Early Pregnancy Excuses for Sobriety

Are you newly pregnant, but not quite ready to explain to your friends that you're not interested in drinking for two? Here are some helpful hints on how to keep your pregnant status secret in a social drinking situation.



1) Mocktails

This can be a bit tricky because you might not want anyone to witness you ordering a near-beer or a tequila-free margarita, but it can work fine if you can go up to the bar by yourself.

2) Fake it

A regular Coke looks the same as a Jack & Coke. Same thing for 7-Up and a vodka tonic. Or try ordering a water at the same time as a real drink, just sip the water instead.

3) Double up

Order the same drink as your spouse and let him double-fist it. Why not let him have a little extra fun since you're stuck being the designated driver anyway.

4) Be a supportive friend

Hang out with other obviously pregnant ladies or recovering alcoholic friends and share in their non-drinking status to show your "support".

5) The old imaginary illness trick

No one can drink if they're taking antibiotics or cold medicine! Invent a fake illness accordingly, but try not to get too creative. The run of the mill sinus infection or migraine will do.

Book Review: Buy, Buy Baby

Buy, Buy Baby by Susan Gregory Thomas is a book written by a mom with young kids to inform other parents about how today's consumer culture has evolved, how the machine of marketing works to manipulate consumers and why we should care about it. The author uses common-sense language to discuss recent and relevant research about the effects of media, screen-time, advertising and general consumer culture on our children. I was shocked to realize how these corporations are using and often funding the latest research in child development in order to sell things directly to babies and toddlers.

Thomas also delves into how babies learn, what they really see when they watch the TV and what it takes for a program or toy to be truly educational. It all boils down the fact that background television and active TV watching erode the ability of a child to focus on active play--and play is the work of children. Creative, open-ended play with blocks or the like is how kids build the foundations for further learning and problem-solving as they grow into adulthood.

In summary, this was an engrossing, thorougly readable and eye-opening book. Before I read Buy, Buy Baby, I thought that babies and toddlers watching TV was no big deal because I was raised with TV too--but I've changed my mind.

Eating Solids?

Is your child ready for solid foods but you need some tablewear yet? Bored with the offerings at Target, etc.? Try out IKEA's new children's tablewear selections. Right now they're offering the delighful MATA, a 4-piece froggy dinnerware set, for only $2.99. At that price, pick up a few extras for Christmas gifts. Could you use more utensils? Try KALAS, an 18- piece cutlery set, for a mere $1.99.

MOTHERS Act for PPD Support

Every year, 8000 American women suffer from postpartum depression (PPD) and only 15 percent of these women actually receive any treatment or assessment for it. Pretty incredible, huh? To raise awareness, there will be a national blog action day on October 24th in support of the MOTHERS Act--The Moms Opportunity to Access Help, Education, Research and Support for Postpartum Depression Act.

To show your support for the MOTHERS Act, contact your senator next Wednesday and let him or her know that we American women need this bill to pass! We absolutely need the help and support of our lawmakers to get this bill approved.

Mark your calendars now! The blog action day is hosted by Postpartum Support International, BlogHer and Postpartum Progress.

Ticket Crazy Mommies

The hottest ticket in the Twin Cities right now is for Miley Cyrus' Hannah Montana tour at the Target Center next Sunday. According to the Star Tribune article "Miley Mania Makes Moms Hoppin' Mad", this show is the "most in-demand ticket since the 1991 World Series" but angry parents can't seem to get any seats via the usual methods: Ticketmaster and waiting in line at the box office. All of this mania is bringing issues about ticket sales and distribution to the forefront--exactly where do all those tickets go when they seemingly sell out the instant they go on sale? To get us decent seats to see Gwen Stefani last June, my sister joined Gwen's online fan club for access to pre-sale tickets. I've read that nearly half of all available tickets are commonly set aside for fan club members.

On a related note, I was blown away at how many kids were at the Gwen Stefani concert with their moms. Maybe it was because I was 9 months pregnant at the Gwen concert and had baby on the brain! There were tons of pre-teen girls there, with at least one mom in tow. Surprising to me, considering I would've rather died than be seen with my mom anywhere at that age. But I guess you must make some sacrifices for Gwen!

Cutest Baby Halloween Costume

Isn't this crazy cute for your little crawler? Not going to work with the stroller, but definitely adorable. Only $29.99 at Amazon.com.

Picky Eating: Like Father, Like Son?

According to a fascinating article in the New York Times, Picky Eaters? They Get it From You, the tendency to fear new foods (neophobia) is 78 percent genetic and 22 percent environmental. Kind of interesting when you reflect on your own childhood. I had a great fear for any and all breakfast foods besides cereal and I avoided the almighty potato like the plague, for some reason. My mother recalls a great distaste for potato pancakes. Not quite the same thing that this article is addressing, but experts do encourage parents to continue introducing a new food to a neophobe child from 5-14 days. Sheesh! I'm guessing after the first few rejections, only the most hardliner could resist ceasing and desisting.

Instead of giving up, Jessica Seinfeld (yes, Jerry Seinfeld's wife) just figured out undetectable ways to add heathly veggies into existing recipes. She wrote a book about it called "Deceptively Delicious" and I seriously think I want to read this one! Has anyone out there tried these recipes and are willing to let us know the results? I've also heard about this book: "The Sneaky Chef" by Missy Chase Lapane, and I'm sure I'll be scouring the library for it soon enough. Your thoughts?