Cass appears to have been all alone in her insomnia. I only had 10 messages to catch up to this morning.

Slackers. Or, huh, sleepers.

Actually, it just occurred to me that I do need practical advice re babymaking and hair -- I vaguely recall hearing that heavy-duty chemical-rich hair dyeing is a no during pregnancy. Is this in fact so? If so, is it safe to get a big gray-obliterating chemical bath as long as one does so before actually beginning to try for a baby, or should someone who's contemplating trying within the next six months or so stop right now? And is absolutely all dyeing verboten, or is there some alternative product that is safe for use during pregnancy? Henna? Watercolor paint? Sharpies?

Go mascara, choose mascara.

JZ, it depends on the OB. Either way, don't worry about coloring pre-pregnancy. But do talk to your own health care provider about it, once you are pregnant.

My OB would end up in a fist fight with Plei's OB. He said not to worry about the fumes in the salon, but was a nay-sayer even about the sort of highlights where they put the plastic cap on you, and pull your hair through with a crochet-like hook, therefore keeping the dye off your skin. And he is young, so it's not like this was something he learned before the earth cooled. My stylist, on the other hand, thought he was on crack.

What the OB also said though, was, "Look, plenty of women color their hair during pregnancy, and don't have trouble. I can't tell you it is okay, because there is risk, and why take on a risk for something like that, but plenty of people would go ahead and do it, anyhow."

I decided not to do it, basically for my own sanity, so that if anything went wrong, I wouldn't spend the rest of my life blaming myself for coloring my hair.

My OB was "meh" with haircolor. I got some painted on highlights early in the 2nd trimester and it grew out pretty naturally, carrying me through the whole prenancy without too much gray showing through.

But then, I was more worried about the effects of the trip to Vegas we took while I was pregnant but unaware than the effects of haircolor. YGuiltMV.

There was some comedian who used to go on about how it was funny that women weren't supposed to drink alcohol while pregnant, given that without it, fewer of us would get pregnant in the first place.

There was some comedian who used to go on about how it was funny that women weren't supposed to drink alcohol while pregnant, given that without it, fewer of us would get pregnant in the first place.

So. True.

Huh. Without alcohol, Nick would not exist.

I woke up this morning to find that he'd stopped my norton antivirus from running, changed my home page and fiddled with the font settings on my browser.

I also colored my hair with either Kara or Aidan, and never thought about not doing it or asking about it until after. No one was harmed so far as I know, though if it was Kara it may have stunted the brain cells that tell her mommy's getting close to explosion and it would be wise to take cover.

What, if anything, can we do for you? I'm about ready to hop a plane to Australia (and no, this has nothing to do with the fact exams are next week and I haven't written mine yet, really).

t waits expectantly for Kristin-visit

Oh, and I was put onto this marvellous corner of the internet by someone you all know - BillyTea.

t and toaster

Can you offload some more, if not to a friend, or family member, how about here?

Yeah, I've been making arrangements. I now have options in four different timezones so that if I need to talk to someone at any time of the day, I can.

120 y.o. Tortoise Adopts Baby Hippo in Kenya

Where can you see tortopotami? Only in Kenya!

You guys are all too damn cute. The pregnancy dreams, the hair talk--and David, your hair is beautiful grey. It suits you.

I continue to be in London and I am currently going CRAZY. I forgot how...not lazy, but slow to burn? my friends are. Getting them to do anything is like pulling teeth, compounded with the fact that none of them know what they want to do. Or what the options are. Or if they want to do the things that, say, I want to do. Make a decision, people!

Also, they don't want to go back to Wales, which makes me sad. They want to spend most of their time in London or Scotland, which, while both lovely places, aren't my ideas of yay-trip-time. I can see this is going to be a semi frustrating month for me. (In addition to the fact that I cannot sleep at all, and haven't since Monday, because they all snore and I do not and therefore I'm having to sleep later to get the zzzz's I need. I've been sleeping in the hallway. Not fun.)

Anyway. Complainyness aside, Lee, I'm sorry you feel crummy. I hope it passes soon.

I woke up this morning to find that he'd stopped my norton antivirus from running, changed my home page and fiddled with the font settings on my browser.

That's a beatin' offense in my world.

Billytea, I didn't get to mention it sooner, but I'm so sorry. I hope things get better. You can add me to your timezones as well. :)

SA! You're a lovely creature. It's so nice to see posts from you. I'm thinkin' it's a beating offense too.

And very nice to see posts from you, BT. It seems all kinds of strange that you're on the early morning/night shift now, when you post.

Yay, Deena! You're here!

Okay, the coolest--or most random--fucking thing just happened. I'm sitting in the Internet cafe, and in walks this guy dressed in 18th century naval costume. With a bell. He's obviously from one of the things down on the Strand, but still. He took off his highly feather-laden hat and set down his bell with a little clang, and started typing away...

I love the city.