Friday, September 15, 2006

The Big Reveal

It's a Democrat!

It's a Red Sox Fan!

It's also a girl.

I'm calling her Akutaq for now. I'll call her something else when she emerges.

Akutaq is an Alaskan delicacy - a sort of ice cream - made from whipped fat mixed with berries and/or fish, sometimes sugar. It was traditionally made from seal oil and reindeer fat, but today most people use Crisco.

(Before you get all "eeewww" on me, that stuff inside a Twinkie? It's akutaq without the berries or fish. The frosting on a store-bought cake? You can bet it's whipped shortening and sugar. So don't get all judgy on the native Alaskans, unless you also say eeewww to Twinkies and Safeway cake. Which I kinda do. Except, damn, now I want a Twinkie.)


Why Akutaq?

I was considering something like mukluk or tuktuk (or D'quarius), but then remembered hearing about akutaq during my Close Up days, when we had Alaskan kids on program. I can still plainly see the look of sheer joy on the face of one of my students, as she talked about how much she liked akutaq.

Besides, your first reaction (which I'm guessing was "eeewww") to a dessert made from whipped fat flavored with fish? Yeah, that's pretty much how this pregnancy has made me feel all the time.

I also found out the literal meaning of the word is "the mixture" or "blended one," which sealed the deal for me. (Heh, get it? Seal.)

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

Akutaq! Hi! You're lookin good there with your zipper spine and your cute little nose! Hey, while you're in there, could you do us a favor? Yeah? Great. Listen, if you could stop makin your mama feel so sick? She's talking about "seal oil fish frosting" and we're getting a little worried about her. Cool, thanks! Glad to meet you, though! 'Kay, bye!

E :) said...

Wow! That's an amazing picture. How exciting, how cute... Welcome to the world Twinkie Filling! Mmmm.

Anonymous said...

Gabe and I both said she was cute and Lumpyhead's parents looked at us like we were crazy.

Tell Aunt Bob she owes me some eggs.

Tell Akutaq I have some hand me downs if she wants a black onesie with a skull on it and an attached tutu.

I'm still trying to picture Lumpyhead as the BIG brother.

Heather said...

Congrats! But really, who cares about gender so long as her politics are in order.

Anonymous said...

How exciting! Congratulations! Are you sure though that you want her vagina on the internet at such age? I think #2 socks fan picture is of her parts... ;)

nonlineargirl said...

Cool! Congratulations (about the girl part, the others I guess she'd come to anyway, either though genetics or upbringing.)

Sharon L. Holland said...

I feel for you. Today was my first horribly nauseous day, just lying very still and trying not to hurl.

Akutaq sounds perfect.

Anonymous said...

Why don't you call her Little Debbie?

Kemp said...

Akutaq looks adorable...

And I'm absolutely thrilled she's a Democrat; we always need more.

Wish I could say the same thing about being a 'Red Sox' fan...

Em said...

I love Akutaq and the story behind her nickname -- I think she is already quite fetching!

I can't wait to see her in Sarah, gss's hand me downs.

My hs friends had an inside joke that made us laugh. They would just randomly say, "Mukluk like like flaming flamingo." So now when I remember that I will also associate it with your pregnancy.

Lumpyheadsmom said...

Akutaq: Listen to your Aunt Laurie.

Michelle: That's her arm. We do have a very clear picture of her girl parts, but it's so clear (once Sarah, Goon Squad Sarah outlined things for me), I thought it might be a little too much. So you got the face shot.

Em: I'm so confused by "Mukluk like like flaming flamingo." Does it have a little tune, or is it spoken?

Auntly H said...

Akutaq, how do you feel about tulips on your toes? Do you have a favorite color yet?

L & A's mom: Thanks for the Food & Wine tip. I think we'll be taking a student loan just to fund our foreign 'going out' budget. Do the Stafford people really care what you use their money for if you pay it back?

Melissa said...

Wow, she sure knows how to pose for a picture, doesn't she? And she looks so smart! Welcome to the world, Akutaq! Or at least to mommy's uterus. I bet you turn out to be even cuter once you're on the outside!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations!

I totally get how sick you feel now. Yuck.