The Man describes me as a sentimental unsentimentalist. Or, maybe I’m an unsentimental sentimentalist? However you phrase it, he's right. When it comes to my personal relationships, I’m incredibly sappy. (Why, yes, I’m the girl who is tearing up in the card aisle at CVS after finding the perfect card for a loved one!) On […]
A friend of mine recently relayed the following story to me: I went to one of those Girls’ Pleasure Parties recently. When the consultant began describing her briefcase full of sex toys, I asked whether any of the products contained phthalates. “What are phthalates?” the consultant inquired. I then proceeded to tell the group about […]
As we drove up to the baby store, The Man noticed the parking spots for expectant mothers at the front of the lot and went to pull into one. “No way!” I exclaimed with a chuckle. “I’m pregnant. I’m not an invalid. I’m cancer free. I’m not using one of those spaces.” I’ve used similar […]
During my last sonogram two weeks ago, Baby Girl weighed in at four pounds and one ounce. The average fetal weight at 31 weeks is three pounds and five ounces. Given Dr. Real Deal’s concerns that her weight would be below average, this was wonderful news! Although not problematic, my weight is far from ideal. […]
I’m 40. The big 4-0. Some view this milestone as one to be dreaded and feel the need to justify that 40 isn't that old. “Forty is the new thirty,” they say to reassure themselves. Others bemoan reaching this year. "This is middle age! It's all downhill from here!" they exclaim. When I hear […]
“Oh My God! Your belly is so big!” Lately, I've heard that comment from several friends. I typically respond with silence and an eye roll. Do people think that they have to say something about my belly and my weight because I’m pregnant? (It’s the cancer equivalent of telling a patient, “You look great!” when that’s […]
Many women complain about the side effects that they experience during pregnancy. For the majority of women who haven’t had to deal with major health issues before pregnancy, these side effects can be disconcerting at a minimum and debilitating at a maximum. That thankfully hasn’t been my experience with pregnancy, though. I’m used to dealing […]
I always have a great time being interviewed on The District Dish with Kate Michael of K Street Magazine! This month, I was featured on the show for my class on The 50 Shades Trilogy. I thoroughly enjoyed having the opportunity to speak at length abut the class and help debunk some of the misperceptions about […]
Both my friend and I were diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer in 2010. We followed our doctors’ recommendations regarding surgery and treatment to a tee. In 2011, we both rejoiced over the scans that showed we were cancer-free. We had beaten breast cancer! We were survivors! For over a year, I had worn the survivor […]
According to the US Census, 44.6% of women between the ages of 15 and 44 are childless. Nearly half of those women who earn $100,000 or more do not have children. When I think of my five closest friends, 80% are childfree. I’d like to believe that we live in an age in which all […]