I grew up in a very small place.  My county was so small it had one high school.  I went there.  

Every year, there was a talent show at my high school.  I got roped into participating in the talent show exactly once.  The year before I got roped in, when I successfully bagged out due to paralyzing fear, my friends did a performance of The Time Warp from the Rocky Horror Picture Show.  (More on the talent show I did get roped into later.  Or not.)

If you have no idea what I'm talking about, you're making me feel really old.
But you should watch this movie.  Really.

*     *     *     *     *

When Durel and I told Jack that he was going to be a big brother, we framed out how long he would have to wait in terms of milestones.  We explained that he would have Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and his birthday -- and then, baby would come.

He totally got it.  And now that he is officially a four year old, he asks every single morning whether the baby is coming today.

Apparently, Jack will value punctuality in a manner that takes after Durel.  (I like it.  I just struggle with it, that's all.)

*     *     *     *     *

So, about being four -- Jack is.  We had a party, his first "big kid" party.  Unlike previous years where we had cupcakes and enchiladas and balloons at home, this year we went to The Bouncy Place.

There were friends -- Jack and his school posse are pretty tight, and they came, and they bounced.  

There were snacks, including cupcakes.  I grabbed onto my Batman theme and didn't let go, as you can see: 

And the results were fantastic.  Batman was happy beyond happy.

*     *     *     *     *

And now he's four, asking every day when his baby brother is coming, and I am in my very own Time Warp.  I haven't seen any sweet transvestites yet, but I'm telling you, I wouldn't be that surprised if I did.

And, as if I needed more proof that there is a Tim Curry/time warp kind of theme to my week, which I did not, Clue: The Movie was on the other night.

And if you have not see Clue: The Movie, go watch it right now.
I'll wait.

Hope you take a jump to the left today.

Talk soon,
Heather

things that are OVER

Well, 2013 is over.

Bye bye, 2013.  You were a tricky one.  

I've got some pretty big plans for 2014.  I'm not going to bore you with them or turn them into a blog feature.  Suffice it to say that having a healthy baby in April is my most significant goal for 2014, and the rest are pretty cool, too. 

Over the weekend (not really a weekend, but isn't it weird when New Years is in the middle of the week?), Jack informed us of some things that are over in his world.

(Context:  Jack's favorite color has been yellow for like a year.  When he's serious about something, you'd better be, too.  We've been in his Yellow Phase, wholeheartedly, for so long that apparently,  I was taking it for granted.)

Jack:     Yellow is OVER.  I like white now.

Me:       Really?  White is your favorite color now?

Jack:    Yes.  Yellow is OVER.

Me:      OK...

I had barely had time to wonder how long the White Phase would last, or how on earth it would work, since white is not any mom's choice when an almost four year old is involved.  Just as soon as it started, it ended.

We were at the car wash.

Jack LOATHES the drive through car wash.  Despite this, I selfishly take him with me through said car wash pretty regularly.  We talk about the water and the soap, we sing songs, we try all sorts of things to make it less scary.  But when Jack and I are out running errands, I don't tend to forego something that I really need to do because he doesn't want to do it.  I guess I'm a hard ass, I don't know.

Anyway, we went to the fancy car wash this time, which Jack loves.  He loves it because he doesn't have to sit in the car and be scared.  He likes it because they have free popcorn and benches where you can sit and watch the cars go through.  To him, there is no comparison.  Even I have to admit, the fancy car wash is pretty delightful.

So, there we were, having our snacks, when a very nice and fancy black Mercedes sedan comes cruising through the washing line.

Jack:     THAT CAR IS MY FAVORITE COLOR!

Me:       Huh?

Jack:     (in a rushed voice) Yellow is over.  White is over, too.  My new favorite is BLACK AND THAT CAR IS BLACK AND THATS MY FAVORITE COLOR!!!

Me:     Oh!  OK.  Cool.  (I mean, what are you going to say?)

It's too early for him to be entering his Goth phase.  Right?

Yes.  Perrier (which he chose) and khakis do not a Goth phase make.  OK.

Oh, also, he informed us that apples are OVER.  He likes grapes now.

Hope you make up your mind about what's over for you and joyfully embrace something new.

Talk soon,
Heather

laser beams and salad bars: a pregnancy update

Every evening when I come home from work, my sweet husband greets me with two questions:

1.  How are you?
2.  How is your urge to kill?

He asks this because he cares deeply about both answers. (Out of both love and self-preservation, I presume.)  Both answers will also clue him into what we may be having for dinner, how soon I'm going to bed, and how many people I roasted with my laser beam eyes of hormonal hate that day.

*     *     *     *     *

The bump is growing.  Most of the time, I love that.  Sometimes, at the end of a long day, I know I'm already waddling, which I do not love.  

But then the bump kicks me, and I love it again, waddle and all.

*     *     *     *     *

Commentary on the size of the bump is increasing in a proportionate ratio to the bump's size.  This week, these things were all said to me:

1.  You are looking very motherly today!
2.  You wear your pregnancy very well.
3.  OHMYGOD, you are getting SO BIG!

Two of these comments made me smile with pregnancy radiance.  One of these comments made me feel hormonal hate.  I will leave it to you to decipher which comment elicited the rage.

*     *     *     *     *

Luckily for me, Jack's curiosity (in general, too, but I mean about the baby) has not reached a level where I am not sure how to answer him.

Jack:     Why is the baby in there?
Me:       In my tummy?
Jack:     Yeah.
Me:       Because that's where babies come from.  From mommies' tummies.

(Obviously, the next question could be "How did the baby get there?"  I am very glad he didn't ask that.)

(Side note:  How did that whole stork thing start?  Isn't that an odd way to get around answering the procreation question?)

*     *     *     *     *

For the record, today is a good day.  My urge to kill is not dormant, but is minimal.  The woman who bumped into me at the Whole Foods salad bar and then gave ME stink eye, while carefully placing ONE PIECE of roast zucchini in her container, next to the ONE PIECE of broccoli, could easily have been a victim.  But that salad bar is so glorious that I refrained.  Nothing ugly should happen next to that many organic vegetables.

Hope you're wearing something well today.

Talk soon,
Heather

from whence this blog came...

About four years ago, I found my pregnant self, parked in a leather recliner in our house, looking for something to do.

I was pregnant with Jack then, who we didn't know was Jack, so instead was called Cheeseburger. 

I was on bed rest, and very close to maxing out on episodes of What Not To Wear, so I decided to start a blog.

I also wrote another blog at the time, which has since been put to rest, but that's another story.

This blog, however, is going strong.  And since I have't come right out and said so, per se, GeauxBaby is about to be about more than one little.

You see...

There are a few things I can tell you about this:

-- In keeping with our tradition of nicknames based on cravings, this little one is known as Chilito.  This is because Durel makes awesome chili, and I force him to make it for me at least every other weekend.

-- I eat said chili over top of a bed of pasta (angel hair is my favorite), with shredded cheese, diced jalapenos, and a dollop of sour cream on top.  Every time I eat it, I behave like a caveman, yes, but I also reminisce about good times had at Hard Times in Alexandria, Virginia.

-- The expression on my face in the picture above is a mixture of total excitement and joy, mixed with the realization that my bump ain't small, folks.

-- I have heartburn.  

-- Yesterday, I texted Durel to warn him that I  needed dessert, and that if I did not get it, I might become homicidal.

-- He brought dessert.  (He's smart.)

-- Jack is pretty nonchalant about becoming a big brother.  He is more excited about Christmas and his birthday.  Prioritizing parties and presents over poopy diapers does indicate his brilliance and pragmatism.

-- This second child is long-awaited and much anticipated.  I am one lucky lady.  

-- Chilito is a boy.  I'm ready for soccer games galore!  Yay!

Hope you get dessert today.  It's really good.

Talk soon,

Heather