43 days till the Kid’s due. Recent weirdo pregnancy development: my jaw randomly locks and I can’t open my mouth. It’s like a leg cramp… but in my jaw. I get leg cramps too; but those are more painful and less entertaining. (Got one last night. It got me out of bed and brought tears to my eyes.) …Hurry up, kid.

• Casanova is back! Issue 8 hit the stands yesterday. Dr. Klock digs it. The Bendis Board review group is covering it here.
• Fraction is interviewed by Gerry Duggan for Suicide Girls here. (He’s very sweetly feigning disinterest in the free membership he got for the interview. Mm-hm.) What’s curious about this particular interview is that it reads as though it were transcribed from a phone call, rather than carried out in e-mail. It’s looser; not as careful as usual. I have no opinion about that one way or the other, it’s just something to note.
• These e-cards are hilarious.
• Oh my god, I want to go to this estate sale! Treasures abound! Sigh. If we had ANY extra money right now, I’d get this table for my office. I love the design. (My office desk was poorly chosen — I need something with a pedestal base so that I quit banging my leg on the posts. Also, those chairs look comfy.) Alas. The timing is poooooor.
• Adrian made the Kid some booties to go with the rest of the outfit. There may be a hormonal component, but I seriously got weepy at her generosity and, well, skill. You know how there are some people you just wish you could spend more time with? Adrian’s one of those people. I instantly relax in her company. (Alas, I don’t get to share her company too often as she lives in BOSTON.)
• Look at these cute giraffe toys that Lauren found!
• If our nursery took steroids, it would look like this.
• Nikol is doing something new — Felt School! I’m bummed I won’t make it to Yarn School this year — last year was great fun — but it’s too close to Baby Time. Happily, she and a couple of the girls (including Adrian!) are coming to KC to visit. I’m clinging to that as my consolation.
• If I wait much longer to do my Nerd Prom Report I’m going to forget everything. Don’t have the time right now, though. If it doesn’t happen, it doesn’t happen I guess. Can’t really make it a priority when my to do list is as long as I am tall and there are 127 unanswered e-mails in my inbox, you know?

• Nested is a new shopping blog for baby and kid stuff. So far so good — I love the pointers to Nightmare Catcher Journals and Hand Knit Booties that look like Doc Martins.
• Take Your Jacket Off: Are you reading Kathryn and Stuart Immonen’s Moving Pictures webcomic? I’m thoroughly intrigued. Also, Kathryn is my current girl crush. If she sees how I’ve been writing her name over and over again in my notebook I’ll just die.
• I love the days between when you get birthday money and when you spend it. It’s a magic time when you can fantasize guilt-free about all the silly little things you could buy but since you haven’t actually done anything yet, the dollar figure never registers a change. I collect (well, it’s a new collection — I have only 3 thus far) brightly colored tea cups. The rules are: they have to have a matching saucer, they have to have gold trim and they have to cost me less than $10 each. I had ebay alerts this morning for two that make me consider throwing out the budget constriction for the sake of birthday bliss. This one and this one. The Aynsley ones are always really good and always over budget.
• Shit. Speaking of budgets, I just remembered we have an appt today to discuss life insurance. $@%$#@%$#@.
• Droob wrote this morning to point out that McSweeney’s is hurting. If you’re thinking about subscribing or buying books, they say now would be a good time.
• Can’t say I’m particularly blue to hear Jane is going under. I loved Sassy, but Jane always rode my nerves.
• Via WhipUp — this blog shows you how to crochet little amigurumi dolls that, it occurs to me, could easily be made into Duruma dolls. Part One. Part Two. (Instructions, I should mention, are in Spanish. Which is probably good news for me as I’m not exactly sitting on my hands and if the instructions were in English I fear I’d have a hard time resisting.)
• Do you know of my love for fresh figs? The cupcake bakeshop just posted a new recipe I’m going to have to try out at some point.
• Laurenn‘s been putting up some fantastic photos from Dr. Sketchy’s Kansas City. I haven’t been as I don’t, you know, draw, drink or get off the couch past 10 pm, but it looks like they’re somehow managing to have a good time without me. Such troopers! If you’re local, you should go check it out.
• Adrian wrote this morning to share her enthusiasm for The Bearded Men. Like me, she has particular fondness for The Bearded Men in Striped Shirts.  She passed along this link in case I wanted to try and get Fraction to play dress up.

• Work Progress: Except for a quick review of EBEN & STELLA #4 once it’s lettered, my work on that book is done. (I’m both pleased and surprised by the “breakneck pace” comment I’ve seen a few times now. My biggest fear was that the pacing — particularly on the first issue — was too slow. Maybe I overcompensated…? I’m kind of okay with that; better too fast than too slow, methinks. Anyway, I never worried too much as I knew I had Ryall and Niles covering my back, but I’m still surprised.) I’m caught up on all but one Viz book — a new one that I grossly underestimated. It’s AWESOME, but OH MY GOD am I intimidated by the internal mythology. The translation is solid, but… ambiguous in places I don’t think we can afford to be ambiguous. I’m sorting it out, but it’s slow in coming. I owe Justin 8 pages for an anthology submission, but it’s unpaid work, which, sadly, makes it a low priority and I think he’s got his hands full at the moment anyway. Going to Bella Napoli today to spend the day on the Viz book.
• Kitchen Progress: the ceiling is all ready for the recessed lighting — it’s gorgeous; the new drywall is up, mudded, sanded and painted (I was really impressed with how minimal the dust from the sanding was — apparently the vacuum sander makes all the difference. I was prepared to have to leave the house, but no… it wasn’t a big deal, really); and the trim is at the shop being painted. The cabinets were supposed to come in today, but I got a call from the carpenter last night saying it’ll be Monday or Tuesday before they get here. Wah wah. It’s looking great, though. We picked a wall organizer last night and picked up the paint for the kitchen door on Wednesday.
• Baby Progress: 28 weeks along/7 months/third trimester/84 days till due date. The registry is done (as well as I can do, anyway — first time mom; I’m bound to screw some of this up); the layette is coming along; and the nursery has stalled out a little bit, but whatever… we’ve still got time. Two most recent purchases: I found a new Amby bed on ebay and saved about $75. The kid’ll spend the night in the Amby in our room for the first 3-6 months anyway. And last night we picked up a solar system mobile thing from Pottery Barn Kids that is just too cool. It’s a little advanced for the kid at first, but Fraction was so smitten with it we decided to get it and put it away for later. I’d love to link to a picture for you, but it doesn’t appear to be up on their site. (Didn’t get great customer service at PBK, btw. Kind of annoying, considering it’s hardly a bargain basement.) Next week we’ll be tested for gestational diabetes and do the 3D ultrasound, just for fun.
• Knitting Progress: None; I haven’t had time to knit in weeks. (Knitters: Phildar is having a sale, June 27 – August 7th. Pattern books are included in the sale. If you’re not familiar with this French house, do check them out. Their prices are reasonable (especially on sale) and the designs are gorgeous. (Remember to convert euros to US$. The rate today is about 1.3 dollars to 1 euro.) I was also surprised at how quickly I received my last order from them.)
• Claude Progress: Nothing destroyed in the last 24 hours! He pooped in the kitchen overnight, but I don’t think that was a behavior issue — he’s had an upset stomach on and off for weeks now. I think he just got caught short and did his best. I called the trainer back and left a message to schedule our first appointment. (Restoration progress: I ordered a replacement pair of moccasins off the ‘net and plan to pick up a pair of brightly colored flats to replace the eaten red mary janes at Aldo later this week.) Claude needs to get a job and start bringing in an income. (OAA sent this yesterday and made me laugh.)
• Fence Progress: …can’t start until after the tree guy gets back from vacation on the 9th.
• House Painting Progress: Left a message with the contractor to schedule. Once this is done, our Big Three House Projects for this year (the kitchen, the fence and the painting) will be set in motion. Which is huge. And expensive. And scary. But necessary.

I’m running out of clever titles for posts like this. Can you tell?

• Just did an interview on 30 Days of Night: Eben & Stella with Samuel Moyerman of Broken Frontier. Keep an eye out for that one – they’re running one of my favorite splash pages from issue #2. (Fraction says he thinks #1 is coming out this week. I’m not sure how to check. Isn’t that pathetic?) (Also, I’m terrified to read the reviews. Don’t send them to me, okay?)
• Spoke to Viz yesterday about a couple of upcoming projects. Good news a-comin’! More as soon as they’re officially announced.
• Hearty congratulations to Snr. Ellis on his Eagle Awards! Everybody’s favorite curmudgeon is disconcerted by the sweep, of course, but the rest of us are pleased as proverbial punch.
• Fraction got me a green peapod necklace from Rachel Sudlow for Mother’s Day. I adore it. I got a card from my dad and a ‘Morning Mom phone call from Xtop, then Laurenn, Lauren, Fraction and I went to Room 39 for a Mother’s Day brunch the highlight of which was an asparagus trio that both pleased and amused me and the bouncy little fetus. All this, and I have yet to change a diaper. (Speaking of diapers, have I asked you all if you know anything about g-diapers? Forgive me if I have, please; I’m a little absent-minded these days. I’m sure that’s Darwin making sure I don’t think too much about what I’m in for.)
• Harold and Fraction went and picked up the kid’s dresser yesterday too — woo hoo! The rug arrived last week and we’ve had the crib for months, so as soon as we can get the extra furniture out of that room we can begin to figure out the new arrangement.
• NPR tells me Pink Martini has a new CD out tomorrow!! I so hope they come through town again. (We’ve seen them play with the symphony here twice and twice I swooned.)
• The WP editing page has stopped loading correctly for me for some reason. I’m doing this in HTML right now and I shouldn’t have to.
• Twin sweethearts Laurenn and Lauren helped me clear all the junk out of the dining room and start organizing the basement last night. It was a crappy job — or a series of crappy jobs — and they were positively delightful and upbeat about it. I’ve gushed my thank yous already, but I can’t resist throwing another one in here. I’m reminded what great friends I have.
• Called Pop for Mother’s Day to see how he was doing. He’d taken some cards out to the cemetery for Nana — including one I sent. I asked him if she liked it. “Well,” he said, “she didn’t complain.” I love him so much.
• Once the garage is painted, we’re going to put a little rose bush in the backyard in Nana’s honor, at Pop’s request. I think it’s a lovely gesture.
• Girl Dork moment: Rebecca just told me about Martha Stewart’s new craft line at Michael’s. I’m beside myself with jealousy of anyone who’s already been shopping. Our closest Michael’s is in Overland Park. Bah!
• Okay, Mama and Papa Fraction are arriving in town today to spend the week with us, shopping and doing home repairs, etc. (Fraction and his dad are going to put the crib together!) and I have much to do before they arrive. Ciao!

• So! Much! To! Do! Ahhh!
• KNITTERS/CROCHETERS: Jess and Casey over at Ravelry.com have given the beta testers the okay to go ahead and blog about the site. At some point I will dedicate an entire post to HOW MUCH I LOVE RAVELRY — Hint: a LOT. It’s literally my favorite website. — but I’m afraid I just don’t have the time to go on about it today. Instead I’ll point you to two other mash notes: Adrian’s and Rachel’s. (Aaaand there are more every hour or so.) I’m also going to brag and say that I was in on this from day one and so even though I did NONE of the hard work (my contribution was essentially a long wishlist and some cheerleading) and I wish to take nothing away from Casey and Jess, the real heroes of the operation, I have to confess to a little bit of pride at how lovely it’s turned out. I think it’s going to be a huge success.
• I am in love with this teacup. Seriously. It’s more than my teacup budget, so I’m going to resist, but I feel the need to share the pretty.
• Laurenn moved into her new apartment yesterday! Yay! You should probably e-mail her so that she’s not too lonely. Also, ask her to post a photo of herself in her new glasses. She’s so cute!
• T2 found this crib bedding set, which I love. There are some really great ones out there — so hard to choose!
• We’ve started picking out things for the kitchen — w00t! We have a brand of sink decided upon and we think we’ve chosen a countertop as well. No start date yet, alas. (That reminds me: I need to remind the house painter that we need a quote.)
• The baby is moving around like crazy today. S/he must know we’re going to find out the sex tomorrow and s/he is enjoying his/her last day of gender ambiguity! We saw our regular doctor this morning and she said the baby can hear now and if we want to start playing music for him/her now would be a good time. Playlists welcome.
• Speaking of babies: has anyone actually tried these?
• Speaking of MY baby: Fraction‘s Sensational Spider-Man Annual is out today and I really could not be more proud. In our house, this is a huge bid deal. Join the lovefest, order yours from Midtown Comics (scroll down), or stop by your local comic shop and pick up a copy in person. (I love you, dude.)

Originally uploaded by QueenieVonSugarpants.

Nikol has posted THREE MORE bonus patterns to her Naughty Needles Knitting site.

How cute are those girls?! Left to right: Nancy, Rita, Etta, Angie and Laurenn.

Check it out: I’m on Naughty Needles wallpaper.

I feel positively fancy. (Full set here — including a wallpaper featuring our own minx, Old Aunt Amy — on the Naughty Needles Knitting blog.)

Nikol’s Naughty Needles book (featuring Laurenn and OAA and Angie and Gina and Etta Vendetta and me and and and — ) comes out December 19th. Pre-order link in the girl farts Amazon store.

Edited to add: Naughty Needles Knitting link.