Strollerderby : maternity clothes

What They're Babbling About: Pregnancy, the Good, the Bad and the Newly Born

JeanneSager — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 16:26:00 GMT

Without pregnancy, there wouldn't be a parenting blog for y'all to read, so today's What They're Babbling About goes full bore on making baby.

Most of us would pay beaucoup bucks to keep the cameras at bay during pregnancy. But when the fantastic photog is the baby's daddy, and he writes weekly love notes like this, I think even a pregnancy-induced zitfest could look beautiful - Pacing the Panic Room

Whatever modesty you had pre-pregnancy is gone by the time it comes to the pushing. We'd bare it in Macy's window if it would just . . . make . . . it all go away. This mom came close - Macy's is less than a block from Penn Station, where one intrepid traveler gave birth. - Parent Dish

Breast is best, but what happens when the breastmilk has a toxo-load? Find out why moms are mulling contamination at the boob. - SuperEco

Ever heard two uglies make a pretty? Tell this girl - his ugly face and her ugly soul will make a pretty darn screwed up kid. - Jezebel

This is what we call recession maternity wear - making it work without going up a size. - LilSugar

So you think life is going to be boring now that you're giving up alcohol (for now, anyway) and spending every Friday night in front of Sesame Street? Guess again - changes are afoot. - MomLogic

Image: davhor

Congress Looks at Postpartum Depression Support

New Edition: What They're Babbling About

JeanneSager — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 17:31:00 GMT

We're introducing a new feature here on Strollerderby this week, one that will hopefully show up every Friday. We'd like to think we cover all the parenting news that's fit to type up, but we've got little monkeys running around our houses that sometimes demand our attention too.

Fortunately, a few of our friends outside the crib fill in for us. And Strolllerderby's bringing them home. We'll give you a look at What They're Babbling About every week, so you can have a playdate with us.

So what's the babble been like this week?

Good Enough Mother Rene Syler remembers begging for the white dolls that her friends had because there were none out there that looked just like her. With the hype (and mini scandal) over the now-renamed Sasha and Malia dolls, she ponders - is the attention on black girls good for little ones? - Parent Dish

Wondering what the baby's really thinking? Belle Vivir's got a letter from the baby to the Big Guy upstairs. And if you're expecting mush, look elsewhere because this baby's got some attitude. - Belle Vivir

If your Net Nanny's keeping out all the good stuff (like searchines of crib bedding people, come on, get your minds out of the gutter) how about a pile of kid-friendly Web search engines? - MOMformation

If there's no man around to play daddy, you're perfectly fine on your own. But you could always join forces with a bunch of other single moms to make your own big happy family. - Jezebel

So you hand your maternity clothes off to a friend who's got a bun in the oven and . . . uh oh, you're preggers. Can you ask for the clothes back? - Alpha+Mom

Image: Jezebel

What Pregnancy Looks Like

Madeline Holler — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 14:01:00 GMT

We see pictures of pregnant women all the time -- mainly celebrities, often airbrushed, only in the best couture.

But normal is always more interesting than perfect. Which is why it's fun looking at Slate's great slideshow featuring pregnant women around the world in the past 60 years.

This also reminds me that there are, like, zero pictures of my mom when she was pregnant with me or my sister. Well, maybe her face, but her body is hidden. Looking at the shots from the 60s and 70s in this slideshow gives me an idea of what she may have looked like, what with the serious weight-gain restrictions and the maternity muumuus. Maybe.

Photo: Slate

Pregcellent: My Shirt Says It All

Kelly Mills — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 13:30:00 GMT

Once upon a time, funny message t-shirts were the province of frat boys and other guys with beer bellies. Then they began to grow in popularity were adopted by fashion designers and hipsters. Then they ended up on small children who could hardly protest. (I'm guilty of this--my kid had a shirt that said "Cereal Killer.") Now there's a real explosion of message tees for pregnant ladies. Shirts that say "Knocked Up" and "Baby on Board" don't even begin to scratch the surface.

I have mixed feelings about this trend. Of course pregnant ladies should be able to flaunt some funny expression if they so desire. However, the majority of these shirts, like the majority of all message shirts, are highly stupid and doomed to be someone's bright idea for a shower gift. So here's my top three best and worst maternity message tees for the week.

Worst:

1. "Pregnant is the new sexy." Let me reiterate this: Unless you are a female rapper, saying "I'm sexy" under any circumstances is just irritating, true or not.

2. "I have milk." Yes, we know you will, though you probably don't now. Either way, we don't always wanna think about it.

3. "The Princess is Pregnant." What, you work at Disney? No princesses.

Best:

1. "If you didn't put this baby in here don't even think about touching my stomach." Finally, a useful shirt.

2. "The baby wants cake." Perhaps it's a bit trite, but I've always been fond of that sentiment.

3. "My fetus can beat up your fetus." I'm just a fan of violence, I guess.

Feel free to voice your opinion on this vital issue or add any you've seen that are great or suck eggs.

Pregcellent: Dress Up That Bump

Kelly Mills — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 20:31:00 GMT

Determined as ever to ride Halloween into the ground, I scoured the internet for, like, 30 seconds to find costumes for those with child this holiday. Then I got distracted by the open bag of fun size Almond Joys, and then I looked at pictures of puppies, and then I remembered I was supposed to be looking for costumes. Luckily Mamablogga has a list of ideas for you and for yer partner, though if you haven't gotten your outfit yet, you might be screwed by now. Unless you are one of those crafy types who whips up costumes in ten minutes, and that's only slightly less annoying than being in your pre-pregnancy jeans one month after giving birth. Just saying.

I actually like the pregnant nun and priest thing, but I'm easy to please like that. If I was knocked up I might go school girl, cuz that's funny too. Maybe you could be Mylie Cyrus, though you know, whenever you dress up like a celeb people always say, "Who are you supposed to be?" and once someone says that, it's anti-climactic to have to explain the whole thing. You could also make your partner wear a pregnancy suit and go as twins. But you know what my vote is for pregnant Halloween costume? Go as a playboy bunny. Ha! You could even pretend to frantically search for Hef with a paternity test kit in hand. I think pregnant women are the only ones who can really work the slutty Halloween costume thing to best effect. And whatever you do, remember: the baby wants candy, and lots of it.

Pregcellent: You Are Getting Sleepy...You Will Do Whatever Liz Lange Says

Jessica Ashley (Sassafrass) — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 19:55:00 GMT

Attention all pregnistas! Stop your prenataling immediately and listen to Liz Lange. Liz Lange makes maternity clothes for the stars! Liz Lange makes maternity clothes for the masses! Liz Lange has two kids! According to a recent press release, "Liz Lange is practically a maternity EXPERT!" But if you are worth your Week 28 weight in maternity info, you already knew that.

I do love Liz's take on belly clothes and I admit, I've come this close to buying some of her adorable capris with the soft elastic waist that beckons me from the Target clearance rack years after I gave birth. I'm just curious as to how her mad design skills make her an expert on all things pregnancy. Among her tips for being pregnant and pretty all at the same time are (and I quote):

1. Dress

"The best thing to do on the days you feel enormous is to actually show off your pregnancy."

Liz strongly urges all expecting mothers to find maternity clothing that fits them properly. Just as in your non-pregnancy life, clothing that is too tight or too loose can make you look and feel larger. Another quick fix for when you are feeling down about your new size? Try what Liz calls "dipping," which is dressing from top to bottom in one color such as black or dark brown.

2. Beauty

"Nothing wakes up your look like mascara, even if you can't stand makeup, invest in a good black mascara to instantly revive your appearance. It's like a cup of coffee for tired eyes."

Liz also suggests treating yourself to a facial every few weeks to really let the glow of maternity shine through. Even if you have never had a facial before in your life, starting during pregnancy is a wise time as many women undergo dramatic complexion changes and need to be re-educated on how to care for their new skin.

3. Exercise

"You're first impulse might be to veg out in front of the TV when you feel crummy, but you should do just the opposite. Don't worry, you don't need to run a marathon, but just a simple walk around the block will get your heart pumping and jumpstart your spirits."

Liz also recommends that women try to schedule some moderate exercise at least 2-3 times a week during their pregnancy. It aids in circulation and strengthens the body for labor. Liz always suggests consulting a doctor before starting any exercise routine, however.

You won't be surprised that our own Kelly said, "Liz can kiss my ass with that 'cup of coffee for tired ass bullhooey." You know what was like a cup of coffee for my tired eyes when I was pregnant? A little good morning romp with the Baby Daddy (Hello and Happy First Trimester!). After 30 weeks, I was very happy to get all dolled up in my hawt maternity clothes after I Benedryled it up through those otherwise sleepless belly-hauling nights. At 3 a.m. with a kicky fetus, swollen feet and an aching back, mascara would become more of a weapon for said Baby Daddy than a tool for rejuvenation. I'm just saying maybe Liz Lange should rethink the whole tip thing.

Liz Lange, you are not the devil, but maybe you should stick to your colored pencils and fabric swatches and let real experts like Lisa Rinna dole out the advice. (That's a joke, people. We all know Lisa Rinna should keep her expertise focused on lip inflation and dramatic soap opera facial expressions).

Pregcellent: Would These Tees Make You Barf In Your First Trimester?

Kelly Mills — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 13:02:00 GMT

You should see what Mir at Droolicious says too, but I'll say right off, I hate. I mean, no doubt pregnancy brings on some changes. But apparently the folks at PREgo rules believe it's all temporary, and the best way you can reassure yourself and the world that these nine months is by wearing $45 tees that say stuff like: "I'll be back...in my favorite shoes" with a picture of some pointy-toe heels, or "Better than healthy salad... just for now." with a shot of an ice cream cone. Barf. Barf. Barf.

Frankly, it's probably bullshit, the shoes may never be back, cuz those feet spread and you can't chase a toddler in Jimmy Choos. And shockingly, I eat ice cream even though I am no longer knocked up. It's this crappy vision of pregnancy as a temporary gluttony fest where the real you gets lost, when in fact, even though I'm in better shape now than I was pre-preg, I was permanently altered by the experience. Body, mind, and soul (we'll pretend I have a soul for the sake of argument) and really, I'm okay with it. I don't need a hug. And I also ~~couldn't~~ didn't have to bounce right back to a tiny jeans size like some anxious celebrity just to prove something. Because I was busy, with my BABY.

I also hate because I don't get who the message is for: are you reassuring other people, or yourself? If this is for other people, then yuck. Tell anyone who looks at you funny for eating goddamn ice cream to go labor themselves. Or if what you mean is, "Girl, you'd better not look at my husband like that because I'll be back in my two-piece swimsuit soon" then, um, just say that. It's very Terminator, "I'll be back." Prego claims, "At some point, along with this new 'little you' comes the (completely normal) 'losing yourself' feeling." Is the "little you" the baby? Cuz mine is her own self, thanks. Pregnancy is not the end of your life or solo identity or any such nonsense, but as a woman who hated being pregnant, I still wouldn't think of it as some lame period where I checked off the days until I could squeeze into my old bathing suit.