Mother Talkers

Bye Bye Toes and Other Comedies of Pregnancy

by littlepear

Wed Jan 16, 2008 at 09:32:24 AM PDT

Thanks for posting this diary, Jen! Reminded me of the two times I was pregnant...and HATED IT! You also reminded me of my weird cravings, such as frozen snickers bars and Pink's hotdogs. Sure, you might not consider a hotdog to be such a weird craving, but try driving to Hollywood at 2a.m. just to satisfy it! - Gloria

Well dear MTers I've reached that point, the time in my pregnancy where I can't see my toes. The realization hit me the other day when I was in the shower. I looked down and all I could see was my huge belly. First a sigh. Then a giggle. Yes, I am one of "those" women that love being pregnant. Now don't get me wrong, I don't love everything about it - personally I could do with out all of the nasty heartburn that I've been having. This is a special time in my life and I am trying to savor the experience - the good, the bad, and the funny.

The other day while at the park one of my dear friends said to me with a smile, "Hey Jen, you are starting to get that pregnant lady waddle!" With 2 kids of her own, one being a newborn, this was meant to be a complement. At least that is how I took it. I chuckled and took notice of the fact that I have indeed started to waddle. Comes with the territory, right?

With DS, I had all my wacko food cravings during the first trimester. Man, egg rolls with hot mustard tasted good! Ooh, and that black raspberry ice cream! Yum! By the time I was at the end of my second trimester the cravings were gone. With this pregnancy I am getting the cravings now. A few weeks ago I got up with DS at 2 AM. While settling him back to sleep there was one thought that kept going through my mind: dill pickles. Even though I knew it would give me nasty heartburn I had a hankering for a salty, sour, garlicky, dill pickle. Before heading back to bed I made a pit stop in the kitchen and indulged. When I told DH about it in the morning we both laughed because pickles are one of those stereotypical pregnancy cravings. Mmmm, pickles. I am channeling my inner Homer Simpson! I've got to go get one right now! Ah, much better and OMG did it taste good!

As a way to beat the winter blues DH and I signed DS up for swim lessons at our local gym. It’s really a parent/child class rather than a real lesson. The week before classes started I realized that I didn't have a bathing suit that fit. While I may be brave enough to show off my big belly in a bikini at the beach, I didn't feel that my pre-pregancy suit was appropriate for the gym. So, off I went to the mall in search of a suit. I found a few at Motherhood Maternity; a store I hate to shop at because of their Draconian return policies. The first suit I tried on made me look like a stuffed sausage. Ugh. The next wasn't so bad, but still didn't fit right. The third suit was actually cute and left me a little room to grow. When I got home and modeled it for DH, he smiled and made a few whale noises. Now before anyone gets upset, DH and I have a running joked about this. I don't have many hang-ups about my body image, so he feels comfortable teasing me like this. He confessed to me that he would NEVER make smart-ass wise cracks like that if I was self conscious about my body. And to all of you moms of summer babies, I give you props for sporting bathing suits all summer long!

Oh, and I totally need to go to the store today and buy another jar of pickles!

Tags: pregnangy, cravings, maternity clothes (all tags)

Permalink | 46 comments

  • For me, it was beets (0 / 0)

    OMG, I couldn't get enough beets ... I ate jars and jars and jars of them, starting at about ... well, about three months into my pregnancy and on through. I literally ate beets EVERY DAY. I don't know what the heck that was about -- I don't think I've eaten a beet since she was born! haha! But, man, did those taste good!

    Props to you for your excellent body image. I think that's very refreshing to hear (and it makes me wish I would have felt that way! All I could think about was, "Oh, how is my belly ever going to shrink back to its original size??!! I'm going to be this way FOREVER!" HAHA!).

    by Kay on Wed Jan 16, 2008 at 08:00:03 AM PDT

    • Yum Beets! (0 / 0)

      My Grandmother made the best beets ever! Now that she is no longer with us, no one in the family has yet to master her recipe. But I have found a brand that come close and after reading your comment, I thought, mmm, beets! And headed for the fridge! :)

      Jen in NJ

      by littlepear on Wed Jan 16, 2008 at 10:28:53 AM PDT

      [ Parent ]

  • Cravings (0 / 0)

    I have had weird food cravings all my life - I was the kid who would eat jar of pickled olives, drink a quart of milk, and then go to soccer practice - and I don't recall having any particular ones during pregnancy.  Pickles were great, though, the few times I had morning sickness.  Like Gatorade you can chew!

    by lonespark on Wed Jan 16, 2008 at 08:23:50 AM PDT

  • Pregnancy swim suit (0 / 0)

    I had this absolutely adorable suit that I loved but I washed it in the machine a few too many times and one day the Lycra just gave out. Well, the bottom (boy shorts) were just fine, but the top got all loose and blousy. I hung onto it, thinking, someday this will be useful. Sure enough, it is my ersatz maternity suit now.

    I abhor being pregnant, I feel terrible, my middle back is killing me, no heartburn but the excess salivation is KILLING me, I swear (however from what I hear it's probably the reason I don't have any heartburn). If I'm on my feet too long I feel like the baby is going to fall out of me. My placenta is in the back which means I feel every little kick-- nice, right, except sometimes it hurts! And keeps me awake, and all that. And I am hormonal and cranky.

    Glad you are doing a bit better than I!!

    Three more months.

    by minnmom on Wed Jan 16, 2008 at 08:30:44 AM PDT

    • Kicks (0 / 0)

      The other day, the little dude stretched out and I felt movement on both sides at the same time. Really weird.

      I also have that feeling of the baby's going to fall out if I am on my feet too long. My OB said to me, "try to get off your feet before you feel that way". Like that is really possible with a toddler running around. Ha!

      Hang in there.

      Jen in NJ

      by littlepear on Wed Jan 16, 2008 at 08:42:00 AM PDT

      [ Parent ]

  • hey Jen? (0 / 0)

    Your post made me smile! I too was one of those loonies who adored being pregnant. Even though I didn't get any cravings...not a single one. I was bummed because I looked forward to sending DH out in the middle of the night to satisfy some unreasonable urge but...never happened.

    Can't complain too much about that because I also never had a single aversion or any morning sickness. I was SO lucky. And I loved my belly. People say second pregnancies aren't always as smooth, so I worry that I used up all my good pregnancy mojo the first time around. If I manage to get pregnant again, I can test that theory out...

    How far along are you?

    by Erika on Wed Jan 16, 2008 at 09:43:05 AM PDT

    • 26 weeks (0 / 0)

      So we're getting there. What I have found about pregnancy #2 is that I don't dwell, um, obsess, over things like I did the first time around. There is no time! LOL! Other than getting off to a bumpy start with morning sickness, this pregnancy is progressing much like my first one. Even easier in some respects. But I have to remember not to over do it. We've been working with DS on doing a lot of things himself - getting into his car seat with minimal help, getting up onto chairs, stepping into the tub with me holding his hands rather than me lifting him, etc. He's in that I want to do it myself phase anyway, so why not, right? I haven't gotten the don't lift anything speach from my OB, but I have the same OB as a friend and she just got it when she hit 30 weeks. So, its coming.

      Jen in NJ

      by littlepear on Wed Jan 16, 2008 at 10:33:49 AM PDT

      [ Parent ]

  • cute! (0 / 0)

    I love the image of you giggling in the shower. It's great that you are loving your pregnancy belly in all its glory. I also loved being pregnant, although I could have done without the middle of the night insomnia.

    I didn't have big food cravings, but I did have aversions. Fish? YUCK! Too bad because now they say that you should try to eat some every week when you're pregnant. (But try avoid big fish that may contain mercury.)

    Now that you mention it, a pickle right about now sounds pretty good. And I'm not even pregnant!

    by Stacey on Wed Jan 16, 2008 at 10:15:57 AM PDT

    • I had cravings AND aversions (0 / 0)

      I did yearn for beets, but forgot to mention that I QUIVERED at the thought of any meat products, whatsoever, in my first trimester. Never had morning sickness, but couldn't stomach the thought or smell of meat.

      It's strange what hormones will do to a girl.

      by Kay on Wed Jan 16, 2008 at 11:04:25 AM PDT

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  • The pregnant belly (0 / 0)

    really is a thing to behold.  So amazing, a body part, container, and life support system all rolled into one!

    by lonespark on Wed Jan 16, 2008 at 10:24:26 AM PDT

    • True True (0 / 0)

      I have even known a few moms who had casts done of their bellies when they were pregnant by a local artist. They felt these bellies were works of art.

      Jen in NJ

      by littlepear on Wed Jan 16, 2008 at 10:35:18 AM PDT

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      • I want one! (0 / 0)

        I hadn't even thought about it, but now I want to have a belly cast made.

        I'm a little jealous of you all, I really just don't like being pregnant all that much.  With DS I had hyperemesis, so the first 6 months or so I couldn't keep much down, resulting in multiple hospital stays.  This time, blessedly, I'm 16 weeks in and no real sickness, and no other crappy pregnancy things like heartburn...you know, on further consideration, maybe I should stop whining about how much I hate the weight gain, hair growth, gas and other mild digestive ailments, and try to get in the groove of this whole pregnancy thing...  Good for you for loving it and being able to chuckle about the nastier parts!  You're an inspiration!

        I've been thinking about maternity bathing suits, too.  But it may be irrelavent, depending on what my midwife thinks of the hot tub! I'm due July 1st-sh, and I will be rocking out at the local pool in all my hugeness come June!

        by Inky on Wed Jan 16, 2008 at 10:49:51 AM PDT

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      • I was thinking that clothes should show it off (0 / 0)

        of highlight it somehow.  Have there been cultures that do this?  Of course, in cultures that don't wear clothes, everyone can tell how pregnant you are with a casual glance.

        by lonespark on Wed Jan 16, 2008 at 10:58:35 AM PDT

        [ Parent ]

  • i loved being pregnant too.. (0 / 0)

    loved the whole thing...except the labor.  worst delivering mother on earth i am certain.

    i didn't have cravings so much as aversions..one was the smell of popcorn.  i however did eat huge meals my last 2 weeks. went to the local diner every day for soup, salad, chicken dinner with all trimmings, 3 glasses of milk topped off with apple pie a'la mode. i was ravenous!

    enjoy the waddle.  i never took offense to comments on how i looked.  i loved that big belly of mine :)

    good luck..and btw what's so special about toes anyway?

    by parentalunit1 on Wed Jan 16, 2008 at 11:07:20 AM PDT

  • Being pregnant (0 / 0)

    Enjoy!  FWIW, my second pregnancy was the easiest one.  The first one made me a bit nervous and I was tired and achy for much of the third one-of course that could have had something to do with keeping up with my recently turned 2 and 4 year-olds LOL.

    I agree with you about the body image.  I always felt relieved being pregnant because you're supposed to be big then!  

    by music teacher on Wed Jan 16, 2008 at 11:13:03 AM PDT

    • and the third? (0 / 0)

      how does the third compare? And an update question - how is Mary and your two sons?!

      by Rachel on Wed Jan 16, 2008 at 01:10:01 PM PDT

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      • We're doing great! (0 / 0)

        My four year-old positively dotes on his new baby sister.  He "reads" to her while I nurse her and asks to hold her a lot.  My two-year old is mostly ignores her but he checks on her every now and then-he's very busy at 2 of course.

        Mary is doing great.  She is a pretty content baby.  She gets up to eat and have her diaper changed but is still pretty sleepy most of the time.  I'd say she is being reasonable about nighttime-getting up for feedings and is starting to get day and night sorted out.  She is awake for longer periods during the day now and loves to look around.  

        We're having so much fun with her and of course as the only girl she is getting spoiled rotten by her grandparents and all of the relatives in town.  The little girl outfits are flying into the house.  I should add that they have all been great to the boys too-they've received lots of big brother presents and this is coming right on top of Christmas!  But I'm glad they're getting some of the attention too.

        by music teacher on Thu Jan 17, 2008 at 10:24:33 AM PDT

        [ Parent ]

        • lovely report (0 / 0)

          so wonderful to hear the good news! ;-)))

          by Rachel on Thu Jan 17, 2008 at 10:46:20 AM PDT

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        • Glad to hear (0 / 0)

          that the boys are doing so well. Any tips to share about the transition with the arrival of the baby? We've been reading to DS books about new babies and he points to my belly and says baby. But I don't know if he has any clue about what is in store once BabyPear arrives.

          Jen in NJ

          by littlepear on Thu Jan 17, 2008 at 11:44:57 AM PDT

          [ Parent ]

          • That's what we did (0 / 0)

            During my second pregnancy and third pregnancy we read the I'm a Big Brother book that Elisa mentioned she read to Ari.  I'm not sure how much sunk in.  My oldest was pretty good about my second.  He didn't really understand what was going on like he does now but he was really good with the transition both times.  Just keep reading and talking it up I guess.  I also referred to the baby as "Joey's baby" or "Joshie's baby" so that they would feel like the baby belonged to them.

            I probably should mention that no matter what, the older child or children will be thrown off of their routine for a little while.  Both of my boys acted out a bit for their grandparents while I was in the hospital but things calmed down once I was home.  I made a point to pay a lot of attention to the older kid or in this case kids once I was home.  This time my two -year old seems to need the most attention but I think that's to be expected.

            by music teacher on Thu Jan 17, 2008 at 01:42:41 PM PDT

            [ Parent ]

  • Yay for bellies! (0 / 0)

    I think pregnancy bellies are kind of fun - until you reach that point where even your super soft maternity jeans with the big cotton panel don't feel comfy anymore because you're so stretched and itchy.

    I definitely fell on the loved-the-babies-not-the-pregnancy side of things but now that I know I'm definitely never going to get pregnant again, posts like yours make me a little misty eyed.

    I used to make my DH put on my shoes by the way. It was just too much trouble to do myself. And when I had number two, I taught number one to do it.

    by mpg on Wed Jan 16, 2008 at 11:54:06 AM PDT

  • loved being pregnant (0 / 0)

    but I gotta say, that first night post-delivery, being able to curl up with my knees somewhere near my belly without being kicked by Miss Jess was fan-friggin-tastic!

    I had a first and second trimester craving for ... tomato juice. Seriously, I'd drink cans of the stuff. Honestly, I'd get to work and have a can of ginger beer (yay, morning nausea that didn't end until at least lunchtime) and a can of tomato juice. And plain crackers. I don't know why nobody at least teased me about the pregnancy diet.

    My other pregnancy craving - smoked salmon. Unfortunately, I didn't get the "don't eat" list until I was past the first trimester and realized that smoked salmon was a huuuuge no-no. Well, Jess seems fine.

    by Rachel on Wed Jan 16, 2008 at 01:13:22 PM PDT

  • I was sad when it was over. (0 / 0)

    I mostly loved being pregnant.  I didn't get too terribly sick in the beginning, the heartburn was bad but my second time around my dr said I could take a pepcid AC every night and that helped a HUGE amount.  The only thing for me that really sucked was being on bed rest for 4 weeks at the end of each pregnancy.

    One thing I felt that I didn't expect was after each of my boys was born, while I was so happy to hold my baby I really sort of mourned the pregnancy.  I'm not sure what it was - I guess when each one was in utero we had such a special connection, and he was all mine, I didn't have to share him with anyone.  It was so cool to feel him always with me, I felt like I had a secret.  I think that sounds more messed-up than I mean it to - obviously I wanted them to be born and I sure don't mind sharing them now (like, right NOW even, you want a turn?)

    by hazel on Wed Jan 16, 2008 at 02:27:16 PM PDT

  • body image (0 / 0)

    I also perfectly fine body image, and found it hilarious one day when I was pregnant and getting dressed, and my husband just said "Wow, your ass is getting really fat."  It was great to hear the truth instead of everyone telling me the 40 pounds I had gained was "all up front."

    by Treena on Thu Jan 17, 2008 at 03:47:59 AM PDT

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