Further proof the nickname for my in-utero babies is appropriate:
“Scientists have known for a while that parasites can induce “behavioral modification” in its hosts - but this one is new: a parasite that turns its host into a bodyguard!
Inside the caterpillar host, a cruel drama takes place: the eggs of the parasitoid hatch and the larvae feed on the body fluids of the host. The caterpillar continues feeding, moving and growing like its unparasitized brothers and sisters. When the parasitoid larvae are full-grown, they emerge together through the host’s skin, and start pupating nearby. Unlike many other combinations of host and parasitoid, the host remains alive but displays spectacular changes in its behaviour: it stops feeding and remains close to the parasitoid pupae. Moreover, it defends the parasitoid pupae against approaching predators with violent head-swings.”
Now you see it, now you don’t: Cookie magazine and Apartment Therapy’s ohdeeoh recently held this neat contest to find parents’ best solutions for kid clutter and storage. There are some really neat, funky ideas here.
The 50 best Sesame Street moments: Walk down memory lane with these. Can you believe this show has been on the air for more than 35 years?! You must watch # 9 (Mr. Hooper isn’t coming back — oh, how heartbreaking…) and of course, #1, Ernie singing “Rubber Duckie.”
The best baby laughs: A compilation from YouTube. Absolutely hilarious. Not as funny as my girl, of course, but up there (I still watch this video once a week, and each and every time it totally makes me cry with the happy).
Ever wondered where babies come from? Or need a rather no-holds-barred, to-the-point guide for your kids?
The Germans (is anyone surprised at this?) show you, in hilarious picture book form.
(Note: If you are educated on where babies come from, you’re smart enough to know picture book+ that = the book has nekkid people in it. Illustrated, yes, but the drawing of the smiling baby emerging from spread le…it’s probably not safe for work, people, is all I’m saying.)
So, c’mon now: Anyone guilty of any of these? If you’ve stuffed your baby into a backpack, I’ll forgive you, because haven’t we ALL wanted to do that at some point? But if your significant other has tried breastfeeding the baby a la Peter Griffin, well…you may have some issues.
Lucy woke up this morning covered head-to-toe in everything we ate yesterday. Oh, happy morning. Although her appetite wasn’t what it normally is, she was acting peachy and had no fever, so we still sent her to her Papa’s for a previously-arranged special playdate.
She barfed in the car (poor Lucy! poor Warren!), but is currently watching Happy Healthy Monsters and munching on apple sauce and crackers. I know this because I keep calling to make sure she’s not projectile covering every square foot of my father-in-law’s condo.
That worry and stress, combined with magazine production, means the vast majority of my brain is frazzled. So please feel free to find fun elsewhere this Friday:
Durham’s dirty restaurants: I used to do this story when I was at the paper. Calling up restaurants and asking if they had a comment on getting busted for raw chicken dripping into lettuce containers was both disgusting and thrilling.
Eat Smart Winners: On the flip side, check out these local places who’ve won awards for healthy and safe eating.
Juno: Go see this. It has some of the most wicked dialog I’ve ever heard, and I’m pining for the soundtrack. We were all sniffling at the end.
Defected good targeted: Harper (finally) promises to update Canada’s archaic laws around product recalls and fines. Too bad this didn’t happen in October or earlier in time for Christmas.
The Cookie Cutter Shop: Not specifically Christmas, but very much in season, no? If you’re looking for a flamingo, grand piano or ladybug, you’ll find it here.
We have entered the No Stage. Lucy, do you want breakfast? No-no. Lucy, do you want to have your bath? No-no. Lucy, can we change your diaper? No-no. Get you dressed? Take Spencer for a walk? Go to daycare? Put your socks on? Give Mum-Mum kisses? No-no-no-no-no-no. Eat M&Ms? Mmmm-hmm.
I’ve had gray hair since I was 15, and now it’s…well, it’s bad. My father’s completely gray patch across his brow appeared in his twenties, and let’s just say I inherited it. Except all over. So I have to colour my hair often or it looks pooey — which is very time consuming, messy and costly. So yesterday I tried Nice and Easy’s Root Touch-Up, and LOVED it. Love, love, love. It’s just enough to do the most visible roots at the front, sides and top, and matched perfectly. Highly recommended.
As cute as they were, I just could not bring myself to buy those polka dot hipster panties at Dollarama today. Deal or no deal, a lady has to draw the somewhere, no matter how cheap she is.
Last night I got all my stickers (and note cards) organized, which felt so good. Then I spied Melissa’s plastic sleeves, and had to have some (thus the dollar store this morning — slow work week. HI BOSS!). Now, I will be even more organized.
Speaking of which, didn’t those who came have a fabulous time at Durham Mom’s Night Out’s first scrapbooking night? The time zipped by while everyone dabbled on their projects, made fun of my stickers and bitched told glowing stories of our spouses and babies.
I did a story for Paying Job this week on humour in the workplace, and in doing so, tried to sign up for this Hump Day newsletter. Workplace email did not, apparently, appreciate the word hump, and steadfastly refuses to let the email in.
In honour of today and the fact that Lucy is home (we had to switch some days around my work schedule), here are some great sites to help you pass the mid-week hump:
This is what Lucy did while I wrote this post. Note the guilty look… And yes, we ARE still in our pajamas (mine, sadly, do not have feeties. Dammit.). What better way to spend a chilly morning?
Carly: Mom to Lucy, 2.5 years, and Spencer Dog, 9-ish. Due with second daughter late October. Wife to Eric, an engineer. Journalist and entrepreneur. Recently moved to north Durham Region, to the greener pastures of our dreams.
Durham Region Baby is a blog and resource site for parents, including local business, product and website reviews, a frequent newsletter and contests.
“Scientists have known for a while that parasites can induce “behavioral modification” in its hosts - but this one is new: a parasite that turns its host into a bodyguard!
