The last time around we called our unborn baby "McNugget." For an explanation on the gross backstory about why we came up with that name see here. I am thanking my lucky stars I have not had such bizarre and repulsive cravings this time around.
Since I haven't had any real cravings yet (except maybe for Chinese food but I think I crave it even when I'm not expecting) nothing has really come to mind as a nickname. Calling this thing #2 just isn't much fun.
I thought Julian might enjoy naming this one so I asked her today: "Juju, what should we call the baby in mommy's belly?" She replied "uterus." Jonathan and I nearly fell off our chairs laughing. I think she said "uterus" because the first time we talked about a baby coming I explained the baby was growing in my uterus which was right next to my belly because I didn't want her to get confused or scared and think she could swallow something and suddenly something would grow in her belly (a la watermelon seeds) but I thought that all went over her head so I backtracked and reverted to using her words of "baby in your belly." I guess it didn't all go over her head.
I'm not going to call this thing uterus so we're open to suggestions. . .
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Odd perk of the job
It has always bothered me that Los Angeles has no independently owned maternity stores. Once upon a time there were a few out there but today my only choices are stores owned by Destination Maternity (A Pea in the Pod, Motherhood Maternity, Mimi Maternity) and one new Rosie Pope outpost in Santa Monica.
I used to think this was normal, until I started a maternity and breastfeeding line of clothing and began selling to boutiques across the country. Did you know that Chicago has something like 7 independently owned stores? And every week a new store seems to be opening in Texas. I just don't get why women out here don't have the same options. I have often thought about opening up my own maternity store here in LA but for now, my only real options are to shop online and return, and shop again, and inevitably return again.
I do however have a leg up on the other pregnant women in Los Angeles who have to shop online along with me. Because I am in this industry, I happen to own a "9 month" pregnant belly. So, I can try on all of my purchases and know right away how they are going to look in my second and third trimester.
I thought it would be fun to include a little glimpse into the future here. Here is a photo of me with my fake belly in trying on some online purchases. What do you think?
.JPG)
I used to think this was normal, until I started a maternity and breastfeeding line of clothing and began selling to boutiques across the country. Did you know that Chicago has something like 7 independently owned stores? And every week a new store seems to be opening in Texas. I just don't get why women out here don't have the same options. I have often thought about opening up my own maternity store here in LA but for now, my only real options are to shop online and return, and shop again, and inevitably return again.
I do however have a leg up on the other pregnant women in Los Angeles who have to shop online along with me. Because I am in this industry, I happen to own a "9 month" pregnant belly. So, I can try on all of my purchases and know right away how they are going to look in my second and third trimester.
I thought it would be fun to include a little glimpse into the future here. Here is a photo of me with my fake belly in trying on some online purchases. What do you think?
.JPG)
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
13 weeks
I made a mistake in my post yesterday. I am actually 13 weeks today.
I find that I have less to say (and blog about) this time around but I will try to post once a week and whenever else the mood strikes.
I went to a prenatal yoga class today. I actually went last week as well and the instructor said "I want to see you all back here next week." It definitely stuck with me and I'm glad I went back. I tried a different class a few weeks ago but didn't seem to click as much with the instructor. I'm going to try to go every week again if I can. I'm lucky that this time around the fact that I work from home means my schedule is much more flexible than it was when I was working 50+ hour weeks and had a crazy commute to Santa Monica when I was pregnant with Juju. Also, since I already belong to the Y, the classes are all free. That makes them kind of hard to resist.
I'm enjoying the stretching which I imagine will become more uncomfortable (and more necessary) in the coming weeks. And I'm hoping this helps me to ward off cramps and other ailments that plague pregnant women. I'd also love to try a prenatal water aerobics class but I am not sure where I would find one. Perhaps I should just try the aquafit class at the Y. Most of the people in the class are in their 70s; I can't imagine I would have a more limited range of motion than they do. . .
I find that I have less to say (and blog about) this time around but I will try to post once a week and whenever else the mood strikes.
I went to a prenatal yoga class today. I actually went last week as well and the instructor said "I want to see you all back here next week." It definitely stuck with me and I'm glad I went back. I tried a different class a few weeks ago but didn't seem to click as much with the instructor. I'm going to try to go every week again if I can. I'm lucky that this time around the fact that I work from home means my schedule is much more flexible than it was when I was working 50+ hour weeks and had a crazy commute to Santa Monica when I was pregnant with Juju. Also, since I already belong to the Y, the classes are all free. That makes them kind of hard to resist.
I'm enjoying the stretching which I imagine will become more uncomfortable (and more necessary) in the coming weeks. And I'm hoping this helps me to ward off cramps and other ailments that plague pregnant women. I'd also love to try a prenatal water aerobics class but I am not sure where I would find one. Perhaps I should just try the aquafit class at the Y. Most of the people in the class are in their 70s; I can't imagine I would have a more limited range of motion than they do. . .
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Epilogue to my Dr. search
I just wanted to follow up to a post I wrote the other day and let it be known that I have settled on a doctor. I meet her in a few weeks and I've heard great things so I'm hopeful we'll click and I can move on and stop worrying about this.
I am amazed at how many of my friends absolutely love their OBGYN's at Cedars, and how they are all different doctors! How does one choose? This was my problem all along, I simply have too many great choices.
Now I'm off to cancel some appointments I've made with "backup" offices!
I am amazed at how many of my friends absolutely love their OBGYN's at Cedars, and how they are all different doctors! How does one choose? This was my problem all along, I simply have too many great choices.
Now I'm off to cancel some appointments I've made with "backup" offices!
This blog is public
I was going to wait until 14 weeks to make this public but I think 13 weeks will do. I'm officially "coming out" as pregnant.
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
I'm a little bit crunchy, I'm a little bit hos-pit-al. . .
I learned today that looking for a doctor in Los Angeles (in Beverly Hills specifically) is a lot like applying to preschool.
When Juju was the ripe old age of 1 I learned I was already behind the ball in applying to preschools. So, I called one that was recommended to me (let's call them Westward Ho! Preschool) and was told I would be 69th on their wait list for a tour and it was unlikely that I would ever get one. That meant that I would not be able to get an application to Westward Ho! which meant I couldn't apply to the school or even dream of ever getting in. I was then asked if I knew anyone at the school. I explained that I hadn't lived in LA that long and didn't really know anyone with kids at that point. The secretary then told me that I should seek out mommy and me classes where I might meet parents with children at Westward Ho!. If I found one who would give me a tour on their own, I could then obtain a coveted application and (a $75 application fee later) probably still not have a very good chance of getting in. I remember I hung up the phone and wasn't sure whether to laugh hysterically at how absurd the situation was or burst into tears because I had already failed my child by not signing up for my tour at Westward Ho! after my first ultrasound.
I wasn't taking this without a fight so I actually went out and found someone who went to Westward Ho! (no small feat) who gave me a tour and introduced me to the director. I submitted my application and never heard from them again (which is probably a good thing because now that I know what I know about schools, Westward Ho! is last on my list). Live and learn and be more frugal when filling out applications next time.
Today I was brought back to that place. I have to switch OBGYNs because the hospital where my doc delivers (Good Sams) no longer takes my insurance and the hospital where I delivered Juju (St. Johns in Santa Monica aka the best boutique hospital ever!) is just too far from me now. This means I am destined for Cedars. It is closer to my house (and more importantly Juju's school) and happens to be a fantastic hospital. I've tried to avoid it in the past because it's so big and scary and they do a lot of C-sections there but at the end of the day, it makes the most sense.
I spent the past two days getting recommendations on new OBGYNs and scouring Yelp and Yahoo message boards to find out who likes them, who doesn't, and why. I narrowed it down to three docs who seemed like my perfect blend of crunchy-granola-natural-birth-supporting-with-all-the-backup-of-a-stellar-medical-record-behind-them and started making calls. I assumed it wouldn't be a big deal to switch practices now as I am only about 12 weeks pregnant and at this point am not a high risk pregnancy. Boy was I wrong. The first office I called told me that the doctor I wanted to see was not taking any new patients who were delivering when I was due. I told the receptionist that this was disappointing news as I have about 6 or 7 friends who see her and they all rave about her. She then told me "in that case, I can put you in touch with our nurse practitioner. She can evaluate your case and then possibly make a recommendation to the doctor to take a second look at you before saying no. She will call you today or tomorrow to ask you some more questions." Um, is this an interview? And did I get one because I "know people who go there?" This was exactly what happened at Westward Ho! You would think I learned from my experiences back then but I still had that nagging feeling of "I must get into this office because it's so hard to get into so it must be great!"
I decided to move on to another OB on my list. This time I didn't even get a person but was able to leave a message on a machine requesting an appointment. I got a call back telling me that I would have to fill out a questionnaire and the doctor would review it and decide whether she would take me on or not. Well at least I wasn't flat out rejected. I answered the questionnaire and was told I would hear back in one or two days.
I called the final doctor on my list and was told she couldn't see me until September (this was a start at least!). I told them I needed to see a doctor in August to stay on track with my schedule and they found a way to squeeze me in. Hallelujah! I had found a doc! I called my perinatologist to have my records sent over and thought I was done.
But later today I came home to two answering machine messages, one telling me I got accepted to Dr. So and So's practice based on my questionnaire. Woo hoo! And another telling me that the NP at the Westward Ho! version of an OBGYN's office was ready for me to do my "interview" with her. I called back for my interview (the NP actually admitted she was vetting me for the doc) and I think I made quite an impression. I'll find out tomorrow or the next day if I got in. I hope they send me a letter so I can frame it with my letter of admission to Barnard (oh how I wish I actually saved that!) and hang it in Baby #2's room.
Meanwhile I have two appointments with the other 2 OB's I mentioned (I don't think I'll make an appointment with Westward Ho! even if I do get in) and an appointment with a group of midwives who deliver at UCLA hospital. And of course no one will let me meet with them for a consultation unless I pay them $250 so I just have to hold my breath and go with someone. But who?!? At this point I'm ready to flip a coin.
**Bonus points if you got my witty/corny headline
When Juju was the ripe old age of 1 I learned I was already behind the ball in applying to preschools. So, I called one that was recommended to me (let's call them Westward Ho! Preschool) and was told I would be 69th on their wait list for a tour and it was unlikely that I would ever get one. That meant that I would not be able to get an application to Westward Ho! which meant I couldn't apply to the school or even dream of ever getting in. I was then asked if I knew anyone at the school. I explained that I hadn't lived in LA that long and didn't really know anyone with kids at that point. The secretary then told me that I should seek out mommy and me classes where I might meet parents with children at Westward Ho!. If I found one who would give me a tour on their own, I could then obtain a coveted application and (a $75 application fee later) probably still not have a very good chance of getting in. I remember I hung up the phone and wasn't sure whether to laugh hysterically at how absurd the situation was or burst into tears because I had already failed my child by not signing up for my tour at Westward Ho! after my first ultrasound.
I wasn't taking this without a fight so I actually went out and found someone who went to Westward Ho! (no small feat) who gave me a tour and introduced me to the director. I submitted my application and never heard from them again (which is probably a good thing because now that I know what I know about schools, Westward Ho! is last on my list). Live and learn and be more frugal when filling out applications next time.
Today I was brought back to that place. I have to switch OBGYNs because the hospital where my doc delivers (Good Sams) no longer takes my insurance and the hospital where I delivered Juju (St. Johns in Santa Monica aka the best boutique hospital ever!) is just too far from me now. This means I am destined for Cedars. It is closer to my house (and more importantly Juju's school) and happens to be a fantastic hospital. I've tried to avoid it in the past because it's so big and scary and they do a lot of C-sections there but at the end of the day, it makes the most sense.
I spent the past two days getting recommendations on new OBGYNs and scouring Yelp and Yahoo message boards to find out who likes them, who doesn't, and why. I narrowed it down to three docs who seemed like my perfect blend of crunchy-granola-natural-birth-supporting-with-all-the-backup-of-a-stellar-medical-record-behind-them and started making calls. I assumed it wouldn't be a big deal to switch practices now as I am only about 12 weeks pregnant and at this point am not a high risk pregnancy. Boy was I wrong. The first office I called told me that the doctor I wanted to see was not taking any new patients who were delivering when I was due. I told the receptionist that this was disappointing news as I have about 6 or 7 friends who see her and they all rave about her. She then told me "in that case, I can put you in touch with our nurse practitioner. She can evaluate your case and then possibly make a recommendation to the doctor to take a second look at you before saying no. She will call you today or tomorrow to ask you some more questions." Um, is this an interview? And did I get one because I "know people who go there?" This was exactly what happened at Westward Ho! You would think I learned from my experiences back then but I still had that nagging feeling of "I must get into this office because it's so hard to get into so it must be great!"
I decided to move on to another OB on my list. This time I didn't even get a person but was able to leave a message on a machine requesting an appointment. I got a call back telling me that I would have to fill out a questionnaire and the doctor would review it and decide whether she would take me on or not. Well at least I wasn't flat out rejected. I answered the questionnaire and was told I would hear back in one or two days.
I called the final doctor on my list and was told she couldn't see me until September (this was a start at least!). I told them I needed to see a doctor in August to stay on track with my schedule and they found a way to squeeze me in. Hallelujah! I had found a doc! I called my perinatologist to have my records sent over and thought I was done.
But later today I came home to two answering machine messages, one telling me I got accepted to Dr. So and So's practice based on my questionnaire. Woo hoo! And another telling me that the NP at the Westward Ho! version of an OBGYN's office was ready for me to do my "interview" with her. I called back for my interview (the NP actually admitted she was vetting me for the doc) and I think I made quite an impression. I'll find out tomorrow or the next day if I got in. I hope they send me a letter so I can frame it with my letter of admission to Barnard (oh how I wish I actually saved that!) and hang it in Baby #2's room.
Meanwhile I have two appointments with the other 2 OB's I mentioned (I don't think I'll make an appointment with Westward Ho! even if I do get in) and an appointment with a group of midwives who deliver at UCLA hospital. And of course no one will let me meet with them for a consultation unless I pay them $250 so I just have to hold my breath and go with someone. But who?!? At this point I'm ready to flip a coin.
**Bonus points if you got my witty/corny headline
Monday, July 16, 2012
Spilling the beans
Our intent was not to tell Juju about this pregnancy until it was at least half way over. I didn't want her to feel anxious or upset and even if she fully embraced the idea, it's a long time for me to wait; I can't imagine how long the wait until January would be for a 4 year old.
But, Juju spoiled my plan as she figured everything out last week. When I was dropping her off at school she asked, Mommy, why is your belly getting big? I was not aware that I looked much different than my pre-pregnancy self so I brushed it off.
The next day, she asked the same thing and said "do you have a baby in your belly?" And with that, the cat is out of the bag (and maybe I need to buy some maternity clothes? Last time around I had a while to go before I needed to do that. . .)
But, Juju spoiled my plan as she figured everything out last week. When I was dropping her off at school she asked, Mommy, why is your belly getting big? I was not aware that I looked much different than my pre-pregnancy self so I brushed it off.
The next day, she asked the same thing and said "do you have a baby in your belly?" And with that, the cat is out of the bag (and maybe I need to buy some maternity clothes? Last time around I had a while to go before I needed to do that. . .)
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