This week has just been too erratic to stick to my normal, self-imposed theme days, so here's a smattering of random stories and thoughts and a recipe that I've wanted to share with you all:
1. Visiting our niece and nephew is not only a ton of fun, but is really educational. I've been learning a lot of stuff I never knew about kids. Like how their personalities are so apparent from such an early age. Lucas, all of 6 months old, is direct and a wee bit demanding. He is a great communicator, already proficient at clearly conveying his needs and demands, which at this age appear to be: (1) BOTTLE, NOW! (2) DIAPER CHANGE, NOW! and (3) MELT INTO A PUDDLE AT MY AWESOME CUTENESS, NOW!
2. Following up on #1 above, our niece Brooke is the most compassionate toddler I've ever seen in action. To wit: when the Rockstar went outside to help Brooke's daddy build a sledding snowmountain shovel the driveway last weekend, Puppykins sat at the door and cried and whined implacably. For about 10 minutes, Brooke sat down next to him, petted his big, thick neck, and repeatedly assured him, "Its awight, Sparty. Its okay, awight? Your daddy's coming back, Sparty." (She's also using nicknames to demonstrate affection. When she's feeling cuddly, "Mommy" turns into a sing-song "Mommy Mommy" and "daddy" into "Daddy Daddy" and "Lucas" into "Lukey Dukey Lucas baby baby baby." And Sparta into "Sparty.")
3. That awesome recipe I couldn't wait to tell you about last week (or two weeks ago?) Here it is: Get a spaghetti squash. Slice it in half, scoop out the seeds, and place it cut-side down in an oiled roasting pan. Bake at 375 degrees for 40 minutes. In a bowl, mix up half a stick of melted butter (or Earth Balance soy butter, which I used and it was delicious), 2 cloves of crushed garlic, 1 tsp cumin, 1/2 tsp coriander, 1/2 tsp salt, and a shake of cayenne pepper. When the squash is done baking, pull out the spaghetti-like strands with a fork, dump into a large bowl, and mix with your Moroccan-spiced butter. Enjoy like mad. Thank SmittenKitchen for the recipe.
Also, check out Elizasmom's recipe for celery root and apple mash -- it sounds a lot like this recipe in terms of ease and deliciousness, and I can't wait to give it a try!
4. I had this idea for a video posting here, but chances are I won't get it done, and even if I do, it won't be anything close to the vision I have in my head, so I'm just going to spill about it now. The Setting: the arch between our living room and dining room. The dining room, in the rear, is lit up. The living, in the forefront, is pitch dark. The silhouette of a magnificently pregnant woman fills the archway. Colorful strobe lights go off. Qeue music: Michael Jackson, "Shake Your Body Down (to the Ground)"........ and let your imagination roll.
5. 32 weeks today!! Woohoo!! My belly has become an all-purpose snack table/tv tray. Perfect for resting a mug or a platter on. I'll post a picture soon.
6. "Yo Gabba Gabba" -- the Rockstar and I got addicted to this show while visiting Brooke and Lucas last weekend. If you have not seen this show, find out when it plays on your local Nickelodeon channel (11:30 pm in some parts, so you know there's a devoted adult audience) and sit yourself down with a good drink. The host of the show, DJ Lance Rock, reminds me of all my geeky gay boy friends from college, in their aspiring-to-be-a-dancing-queen phase. The show's filled with sweet messages for children, and humor for adults (ponder the name of the "pink and happy one" and the form of Muno) and regularly stars musical guests like Biz Markie, The Roots, Mates of State, and the Shins. We actually found it on Comcast and have been watching it here at home, without any children. I'm glad its just the two of us in the house, because the amount of "AWESOME!" and "BREAK IT DOWN!" and wildly cheerful gyrating going on is absurd.
7. Yesterday, I felt the baby move, but the movement happened right where my stomach usually sits. Which begs the question: where is my stomach if the baby is there? And answers the question: from whence does this mind-bending heartburn come?
8. Finally, Elizasmom asked us to discuss Cheetos amongst ourselves. Cheetos are one of those things I never buy because I have no dignity or control in the face of their power, and will devour an entire bag in minutes, Fantastic Mr. Fox-like (see that movie if you haven't yet!), not stopping until I've licked the orangey powder clean off the inside of the bag. I haven't had a Cheeto in months, having successfully argued to myself that they aren't really food, no matter how tasty and delicious they are, and cannot contribute anything to the baby's health or development. But oh, how I miss those Cheetos. So while this may not qualify as "discussing," perhaps its more appropriate to call it an ode to the great Cheeto:
Orange perfection.
Salty, crunchy, food-like stuff.
Better than sex. Word.
Feel free to contribute your own haiku, about anything. One of my favorites that I saw recently:
Haikus are poems
That are very perplexing.
Refrigerator.
9. In case I don't get to post again before hand, Merry Christmas to all!!! I hope your holidays are merry and bright, filled with lots of good food and company, and that your travels are smooth and safe. Peace and love to all!

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