I have a big bone to pick with the fashion industry. Why is it that as a pregger you're reserved to peasant tops with big, bold flowers; khaki-type slacks that make your butt look like it's about 4 times its actual size or matching outfit sets that compare to the clothes I used to crave from Smart Set when I was 9 years old?
And, why - and I really want an answer - are these maternity clothes made not only with enough room in the front for your growing belly, but with enough room in the rear to safely store a stroller? Let me remind you I'm not a petite pea by any stretch of the imagination. I've got a healthy layering of flesh on my bones, but obviously when you're prego you're immediately expected to quadruple the size of your ass.
I have visited just about every decently priced maternity shop in Manhattan (which aren't many) and have scoured the web, trying to find clothes that are reasonably-priced and stylish enough that won't have me regretting my new shape. I haven't had any luck.
So, I decided to get creative. Since loosey-goosey seems to be the trend this summer, I decided to head back to the regular shops and try to find trendy clothes that would also fit my body. I've actually had a few hits - H&M offers cute summer dresses and tops with empire waists that have ample room for my growing belly. The only issue is that the front of the garment will slowly rise up as my girth increases. I can totally live with that!
So, to continue with my hunt, I stepped into Banana Republic, who has a great selection of loosey-goosey. As the men's wear department was near the entrance, the greeter was poised to direct me to the women's department. But, as she began her guide routine, her eyes fell onto my belly. With her hand in mid-air pointing to the back of the store, she was at a loss for words. A little more than 4 months along it no longer looks like I've eaten too many Hostess cupcakes. But, I'm not huge - not by any stretch of the imagination!
With a quizzical look, she tried to form words in her mouth. Embarrassed at her ogling, I finished off her sentence with the words she was so desperately seeking: "Women's?" She nodded her head without taking her eyes off my belly.
I got several other looks in the store, but alas no one was willing to help me. Even the three women standing by the counter talking about how the recession is affecting their sales, didn't bother to try to scoop a sale with me.
So, not only am I forced to ignore my fashion sense, but when I try to recoup at least some style into my wardrobe I'm then left to be ogled and ignored. Lovely!
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Forgetfulness
They say that preggers become forgetful during their term. Perhaps this is what is affecting me.
Earlier today, I was talking with a woman at work about a project we were working on and out of no where, she says. "Listen, li. I'm going to give you some advice that I give every pregnant woman who has come up after me."
A successful professional and mother of now teenage girls, my ears should have perked open to her sage advice. Instead, I said "What?" And, my face, which has an unpokerlike quality and expresses every thought that crosses my mind, looked confused and concerned.
For what felt like a few moments, but was more like a split second or two, I couldn't understand why she was ready to tell me something that she tells preggers. What did I have to do with that?
And, then it dawned on me: Oh yeah, I'm prego! Duh! Of course, this awareness also displayed on my face, which caused for quite the awkward moment.
This definitely wasn't the first time I've forgotten this itty bitty fact. Perhaps I'm just a horrible mommy-to-be. Or, maybe, I'm the same gal I've always been and I haven't let the nugget take over my life?
Earlier today, I was talking with a woman at work about a project we were working on and out of no where, she says. "Listen, li. I'm going to give you some advice that I give every pregnant woman who has come up after me."
A successful professional and mother of now teenage girls, my ears should have perked open to her sage advice. Instead, I said "What?" And, my face, which has an unpokerlike quality and expresses every thought that crosses my mind, looked confused and concerned.
For what felt like a few moments, but was more like a split second or two, I couldn't understand why she was ready to tell me something that she tells preggers. What did I have to do with that?
And, then it dawned on me: Oh yeah, I'm prego! Duh! Of course, this awareness also displayed on my face, which caused for quite the awkward moment.
This definitely wasn't the first time I've forgotten this itty bitty fact. Perhaps I'm just a horrible mommy-to-be. Or, maybe, I'm the same gal I've always been and I haven't let the nugget take over my life?
Monday, May 11, 2009
Should you...?
I must preceed this entry with the statement - I love my hubby more than life itself, but the dude can drive me crazy.
Mr. Oh knows me very well and as a result knows not to use certain phrases in my presence. For example, any phrase that starts off, "You can't..." results in me doing the absolute opposite of his statement as a way of waving the one-finger flag at the world and shouting "Oh, yes I can!".
As a work around, he's plagued me with the incredibly passive aggressive question that starts off with "Should you..."
Should you still be exercising? Should you be drinking wine? Should you be eating that? Should you be working late? Should you be playing Wii? And the list goes on and on.
For the most part, I've let his questions roll off my back. As annoying as they're becoming, I know they're coming from a good place. But, I've found, others don't have the virtue of patience I was granted (I say this sarcastically as I have an incredibly short patience fuse).
The other night we went out to celebrate with some friends - I'm a Grad graduate (yea). And, to honour the momentous occasion I wanted a Prosecco Bellini. After confirming with the bartender that the only alcohol content was the wine-based Prosecco, I placed my order. As she prepped my drink, I stepped away.
When I returned Mr. Oh shared with me that he tried to tame the bartender, asking her to go easy on the Prosecco. As an explanation, he then "whispered" to her that I was pregnant (you know, because pregnancy is something like crabs or other socially-crippling disease that it should be whispered!)
Her snarky response: "Yea, I know" and continued to let the Prosecco flow. My hero!
Mr. Oh knows me very well and as a result knows not to use certain phrases in my presence. For example, any phrase that starts off, "You can't..." results in me doing the absolute opposite of his statement as a way of waving the one-finger flag at the world and shouting "Oh, yes I can!".
As a work around, he's plagued me with the incredibly passive aggressive question that starts off with "Should you..."
Should you still be exercising? Should you be drinking wine? Should you be eating that? Should you be working late? Should you be playing Wii? And the list goes on and on.
For the most part, I've let his questions roll off my back. As annoying as they're becoming, I know they're coming from a good place. But, I've found, others don't have the virtue of patience I was granted (I say this sarcastically as I have an incredibly short patience fuse).
The other night we went out to celebrate with some friends - I'm a Grad graduate (yea). And, to honour the momentous occasion I wanted a Prosecco Bellini. After confirming with the bartender that the only alcohol content was the wine-based Prosecco, I placed my order. As she prepped my drink, I stepped away.
When I returned Mr. Oh shared with me that he tried to tame the bartender, asking her to go easy on the Prosecco. As an explanation, he then "whispered" to her that I was pregnant (you know, because pregnancy is something like crabs or other socially-crippling disease that it should be whispered!)
Her snarky response: "Yea, I know" and continued to let the Prosecco flow. My hero!
Friday, May 8, 2009
Big ol' butt
Why is it that the moment you break the news that you're "expecting" do all the women in the office feel they have the right to comment on your physique???
I broke the news at work this past week. In truth, I should have done this 2 weeks ago, but I've been so busy that I didn't get a chance. So, as a result many had strong suspicions. Kindly, no one said anything; however, I was given enough knowing looks in the halls.
So, as I started with my telling. I got a nod, then a knowing smile, following by me asking the question "You suspected?" And it was at this point that they'd share "how" they knew. Here's a smattering of the comments I received:
"You just weren't yourself. Your skin was so sallow and dull." (so I'm damn ugly)
"You weren't dressing the same. You used to always come in tailored outfits." (so I guess I'm just a big, ol' slob now)
"You have this svelt, fit physique. And, well, lately you just weren't." (wow, backhanded comment or what?)
"The tell was all in your face. Honey, it just got so big." (the very previous day, after a long consultation with my mirror, Mr. Oh and I agreed that I had yet to gain weight in my face! I guess I can't trust him anymore!)
And, my favourite that literally broke my spirits and had me wondering if I was just another disillusioned woman who claims "I just gained it in my belly" when in truth you'd think they were carrying a second child in their backside.
"Oh, honey, do you think this is news to me. I've been watching your big ol' butt walking past my desk for weeks. It just gets bigger every day!" (This, after weeks of speed walking on the highest incline on the treadmill, doing squats daily, and sitting in Utkatasana (chair pose) whenever I get a chance!)
For the record I have gained a whopping 4lbs, which leads me to wonder, what will they say - to my face - when I'm up 35lbs??
I broke the news at work this past week. In truth, I should have done this 2 weeks ago, but I've been so busy that I didn't get a chance. So, as a result many had strong suspicions. Kindly, no one said anything; however, I was given enough knowing looks in the halls.
So, as I started with my telling. I got a nod, then a knowing smile, following by me asking the question "You suspected?" And it was at this point that they'd share "how" they knew. Here's a smattering of the comments I received:
"You just weren't yourself. Your skin was so sallow and dull." (so I'm damn ugly)
"You weren't dressing the same. You used to always come in tailored outfits." (so I guess I'm just a big, ol' slob now)
"You have this svelt, fit physique. And, well, lately you just weren't." (wow, backhanded comment or what?)
"The tell was all in your face. Honey, it just got so big." (the very previous day, after a long consultation with my mirror, Mr. Oh and I agreed that I had yet to gain weight in my face! I guess I can't trust him anymore!)
And, my favourite that literally broke my spirits and had me wondering if I was just another disillusioned woman who claims "I just gained it in my belly" when in truth you'd think they were carrying a second child in their backside.
"Oh, honey, do you think this is news to me. I've been watching your big ol' butt walking past my desk for weeks. It just gets bigger every day!" (This, after weeks of speed walking on the highest incline on the treadmill, doing squats daily, and sitting in Utkatasana (chair pose) whenever I get a chance!)
For the record I have gained a whopping 4lbs, which leads me to wonder, what will they say - to my face - when I'm up 35lbs??
Saturday, May 2, 2009
It's an alien
We had our first trimester screening this week and I had my first proud moment. The little bugger wouldn't sit still for the camera. He was bouncing up and down - at times it looked like he was doing a jig - moving his arms and legs spastically. Let's hope s/he gets a little more rhythm when it joins this world.
The technician was pretty annoyed and continued to jiggle my stomach to try to calm it down. It eventually did and we wrapped up the test pretty quickly.
During the test - which consisted of an ultrasound where the technician takes various measurements - she used a different x-ray wand on my belly and was able to magnify inside the baby's cave. She took close up shots of its face and showed me where the umbilical cord fed into it. She was going to show me more, but I pleaded with her to turn away the screen. It looked like an alien and I tell you those images have haunted my waking hours as well as my sleeping ones.
I'm all for doing whatever tests they need to do to get as much info as they possibly need. But, no one should see such scary ugliness. Mr. Oh, with his stronger stomach and luck of being spared the curse of nightmares, was also a little wigged out by the images and continued to ask "Is that normal?"
She gave us print outs of all the alien-like pictures. At first, I was going to toss them out, but I decided to keep them hidden for now. Who knows, one day I may get nostalgic and wish my child looked again like a freaky sideshow fit for a Star Trek convention!?
The technician was pretty annoyed and continued to jiggle my stomach to try to calm it down. It eventually did and we wrapped up the test pretty quickly.
During the test - which consisted of an ultrasound where the technician takes various measurements - she used a different x-ray wand on my belly and was able to magnify inside the baby's cave. She took close up shots of its face and showed me where the umbilical cord fed into it. She was going to show me more, but I pleaded with her to turn away the screen. It looked like an alien and I tell you those images have haunted my waking hours as well as my sleeping ones.
I'm all for doing whatever tests they need to do to get as much info as they possibly need. But, no one should see such scary ugliness. Mr. Oh, with his stronger stomach and luck of being spared the curse of nightmares, was also a little wigged out by the images and continued to ask "Is that normal?"
She gave us print outs of all the alien-like pictures. At first, I was going to toss them out, but I decided to keep them hidden for now. Who knows, one day I may get nostalgic and wish my child looked again like a freaky sideshow fit for a Star Trek convention!?
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