I just finished making baby numero dos. Wonderful to have two children, but, as everyone who has had children can attest to, it is also wonderfully expensive. I tried to prepare financially for both births, but had a difficult time finding reliable information online- all I could really find was general, “Your labor and delivery could cost over $10,000,”.

Well, ok.

But how much to the hospital?
How much to the doctor?
How much for my epidural?
How much will insurance REALLY pay? (more…)

I am frustrated with what transpired today and had to share: After all of the due date dilemma, they wanted to double check the size of the baby to see how big she is getting.  Today was the ultrasound day and Mr. BBH came too.  She is in the correct position, but she is still measuring really big.  She is estimated to weight 9lbs 3oz already.  Her head is in the 97% and my belly is measuring 34 weeks.  With all of that, they want to wait until closer to the original due date (since early ultrasounds are more accurate) and scheduled me for the 29th of November.  They said that the risks of things happening to a large baby (by getting stuck) are greater then the benefits of a vaginal birth.  I am not totally convinced, but since Baby Bear didn’t want to come out either (she took 6+ hours of pushing) there is cause to think that this will also be a problem with #2.

One one hand, I think “wow, that would be so great- long labor, pushing, risk of tearing, etc.” on the other “I really want her to come out the natural way since it is so much healthier for both of us (if there are no complications).”  Mr. BBH is much more calm and level headed about the whole thing.  He had to watch me go through L&D with Baby Bear and had a hard time seeing me go through what I was with Baby Bear (I didn’t have an epidural).  He even broke down and had to leave the room to compose himself. I think things would be easier with #2 if I just get the epidural and have a natural delivery but he Dr. says that he doesn’t agree with that option.  A good friend of mine did have a great suggestion though.. Wait until I go into natural labor so that the baby and I get all of the benefits of oxytocin and other hormonal changes that happen and then go to the hospital for the c-section if that is what they have to do. I think that might be (more…)

It is weird to look at my maternity app and see 1 week left. I get everyone that call wondering if I am calling with news of the baby. It makes me nervous to call any family or friends, especially my friend who is joining us at the hospital since Mr. BBH will probably be coming from work and may not have slept yet.


People at the gym almost freak out when they see me and ask every day when I am due. Can’t wait to see their faces if I go over the due date and keep working out! I don’t plan on stopping early since I always feel so good after a vigorous workout! (I am still spinning, weight training with my trainer, and doing cardio). (more…)

I thought that I was in the clear for illnesses and I had been feeling great lately.  All of the sudden food poisoning struck rolled together with a cold or allergy outbreak on the same day.  It is so hard to feel better when pregnant since you can’t take any of the traditional knock-out meds.  I thought up a whole list of Grandma’s Cures to help you feel better with no medication.



{1}
Chicken Soup
Who knew, but Chicken soup actually does help you feel better and it has been studied to be more then just a placebo effect. Check out this NY times article for more info. Plus it tastes even better if your mom, friend or hubby makes it and can only benefit your little bun in the oven.

{2}
Neti Pot
A neti pot is a small pot with a large spout or also you can now buy them as a squirt bottle. You mix a warm saline solution and irrigate your nasal passages.  It helps clear out all of the junk and lets you breathe easier.  Plus you can repeat it a few times throughout the day if you are having a lot of mucus.  Since it is only a saline solution in your nose and not a medication, it will not effect your baby.  Too scared to try a neti pot (or need some additional relief)? Hold your head over a seamed bowl of water and that will also help the mucus drain. (more…)

Won’t Back Down is not the title of my new comedy album- although it would be a great one, but it is the name of the movie I saw last night before it’s official release into theatres on September 28th, 2012. I laughed, I cried- yes y’all, IT WAS better than Cats! Not just because it had an all-star female cast in Academy Award Nominated actresses Viola Davis and Maggie Gyllenhaal and Academy Award Winner Holly Hunter, but it was so incredibly inspirational.

Won’t Back Down was inspired by actual events of two mothers, one of whom is a teacher, whose ultimate goal is to get the best education they can for their children- thus providing them with skills for the very best future they can have. Without giving too much away, because I truly believe you should ALL see this film; these women, against all odds, rally themselves and their community to get through the red tape bureaucratic BS that keeps so many things status quo and they make a difference. A HUGE difference. They take an entire school that is failing and that has unacceptable learning conditions and they buck the system until they have the chance to create the environment of education and culture that every child should be entitled to in this great country of ours.

I make plenty jokes on this blog because a) I’m a comedian and b) (more…)

When you’re this far along in pregnancy most of us have the potential for feeling heavier and crappier than ever before; so there’s nothing like a huge compliment and a surprise of goodies in the mail to make you feel better about life. Which is why this blog is dedicated to two groups of folks who put a smile on my face this past week.

Shout out #1 goes to Trader Joe’s whom when my husband, CJ, and I don’t get everything we need from the local Farmer’s Market here in SoCal we patronize constantly. Among other things, I love them for carrying gluten free mac ‘n cheese, pasta and ginger snaps . But I am completely in love with them for hiring Jason who when CJ and I were checking out the other day carded me because my husband had put a bottle of beer in the basket. I was like, “Oh, that’s nice- at least you still think I’m under 40.” Then Jason replied, “Actually no, we have to card anyone who looks like they could be under 30.” I wanted to make out with him right there I was so ecstatic.

Shout out #2 goes out to PopSugar who essentially made my entire week with their goodie bag i.e. the POPSUGAR MUST HAVE BAG. I was an honored recipient because of my blogging connection (more…)

I know, I know that is not the most positive way to start out a blog entry…but after getting less than 2 hours collectively of sleep last night I’m grasping for whatever tidbits of positivity I can to make myself feel better. ‘Cause today I’m bloody shot,  as they say. I’ve always prided myself on being someone who not only sees the glass half full, but appreciates that it is glass and not some crappy plastic cup from a bar that’s contaminated with BPA. But it’s taking A LOT to keep my chin up right now.

I have already called my mother crying a) because she gets it and she’s only 1 hour behind me in Texas b) because my husband CJ is 3 hours behind me in California right now and most likely still asleep. But not to worry I’ve got enough tears stored up so I can cry to him later when he’s fully awake and can appreciate my misery (more…)