As we moved through the first trimester, every day was full of worry. Worry that I wasn’t doing everything right; worry that we would have another miscarriage. Because I was considered “high risk” from my previous miscarriage and because I used fertility treatments to get pregnant, I had two appointments and two ultrasounds to confirm…
I am 36 weeks pregnant and ready to go. I know baby needs to bake four more weeks, but I am so ready for this one to come out! The nursery is as ready as it’s going to get. Paint is on the walls, and all the furniture is in there. The cute decorating will…
“You’re never going to believe this. I guess we just tested too early.” Those were the words I said to my husband (through tears of joy) when I called to tell him we were pregnant. Who knew so much excitement could come from two blue lines! It came with shock and disbelief because just two…
A new baby usually brings much joy and happiness. But sometimes the increased stress of a new baby in addition to hormone fluctuations and changes to a woman’s body can bring about sadness, depression, anxiety or a sense of helplessness in the new mom. Sometimes the new mom realizes these changes. Sometimes not. That’s when…
I admit it. During my first pregnancy 6½ years ago, I had no clue as to what baby supplies I needed. None of my friends were mothers. With few easy online resources available (the internet and mommy blogs have come a long way since then) and a 600-page book on baby essentials in hand, I…
Few people know this about me, but my decision to breastfeed actually came when I was 12 years old. My mom took my two siblings and me to a friend’s house for lunch one day. I had been around my mom’s friend Laura on other occasions, but this day was different. My mom and Laura…
I mentioned in my first blog post that I’m not the perfect pregnant lady. I say that because while I love having a baby at the end of this, I don’t bask in being pregnant. I, like many, feel super crummy the first 13 weeks, yes, but my aches and annoyances continue throughout the whole…
As you probably know by now, I have two children: my kind, silly, dramatic and oh so rambunctious Jude, age 6; and my precious, affectionate, sassy and bossypants of a girl, Bryce, age 3. My husband and I work full-time; our kids go to two different schools and are into their own extracurricular activities (that…
Ahh, I love what I call the second trimester lull. After announcing the news of your pregnancy to friends and family, and getting over the first trimester discomfort, you can bask in the calm and relative comfort of the second trimester — and that lull is so needed. You don’t feel ginormous just yet, you…
The breastfeeding versus formula feeding debate wages on. Now a new study says formulas once thought to reduce allergic or autoimmune disorders in babies are not effective. While formula claims have taken a hit, breastfeeding remains the best option for babies at high risk of developing these conditions. The formulas in question use a process…
Just like clockwork, at 13 weeks, I got my energy back, the nausea disappeared and I rejoined my family as the mom and wife I was before. Unfortunately, some killer headaches and migraines replaced all my other symptoms in the second trimester, but I’ve learned to manage those with Tylenol, a little peppermint essential oil,…
My friends, co-workers and family will tell you I’m crazy because I want a million kids. All rationale goes out the window when someone asks me how many kids I want. I usually say I would love four, will probably have three, but if finances weren’t an issue would have many, many more. So soon…