a chick with sticks (and a computer)

Where mommydom and YA fanship collide

Oh man! I just saw that "Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist," based on the fabulously fun novel by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan, opens in October, which is also the month that Plum the fetus becomes ??? the baby. 

It would be the height of uncool to take my newborn to this movie, right? Normally, newborns and movies are actually a great combo. The baby (if you play your cards right) just nurses and sleeps through the whole thing, and you get to indulge in a couple hours of Life as Normal People Know It. The first few months are pretty much the only opportunity during your time as a baby mama that you can even attempt to go the movies without having to get a sitter. 

But jiggling my babe in his/her sling while I watch Nick (Michael Cera!) and Norah embark on their badass, wee hours love adventure might be just a bit of a buzzkill for the teenagers sitting in the theater seats nearby, eh? 

Or it could be a useful cautionary lesson, which I like to impart whenever I can: Dudes, practice safe, or no, sex or this could be YOU nerdily toting your baby to the movies in stretchy pants. 

As if Bristol Palin, poor thing, isn't enough of a cautionary lesson for us all. (Think losing your freedom, education, and sanity when you become a teen mother is bad? How about having your mother parade you and your baby bump in front of the world as her own personal political pawn at the same time???) 

Speaking of the whole Palin travesty, which I sort of can't stop obsessing about (and clearly I'm not the only one) check out the crazy-brilliant Maureen Johnson's eloquent rant about the situation. Go Maureen! 

xoxo

Elizabeth

Beginning of a new era

I'm having a surreal day over here because LaLa is in SCHOOL! Well, pre-school, and only for four hours until I pick her up at 1:30, but still! She's huge! She has a life of her own now! I mean, I'm home working and she's off at school and I have no idea what she's doing! Well, actually, according to the schedule of "Classroom Rhythms" we got from her teachers, she's having Circle Time right now, before going outside for recess in the safe and ecologically correct "play garden" that I've carefully toured. 

But there's still a tiny aura of mystery around her day. What the heck to they DO in circle time, anyway? It's a slippery slope until LaLa comes home and when I ask her how school was, she drones, "Fine." 

"What'd you do?" 

"Nothin'." Which means she was actually smoking behind the bleachers and cribbing some other kid's biology notes. 

True, such secret-keeping surely won't start for years and years, given that we've been hearing a passionate running monologue for the past two days about LaLa's beloved new chapstick and her new imaginary friend (he's a pirate, but a nice one!) and every other thought (and I mean EVERY ONE) that crosses her busy little mind. 

But, still! My girl's growing up. Like every parent on this day, I'm feeling alternately elated and like I have to put my head between my knees and take deep breaths so I won't pass out from the warp-speed that is baby time. Of course, there's no way I can get my head between my knees because I have this giant fetus in the way, which is a kind reminder that, "Hey, the baby years ain't over by a long shot!" I'm thrilled about that. 

I'm also glad that, when I put LaLa down for her post-school nap this afternoon, she'll probably snuggle into my arms the way she usually does and say, "Mama, hold me like a baby and we'll rock and talk." 

For at least for a little while longer, I get to have my schoolkid and my baby, too. Which is even better than having your cake and eating it, too. And coming from a diabetic, that is high praise. 

Now, I must write and have an adult lunch involving no peanut butter, jelly, spilled milk, or demands that I somehow paste two apple halves back together because "I wanted it WHOOOOOOOLE." Because that's all happening at SCHOOL! Yippee! 

xoxo

Elizabeth