Category Archives: parenting

25 Things I Hate About Being Pregnant

1. Maternity clothes are super comfortable, but not exactly chic.
2. Being constantly hungry.
3. Not being able to dye my hair anymore.
4. Having long, strong nails that I cannot polish due to hormones.
5. Feeling tired all the time.
6. Often having blotchy skin.
7. Sometimes being violently kicked from the inside.
8. Not being able to wear flattering shoes.
9. Shortness of breath.
10. Needing to buy things for the baby while managing a budget.
11. Decorating the nursery.
12. Sometimes feeling physically helpless and needing to rely on others for simple things such as lifting a few gallons of water.
13. Having to lather myself in cocoa butter every night to prevent stretch marks.
14. Not being able to sleep at night.
15. Complete strangers rubbing my stomach.
16. Feeling like a beached whale regardless of how attractive my husband may think I am.
17. Swollen feet.
18. Braxton Hicks.
19. Needing new bras.
20. Seeing the sales, but knowing I cannot buy the clothes.
21. Having to channel my focus to jewelry and purses since all other fashion has gone out the door.
22. Organizing a baby shower can be very stressful and costly.
23. Reading nothing but baby books.
24. Ultrasounds.
25. Feeling an inexplicable need to create cute little baby things.

25 Things I Love About Being Pregnant

1. Super comfortable maternity clothes.
2. Having seconds or thirds for dinner, without getting any strange looks.
3. My luscious hair.
4. Nails that grow on their own and don’t break every few days.
5. A reason to nap throughout the day.
6. The way my face glows even without make up.
7. Feeling my baby move inside of me.
8. Looking cute while waddling around.
9. Shopping for tiny clothes and shoes.
10. All the other cute baby things.
11. Decorating the nursery.
12. Stork parking.
13. Soft Skin.
14. The ridiculous amount of energy I get during the third trimester.
15. Complete strangers being super nice to you.
16. Sex with my husband is even better.
17. Food rubs.
18. Poking my stomach so the baby can reply.
19. My cup size increases.
20. Clothes shopping is so much easier.
21. I get to focus on all the accessories.
22. Baby showers.
23. Reading baby books.
24. Ultrasounds.
25. Knitting baby blankets.

Drinking While Pregnant

First, I want to start by saying I have not had any alcohol since I found out I was pregnant. However, I do know women who occasionally have had wine during pregnancy; some more frequently than others. I believe it is their choice as long as they are not binge drinking and placing their unborn child in horrible danger. It is also my choice to abstain from drinking because I am completely paranoid and do not want to do anything that could even potentially cause harm. With this said, the women I do have an issues with are those who have a problem with others drinking around them while they are pregnant.

I know several such women. They feel that since they are now being deprived of certain things that it is unfair for others to indulge in the same activities around them. I believe this is completely selfish. Of course I miss girls’ night out with cosmos and lemon drops. I also miss the occasional cigarette. But I would never think to forbid these items from my house, or from an evening out. Just because I am pregnant does not mean I throw dry parties, cannot go out and simply watch others enjoy themselves, or ban smoking on my property (as long as it is done outside). In fact, I see this as living vicariously through my friends. Sure, for the time being I am not allowed, but it feels nice to know my friends can still have a good time with me, and without me becoming the ultimate party pooper.

How do you feel about others indulging while you just say no?