to watch them walk away, I’m afraid, but it’s always just as sweet to see them turn around and smile at you.
Connor’s confidence means that she is a happy, secure baby who feels safe and loved. You are doing a great job.
And my kids are 14 and 12 and I am still a blubbering mess, all the time. No matter how big and strong and independent and difficult and maddening they are, I look at them and see my babies. Just like your mom and my mom, when they look at us.
Kiss & Make-up says
Aw, a Kindermusik class? Had no idea that even existed! And who would have thought it could be such an emotional experience :-O
Love the way you linked this to the Vice lippies 🙂
Agata says
Great story, Karen, I loved reading it. It’s crazy how being a parent changes everything, isn’t it?
The lipsticks are looking good. I have heard mixed opinions on the wear time and the formula…I know they just launched in the stores on the 26th so I will probably pick one just to check it out.
LindaLibraLoca says
There will be many more bubble moments in the time to come. What aleays comforts me: Only kids that have a strong bonding to their parents are brave enough to leave their side, knowing they can rely on them to be there when they come back.
Arianne says
Awww go Connor! That is so wonderful. I feel all of those emotions! It’s always going to be bittersweet, but you are doing an amazing job raising that little girl! She’s going to be the best coy wolf she’ll ever be.
Chris25 says
I really like Firebird.
You have lots of time before she graduates from HS. 🙂
Jaclyn levy says
I love this post! Such a creative way to tell the story of the new colors, and of Connor’s first music class! Fun!
Kim says
That sounds like a great day!! Your nervous face made me laugh, but only because I knew everything would be OK. 🙂 I’m so glad that Connor enjoyed herself. And, don’t worry, she’ll always come back to you to catch bubbles. She’ll just catch them on her own sometimes, too. 🙂 Happy Friday and have a great weekend!!!!
Fran says
I’m so glad that Connor enjoyed the Kindermusik class! It sounds like she had a really wonderful time 🙂
Some of these lipsticks look great, too (Big Bang, Pandemonium, Mad, ZZ), but I’m not usually a fan of liquid lipsticks (the NARS Velvet Lip Glides being a notable exception) — I think I’ll stick with UDs Vice formula.
Jane says
Like many comments above, this was a great post. You will have many moments like this throughout Connor’s life. Zack will be 16 on March 2nd and I still have moments where the emotions run the gammut. I will say that the proudest so far was his Bar Mitzvah almost three years ago. I also remember those days when I took him to “Music & Me” when he was 5-6 months old. I still remember some of he songs. It’s wonderful that Connor is not inhibited by the group environment.
BTW, the lip colors are very pretty, but I don’t think liquid lipsticks are for me.
Saffron says
If it helps at all, I teared up just reading about it and I don’t even have kids so what do I know right? 😛 Best wishes to y’all, I am so thankful for your lovely blog, it is a joy to read.
TravelingBlush says
It’s have to just 2nd this cause it is everything in my mind. Such a privilege to watch Connor grow up. We’ll be there with ya tearing up when she starts Kindergarten…
Angela says
Oh Karen <3 I have three babies (3, 5, and 7 YO) and it's been a roller coaster for sure. Within the same hour, there are many ups and downs, but I'd never trade it for anything.
And those lipsticks – man, you can rock those bolds 😀
Barbara says
What an amazing post! So beautiful. Thank you for writing it!
Nicole says
I started Kindermusik with my 8 y/o when she was a baby. Absolutely loved the classes, it was $$$ considering all the other expenses a baby brings, but money well spent for sure. Yes, they grow up, but there’s another sense of joy that you experience when your child can feed, dress, and go to the bathroom ALL BY THEMSELVES!