Getting to Knowwwww Youuuuu...

Who are these Devis with Babies? These people writing all this belly-contemplating stuff about motherhood? Where did we come from?

Sometimes, at this point, it seems like we have always been moms, doesn't it? But--obviously--we haven't. We were babies, we were children, we went away to college, we did non-motherhood-related things. Along those lines--and in the interest of full disclosure--I must tell you that "Devis with Babies" is not completely original and is in fact derivative of a very famous and impeccably produced radio program based in New York City from 1997-1998. It was called "Babies with Rabies," it aired on WBAR, Barnard College radio, and it was genius. If you haven't heard of it you really are declaring yourself ultra-un-hip (and not in that "so uncool it's cool" way). According to the mimeographed "circular" that functioned as a "programing guide" at WBAR, "Babies with Rabies" was a "tasteless melange of music that suits our fancy, as well as--dare we say--witty banter on pertinent world subjects such as race, poverty, the enviroment, and babies with rabies." I just might have been one of the two DJs. We just might have, one time, played a 42 minute medly of Led Zepplin songs over which we sang. My co-DJ, Emmy, I credit with expanding my musical boundaries beyond REM and U2 (and making me into a Tom Waits junkie). I think we had 2 1/2 listeners.

Now, of course, the idea of babies with rabies is horrifying. Then it was just funny--and I might be laughing out loud writing this right now. And I think I have to go put on some David Bowie and dance--my kid does a mean Major Tom impression. (Go ahead--tell me that is abuse--I dare you.)