Category Archives: pregnant

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?

Baby 411

If you are going to read any books while pregnant, you have to read this one. This is not to say books such as What to Expect When You’re Expecting and What to Expect The First Year are not wonderful and totally worthy of your time.

However, when I was pregnant with our first child, like most new parents I consulted every written source of advice available. I read all the books, even ones written by Dr. Spock many moons ago. I read online articles as well as printed magazines. If the word “baby” appeared within a source, I found it and read it.

Amidst all my reading I was aware of the most popular books and spent a little extra time on them. Then for Christmas my mother in law gave me Baby 411. I read it as thoroughly as I had read all my other books. At this point I was pregnant, but not yet a mother, so therefore I did not really know what a little treasure trove I was holding. In fact, I did not really know anything.

It wasn’t until after my daughter was born that I realized how wonderful this book is. During the first year of my daughter’s life my husband and I consulted this book on many occasions, looking up ailments, finding the right sleep routine, predicting her growth spurts and eating habits, etc. I am very grateful to having had this book, especially at 2 a.m. in the morning when our daughter would be wailing inconsolably.

Now, being pregnant with my son, I am sure I will use this book many more times during his first year. In fact, I am already starting to look through it in my spare time to refresh my memory. Next time you are at a book store looking for your newest addition to your baby book library, whether you are expecting or expecting to be expecting, don’t overlook this one.