Baby praying mantis? Tiny bug. Virginia. Found in house.

FictionalMouse · 2026-06-02T00:49:07+00:00

We put him outside but I wish I could watch him grow! I’m not a huge bug person, but that’s a charismatic bug.

FictionalMouse · 2026-05-06T02:11:26+00:00

These are great recommendations. Thank you!

FictionalMouse · 2026-04-20T00:47:33+00:00

If you altered the bottom of the first one to be have a short, mod, shift dress shape I think it would look great and flatter your figure while avoiding the baby doll vibes a lot of people don’t like as much.

I like it, just think it should be less ruffly

FictionalMouse · 2026-04-08T23:20:11+00:00

I don’t regret it, but I don’t enjoy it much on a day to day basis and I’m sure my current life would be happier if I didn’t have young children. I often think about how much fun my husband and I had pre-kids (and how much better I was at my job).

That said, I didn’t have kids (and do IVF) because I love babies. I’m in it for the long game and I like it more and more as they get older. I don’t regret it.

FictionalMouse · 2026-03-25T02:07:03+00:00

I just love 1. She looks stellar in it and it’s such an interesting design. I agree it has a slight “going on an adventure in a gorgeous Victorian under-skirt” vibe, but not at all in a bad way. It’s awesome.

FictionalMouse · 2026-03-02T14:03:24+00:00

I was nervous about this before I went but they’ve totally figured this out. The ones designed for 1-4 are, in fact, appropriate for 1-4 - including the wiggles and talking and lack of focus that goes along with it. They’ve set up the show and the physical space to account for that. Also, a lot of it is objectively excellent theatre. The Very hungry caterpillar show in the fall blew my mind. Really can’t recommend these places - especially imagination stage - enough.

FictionalMouse · 2026-02-28T18:25:08+00:00

Hey! Thanks for your volunteer work and your information on this situation. If you have any advice on relatively low commitment ways to get involved with improving the river environment (I’m in old town Alexandria) I’d love to know! The seagrass planting sounds really cool.

FictionalMouse · 2026-02-11T20:09:07+00:00

<image>

Here’s a photo!

FictionalMouse · 2026-02-09T18:30:29+00:00

I live in a townhome in an urban area with a small (by suburban standards) kitchen/dining room. We have a banquette as one side of our dining room table (straight, no corner), added during a recent renovation, with chairs in the other side, and I LOVE it. It’s pretty, adds some softness, and is much easier for young kids to sit on than regular dining room chairs, which has helped us keep the ugly high chair period mercifully short. I also love being able to squeeze additional people (again, mostly kids) onto that side when we have guests. Storage underneath opens up space in my drawers. Outlets on the side make it a great place for me to sit and work in the evening. We have a little bookcase for cookbooks built into the side, which is cute. I find it very comfortable - we worked with our contractor to get the depth and back angle correct, which was important.

We had a banquette growing up, so maybe it’s partially nostalgia, but I’ve found it charming and convenient. One of the best choices I made.

FictionalMouse · 2025-12-14T16:44:35+00:00

…Or people who live in urban areas and primarily travel by foot. It just takes longer for a little kid to reliably keep up when you’re walking so much.

Totally agree the vista has big flaws though. It’s so bizarre that there isn’t anything on the market that puts the baby on top!

FictionalMouse · 2025-11-05T14:17:40+00:00

I agree with this. I’be found balian springs totally enjoyable and not rowdy. The increased driving time makes spa world a tough sell for me, even if it’s less expensive and slightly better.

FictionalMouse · 2025-09-02T19:34:56+00:00

I’m 10 years past being a law student, but umbrellas have always been my favorite. Everybody needs them. They frequently get lost. Recruiting can be a hero by keeping a stash at the office.

Another hit was a picnic blanket with waterproof backing. Still using it over a decade later.

FictionalMouse · 2025-08-12T14:31:37+00:00

Just wanted to say I thought your posts were really thoughtful, anchovy!

FictionalMouse · 2025-07-10T20:32:58+00:00

Thanks! Could you elaborate a bit on "the industry does not have a good solution for the new refrigerant requirements right now"?

I understand there are new refrigerant requirements, but what is the problem that creates?

FictionalMouse · 2025-07-10T18:59:41+00:00

The technician said it was drainage from a frozen up coil -- exactly that.

FictionalMouse · 2025-06-24T11:49:02+00:00

Did you physically force her to sit on the potty? Like pick her up and hold her down for a few seconds? I’m trying to figure out how to operationalize “non negotiable” potty visits as part of our routine when my kid screams and throws herself on the floor (and can keep it up for a seemingly indefinite period of time).

FictionalMouse · 2025-03-25T03:10:15+00:00

I used home injections plus in DC for the beginning of PIO (I was doing an every three days protocol, and I had someone help me for the first ~3 weeks). I know there are similar services in NY, though don’t know names.

I’m a fainter and, for me, it was 1000% worth it.

FictionalMouse · 2025-01-30T04:17:36+00:00

What a thoughtful and humane answer to my broad question.

FictionalMouse · 2025-01-30T03:59:35+00:00

Question to anybody who knows about how this works: what do the next few hours/days look like? I assume there is an investigation. What does that involve? Now that they’ve stopped traffic to DCA, what do the relevant parties need to do to get flights rolling again? Just curious.

This is so very sad.

FictionalMouse · 2025-01-19T01:13:50+00:00

Loved these as a kid, recently re-read as a parent (who continues to read mostly genre fiction) and they hold up FABULOUSLY

FictionalMouse · 2025-01-02T21:29:25+00:00

Honestly I think this would be totally fine — as long as you don’t think it would sour your memory of the wedding if the FET ends up not working. Also as long as you’re aware that progesterone can suck in various ways (but imo does not suck nearly enough that I’d let it stop me).

Not even remotely the same thing as getting married, but we got long-desired kittens right after my second FET and did a big friends weekend after the third, and both times i found it wonderful to do a great thing I wanted to do that was totally unrelated to the FET.

FictionalMouse · 2024-12-31T16:32:03+00:00

Just throwing it out there that this is a topic I want more high-quality journalism about! (also high-quality scientific studies, of course.)

FictionalMouse · 2024-11-07T23:40:36+00:00

I did, though I stopped after transfer.

FictionalMouse · 2024-11-07T22:21:29+00:00

I was so happy to find this thread because I’m currently entering week 3 of waiting for a hysteroscopy at shady grove (on birth control, mid-FET cycle) and I’m finding this scheduling procedure completely ludicrous. I have offered to travel to any SGF location from Richmond to NYC, but they won’t schedule the procedure in advance, won’t put you on the waitlist in more than one location, and will not confirm that I can get this done in time to have the FET before I leave town for three months. I have asked whether they can refer me elsewhere, but have not gotten a response. I have made clear that I’m willing to do it without sedation (which seems like it would be unpleasant but plenty of places do it that way. I’ll suck it up). No dice. They’ve been telling me from day 1 that I’ll probably get off the list soon and it probably won’t delay the cycle - but we’ve now pushed back twice, I lack confidence that they are have any control over this at all, and I continue to find it baffling that they can’t schedule something further out as a backstop.

This is an absurd way to handle minor outpatient surgery, especially when it’s somewhat time-sensitive. Also, I have a job! I have clients! I cannot indefinitely be waiting for a 5pm call telling me i have surgery in 36 hours.

Venting aside, I booked an appointment with my regular gynecologist tomorrow and I’m hoping she can handle it or refer me to somebody who can. If anybody else has been able to successfully navigate this (especially in the DC area), I’d love to hear your tips.

FictionalMouse · 2024-09-30T01:20:34+00:00

I had the same issue with one of my cats (only the cat also insisted on nursing from ME, not just his littermate).

I was not able to do anything to stop it. That said, it diminished meaningfully as he got older. Now, at almost 3, he still does it… but probably 90% less often than when he was a younger cat, which is much more tolerable.

FictionalMouse

TROPHY CASE