DC Metro Mom

My long awaited bundle of joy has arrived and I could just squeal with excitement!!!! 

I admit it, I watch!  Since I am so pregnant I will probably want to jump off a bridge after viewing it, but hey maybe it will serve as post-baby inspiration to get back into shape.  Of course to make that happen I will need Heidi's personal trainer, chef, nanny(s), cleaning woman and her millions. 

While I have not really followed the series "Sister Wives" on TLC, I have caught enough partial bits of episodes and interviews to know the players, the background of the family and the new trials and tribulations that have cropped up for the Brown Family.

Have you heard about the Moody Mamas fabulous new collection at Walmart.com, yes Walmart!

When dealing with an uncooperative or adversarial witness in a courtroom, an attorney will ask the court to declare the reluctant participant a “hostile witness”. As I reflect on my experience with maternity clothes, the term comes to mind and seems fitting (no pun intended). I am a “hostile witness” in a maternity store. I am mandated to be in this store buying ginormous clothing that I really don’t want. I have to answer the questions of the store clerk who is merely doing her job. And I have turn over my credit card to buy said clothes that I really don’t want to buy!

As I close in on my due date, I have been hot on the trail of a rug for my nursery.  I wanted to do something different than PB Kids as I feel as though I have been down that path many times with other rooms I have put together for my 6 year old daughter.

I guess it has been a while...as I was a bit shocked that the prices have really gone up.  Plus...this time I needed an 8x10 versus a 5x8.  The search began.  I am going to show you some of my options.  I considered quality, reviews, sources, prices, possible coupon codes, etc.  I worked every angle before finally pulling the trigger.  I share this with those that are searching for any piece of furniture online.  This need not merely apply to a nursery rug.

I am finding that my second pregnancy has brought about a certain amount of laziness with reading pregnancy literature.  During my first pregnancy I lingered over every word of "What To Expect When You Are Expecting".  While this is still a wonderful read and a great resource for any pregnant woman, I find that I now want something gives me quick hits online.

During a recent doctor's appointment, I found a pamphlet on Pregnancy Weekly.com.  For those who are now addicted to your laptop, iPad, smart phone, etc. this is a great tool.  Topics such as: Baby Names, Pregnancy Symptoms, Baby Showers, Fetal Development Guides, 3D Ultrasounds, Labor & Delivery, Health & Fitness and more are all covered.

During a recent playdate my friend gave me a catalog of baby items.  While most were very cute...there were some that were just downright bizarre!  I had to share the attached.  I would LOVE to know your thoughts on this Tummy Tub European Baby Bath.  I can't help but think....IS THIS SAFE?

I just saw this in my Us Weekly.  Yes...I am as deep as a puddle and I subscribe to Us Weekly.  Go ahead and judge me=;)  Now I will admit, I felt virtually no pain during the birth of my daughter.  I am pretty sure it was the epidural and not my HypnoBirth plan (there wasn't one).   Enjoy all!

P.S.  Gisele's quotes on motherhood have been ridiculous.  Oh please...just take her picture.  I don't need to hear how she thinks it should be a law to breastfeed.  I don't need to hear how she feels that her stepson is like her son (I am sure his mother loves that!).  And finally....I don't need to hear that you never purchased maternity clothes and that you were ready for a swimsuit calendar within 3 months of giving birth.  Truly...no one but you and Tom and maybe your agent CARE!!!

Oh the joy of the first trimester.  Morning sickness (that lasts all damn day), crushing fatigue and general weight gain are all part of the fun.  That is the real 1st trimester experience for the majority of the women on the planet.  But for some reason, no one really shares these facts with new mothers.  I remember being pregnant with my daughter and suddenly finding all this out for the first time.  And then when  you ask your friends and family they all agree and nod their heads knowingly as you describe your signs and symptoms.  HELLO…I could have used that information a little earlier!  A little warning would have been nice!

Still deep in my 1st trimester, I soon realized that life needed to change.  Okay, so morning sickness stinks (that is the cleanest description I have for this God awful affliction). As I tried to get through the early days of morning sickness and fatigue, I decided I needed to do something more than eat, sleep and complain.  Actually the complaining hasn’t stopped.  You’re shocked…I’m sure.

After investing countless dollars in the bakery section at Wegman’s Grocery Store, I decided I needed a new strategy to alleviate the endless feeling of nausea. 

I returned to the gym and my neighborhood walks.  I suddenly realized that exercise was the only thing that would help with the nausea.  Going to the gym or taking a long walk was my only escape.  As I walked around my neighborhood around Week 6, I just couldn't help but look up and think why in the hell do I need to feel as though I want to vomit from early in the morning until the minute I go to bed?  Seriously…this is ridiculous.  Plus this time I have a little one, a busy household and a new website that needs to go online ASAP! Did you know DC Metro Mommy is now DC Metro Mom=;) I don't have time to feel this bad! 

As I reached Week 8 I found out that the gluttonous beginning to my pregnancy was coming back to haunt me.  I had gained 10 pounds!  It looked as though my new attitude had kicked in just in time.  I really don’t want to have to loose a ton of weight come December.  Hello...December is normally the month that you pack on the pounds because of the holiday season.  After I committed to my new workout routine (light elliptical, light weights and lots of walking).  I started to feel more empowered.  The nausea wasn’t going away but I could curb the side effects with exercise. 

At Week 12 I had lost 5 pounds, which I truly believe was more the result of giving up an extreme sedentary lifestyle.  Losing weight was not the goal.  I think that was my body correcting itself a bit.  I certainly wasn’t easing up on the food. 

So what is the moral of this story?  Morning sickness sucks!  No amount Prego pops (marketing lies) and ginger ale will make your morning sickness go away. My advice is to fight through the misery and take a walk, get to the gym or just walk around the mall if the weather is forcing you inside.  Bring your cell phone, catch up on your calls, think about life…anything to get your mind of the nausea.  I really believe exercise is a healthy and free form of therapy for your body and mind.

Okay, one last item.  I did ask my OB/GYN for advice.  He was gracious enough to offer me some prescription options.  I ended up taking an approved anti-nausea medication that is typically prescribed to cancer patients.  It is now widely used for morning sickness.  I can’t say that Zofran is right for everyone.  I have had friends tell me that they simply had to “Man Up” (hmm…strange way of putting it since men don’t actually get pregnant!) and deal with it.  By all means, do what is right for you.  I just wanted to share this information as NO ONE had told me about this drug that really does help some women get through some very tough time.  Your OB/GYN should be able to tell you more.

Well…until I bitch again.  Next week I will discuss maternity clothes.  Grrr….

Yes the title of the blog is negative, but it actually better than my first draft "Diary Of An Angry Pregnant Woman!".   So let's start with the great news.  I am pregnant!  After years of trying to have a second child, my husband and I are beyond excited to be having another baby.  It has been a long road.  It comes after lots of failed attempts, prayers, unsuccessful fertility treatments and one miscarriage that I am confident has left some permanent emotional scars.  Ahh…the joys of children.  That will be the end of the heavy heart routine.  Know that I am excited about this pregnancy.  Having said that, the 1st trimester has taught me that you have to have some levity through this process.  My answer to is start a blog series that follows the trial and tribulations of pregnancy.