Strength training, absolutely. I find whenever I stop lifting weights my metabolism slows to a crawl, even with constant walking. Even if you don't lose pounds you will drop a size or two, because muscle is so much denser than fat. You can get results quite quickly, even with simple at-home dumbbell or bodyweight moves. Get a book with a nice structured routine so you don't have to worry about muscle groups or rep/set schemes and all that right off the bat. I like Eight Minutes in the Morning... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by libraryhead at 7:22 PM on August 20, 2008

My daughter had it done at 2 days old. The doc snipped it with a scissors and it didn't even bleed! Nursing went much better after that, so I guess it was working properly right away.
posted to Ask Metafilter by libraryhead at 11:54 AM on August 7, 2008

Zoe and Her Zebra by Claire Beaton is an alphabet/animal book featuring a multicultural assortment of children. Barefoot puts out a whole series of books by Beaton with really neat illustrations done in felt applique. Some the others may be multiracial as well, though at least two of the ones we have are all animals.
posted to Ask Metafilter by libraryhead at 11:49 AM on August 7, 2008

I don't have much that's constructive to add -- most of the kids' products we use are more of the tried-and-true variety -- but I just wanted to say the example products you linked to are somewhere between unnecessary and ridiculous. "Boogie Wipes" are more or less everyday baby wipes in new packaging, presumably with a higher price tag. Sanitizer is no more effective at preventing illness and infection than soap and water. Unless your kid has specific medical issues or... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by libraryhead at 6:30 PM on July 29, 2008

I just thought of a couple things:

One truly new product (within the last couple years) for babies is G Diapers, which are flushable and ostensibly better for the environment. Alas, we didn't find them to work too well and they're considerably more expensive than disposables or cloth.

Strollers have also drastically improved in recent years, with Bugaboo and its many imitators coming out with solidly engineered vehicles that are a pleasure to... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by libraryhead at 6:36 PM on July 29, 2008

I bet there are loads of Rice University architecture graduates and faculty who would be right on board with a project like this. The program office can probably give you a referral to some locals who do residential work. If you want a few names to start with, MeMail me, and I'll ask my sister (a Rice architecture alum, but no longer based in Houston).
posted to Ask Metafilter by libraryhead at 5:02 PM on July 27, 2008

Take an early-response pregnancy test from the drug store. False positives are rare, but false negatives are pretty common, especially this early. If it comes up negative, wait a few days or a week and try again.

If she's in good health and otherwise "low-risk", consider seeking out a midwife (vs. an obstetrician) for prenatal care.

And, congratulations!
posted to Ask Metafilter by libraryhead at 8:02 PM on July 26, 2008

I'm in the Boston area. I'm willing to put up with ambiguity, stress, deadlines.
posted to Ask Metafilter by libraryhead at 1:44 PM on July 23, 2008

I was in trade book publishing. I specialized into a niche that's hard to find around here and seem to be overqualified or wrongly qualified for most of the jobs available. And of course the pay mostly stinks.

I like the idea of going out and getting a specific degree or qualification that makes me slam-dunk, unquestionably qualified for a high-paying, in-demand job. The nursing idea is intriguing. I had no idea it was that well paid. More ideas like that, please!
posted to Ask Metafilter by libraryhead at 4:04 PM on July 23, 2008

That's just the way I happened to write them out. I'd say the only essentials are 1 and 5 (1 with the caveat that I understand I might not make $50K right away, but should be able to get there within a couple years). 2 and 4 are nice-to-haves and 3 is not really a criterion.
posted to Ask Metafilter by libraryhead at 6:04 PM on July 23, 2008

I know where you're coming from, having gone up three cup sizes when I was first breastfeeding. As time went on and the girl nursed less and less, they did shrink gradually, almost to where they were before -- but then I went and got pregnant before weaning, so now they're on the upswing again. I don't think there's any rule of thumb, because each woman's experience is so different. With larger breasts to begin with, and an ample supply of milk, you almost certainly have quite a few more pounds... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by libraryhead at 5:02 PM on July 18, 2008

I'm willing to bet that koahiatamadl has never breastfed. Speaking from experience, the amount of milk-producing apparatus in a working G-cup will certainly be noticed on the scale. Couldn't you just give yourself an allowance of, say, 10 or 15 pounds above goal weight the BMI chart recommends? Once you get to that point, then see where you are and if you're satisfied. I did find that pretty much any attempt at calorie reduction while BF reduced my milk supply and left me with a very angry babe... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by libraryhead at 12:45 PM on July 19, 2008

My daughter, now 2, has moderate eczema (though it seems to be mostly cleared up in the summertime). Our ped prescribed a topical steroid cream, which we used as needed, almost every night when she was having a flare up. I'm not sure why everyone seems to think it should be avoided. It worked to clear up her itchy/scaly patches quickly with no noticeable side effects. We also switched to California Baby Super Sensitive Shampoo & Bodywash, which was much less irritating than the drugstore... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by libraryhead at 11:59 AM on July 19, 2008

I wore Scody's first link as my wedding dress. It's a gorgeous gown, and black-tie appropriate, although I did have to have some alterations done to make it fit just right.
posted to Ask Metafilter by libraryhead at 5:47 PM on July 15, 2008

The radio show Car Talk always comes up with the most obscure and clever car-related songs to play as filler. Turns out they have a list of hundreds of them here. Out of the first 10, looks like 4 are by women.
posted to Ask Metafilter by libraryhead at 9:41 AM on July 12, 2008 marked best answer

There are lots of home-based craft entrepreneurs who will make a doll to your exact specifications. The ones I've seen are fabric, though, not plastic. Here's one I've been looking at for my daughter; scroll down to see all the hair and skin options. Search for "Waldorf dolls" (along with Asian, anatomically correct, etc.) for similar.
posted to Ask Metafilter by libraryhead at 12:42 PM on July 10, 2008

I've not seen any pre-matched combos of an end table and ottoman, but you could always find the ottoman first, then fit the table around it. Room and Board will let you design your own parsons-style table to any dimensions you like, with a wide variety of tabletop options (woods, stone, glass, etc.). Their stuff is quite good quality, in my experience, and reasonably priced.
posted to Ask Metafilter by libraryhead at 12:45 PM on July 4, 2008

Are you taking it with food? The iron in my prenatal multi was making me nauseous, especially on anything less than a full stomach. Taking it with breakfast was not enough -- had to be right after dinner to have a chance of tolerating it. When I switched to a multi without iron, no more puking.
posted to Ask Metafilter by libraryhead at 12:16 PM on June 30, 2008

Silk is another option. Lightweight, hypoallergenic, and supposedly "adjusts to your body temperature" (I've not tried one -- down is just fine IMO). Garnet Hill has a nice one.
posted to Ask Metafilter by libraryhead at 6:34 PM on June 29, 2008 marked best answer

One other element that I don't think has been mentioned: all those raw veggies will release a lot of water as they cook. Personally, I like vegetables in lasagne, but you have to at least parcook them by sauteeing (Cooks Illustrated would have you salt them, too), or your casserole will be wet wet wet.
posted to Ask Metafilter by libraryhead at 2:46 PM on June 29, 2008 marked best answer

Cervical polyp? I had similar bright-red bleeding during my last pregnancy. Naturally we were terrified, but it turned out to be a polyp that the OB snipped right off, no problem.
posted to Ask Metafilter by libraryhead at 9:17 AM on June 26, 2008

Since this is a second child, and a second boy, they probably have most of what they need. Clothes are fine, really, and nothing to feel weirded out about, and plain white Gerber onesies are practically a consumable. Echoing the notion that $100 is a lot to spend for a coworker, unless you're going the savings bond route, $50 is more than enough. Depending on the age of the older child, they might need a double stroller, but that's more of a group gift.

I'd avoid the... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by libraryhead at 6:31 AM on June 9, 2008

I saw a recipe just today that included a dollop of jam or preserves, any kind, just spooned in the middle of the batter. Seemed like it would be good for using up the scraps taking up space in the refrigerator door. A streusel topping is nice on muffins, too.
posted to Ask Metafilter by libraryhead at 4:52 PM on June 2, 2008 marked best answer

If only I *had* a bell jar... I found some key lime juice at the store (at $6, probably still cheaper than the equivalent quantity of limes) to make the pie. The limeade will most likely be consumed in liquid form, although I do have an ice cream maker, so I may give that idea a try. Thanks for the suggestions, all.
posted to Ask Metafilter by libraryhead at 11:36 AM on June 1, 2008

A SlimFast shake is not a healthy meal. Eat food.
posted to Ask Metafilter by libraryhead at 6:24 PM on May 31, 2008

TomMelee, read the question--they've got a couple of carseats to accommodate; there's no way they'll fit in an Echo or a SmartCar. Now if only automakers could be persuaded to design backseats that were actually designed for and safe for children, we wouldn't have to buy tons more car than we need just to move a 10-pound baby around.
posted to Ask Metafilter by libraryhead at 12:23 PM on May 31, 2008

Free magazines and books when I worked for a media conglomerate, and not just the titles you worked on.
Company museum memberships where you can get in free with your employee ID.
My husband's company gave him six paid weeks paternity leave, which I think is pretty unusual.
posted to Ask Metafilter by libraryhead at 4:46 PM on May 30, 2008

Harvard Book Store? I bet they're asking an arm and a leg. Bookselling is a notoriously unprofitable business. Be sure you don't overpay.
posted to Ask Metafilter by libraryhead at 6:27 PM on May 29, 2008

On the question of gender privilege, stuff like catcalls and even personal safety awareness seem like minor issues compared to the more overarching pressure of typical gender roles still prevalent in mainstream American society. I never realized how strong this stuff still was until I had kids.

As a man, it will be assumed that you are, or will be, a family breadwinner, and therefore the type of work you will perform will be more likely to be better paid, and come with... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by libraryhead at 6:15 PM on May 29, 2008

I used to contract for eBook conversion professionally, and no vendor ever cared to inquire about copyright, so you probably don't have to worry too much about that. The service you want costs about $1/page at volume, outsourced to India or Barbados. If this seems prohibitive, think about what you're asking for: a human will have to feed the pages through a scanner--a process that is only semi-automated at best--then actually proof the OCR'd results. Each book will take dozens of hours for even... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by libraryhead at 6:38 PM on May 27, 2008

I adapted this recipe for asparagus vinaigrette from Sarah Leah Chase's Cold Weather Cooking. I make it all the time to accompany something off the grill, and I've gotten many compliments from guests. It's great for entertaining because it doesn't require last-minute prep. Leftovers tend to be swimming in dressing, but if you drain and chop it's good with scrambled eggs.

1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon Dijon... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by libraryhead at 6:33 PM on May 24, 2008

I had similar concerns to yours when I moved to New York about 12 years ago. I lasted 7 years and, while there are many things I miss (including my career, alas), I wouldn't move back. When I first arrived I lived in Queens, near Astoria, which I wouldn't recommend as a respite from Manhattan. The chaos is more ethnic than the fast-walkers of midtown, but it's still dirty and noisy and the train is packed wall to wall and I never got used to it. We were right near the LIC heliport and the... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by libraryhead at 12:05 PM on May 20, 2008

I don't know about Toronto, but down in my area it seems that all the coops and natural food stores have been driven out of business by Whole Foods, which only stocks a small segment of what you need. King Arthur sells direct through their website and their store in White River Junction, Vermont, if you feel like an 8-hour road trip. It looks like they do ship internationally, but may be limited by customs regulations.
posted to Ask Metafilter by libraryhead at 9:18 PM on May 17, 2008 marked best answer

Watch out, because a lot of the recordings out there are terrible. I didn't know it was possible to make "Ring Around the Rosie" sound so grating. This collection from Genius Entertainment, 123 Favorite Kid Songs, is not too bad. All the classics are represented; from "Yankee Doodle Dandy" to "The Ants Go Marching", there's probably not a song on here that will be unfamiliar. I think I found it in our local library, which is a great source for bog-standard, at least... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by libraryhead at 11:01 AM on May 10, 2008

I've had good success cooking up leftover pot roast with caramelized onions and peas as a sauce for noodles. This recipe gives the general idea (I can't remember where that link came from, and I certainly don't vouch for the canned mushrooms and garlic powder -- use the real thing, obviously.)
posted to Ask Metafilter by libraryhead at 10:52 AM on May 10, 2008

I was laid off from my job while and we're trapped in a house we don't want because we're close to underwater on the mortgage and nothing's selling in our area.
posted to Ask Metafilter by libraryhead at 10:48 AM on May 5, 2008

Your description of your lunch reminds me of Bread and Jam for Francis, which has a fabulous description of a packed lunch circa the early 60s. The kids opened up their lunch boxes to reveal cloth napkins, vases of violets, cardboard shakers of salt, and many little wax paper packages containing hard-boiled eggs, celery, grapes, sandwiches, and a "cup custard," whatever that is! Except for Francis, who only likes to eat bread and jam. (I usually just have leftovers.... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by libraryhead at 10:02 AM on April 24, 2008

Agree with all about "But..." But I have to dissent on the acceptability of brand names. I've done work for one publisher who would not allow them at all in certain types of nonfiction material; a Sharpie was a fine-point permanent marker, Cheerios were O-shaped cereal, and so on. So it really is a matter of house style. Personally I would avoid them in a novel, when possible, because they can make any writing resemble an advertisement.
posted to Ask Metafilter by libraryhead at 4:22 PM on April 21, 2008

Since it hasn't been mentioned yet, how about the Garnet Hill catalog. Thoroughly non-dowdy yet not fashion-victim-y, and a good source for discovering labels you like and can seek more of elsewhere. Really nice bedding, too.

It's got a quirky selection, and may be a bit out of the price range, but who knew that J. Peterman was still around? The pieces are more in the vein of "timeless style" than au courant, but there's a mix of quirky accessories you won't... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by libraryhead at 5:14 PM on April 3, 2008

My father was a very grumpy person while I was growing up. We later learned that he had uncontrolled diabetes, so now that he's got his blood sugar on a more even keel, he's a lot nicer to be around. I know that I've picked up some of the same unpleasant tendencies, so whenever I'm feeling like a big crank, I make a point to apologize to my husband and eat some protein and complex carbs. Not an answer to your question, but something to think about.
posted to Ask Metafilter by libraryhead at 7:12 PM on April 1, 2008

Richard Shindell is one of the best storytellers in folk or any genre. Somewhere Near Patterson is a knockout classic.
posted to Ask Metafilter by libraryhead at 4:26 PM on March 27, 2008

We had a fleece pouch (Kangaroo Korner, I think) and a Moby Wrap (the knit one). The pouch worked OK for the newborn stage, but M was pretty heavy as an infant (I think she's gotten lighter since, now that she can hold on!), and the weight wasn't balanced well as it always made my back hurt. Plus fleece is really really warm; too warm once spring arrived. The Moby Wrap seemed like a good idea, but it was too complicated to put on and I never really got the hang of it. The one carrier our... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by libraryhead at 6:28 PM on March 13, 2008

"Ana Ng" - They Might Be Giants
...Ana Ng and I are getting old
And we still haven't walked in the glow of each other's majestic presence
Listen Ana hear my words
They're the ones you would think I would say if there was a me for you...


For a newish one, Plain White T's "Hey There Delilah" is pretty sweet.
...A thousand miles seems pretty far
But they've got planes... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by libraryhead at 1:46 AM on March 5, 2008

Even if you eventually buy the Pump In Style (which I did, and ended up rarely using), I recommend getting a rental model from the hospital for the first month or two. Establishing breastfeeding can be challenging, and being able to quickly relieve engorgement when the baby's not latching is essential. The hospital models work much better, though they're not the least bit portable. When your wife's ready to go back to work she'll have a better idea of what her needs are.
posted to Ask Metafilter by libraryhead at 3:59 PM on February 22, 2008

That Thing You Do
posted to Ask Metafilter by libraryhead at 3:48 PM on February 22, 2008 marked best answer

The hulled barley report: I decided to parcook first in water. After soaking for 6 hours, it only took 45 minutes' simmer to get to an edible, if chewy, state. An additional hour in the soup and the grains were perfect, not mushy at all. A perfect dinner for a snowy day.
posted to Ask Metafilter by libraryhead at 3:46 PM on February 22, 2008

Shop in WA, or do the catalog/online thing. Spring stuff should be in stores now. For me, arriving with an empty suitcase and only a few hours to spend (not to mention limited access to shops) would totally stress me out. You want to enjoy your time there, not worry about having nothing to wear. Vacation shopping is good for serendipitous finds, not so much everyday basics. (And congrats on the weight loss!)
posted to Ask Metafilter by libraryhead at 12:04 PM on February 21, 2008

This will not be easy. We had a hard time finding a place to take one large (>90 lb) dog and two cats. You'll have better luck looking for a small house owned by an individual, not a rental company. There are lots of really boring, soulless suburbs around San Jose. If you can swing it, look west, toward Mountain View or Palo Alto.
posted to Ask Metafilter by libraryhead at 11:39 AM on February 6, 2008

Those Martha Stewart bars look perfect, padraigin. I'll be giving those a try soon. Good call about drying/jamifying our own fruit, too. I'll definitely be doing that once the farmer's market opens back up. For everyone else who might be interested, zippity tipped me off that Trader Joe's has a house brand of fruit bars that are supposedly tasty, inexpensive, and HCFS-free.
posted to Ask Metafilter by libraryhead at 6:39 PM on January 30, 2008

What everyone else said about signatures. Also page counts are often set early in the process, based on a rough castoff or (sometimes) wishful thinking. Bids will be gathered and cover prices set with those page counts in mind. Squeezing type to save a signature is not welcome when it means production will have to get new quotes, the cover template will need to be adjusted, price may have to change, etc. etc. Not to mention that most books are cataloged and sold in well in advance. A bookstore... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by libraryhead at 6:18 PM on January 26, 2008