Is the grass greener on the otherside?

Pregnant women for some reason are always complaining about one thing or another, it may not be in public, or even to anyone, you may keep it to yourslef, but we all definitely have complaints. But can you blame us? We always want what we can't have. We contestant think the grass will be greener on the other side, but we have no idea what the other side feels like. So we have no right to judge, other people's complaints, even if it's something we wish for.
If we sleep all day, it's because or hormones make us so tired. We complain that, all we do is sleep. But when we can't sleep, we complain because we are uncomfortable, in pain, we have to get up to many times to pee or we have insomnia. And all we want is to sleep.
If you can eat everything you use to, and nothing makes you nauseous. You can be gaining more weight, so your jealous how people are not always eating like you are, and they not gaining that much weight. But those who can't eat, and everything makes you nauseous, even by looking at it or smelling it, wish they can. And you just want to not be hungry and nauseous.
Those who have a nice baby bump, may feel/look fat and wish they carried small. But those who carry small, wish they had something to show for, and just want there baby off there spin, because it's painful.
Some of us can maintain jobs because they feel fine, and they can't wait for maternity leave. While others who had to leave there jobs, can wait to get back to work.
You clean your house because you have time and energy, but you wish your cleaning lady can just come more often. Then there are some who see there cleaning ladies cleaning, and wish they can move, and they can't wait to get back to cleaning, especially if you want it cleaned your way.
So lady's next time you hear someone complain, don't think 'Oh she has no idea what that would be like' control your hormones, don't get mad at her for complaining about what you wish for. We all have different struggles, we all want something we can't have, and we all complain. So just try and think what it would be like in their shoes. Maybe that well help us not wish for things we can't have and most of all help us not complain. (I said maybe!!... I'm sure we will still complain)

Here's what to look for in up coming posts!
Babies heart beat!
Memory loss?
Interviews!
Product reviews!
The advantage of exercise!
and much much more!

Happy Motherhood!!

My bump ... Oh wait what bump!

I told you guys I'll dedicate a post, about my funny stories about my baby bump, so here it is. So you been getting the idea by now, that I'm carrying pretty small. I think I finally became noticeable pregnant to those who don't no me. People who knew me knew what I usually looked like, so they were able to tell earlier on. Most of my stories happen in the mall, and by my mall, the Nordstrom has parking for expecting moms. So before I even get into the mall, I already have a story. Almost every time I park in those reserved spots I get such looks, like who do I think I am. Once, the car next to me pulled in and saw me. She had the nerve, and started giving me hand signals, on how these are reserved parking and I have to move. I simply smiled and pointed to my belly, but I was in the car and she couldn't see my bump anyways. She got out of her car annoyed and walked away, I didn't want to go after her, she wouldn't believe me anyways.



When I shop, I shop in the same stores and go to the same workers for help, so I'm well acquainted with workers, at my stores. Breaking the news to them, how I no long can wear half the stuff in there store, because I was 5 months pregnant, was a total shock for them. As I was talking to the manger (BFF by the way) an older women (must have been 50) interrupted "Excuse me, your 5 months pregnant?" She did not believe me, the people who worked in the store didn't really know how to respond, but this women wasn't giving up. I finally responded "I have prof, I'll show you my sonograms!" The women was satisfied, and said "Ya ok, show me." As I started fishing through my phone, to find the picture, the manger stopped me "Honey you do not need to show her prof, if she doesn't wanna believe you, then that's her problem." The elder women actually felt a little dumb, and started telling us some story, how her daughter in law also carries small, but were like ya, ya, ya, go fly a kite lady!

In another store, a sales represented was helping me find clothing. With no waist line, and that had a little extra length and space. I was in the dressing room, and she kept bring me shirts and stuff to try on. When I came out a different worked looked at me confused and said "Your the pregnant women she's was helping? When she said she was helping a almost 6 month pregnant women, I was expecting someone with a big belly. I couldn't imagine how she would find anything in our store! But now I get it, but how are you 6 months?"

I was talking to the Chanel makeup artist in Nordstrom (She's a sweet heart, I don't even wear Chanel makeup but she always sees me there so we became buddy's.) We were talking about pregnancy, and I was saying how I'm waiting to pop. A women from behind me taps me and says "Don't worry you will VERY soon, just wait!" Apparently she was listening to are whole conversation, and wanted in. She joined us, but when she left, we couldn't stop laughing how random she was!

I was telling someone from my office (an older man) how I haven't been here so much because I'm pregnant, and I wasn't feeling well. He asked me how far I was, I was about 6 months. He replies "Your 6 months pregnant? Your sure? You do know how that happens right?"  knowing his personality I know he was kidding, (I hope) but I thought it was so funny!

I was standing around in a hallway, waiting for my husband to come out of an office, that had a bathroom that was right next door. I didn't even notice I was holding my belly, but a woman passing by me says "You know there's another restroom right over there, that no one is in" I was confused, I'm like, ok thanx? I then realized that, she must have thought I was holding my stomach, because I needed to go so badly. I laughed and yelled down the hall, "Oh I don't need the restroom, thanx!" She must of thought I was nuts!
I have so many more stories, that I can share with you, but this post will be way to long. If you have any funny stories of your own, I would love to hear them.




My growing baby bump! I am now 30 weeks! (I no I am missing 21, I have a picture from that week, but I'm not dressed well)

Here's what to look for in up coming posts!
Babies heart beat!
Memory loss?
Interviews!
Product reviews!
The advantage of exercise!
and much much more!

Happy Motherhood!!

Itch itchy itchier!!

Oh my I need sleep! I thought I would be able to get some sleep last night, and recover from an amazing weekend. I had a busy shabbas, with a bunch of friends, for a good friends shalom zachar. Then on Sunday I had my family's chanukah party, and at night I spent it catching up on earns I have been procrastinating on. I thought I would get an amazing night sleep with such a weekend, but my body deiced otherwise. I was up for hours feeling SO itchy, I was going insane! I brought cream to my bed, and kept on just reapplying, to get temporary relief, I may have used almost half the bottle.

Itchy skin is very common in pregnancy, especially by your growing belly. It is because your skin is stretching and becomes moisture deprived. One of the worst, but hardiest thing to do for itchy skin, is to scratch it. scratching will cause it to get more irritated and will only make it itchier, so STOP SCRATCHING! 

You may also be itchy from dry skin, and yes you can blame dry skin on your pregnancy, not only on winters. Our hormone changes, causes us to get dry and leaves us feeling itchy. If your like me, who just want relief at that moment, I'm afraid were out of luck. But there is things we can do to try and prevent it.

I'm sorry to be the one to tell you, but your long hot baths or showers can be causing you to be dry and itchy. So avoid hot and long baths, if you can.

Use unscented soap, some scents can be the cause of your irritation. And make sure you take off all the soap, and towel off lightly. 

Take an oatmeal bath, no don't just go pour a cup or oatmeal in your bath tub, there our special products for oatmeal's baths.

Drink plenty of fluids to keep you and your skin hydrated.

Avoid the humidity, and the heat of the day. Not that it is hot out now, but for future reference.

Moisturize after you showered or bathed.

Applying a cold and wet compresses can help as well.

If you are itchy all over, and its not because you are dry or because of your growing belly, and you developed a rash, its time to mention it to your doctor. Even if you did not get a rash, but you are itchy all over your body, give them a call. Being itchy all over, WITH OUT a rash CAN be, Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy (ICP), a liver problem, that pregnant women can devolve. (I caps the word 'can' because I don't want you to go freak out that you have a liver problem, but talk to your doctor for more information!) Itchiness WITH a rash CAN be Pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy (PUPPP) which is also common in pregnancy. 

I'm not going into details about, what they are and what to do. But don't just brush off your itchiness, mention it to your doctor and let them determine the cause of your itchy skin . As you can see, it can be as simple as dry skin or something more serious, like a liver problem. 

Okay enough talk about itchy things, it's making me so itchy and all I wanna do is scratch! But remember no scratching! I no it's was easier said then done!

Here's what to look for in up coming posts!
Babies heart beat!
My no show baby bump!
Memory loss?
Interviews!
Product reviews!
The advantage of exercise!
and much much more!

Happy Motherhood!!

Turn that frown upside down!

Now that I'm in my third trimester, I can not get ahold of my emotions. One minute I'm fine, and the next I'm crying, for absolutely no reason. I wasn't always the one, who got insulted, by someone saying something offensive to me. But now I'll cry with actually tears, and it's so weird to me. Not only by telling me something the wrong way, would I cry. Now if you are getting me annoyed, and on my nervous, I'll just cry too.
I made supper one night, and my husband told me that I had put to much black pepper, I cried as if he just told me the worst thing has just happened, is that normal! Come to think of it, my husband must think I have gone crazy or something, like why in the world do I keep crying. I happened to make sure I don't do it in front of him, because I no I'm crazy. But I cry to much to hide all of them for him.
My crying feast, only really started in my third trimester, can you imagine if I had this the whole time! I no I sound crazy, but hey that part of pregnancy!
Another thing I have noticed that started, is I became a little OCD. Not actually OCD, OCD just like I need my stuff in there right spot, I want stuff done the right/my way, I'll make thing straight, little things that didn't always bother me. But real OCD is actually common in pregnancy, because of all the worries we have of becoming a parent. Or the true feeling we suppress during during pregnancy, like how you really not enjoying it, but you hide it, because you feel ashamed to think that way. Or because of our hormones changes, we or more prone to developing OCD. OCD can be a serious thing, so if you feel you may have it more then just organizing, then it's something to mention to your doctor. One of the ways to help OCD, is by talking to others who can relate, so it doesn't make you feel alone. Does that sound familiar? I have mentioned before that, that is the reason why I blog, so that you don't feel alone. I don't do it for OCD reasons, but the same concept is there... Your not alone!

There is a little game in this post, count the times I used the word cry/crying/cried and OCD. And guess the significances of that number.

Here's what to look for in up coming posts!
Babies heart beat!
My no show baby bump!
Memory loss?
Interviews!
Product reviews!
The advantage of exercise!
and much much more!

Happy Motherhood!!

Lets hope not to see this face so much!

Finding the right doctor!

For the first day of Chanukah, Ill talk about a different first, my first doctors appointment. When we found out I was pregnant, the first thing I did was call the OB to make an appointment. Finding the right OB for you, can be a hard process, I changed doctor 3 times. Some of you may have never even went to an OB/GYN before and wouldn't know where to start or who to call. I did go to on OB/GYN before but I
didn't like them, and did not want to use them for my pregnancy. The doctor I called was my sisters, she had mentioned her doctor once, and I took down the name and googled the number, so when the time came I wouldn't have to ask anyone. Great; that was easy right? Little did I know that they did not accept my insurance, I'm not sure why they didn't ask me over the phone, while making the appointment. But when they called to confirm, I was asked and then was told "We don't accept your insurance, but you can keep your appointment, but you will have to pay $500 for the first visit." oh great thanks, but no thanks Ill try another place.

I thought I was getting of easy, but I guess not. So now it was time to start the doctor hunt, an easy way to find out what doctor in your area accept your insurance, is just to call the insurance company and ask, and they will provide you with a whole list. But they wont tell you how good, or anything about that doctor. So now that you have a list, time to start making calls. First question to ask them, is if they are accepting new patients? If they are you can continue the conversation, if not then that's one off your list. Feel free to ask them if they can provide you with information about there office, some may even let you come in and check the place out. But don't expect receptionist to be nice. (Big mmistake I made) If you like how it sound or maybe you heard of that office before and got some great feed back, then you are ready to schedule your first appointment.

I had went through my list and chosen a doctor and had my first appointment set for June 24 2013. (I was 6 weeks) When the day finally came, I had no idea what to expect for this appointment. I get to the office, and I already didn't like it, the receptionist had her daughter there with her and it just made me very uncomfortable. Remember how pregnant women can smell everything? This place had a smell that was making me so sick. They called my name and took me to the back, where I saw a lady standing there holding her urine sample and another getting her blood drawn, no not privately in there room, this was out in the hall where they had a little section where the nurse did her thing.

I met the doctor, it was a little awkward, he was a quite guy, that let you do all the talking. But it was my first appointment and I didn't know what to say, so there was alot of awkward silence. He did give me a book (the one good thing I liked) I let the doctor and the nurse do there thing, what ever needed to be done, I let them do it but I knew I wasn't going back there. Time to find a new doctor!

As I was on the hunt again, I needed to speak to the doctor, but he was on call so they had a different doctor call me back. The doctor who called me seemed really nice, and was on the phone with me till all my questions where answered. So I did the brave thing, and asked him if I can come to his office, and he was more then happy to see me. I thought I hit the jackpot, what where the odds of a doctor I liked, be calling me. He gives me the office information, to give them a call to schedule an appointed. Funny enough, I call the next day to find out its the doctors office I had went to before I was pregnant. I figured ill give them another chance, since its a different doctor who see you when your pregnant anyways. I was 8 weeks by this appointment and my morning sickness was really acting up. I spent half my visit in the bathroom, with my head by the toilet, and a nurse rubbing a wet cloth on my neck. And the other half sleeping waiting to see the doctor. The nurse had been asking me really strange questioned, like if I have a boy who will be my mohel, and other questioned that I felt were just so not relevant at the moment, I was only 8 weeks! But I brushed it off because I haven't seen the doctor yet, and I still liked him. My appointment was going ok so far, I even felt conformable enough to tell them to invest in air refresher's, as there are plenty of pregnant women here, and I couldn't be the only one bothered by the smell. They laughed and said they will take it into consideration.

I wasn't trying to be picky, but something was bothering me that the doctor had said. So I had asked other people there opinion and they agreed that it wasn't appropriate for the doctor to have said that. I wasn't actively looking for a new doctor, I thought I'll give them another try. A few days before my appointment they called me saying, how the doctor wont be in and well need to reschedule. We had hung up without setting a new appointment.

I have been seeing a gastroenterologist, who is an amazing doctor, but is a little car ride away. I called and asked there office if they can refer me to on OB/GYN. They gave me someone who they were affiliated with. When I called, the receptionist on the phone was so nice, she stayed on the phone with me as we were looking online at all the different doctors, (its a group) and how there office is ran. She emailed me her information, and told me as soon as I get my medical record sent over, she will call me to schedule my appointment. My first appointment there was amazing. The office is nice, clean and no funny smells, everyone is friendly and there to make sure you are happy. My doctor is amazing, I guess third time really is a charm!

You may think I am crazy for changing so many times, but it is so important to like your doctor, it makes things alot easier. So if your not happy with your first, second or third doctor, don't be afraid to change. There is a doctor that is right for you, even if you have to travel a little like I do, its all worth it, you'll see!

P.S I recently received a call from doctor office number 2, asking if I had I changed doctors. Because they see I haven't had any follow up appointments since July.

Here's what to look for in up coming posts!
Babies heart beat!
My no show baby bump!
Memory loss?
Interviews!
Product reviews!
The advantage of exercise!
and much much more!

Happy Motherhood!!

Me at my first appointment, at the first doctor.

Interview with a mother of three kids!

Today’s interview is with Leah, a mother of three kids: Esty, whose 8, Shlomo 6, and Racheli/Kelly 2. We talked about her pregnancies and motherhood. She has a really good take on life and has great ideas on how to manage your day-to-day life. She was a really pleasure to interview.
CH: What’s the first thing that comes to your mind that you remember about pregnancy?
LM: When I was Pregnant with my first, Esty, I remember throwing up when I ate eggs. I couldn’t touch eggs after that. I still have a hard time eating them. I also remember not being able to walk into my kitchen; the smell made me so nauseas. When I was pregnant with my Racheli I couldn’t stand the smell of water!
CH: I can really relate to that, I have the same problem with eggs and my kitchen as well! All pregnancies are so different, how was each of yours unique?
LM: For starters, they were different because of the gender of the baby. When I was pregnant with my son Shlomo, it was a lot easier in the early stage of pregnancy than it was with my girls. With my first I was able to sleep and allow myself to be sick but with the other two I just didn’t have time for that, I had to ignore it. I also had very different cravings, with Esty I craved strawberry ices and  pita falafel. With Shlomo it was ice cubes and with my youngest Racheli, it was apples.
CH: Is there something you would have done different in your first pregnancy?
LM: Yes; I would have gone out more at night, you’re free you should go and enjoy your freedom. Because, after the baby comes, if you want to, you’ll need to find a babysitter.
CH: What helped you with your nausea?
LM: I ate a little bit frequently, when you’re hungry it makes it much worse and it’s not worth it.
CH: Rate your pregnancy on a scale of 1-10.
LM: With my Esty it was an 8, I was so sick and throwing up all day. Shlomo a 5, only first trimester was bad. With Racheli a 7, it was better than Esty, but not as good as Shlomo.
CH: How about your ratings of your newborns?
LM: Esty was a 10, she was so hard. Shlomo a 3, he was such a good baby he slept through the night from day 1, from 12:00-5:00 just ate and went back to sleep. We had to keep checking if he was breathing. We weren't used to it because Esty cried all night. Racheli a 5, she went to sleep late like 1:00 or 2:00 AM but then she slept through the night.
CH: I hope my baby's like your Shlomo! Transitioning into motherhood can be really hard, how was your experience?
LM: Really, really hard. Esty was very colicky, she cried from 2-5 every night, and all I did was cry with her. She did this till she was 4 months old. And then she became really good and I really started to enjoyed her!
CH: Wow that does sound hard and emotionally exhausting. How was it from one kid to two kids? Was it a lot better?
LM: Yes, it was really good. I learnt from my Esty what I didn’t wanna do: I knew I wanted to be home right away and not stay by someone, because the packing and going back and forth was too much for me. I wanted to be in the comfort of my own home.
CH: And how about from two to three?
LM: Extremely hard, my son Sholom was almost 4 and was l already used to the no baby schedule.  Just taking care of all kids and then also having a baby with a baby schedule, was hard. I couldn’t just going out with kids anymore, I now had to bring things and think of baby stuff, like feeding time and changing.
CH:  How did you manage the struggle of three kids?
LM: I went with who needs me the most, I learnt that a baby can cry a little and won’t remember you ignored it but a 7 year old will. A baby crying bothers me, not the baby, but it does bother the kids when you ignore them, and tending to the crying baby when they need you. When my husband is around, then everything is much easier. I also learnt how to multitask- we now do homework in the bathroom, while the other is the bath.
CH: That's actually really smart! Is there a challenge you feel that other parents are going through as well?
LM: Yes; giving attention to all your kids, with school and everything else going on, I only have about 3 hours to spend with them. I make sure I spend time with all and remember to enjoy them, they’re not robots.
CH: How do you divide the attention so that they each get alone time?
LM: Racheli is home before Esty and Shlomo, so she gets her time then. Esty comes home a little earlier then Shlomo, and as we go on the way to get him, it’s her time. By the time Shlomo comes home, he’s hungry, so while he eats I give him his time. Bed time is when they get real one on one time, with me and my husband. We put them in one at time and talk about the best  and worst  part of their day. We do it privately so they don’t feel uncomfortable saying it in front of the others kids. If you show interest in what they’re saying, they really start to talk.
CH: Finish the sentence: Motherhood is_________?
LM: Everything: it is my way of life.
CH: Can you share some of the things your kids say that you find cute or funny?
LM: Well my Kelly is hysterical, everything she says is funny, even her faces, you just look at her and laugh! My Esty, she told me the other day that she remembers me saying how I liked her doll carriage better than the baby’s stroller. I had bought her a stroller when my 3rd was born so she shouldn’t use the baby’s. I find it really funny when my 2 big kids talk about me, I feel old. When they talk they can seem like adults.
CH: Is there a conversation that you have in mind that makes them seems like adults?
LM: Yes, when my grandmother pasted away my son said I'm so sad, so my daughter asked him why. He answered because we can never see her again. So my daughter says don’t worry will see her when Moshiach comes! He then asked me if she was going to be buried in Israel, I said no I didn’t think so, so he replies, “Oy, it’s much better to be!” I guess his teacher taught him that. I thought it was funny how mature it was.
CH: Does it make you proud when they act mature?
LM: Yes; but it’s not even when I expect them to be. Like, in grocery store, and I warned them to behave. But when we’re at home, they are so respectful, mature and polite. It’s not only when other see, it’s the times when you don’t expect it that makes me proud.
CH: Do have someone who you go to for advice?
LM: Not someone specific, but my mother, all of my sisters- they are my life and a friend.
CH: Was this during pregnancy or motherhood?
LM: Both.
CH: What advice did they give?
LM: My friend always tells me, “It’s ok/good to take time for yourself, without the kids. A vacation, or even a night is important.”
CH: Do you have philosophy/motto of life that you go by?
LM: Yes; I was at a parenting seminar and we were talking about how there are going to be hard days, but that doesn’t mean you’re a bad mother. They said "You need to be a good parent 80% of the time, the 20% won’t destroy your kid. Keep trying to be 80% and if you mess up, tomorrow is another day." So I follow the 80/20 rule.
CH: How did you juggle work and being a mom?
LM: When Esty was born I stopped working, but then got a part time job in a play group, and I was able to take her with me, and I did online course in my spare time. So by the time my second was born I opened up my own studio, and worked around my kid’s schedule.
CH: From your point of view, how is my blog helping others?
LM: When you read it, you see you are not alone. We all go through this, and it can be really hard to go through it alone.

Thank you, Leah!
I hope you enjoyed reading this interview as much as I did giving it!

Here's what to look for in up coming posts!
First doctors appointment!
Babies heart beat
My no show baby bump!
Memory loss?
Interviews!
Product reviews!
The advantage of exercise!
and much much more!

Happy Motherhood!!

Normal pains, that seem abnormal!

Okay, ok so I found out about this really weird thing that pregnant women can have, and apparently it's normal. But, when you have it, you just simply can't understand how it possibly can be; it’s called Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction. The Symphysis Pubis is a stiff joint that connects the two halves of your pelvis together. Your body produces a hormone called relaxin, which softens your ligament to help your baby pass through your pelvis.
Your pubic joints and ligaments move during pregnancy (yes, they move), and can widen too far and can cause inflammation and pain which is the condition SPD. The pain kinda feels like someone kicked you in your groin, as weird as it sounds, it is actually extremely painful! You can barely walk, stand or spread your legs, everything just hurts down there.
Of course I have this, I guess my baby needed another symptom to check off its checklist. I hope I finished the list already. My doctor told me to try Spanx or something like that, because applying pressure somehow helps, or to take baths, which who doesn't love.
If you feel that you may have SPD, don't be alarmed even though it feels like something would be extremely wrong. But, of course, confirm it first with your doctor, and come up with a way to relieve your pain. You can always Google more about SPD for more information.
As strange as it may seem, I'm almost glad I experience so many weird and crazy things in my pregnancy. Because, not that many people are opened to talking about their experience, let alone blog about it. Some of you may think I reveal too much, but I'm ok with it. SPD is something that feels like it can be something really wrong, but it's really nothing serious. But not many people know about it, and always run to the doctor with a lot of concern. I would have called right away, if I wasn't headed to the doctor in the morning, but if I felt it was getting worse I would have called. Yes, the pain can feel that bad! So I hope my experience through my pain, can somehow help you, in some way or another.

Stay tuned for an interview tomorrow!

Here's what to look for in up coming posts!
First doctors appointment!
Babies heart beat
My no show baby bump!
Memory loss?
Interviews!
Product reviews!
The advantage of exercise!
and much much more!

Happy Motherhood!!
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