Thankful for…

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photo-82This year I’m thankful for being able to bear baby # 2! While it is my second experience, I am still dazzled by the miraculous and transformative process of pregnancy. I’m thankful for the fruit of my first experience that enchants me every minute of everyday. My only wish is that the baby turns-out healthy and never experiences real pain.

Whether having kids is a selfless or a selfish act has been hotly debated and perhaps more so lately as there has been a growing wave of people choosing not to have kids at all, arguing that such a choice is no more selfish than the decision to have kids. Despite all the sacrifice parents do for their kids, the argument is that having a child should still be considered a selfish act meant to bring to life a creature that will provide you a lot of happiness or even as a self-love act since a child is an extension of his maker.

Let’s be honest here, they do have a point and I do think that we should not judge people that make this choice. Having a kid should be a choice. Whether we like it or not, human beings act for the most part out of pure self-interest, therefore, I wouldn’t contest the underlying idea that there is major selfish element in deciding to have a child, however is that necessarily a bad thing? I think there should be a distinction between harmful selfishness (the kind that overreaches to harm others and usually is the type that creates conflict and leads on a greater scale to crises, wars and inequalities) and harmless selfishness (the kind that reflects self-interested behavior but does not negatively affect the greater good).

My heart goes to those deprived from this gift of childbearing whether it’s because of health reasons, social or financial circumstances or any other impediment but I am also thankful for the scientific and medical advances in the fertility and reproductive field that give some people the hope of fulfilling this dream.

Enjoy this upcoming Thanksgiving (the prep, the dinner and the therapeutic power of giving thanks!)  

Oh and Thank YOU for checking my blog!

Christmas Wish List for Mesdames Preggos

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Don’t be shy this Christmas and let Santa spoil you! Here are a few picks to get you started with your “Dear Santa” letter:

Preggo Christmas

  1. Cute sweater to show off your new motherly vibe during the holiday season: maternity “Mummy & Baby Penguin” sweater by ASOS
  2. If you support the new law in Pennsylvania banning people from touching a pregnant woman’s belly without permission, then those should be your main winter accessories: “Hands Off” Mittens by Monki Tanja
  3. This time during the holidays while everyone is cheering with his bubbly, red or rosé, you’ll have your unique very virgin toast by wearing those statement flats: TOAST Flats with “POP” & “FIZZ” signs by Kate Spade
  4. Live the Christmas spirit with the powerful but soft and comforting voice of Susan Boyle: “Home for Christmas” CD by Susan Boyle
  5. When it’s time for a lavish holiday party, don’t underestimate your style power. Belly or no belly you can still charm your man with a dazzling dress, I opt for the empire silhouette: Tulle, Chantilly lace, appliquéd red dress by Dolce & Gabbana. Supreme elegance!


Preggo Escape

  1. Ditch the roasted chestnuts and the snowflakes and escape to the sun! Nothing more Zen than floating your precious belly in gentle turquoise waves, under a blue-sky…perfect mind & body massage!
  2. Maternity swimwear? That’s boring! Keep your amusing beach style, except you will need a bigger size: “Lovers En Espace” striped bikini by Rosamosario
  3. Feel like a good read for the holiday? Here’s a delightful and inspiring book that I just started. A parenting tour around the world that showcases different cultures with different childrearing approaches. For my fellow Lebanese, we are featured 😉 : “How Eskimos Keep Their Babies Warm: And Other Adventures in Parenting (from Argentina to Tanzania and everywhere in between)” by Mei-Ling Hopgood
  4. Highlight your Preggo silhouette with a bubble mini-dress…so glamorous for a romantic dinner during the sunset: Ruffle dress by Mary Katrantzou

Crazy Cravings!

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cotton candyPregnancy hormones are bringing out the worst in me! Euhhh, let’s just stick to food here! While I thought junk food is something I had by now fully defeated and my body has fully detoxified itself from all the residues of my juvenile consumption, much to my surprise I discover that my unrefined kidlike sweet tooth is making a comeback right at the most sensitive time when I should be feeding myself and my infant some real food! I can’t believe that the other day I was walking down the street with a bag of sour jelly strings while strolling my daughter, and discretely munching on these rainbow colored gelatins hoping that no other passing mama sees me and gives me the look! I hoped it would stop there, but it didn’t! A couple of days later, while I was running after my daughter in the park, I saw a cotton candy vendor passing and again my hormones sprung into a “ding ding” musical! The worst part this time is that I couldn’t hide that from my daughter, whose eyes bulged out at the sight of the bright pink candy!

While I found that repressing my cravings is not the solution but is more often counter effective, I decided to accomodate my body’s wishes. So when a bad craving strikes, if a healthier option wouldn’t satiate, I decided to go ahead and enjoy the food I craved but in a small amount. For example, according to my rule, one bite of that cotton candy would have been more than satisfactory. Now practice and scheme can differ a bit but it’s important to have a plan!

Here are some healthier snacks when you feel like something

  • Crunchy: rice cakes; toasted whole-wheat pita bread; unsalted nuts or sunflower seeds; low-fat popcorn; whole-grain crackers; unsalted whole-grain pretzels; trail mix and raw crunchy veggies like celery.
  • Creamy: low-fat ice cream; low-fat vanilla coffee; low-fat flavored yogurt; and yogurt and fruit smoothie
  • Chocolaty: dark chocolate bite; dark chocolate-dipped strawberries, banana or dried fruits; low-fat versions of: chocolate pudding, frozen fudge bar, hot chocolate milk and banana frappe
  • Sweet: fruit jam with no added sugar; honey; frozen pops with 100% juice; sorbet; dried fruits or fruits like grapes; and melon

Don’t forget to keep the portion small!