November 28, 2009
By Elizabeth
Lucy and Ricky slept in separate beds as did every other 1950’s TV couple. My grandparents went a step further and slept in separate bedrooms. Lately, I’ve been thinking they were on to something. When I was little I thought it was kind of strange but my grandmother liked a hard mattress, my grandfather liked soft and he also had a horrible snoring problem. They were very much in love but kept separate bedrooms for years.
Being pregnant with twins and honestly too damn old to be pregnant, sleep does not come easy. Lately when my husband starts to snore I have resorted to kicking him out of the room. I feel bad for about a minute until I settle in to some of the best sleep I’ve had since the beginning of my pregnancy. Is sleeping alone a luxury? To me, at least while I’m pregnant it is. To my husband it’s punishment. My response, try being pregnant.
November 19, 2009
By Elizabeth
I know plenty of women who love everything about pregnancy. They love shopping for maternity clothes, they enjoy seeing their bellies grow and they chart every step of the process—I am NOT one of those women. Pregnancy tends to make me cranky and a bit resentful of men—well, my husband.
For me, this pregnancy is especially difficult. It’s partly my fault-- I wasn’t in the best shape when I took the plunge and I also waited until I was 40-years-old to get pregnant for the second time. BIG mistake! Hollywood tends to glamorize older mothers but I’m here to tell you I’d rather be a 40-year-old virgin than 40 and pregnant. Of course, being pregnant with twins makes it all a bit more difficult.
I’ve got a varicose vein running from my groin to my calf. I have crops of spider veins the size of baseballs. I have chronic nasal stuffiness, back pain, exhaustion, constipation and a host of other issues I’m sure you don’t want to read about.
The worst part about feeling this way—everyone else seems to enjoy being pregnant—or at least that’s what they say. So, is it just me? Could I be the only one out there who just can’t stand what happens to my body and mind during these 10 months? Yes, they call it 9 but it’s really 10 months.
Yes, yes, I know pregnancy is a miracle and all that but I think different experiences lead to different feelings about pregnancy. I have good days and bad days but lately I just want to get it over with.
To me, pregnancy is kind of like going to the gym—I don’t want to do it but to get an amazing end result you have to go through the process: Blood, sweat and a lot of tears.
November 07, 2009
By Elizabeth
There’s nothing more personal than choosing a name for your child. The name may have historic or personal meaning to you and your family. So the pressure to pick the perfect name can be great. There’s also a lot of social pressure—Will your friends like the name? Will people know how to spell it? Will children make fun of him? All of these questions are part of the naming process. It’s the other part of the process that makes me crazy.
Have you picked a name yet? Have you thought about any names? These are the questions often asked by friends, family and even strangers. But when you answer the question the response is not always what you want or expect. People are brutally honest when it comes to the choice of your baby’s name. They’ll tell you if they don’t like the name and even tell you it reminds them of someone they hated in high school. Many people don’t even try to fake that they like it!
Before the birth of our first son we were thinking about a southern name that can also be used for a girl. One of our friends ripped into my husband about giving our son a girl’s name? His reasoning was actually hilarious. We all had a good laugh and promptly scratched the name off of our list. Good thing we didn’t choose the feminine name. I later discovered some research that shows boys who have girl-like names are more likely to commit crimes. That advice aside—I wish people would just zip it. If you’re not going to say something positive about the choice—DON’T ASK. But my advice to all pregnant moms—just don’t tell.
October 26, 2009
By Elizabeth
My friend who has 3 children drives a minivan and swears by her mom machine. She even told me that I would end up driving one. My response, “I have my pride!”
We all know that when you have more than 2 kids it’s just easier to drive a minivan. But I just can’t bring myself to choose the easy option. It’s like wearing high heels—they’re great looking but not very comfortable or practical. I’d rather be in pain at a party than wear comfortable and unattractive shoes. To me, moms who drive minivans are wearing comfortable shoes. There’s NOTHING sexy about a minivan.
Now that I’m pregnant with twins my lack of “sexiness” is driving me a bit crazy. The only thing I can do to make myself look better is to paint my nails, wear some great jewelry and buy a new car.
So yes, I’m going to end up spending more money on a car that’s a little harder to use, less practical and not so great for the environment. But I sure will look good driving it!
October 20, 2009
By Elizabeth
If you have children or you’re pregnant you probably have a shopping routine. You go to the same grocery stores, the same places to get things for your home and family—you’re busy—I get it. But sometimes it’s pays to shop outside of your comfort zone.
I am a consignment store, thrift store, estate sale, garage sale, resale shop fanatic. Half of the furniture in my home was found by shopping off the beaten path. Many friends comment on my furnishings and fashion accessories but never follow my advice. I realize that shopping at some of these places may take a little more time or effort at first—but if you enjoy the hunt you will kill at the cash register.
A friend of mine recently found a brand new pair of Prada shoes and a Gucci handbag for some ridiculously cheap price—seriously, you never know what you might discover. Now get out there!
Snakeskin Clutch $30
To give you a little incentive I want to show you my latest trophy buy. I found this fabulous snakeskin clutch at a consignment store for $30!!! The bag is so hot I can’t wait to put on a clean pair of clothes (a rarity) and go out!
October 13, 2009
By Elizabeth
There’s a show on TLC called 18 Kids and Counting—I haven’t watched it but I have seen the Duggar family promoted on The Today Show. Every time I see this family and the excitement of the anchor introducing them, I get a little creeped out. I’m not sure why I get a bit annoyed but it always makes me think about Nadya Sulemen, otherwise known as “Octomom.”
Suleman, as you probably already know, gave birth to octuplets using in-vitro fertilization. But she already had 6 other children at home. News of her decision to have octuplets and ultimately fill her house with 14 children created a firestorm. Media outlets and the public went crazy over this story. Suleman was criticized for, among other things, making irresponsible decisions. The mother of 14 later admitted to making some very bad choices.
This leads me back to the Duggar family. They have 18 children and are expecting a 19th child—that’s 5 more children than Suleman but no one seems to notice. In fact, everyone seems overjoyed for this family. Is it because the Duggars are married and Suleman is not? It’s a question that I keep asking myself. Both of these cases are extreme but yet society reacts differently.
I know the circumstances and dynamics of both families are very different but it makes one wonder—are the decisions made by married couples viewed and scrutinized differently than the decisions made by single parents?
October 05, 2009
By LushClick
My 3 ½ year-old son finally got his potty training down a couple of months after his third birthday—I should say pee-pee training because that’s all he will do in the toilet. He’s tried to poop in the toilet but it’s just not his thing. When he needs to go “number 2” he strips down to his birthday suit and goes outside. From behind the bushes you can hear him say, “privacy please!” That is his way of closing the bathroom door.
The other day, my friend came over and witnessed his backyard behavior. She asked, “Is that normal?” Now, it’s not the best thing to ask a mother if something her child is doing is “normal,” but I didn’t take offense to the question. But it does make one wonder. My sister’s son went through the same thing—so maybe it just runs in the family or maybe he learned from our dog. I personally think it has something to do with his comfort level and self-regulation.
Like everything he does, I treat the pooping outside thing as a phase. I always remind myself --with my son and most kids—the bad stuff is just a phase. When will this “phase” be over? I’m praying for snow.
October 02, 2009
By LushClick
Skinny maternity jeans—it just sounds wrong. Take a pair of skin-tight jeans and put them on a woman with a growing butt and thighs. Doesn’t seem like a good idea but I’m now a skinny jean convert.
When I was planning my Lushclick launch party outfit I had to find something that was comfortable yet fashion forward. So against by better judgment I tried on a pair of black skinny jeans—I loved them. I planned my entire outfit around those jeans.
My sister asked me what I was wearing to my party and I told her my new skinny jeans—she stopped me and said “Are you sure you want to do that?” Now, just so you understand, I’m a 5’2 chubby 40-year-old who is pregnant with twins. My sister was looking out for my fashion sense. But what I discovered was this—good fashion sense means trying something new. If it looks surprisingly good, own it!
It Jeans Secret Fit Belly Signature Pocket Slim Leg Jeans by Pea in the Pod
Price: $118.00
