Originally I intended to go to ALA in New Orleans this coming June. If you’ve not been to a New Orleans ALA Conference, there’s nothing quite like it. The food, the sights, it’s all quite lovely. That was before I learned about a project with a release date in June that was going to throw a definite wrench in the works. It’s not a bad thing. Truth be told, this is a project I’ve been hoping to work on for quite some time, and I think I should see it to its natural end before making any serious plans for the future.
The project? Well, why don’t you meet it yourself?
That’s right, folks! We’re looking at the June release of a baby Bird! A chick! A fledgling! My brood! Other variations on my last name (you’re welcome to submit new ones as well). And a first kid for Matt and me too!
Now in a sense I already have a child. That would be this blog. And child #1 is going to regard child #2 (or, as I may refer to it from time to time in terms of new books, Test Subject A) as stealing its “me time”. It’s right about that. So let’s cram in as much blogging in these next seven months as humanly possible. Because after mid-June, you might notice a bit of a dip in frequency.
By the way, I am NOT about to go all mommy blogger on you. Nothing against them, but that’s not my shtick. I’ll certainly mention my little Test Subject A from time to time, in the context of my postings, but I know that if the kid is a product of me that it’s gonna have odd tastes. So you won’t be reading any reviews here where I say things like, “Well, my two-year-old simply didn’t get anything out of this graphic novel adaptation of Dostoyevsky, so I shall have to conclude that’s it’s no good at all.”
In the meantime, I’ve been collecting pertinent links for just this very occasion! A good blogger is always prepared. This post was actually entitled “For When You Announce You’re Brooding” for a good year and a half (and it was heartbreaking to have to continually push the date back).
First up, you may have noticed that pretty little picture at the beginning of the post. It was done by an artist by the moniker of Elsita who happens to do some mighty fine papercuts in her spare time. She has some other images that are sort of appropriate for today’s info.
You may click on them if you’ve an interested in purchasing.
In my travels, for every lovely image I’ve found I’ve also discovered the crazy side of pregnancy. You wouldn’t believe some of the horrific stuff I’ve seen… like this. AUGH! Crazytalk! (I understand that maybe some of you have done this, and I respect your wishes, but for me that is the strangest danged thing I ever heard of, bar none.)
Crazy in a whole different way are the products they create for the expectant. Here in New York, I’m actually a little surprised that I haven’t run across these before.
Far less horrific, but disturbing in its own way, was this cool Make Room for Baby program the Museum of Science and Industry of Chicago created. I’ve had more fun moving the little dial back and forth, back and forth than I can really admit. It would be great to show to kids too! My sole concern is for my intestines. Look what happens to ‘em! They’re all scrunched up at the end! Ay yi yi yi yi.
Crooked House has been a good source of pregger info, actually. For example, I’ve a question for the female illustrators out there. Were you ever tempted, even once, to paint your own stomachs? Because apparently this is a thing.
Good to have a sense of humor about it, I say.
In conclusion, all I really need to do is avoid doing the things discussed in this last video and all will be well. Thanks to all of you, and I’ll undoubtedly be soliciting you for advice as I go along. This’ll be fun!
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Tags: Bird by Bird
Oh, wow! Mightily, crazily, warmly thrilled for you.
It’s okay to blog in a vaguely mommish way, as long as you remember to cuss a bit.
Congratulations!!! How wonderful for you and your husband! Gosh, what will you do if it doesn’t love to read?!
Oh my! And to think I e-mailed you this morning not even suspecting there was such amazing news! I’m just thrilled for you. What fun, not counting the smushed intestines. You could name him the Lord God Bird if he’s feisty, but Gooney Bird has already been taken by Miss Greene. Here’s hoping the next 1/2 year is a breeze.
Judy Freeman
Mazel tov, Betsy, to you and the hubby! How exciting! And I”m glad to see you’re doing your bit to expand our audience . . . !
Congratulations, Betsy! What a lucky child to grow up in a home full of amazing books!
This made me laugh because I’m sure I’m one of those mommy bloggers. I think you will balance the mommy and blogger role splendidly. Besides, we will want to know what Baby Bird has to say from time to time. Congratulations! Enjoy the ride!
Oh Betsy, I’m so happy for you and for the baby too who will have such a wonderful mother (father too I’m sure).
Betsy! I am so happy for you! You will be a truly wonderful mom, I just know. It is such good news!
Jennifer
Congratulations! I’m so happy for you!
I’m still laughing about Baby Bird.
Babies are such miracles. Wait until it’s a Big Bird… (I have two sons in their twenties).
Congrats and best wishes! Get all the sleep you can. You’ll need it.
CONGRATULATIONS!! We are so happy for you (and what a lucky baby)
You even got the girl with the dead tooth from “Raising Hope” to sing a song on your blog! Wow!
Great big hugs from Ohio for you & baby bird!
Glad you could slip in some Garfunkel and Oates in there
such happy, happy news…congratulations!
Congratulations, Betsy!
Hooray! Hooray!
awesomesauce! congrats and best wishes.
Wow, CONGRATULATIONS!!! I’m late to the party, I know. Can’t wait to meet the little birdie!
I wholeheartedly endorse this baby.
Congratulations on the Baby Bird!
Oh gosh! Mazal tov!
I had a hunch when you blogged about “Chronicle Bird”! Congrats, Betsy. I am so very excited for you!
A zillion congrats to you and Matt! For a literary name, can you can’t beat BABY BEEBEE BIRD BIRD!
WOW! Congratulations! The best life changing news ever.
Congratulations! What wonderful, happy news. And after skimming the comments you now have me mulling over iconic boy names in children’s literature (Harry? Wilbur? Max? Hmm. . .) Best wishes to you for a happy, healthy pregnancy!
so happy for you! congrats!!!!
I have 7 months to find “Baby’s first karaoke set,” if one exists, as I feel pretty confident your birdling will have all the books it could hope to read. Congrats you you both.
CONGRATULATIONS!! I am so very glad for you. There’s nothing like a young one to brighten up a home. Are you ordering books for the bambino already? What will the first thing you read to–wait a minute, when will you know if it’s a him or her? (or did I miss something?)
Oh boy. I hadn’t thought of that. A What Will I Read First? posting is definitely in order. And, for that matter, requires some major thought. Good thinking, Carl.
I found it!
Don’t be surprised if your little one rejects books for a while. Other than the newborn stage where my DS could not control what I read to him, he studiously rejected books, preferring to run and play, until he was over a year old. The first book he sat on my lap and let me read him was Doggies by Sandra Boynton.
yeah, I still have a fondness for that book
Now that he’s a BIG BOY of 3, every book I read, he wants to read too. And last night he was “reading” The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle without even having the book (and thus pictures) in front of him to remind him.
(The first book we have pictures of him with was a Vorsokigan book I was reading while (trying to) breastfeed. He put his hand on it as if to claim it!
Congrautlations!! (Sorry I’m so late!) What wonderful news!
Any new news about the chick yet?