Category Archives: expecting

Is There Such A Thing As Daddy Brain?

I was at the grocery store the other day, racing down the aisles, attempting to grab everything while my daughter was still enjoying her mid morning nap in her carrier, only to realize as I approached the check out counter that I forgot my purse at home. So this was basically a dry run. I put the groceries back (yes, I actually walked around the store returning all the items where they belong because I am neurotic like that), and then headed home. At least when I went to the store later that day I was able to shop in half the time; I didn’t have to search out the special marinade, or try to decide which type of bread we will be trying this week.

I know I have mommy brain a lot, and right now I am doubly blessed with mommy brain and pregnancy brain. Double whammy. I have been privy to some very annoying behavior on my part lately, mostly concerned with forgetting key things at the most inopportune times. Recounting the last few months, with all their whimsy, I wonder, does daddy brain exist?

I can’t help but wonder, does my husband also run around half the time not remembering where he is going, or why he was going there in the first place? Does he leave his keys on the kitchen counter and then stand in front of his car wondering how to get into it?

I have not observed any such behavior from him, at least not to any extremes. He claims to be frazzled every once in a while, but with such nonchalance I am not sure I believe it, despite the fact that he takes care of and spends time with our daughter just as much as me. The way our little Munchie runs the gamut of, well, everything, I would think he should be in the same zombie state as me. Either he is really good at covering it up, or mommy brains is really just for mommies.

What do you think? If you are a man have you experienced any of this? Do you know anyone who has?

Abortion Is Not Selfish

Abortion is not selfish. There I have said it, and now let the lynching begin. But before the virtual stoning commences, you have to read why, along with my disclaimer.
I am a mother of two (the second one is scheduled to pop out any day now). I personally could not envision my life without Munchie and Ducky. I am not even sure I could go through with an abortion.
But there are a lot of people out there who should not have children, either because they are bad parents, or simply because they did not want children to being with and these children will now grow up being resented and/or neglected. Which basically means these are bad parents. Regardless of how you look at it, these children will have deprived childhoods, and this will ultimately affect them the rest of their lives.
Essentially these mothers who are having abortions are saving their unborn children from years of emotional, and in a lot of cases, physical, anguish. Which is the responsible thing to do. Why bring a child into the world that you are going to neglect or resent?
What about adoption? Well, here is another question. Aren’t there enough children in this world who need to be adopted into loving homes? Isn’t there enough starvation, poverty and neglect? Do we need to add more children to the mix?
I agree that abortion should not be the option used in lieu of birth control, and there is a fine line between full on acceptance of the practice and outright misuse. However, before condemning anyone and everyone who has ever had to go through with it, put yourself in their shoes, realize that it was probably a very difficult situation and decision, and the outcome is most likely what is/was best for the unborn child. The mother is not being selfish by looking out for herself. She understands herself better than anyone else, and knows she is not the right person for the job.
How do you feel about abortion?

Don’t Drink Coffee While Pregnant

I was standing in line at Starbucks when I realized two things. One, it seems a lot of my blogs start out this way. Two, appropriately this blog actually has to do with coffee.

I am nine months pregnant and I get a lot of reactions when I order coffee. The Baristas typically do not comment, probably because they don’t want customer complains. The other patrons, however, never fail to deliver an off glance, or provide some type of admonishment. I do not take it personally, or get argumentative with them because I used to have the same belief: if you are pregnant, you should not be drinking coffee.

When I was pregnant with my daughter I stopped drinking coffee altogether. I read some articles stating that one cup a day was alright, but nevertheless I put coffee in the same boat with alcohol, and together they sailed away to the forbidden land.

I was very proud of myself for successfully giving up a life sustaining substance like coffee. What I failed to take into consideration was the amount of caffeine I was consuming aside from my morning, afternoon and evening cups of joe. I was still drinking loads of soda, and ingesting pounds of chocolate in various forms. And I was gulping down glass after glass of iced tea.

During my second pregnancy, taking all of the above into consideration, I figured that if I just cut down on my caffeine consumption in other areas, I would not have to deprive myself of one cup of coffee a day. In fact, by downsizing my intake in other areas I was able to have my morning pick-me-up and still be ingesting less caffeine throughout the day than I previously had been.

So, before you swear off that tall mocha, consult with your physician. You may be surprised what you learn.

How do you feel about caffeine and pregnancy?