June 6, 2008

Why do they call the small candy bars the "fun sizes"?
Wouldn't it be more fun to eat a big one?

The other day, a kid came around to our house to sell us candy - one of those Big Bars - for $8. The theory he was peddling was that if we bought the candy from him, he would not join a gang. We were not really convinced on the logistics, but bought the story candy anyway. Later, X saw the kid in our neighborhood talking on his cell phone and the kid did not even acknowledge X when he said hello to him. *sigh*
__________________________

So. Before I begin my following story let me say that X and I are not Those Parents. Sure, X is That Dad, but I am not That Mom. Lest you think that we are stupid enough to indulge a 2 year in his arachnoidal fantasies simply because we have not learned how to resist those huge gemstones eyes, let me assure you that between the two of us, X and I can say "no" in about 5 different languages. So......

Um. We bought a tarantula the other night.

A beautiful, soft, pink-toed tarantula to be specific. She is 6 years old, not quite fully grown. Truly, she is just beautiful and the way pink-toed Ts walk is just wicked cool. X casually mentioned getting a tarantula, I did the research and 2 hours later we came home with Sofia.

Innernets, Meet Sofia.
Sofia, Innernets.


Yes, we are the Crazy People. Yes, I am worried about getting bitten. Yes, I have handled her and taken her out of her cage.

But.

I have been peering at the tarantulas at the pet store for months now. Two weeks ago, I saw Sofia walk for the first time and was mesmerized because it was so cool. I know the guy at the pet store quite well and when we went to look at her, I sat talking with him and another customer about tarantulas. I realized with a shock at some point that I knew what I was talking about and that I could totally hang. I knew then, that we could get the tarantula and be okay. And then, I handled Sofia and it was so amazing to see her walk. Seriously, the way pink-toed Ts walk is awesome.

Sofia is actually low-maintenance and no, she is not poisonous (to humans, that is. I would like to offer my sincerest condolences to the crickets currently dwelling in her cage.) Her cage needs to be cleaned every 6 months, she needs about 4 crickets (8 cents a piece) about every 2 weeks and a bit of special water every 2-3 days. She will never pee on my bed, my clothes or my carpet. And yes, she could bite me someday (although, realistically, she has not bitten anyone in the 3 months the petstore has had her). I have been bitten and scratched by cats and dogs (and specifically, I have been attacked by a Chow AND a St. Bernard. A tarantula? Not nearly as terrifying as a Chow, in my book.)

And her name? I went to the Social Security website and looked at the top 10 baby girl names for kicks.

So. There you have it. I guess that will nix my hosting many playdates in the future.





And to make up for the Ick Factor, here are some snaps of my baby girl's Morning Hair. Until a wide-toothed comb makes its way through the briar patch, it is pretty scary on its own!

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

I would totally bring my kids around for a playdate. But you would have to let us play with your tarantula and let me run my fingers through your baby girl's hair.
Just let me know what time to arrive ;-)

Anonymous said...

Ok, Sophia is truly lovely. I've always wanted a tarantula.

I honestly cannot get over how stinkin' adorable your kids are. I'm going to look at them some more. (In a totally, look-how-beautiful way, not a crazed stalkerish way...)

Moderndayhermit said...

As much as spiders give me the creeps, logically I know that they are much less dangerous than a dog or even a cat. Cats and dogs can be so volatile and rip a child's eyes out or go for the entire face.

After I heard of you getting the tarantula I was googling and they are very cool. I'm curious how these little things move.

I'm still creeped out but fascinated at the same time!

Cagey (Kelli Oliver George) said...

Inzaburbs, Glad to know that someone will be willing to come to my house!

Wordnerd, my kids are only adorable because my Photoshop skillz are rockin'. It takes LOADS of work to remove the pockmarks and warts and to add all that gorgeous hair. :-)

ModernDayHermit, my brother was bitten by his DALMATIAN. The dog that is supposed to be so kid-friendly. My dad found out later that dalmatians are actually a horrible dog for kids. And yes, if Sofia bites me, it will hurt like a motherf&*ker for several days. I will admit that am still not entirely comfortable handling her in our house without Royce (the pet store guy) around. However, handling her is like handling a small animal, not a spider. For example, if a small spider were to land on me right now, I would crawl out of my skin. But Sofia is heavier and softer. Not sure if that makes sense.

Celebrate Woo-Woo said...

I had to search youtube for a pink-toed tarantula video after this post, and it seems like they walk by first feeling with their legs. I'm sure you also know about the red-kneed ones as well, but after seeing one of those in a video I watched, I really like the way they look.

Anonymous said...

I would still come as well as long as the Sofia stays in her cage, now my hubby on the other hand might not drive within a mile of your house he is deathly afraid of spiders and tends to sream like a little girl when he sees one. But I do want to see her walk, can you post a video???

Henny Penny said...

Wow - that is so neat. We had a tarantula in my 8th grade science classroom.

aibee said...

I'm ......seriously squicked.

Lame, certainly, but also squicked.

Seriously.

Monkey McWearingChaps said...

I like the pink toes. I will shamefacedly admit you didn't deserve the "bitch you so crazy" texts from me.

Double As looking adorable as usual.

Diana said...

You're a braver mom than I. Given that, if I had to have a spider, I'd want one of her. She does have charm.

Can you feed her wild crickets? I'm sure you've plenty in your garage, just like us.

Moderndayhermit said...

I get what you are saying. I've checked out your photos (including your newly posted close-ups) and she's uhh...cute? haha

My husband allowed my dog and son to "nap" together in his room the other day and I almost had a heart attack when he mentioned it. My dog is fantastic and has taken so much abuse from Alex but you just never know with an 85 lb. animal.

I think its great that you are exposing the kiddos to such an experience!

Christy said...

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! That is too scary!

Anonymous said...

You are a cool mom! and Sofia is a beautiful name.

Anonymous said...

You are much more giving than I am. I don't think I could overcome my fear of spiders even for my own kids. I know most tarantulas aren't dangerous to people, but EEK!

And, regarding your brother's dog bite, dalmations are NOT kid friendly. Damn Disney made themeseem like the perfect dog, but NO. They are hyper-sensative and easy to agitate. Many of them are deaf (great dogs for fire houses) making them easy to startle. The only dogs that have ever come close to biting me were dalmations.

Unknown said...

Oh, I'm so glad you put pictures of Anjali at the end of this post... I was having heart palpitations just looking at Sophia! Your first two kids are much more to my liking!

Bethany said...

Arun must be thrilled!