push presents?

Have you heard of "push presents"? Several weeks ago I read this article in the NY Times, "A Bundle of Joy Isn't Enough?", about the growing trend for new moms to receive gifts from their husbands after giving birth, usually in the form of jewelry.

Quoting the article: That’s “push” as in, “I the mother, having been through the wringer and pushed out this blessed event, hereby claim my reward.” Or “push” as in, “I’ve delivered something special and now I’m pushing you, my husband/boyfriend, to follow suit.”

“It’s more and more an expectation of moms these days that they deserve something for bearing the burden for nine months, getting sick, ruining their body,” said Linda Murray, executive editor of BabyCenter.com. “The guilt really gets piled on.”

A recent survey of more than 30,000 respondents by BabyCenter.com found that 38 percent of new mothers received a gift from their mate in connection with their child. Among pregnant mothers, 55 percent wanted one. About 40 percent of both groups said the baby was ample reward.

I remember first hearing about this idea years ago when Angie Harmon appeared on Oprah after the birth of one of her kids. She was a wearing a big fancy ring and said it was her present for giving birth. Her husband gave her a piece of jewelry for each kid. At the time I didn't think much about it other than, "That's nice." But now it seems that this trend is catching on and becoming an expectation for some new moms.

So while the idea of getting a gift for going through nine months of being inhabited by an alien and then getting that baby out seems justified, I also feel that this is becoming just another way for us to be materialistic. I mean, a baby is pretty great gift for all that work right? What do you think? Did you get a special gift, jewelry or otherwise, from your husband after having a baby? Do you think this sounds like a great idea or just another marketing ploy to get us buying even more stuff?

Do tell me what you think, and have a wonderful 3 day weekend!

*ring pictured from sundancecatalog.com

afternoon surprise

This afternoon I got a very nice workday surprise with a delivery of fresh flowers sent by my darling husband. They smell delicious! (Sorry for the lack of visuals.) The card read:

Just wanted to let you know how much I love and appreciate you, Katrina.
I love you more than ever!
Jared

Today is not a special occasion or anything. How sweet is he? And then he just stopped by to see me real quick on his way home from campus. I sure love him.

more politics

Rachel had this posted over on her blog today, and I couldn't resist putting it up on mine too. This little quiz asks you 14 policy questions and then tells you what candidates most closely line up with your preferences.

After taking this, I realize that I am still undecided on a lot of issues. I definitely need to do more research. So who was the top of my list? It was actually a tie between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. I totally admit that their policies aren't that different, but I definitely think Obama is the better candidate. Hillary is very smart, but there is just something about her that I don't trust. And I really don't see how being first lady counts as so much "experience". On the other hand, Obama seems truly genuine with a very diverse background that I find refreshing.

Take the quiz. It doesn't take very long. You might be surprised by who tops your list. And of course, please share!

an interesting little op-ed on romney

Today is the big day in Michigan, and I am very interested to see how it plays out. This morning the New York Times had an op-ed piece, "Driving Mr. Romney", by Dean Barnett, a staff writer for The Weekly Standard, who has known Romney for years.

You should read the article as it's not very long, but basically Barnett says that Romney's campaign has left people not trusting him, when in fact Romney is a really good guy who has the skills to be a great president and who's motivation is very sincere. I don't know Mitt Romney, but I have met quite a few people who know him well, including the current president of BYU-Idaho, Kim Clark. For years Mitt Romney was the Clarks' home teacher in Boston. Mr. Clark had nothing but wonderful things to say about Romney, and this was back before he was running for president.

Even if Romney gets the nomination, I don't yet know if I'll vote for him. I am still undecided on a lot of things. But... I really want to see him do well at this stage of the game. I am disappointed that he has been portrayed as a flip-flopper (not without reason). I really admired Gov. Romney who was elected in the very Democratic Massachusetts and really got a lot done. It makes me sad that he has now come across as so insincere.

I just hope he can pull off a win today in Michigan. If he doesn't, I'm afraid he might be done. But if he does, this campaign will be all the more interesting. He has, after all, managed to get the most total votes in 3 states than any other candidate. I'd say that's consistency, wouldn't you?

11 weeks

How your baby's growing: Your baby, just over 1 1/2 inches long and about the size of a fig, is now almost fully formed. Her hands will soon open and close into fists, tiny tooth buds are beginning to appear under her gums, and some of her bones are beginning to harden.

She's already busy kicking and stretching, and her tiny movements are so effortless they look like water ballet. These movements will become more frequent as her body grows and becomes more developed and functional. You won't feel your baby's acrobatics for another month or two — nor will you notice the hiccupping that may be happening now that her diaphragm is forming.

Good news! I have felt SO much better the past four days! It's been wonderful. I haven't been at all sick, just hungry! I hope this lasts, but I won't hold my breath.

Thank you to everyone who commented on my last post. I really appreciate your input. For anyone who still has thoughts, feel free to keep commenting. I welcome the different perspectives.

new documentary

Watch the trailer! I am so interested in watching this new documentary about childbirth in America. Fortunately, it's being released on DVD February 12, and I already have it on my Netflix queue. Anyone who has had or will have children will find this very interesting. As I am preparing to have my first, I have started thinking about how I want my birth to go. Obviously, I still have a lot of time, but it doesn't hurt to start thinking about these things now. My doctor is going to play a large part in that, and I want to make sure we are on the same page from the start.

Did you know that the US has the second highest infant mortality rate among developed nations? #1 is Latvia. Crazy! If you want to know more check out this CNN article. And for a review of the film check out this article from the New York Times.

I'm sure I'll have a lot more to say about this after watching the film and of course after I experience childbirth for myself, but I'd love to know what you all out there think. How do you feel about natural childbirth, hospitals, epidurals, midwives, c-sections, etc? If you've given birth, are you happy with your birth experience(s)? What surprised you most? The question posed on the film's website is this: "Should most births be viewed as a natural life process, or should every delivery be treated as a potentially catastrophic medical emergency?" I really am interested in what you think, so please comment!

10 months, pregnant celebrities, katie's hair

First off, 10 months ago, Jared and I were married! Fun, fun! It's crazy how fast it goes. Marriage is fantastic! And I sure do have one fantastic husband! He's been taking such good care of me. Basically I come home from work and proceed to lay on the couch for the rest of the night while he makes me food and smoothies and whatever else might be of utmost necessity. He even watches Project Runway with me.... and likes it! I love you more, babe!








Secondly, there is something about being pregnant that makes you intensely aware of all pregnant women in the world. Like suddenly, every third woman you meet is also knocked up. And with our culture's obsession with celebrity, it suddenly becomes imperative to know which famous ladies out there are also expecting little ones. Suddenly, you feel a bond with women you will never, ever meet. It's weird. There is even a whole blog about celebrities and their babies! On that note, I thought I'd share a few of my current favorite pregnant celebrities.

• Nicole Kidman (I am so happy for her!)
• Halle Berry (Still as gorgeous as ever!)
• Jennifer Lopez ( Also still looking super hot)
• Giada De Laurentiis (She's a chef on Food Network whom I've recently started watching sometimes. She also guest co-hosts on the Today Show sometimes.)
• Cate Blanchett (She's so classy and stylish. Love her!)
• Toni Collette (I didn't even know she was pregnant until just now, but I think she's great and very pregnant.)

Of course there are lots more out there too, and there will be even more in the next 7 months. Ah, babies, there will always be more babies.

Thirdly, I am in love with Katie Holmes hair at the Critics Choice Awards the other night! I know she's had this cut for awhile, but I especially loved it that night. I am planning on chopping my hair off this spring to donate it, and I'm thinking I will do something similar to this. What do you think?

Question: Am I totally gonna regret having short hair during my last months of pregnancy when I get super fat, or will it be nice to have all that extra hair weight gone for the hot months of summer? Just so you know, this isn't a rash decision at all. I have been planning on cutting my hair for months. I'm just letting it grow a bit more to give the layers a chance to grow out some.

*In case something crazy happens with this photo, like the last one, I got it from InStyle.

pregnancy and politics

I still need to upload pictures in order to do a satisfactory recanting of our holidays. I have a feeling though that I didn't take nearly as many pictures as I could have because the pregnancy sickness finally hit while out in Utah during week 8. Lame. I didn't throw up, but I definitely had some bad days. And some good ones too I must add. I just never know. Since we've been back, I've actually felt the worst yet. And I did finally throw up for real yesterday. My entire eggs and toast breakfast. (I'm not counting the mouthful of water and stuff that I "burped" up on Saturday after walking off the plane.) Sorry, that is gross. I'll stop. Suffice it to say that I have felt rather lousy. But I know many of you have had it MUCH worse, so I'll stop complaining.

Monday we had a pseudo-doctor's appointment. We met with the OB nurse who went over medical history and the plan for the next 7 months of visits. I go back the 22nd for my first real visit with the OB. I'm excited to hear the baby's heartbeat!

On an entirely different note, what do you all think of all the presidential campaign stuff? I have been obsessed with watching CNN. There's only so much you can do when you feel nauseous every time you stand up. The presidential race is fascinating. I have my favorites on both sides, so it's fun to keep track of. I was really surprised Hillary pulled off a win yesterday in New Hampshire. She is definitely NOT my favorite. I really thought Obama was gonna beat her decidedly. McCain winning was not so surprising, but it was good to see that Romney wasn't that far behind. Oh the craziness that is politics! It's good entertainment.

i'm back

For all of you who have wondered where I've been, we were out in Utah for the Holidays. We got back Saturday night. Sunday I felt not so swell and today I am back at work. I promise updates soon on my trip and the latest on the alien that has taken over my body. I didn't blog at all while we were gone because my grandparents dial-up internet is the slowest in history! I do not have patience for such things. But I'll now be back to my regular blogging ways. More to come!

10 weeks

How your baby's growing: Though he's barely the size of a kumquat — a little over an inch or so long, crown to bottom — and weighs less than a quarter of an ounce, your baby has now completed the most critical portion of his development. This is the beginning of the so-called fetal period, a time when the tissues and organs in his body rapidly grow and mature.

He's swallowing fluid and kicking up a storm. Vital organs — including his kidneys, intestines, brain, and liver (now making red blood cells in place of the disappearing yolk sac) — are in place and starting to function, though they'll continue to develop throughout your pregnancy.

If you could take a peek inside your womb, you'd spot minute details, like tiny nails forming on fingers and toes (no more webbing) and peach-fuzz hair beginning to grow on tender skin.

In other developments: Your baby's limbs can bend now. His hands are flexed at the wrist and meet over his heart, and his feet may be long enough to meet in front of his body. The outline of his spine is clearly visible through translucent skin, and spinal nerves are beginning to stretch out from his spinal cord. Your baby's forehead temporarily bulges with his developing brain and sits very high on his head, which measures half the length of his body. From crown to rump, he's about 1 1/4 inches long. In the coming weeks, your baby will again double in size — to nearly 3 inches.