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Enter, Laughing

2/11/2010

With the perspective of having been at this parenting thing for a while now, we can observe that of the many adjectives that define all the information and advice leading up to it (earnest, intense, overwhelming, hopeful...) "funny" isn't generally among them. Which makes us wonder: WHERE was this kind of fizzy, spiked (non-alcoholic, of course) tonic to all those sober tomes when we were expecting?

What to Expect When You're Expected...

...is a guide to the first three trimesters, from the fetus' point of view. (And yes, it is satire). Written by David Javerbaum "G.E.D." (satire thus cued right from the author's title), its lofty mission is to provide the latest, most accurate wombhood information, including comforting answers to hundreds of questions, such as: “My mother just took a sip of white wine. Am I going to end up looking like some Chernobyl baby now?”

Javerbaum is best known for being the head writer for "The Daily Show" with Jon Stewart, and if you are a fan of that show as we are, you'll have a pretty good idea of what you can expect from this spin on the original "What to Expect." Each chapter takes conventional conversations of "fetalcy" and turns them on its (still forming) head, leading to sections like "Everything in Your House is Out to Get You" and "Making Mitosis Yourtosis."

CribNote: this fetus has a mouth on it, so if that offends you, consider yourself, or an intended baby shower honoree, duly warned. Actually, this may be the one that dad will want on his nightstand.

What to Expect When You're Expected: A Fetus's Guide to the First Three Trimesters

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