Interview With a Four Year Old

Inspired by the pregnancy and birth of my first son, I started this company. I have pictures with him in the cradle swing surrounded by tons of Prego Planners and store shipments…same with my second son. And since the beginning, I have always imagined in the back of my mind, being able to pass the company on to my children. Well, that was with the expectation that we would have a girl. And since it looks like there will be strictly frogs and snails and puppy-dogs’ tails running around this house, I had decided that there would just come a point when I would have to sell the business. That is until I discovered the incredible talent of my four year old.

Though he doesn’t know squat about pregnancy, his interview skills are through the roof! If you can answer his questions, then by all means…you’re hired! Donald Trump has nothing on my little B-man. With him as my company recruiter, we will be equipped with the best of the best to run this enterprise! However, now that I think about it, if that is the means in which we are hiring…then I’m fired!

You may know this interview process that I speak of. It’s something that my son puts me through daily to test my knowledge …and my patience. I often wonder if he is laughing inside. It goes something like this:

B: “Mommy, can I have some apple juice?”

Me: “I’m sorry Sweets, but we are out of apple juice.”

B: “Why?”

Me: “Because you drank all of it.”

B: “Why?”

Me: “Because you were thirsty.”

B: “Why?”

Me: “Because you must have played hard.”

B: “Why?”

Me: “Because you like to play hard.”

B: “Why?”

Me: “Because God made little boys that way.”

B: “Why?”

Me: “Because God is a creative God.

B: “What does ‘creative’ mean?”

Me (sifting through my “mommy dictionary): “It means being able to make neat things.”

B: “Why?”

Me (losing my patience): “Son, I’m sorry, but I don’t know why.”

B: “Why?”

Me (lost my patience): “I JUST DON’T KNOW. I’M SORRY. OKAY?!”

B: “Why are you sorry?”

Me (to distract him from the current conversation): “Would you like a cookie?”

B: “Yes! I want a cookie with some apple juice!”

And here we go again….

Now, take and implement that type of interview system in large corporations and in our government and that puts a much higher standard on qualifications!

Walking a "Faint Line"

I remember lying in bed one afternoon after arriving back home from a week-long vacation in San Diego. Suddenly, I had the "feeling" that I might be pregnant. Since we had been trying for some time, I jumped out of bed, ran to my supply of pregnancy tests (as I took them often) and immediately went through the "pregnancy potty procedure". Within seconds, the test showed positive!

My second pregnancy was a different story. While we had been talking about having a second child, we were anticipating the wait of becoming pregnant to be just the same as it was the first time. For weeks, I awaited the arrival of darling Mother Nature. After being two weeks late, I took a pregnancy test which showed negative. At three weeks late, I took another pregnancy test which also delivered a negative pregnancy sign. Finally, at four weeks late, I took yet another pregnancy test and it slowly showed a positive. When I arrived at my first doctor's visit, I was seven weeks pregnant and the home pregnancy tests almost never admitted to it.

So what happens when you are in that type of situation or when you receive a "faint line" on your home pregnancy test? Dr. Tracey Telles, obstetrician and fertility specialist, explains:

That depends. For a home pregnancy test to give you a positive result, your body has to be making a detectable level of the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). But not all pregnancy tests can detect the same amount of hCG; a sensitive test is one that turns positive even if a low amount of the hormone is present. The more sensitive a pregnancy test is, the earlier it will show a positive result.

If the test you're using is only faintly positive, it may not be very sensitive. If you still have the box, it should say somewhere what the test's sensitivity is — the lower the number, the better the test. For example, a test with a sensitivity of 20 IU/L (milliInternational Units per Liter) will tell if you're pregnant sooner than a test with a sensitivity of 50 IU/L. A good rule of thumb is that the more expensive a pregnancy test is, the more sensitive it's likely to be. But you should still read the side of the box to see what the kit says.

Many women get a faintly positive result if they're not as far along as they expected. If this turns out to be the case for you, taking another test in two or three days should give you more exact results. Most home urine tests should be positive by the time your period is due if your body is making the normal amount of hCG.

If your test is faintly positive for a few days and then turns completely negative, you may have had a very early miscarriage. Experts estimate that about 20 to 30 percent of all pregnancies end in miscarriage, so unfortunately this is very common.

Finally Going To Have A Baby

She is finally going to have a baby and she couldn't be more excited. Meet our next GlaMOMorous Expecting Mother - Kristen.

Tell us a little about your journey towards pregnancy.
My husband and I made the decision in April of 2009 to start trying to have a baby. So I finished my last pack of birth control pills and we were officially on our way towards a baby. Immediately I began having trouble with my cycles and we tried everything the doctor could do without having to go into the office. In October I saw my regular doctor and she did some blood work and determined that my testosterone levels were elevated. She referred me to a reproductive endocrinologist and after more blood work and a couple of ultrasounds it was determined that I have poly cystic ovary syndrome. In January 2010 we started Clomid. Our very first cycle on it was successful for us!!! We did a home pregnancy test on Sunday February 7 before church and it was positive!!!

What is your due date?

October 18, 2010.

Did you have a hunch you were pregnant before you found out?
I had no clue. I had been cramping the few days before I tested and I figured I was getting ready to start my period.

What was your initial reaction to being pregnant?
We were thrilled! After ten months of trying we were finally going to have a baby!

How did you tell your husband/partner?
I just woke him up and told him. Nothing fancy just that we were going to have a baby!!!

Did your husband/partner react in any certain way?
Since he was asleep when I went in there to tell him I don’t think it hit him right away. He was excited after he woke up!

Can you describe the moment you saw your baby for the first time during the ultrasound?

It was AMAZING! I was exactly six weeks so I was really nervous that we wouldn’t be able to see the heartbeat but as soon as we saw the baby we saw the little flicker of the heartbeat! It was so wonderful!

How do you feel about your changing body?
There haven’t been many changes yet but I welcome the changes.

What do you love most about being pregnant?
I love that we have this tiny little baby growing in my belly that is our baby to love and protect and raise!

What do you like least about being pregnant?
So far I love everything. I haven’t had any morning sickness, but that would be my least favorite thing if I did.

If this is NOT your first child, what does your other child/children think about a baby being in Mommy’s tummy?
This is our first child but my niece keeps asking me “Chickie, is your baby here yet?” it is so sweet. She asked me three times yesterday!

Do you know the gender of your baby? If so, have you chosen a name?
We don’t know yet. But we will definitely be finding out.

Have you been buying baby items yet?
My grandmother bought the baby an outfit and a sock monkey but we haven’t bought anything yet.

What are some necessities you would suggest to other pregnant women or women who are trying to get pregnant? Any creative alternatives to maternity clothes?
I have been buying dresses that have an empire waist to accommodate for a growing belly.

Does the thought of labor make you nervous?

Not really.

We wish you the best of luck Kristen! There is nothing in the world like being called "Mommy"!

If you or someone you know would like to be spotlighted on the GlaMOMorous World Blog, please contact us at sales (at) braelynbountybug (dot) com. Each expecting lady highlighted will receive a FREE Tot Tag of their choice.

The GlaMOMorous Angie

About five to six years ago, I met this beautiful, soft spoken sweetheart named Angie - happily married to her husband John and without children. Fast forward five years, she is the mother of two amazingly beautiful children, Caleb and Sydney, and one baby girl on the way. GlaMOMorous World…I would like you to meet Angie.

Tell us a little about your journey towards pregnancy.
Well, that’s a loaded question but I’ll be brief! About 7 years ago, my husband and I decided *we* were ready for children. God had other plans and it took over 2 years to get pregnant. He has blessed us immensely and quite easily since then.

What is your due date?
March 28

Did you have a hunch you were pregnant before you found out?
No, I was living in complete denial!

What was your initial reaction to being pregnant?
Uh oh! And then, a big smile.

How did you tell your husband/partner?
I’m ashamed to say it was over the phone after I received the news from my OB/GYN after blood work was done for a routine yearly appointment.

Did your husband/partner react in any certain way?
Uhhhh…really? But he was excited too after the initial news.

Can you describe the moment you saw your baby for the first time during the ultrasound?
With every heartbeat listen and ultrasound I cry with pure joy. It is such a miracle and a blessing. Even with my 3rd pregnancy, I am just in awe of the whole process and love to see her little face on that screen! It is also such a relief to see a healthy baby.

How do you feel about your changing body?
During pregnancy I actually feel better and more self-confident about my body than when I am not pregnant. It is that after baby body, I am not so excited about!

What do you love most about being pregnant?
Feeling the baby move. This baby has been quite active and loves worship music at church and hear her brother and sister talk to her.

What do you like least about being pregnant?
Lack of energy.

Do you have any odd or different cravings?
This once vegetarian loves red meat while pregnant!

If this is NOT your first child, what does your other child/children think about a baby being in Mommy’s tummy?
Both Caleb (4) and Sydney (2) are incredibly excited about the baby. They love to talk to her and kiss my belly. I hope they are as excited about her once she is born!

Have you been buying baby items yet?
Poor #3 will be getting all hand me downs from her sister! But I am sure she won’t be too deprived, girl clothes are just too adorable to not buy sometimes.

What are some necessities you would suggest to other pregnant women or women who are trying to get pregnant?
Let yourself nap if you can while pregnant. Don’t stress out about following what all the books say to do. Get in a good routine that works for YOU and YOUR baby. Exercise even when you don’t feel like it. It does wonders for energy level and self-confidence.

Any creative alternatives to maternity clothes?
I can’t stand maternity pants, so I buy regular jeans in larger sizes and just leave them unbuttoned. You have to wear extra long shirts, but to me it is worth it! I wear ‘cute’ sweat pants or yoga pants most of the time but when it is time to dress up a bit, I love wearing a decent pair of jeans and my black boots.

Does the thought of labor make you nervous?
A little. I’ve had one labor and delivery without any pain medications and one with an epidural at 7.5 dilated. I’m planning another natural one this time, but we’ll have to see how long the labor lasts!

What is your favorite maternity clothing line? Oh, I am not the person to ask this question! I don’t like shopping much and can’t stand maternity clothes so I’d have to say Old Navy yoga pants, Old Navy jeans (in bigger than normal sizes) and my husband’s closet!

If you or someone you know would like to be spotlighted on the GlaMOMorous World Blog, please contact us at sales (at) braelynbountybug (dot) com. Each expecting lady highlighted will receive a FREE Tot Tag of their choice.

Attention all you precious pregger ladies...and those of you who knows someone who is preggers. There are only two more days left to get an award-winning Prego Planner for $19.95. Forget yellow ducks and teddy bears, the Prego Planner is a fashionably functional pregnancy planner that was designed specifically for MOM. Makes a useful and affordable gift. See more at http://www.pregoplanner.com/.

Meet Clarissa

I LOVED being pregnant. The belly, the kicks...the big boobs! I loved pregnancy so much that it inspired me to start Braelyn Bounty Bug. And starting today, we are going to begin highlighting some amazing mom-to-bes from around the world. After all, they deserve the attention…they’re giving the best gift one could give - LIFE!

So without further ado, please meet the GlaMOMorous Clarissa.



What is your due date? How far along are you?
Due Date is March 16th, 2010 but, I have big babies who don’t like to leave my womb so I am going in for a repeat C-section on March 9th so—that puts me at 32 weeks.

Did you have a hunch you were pregnant before you found out?
YES! I knew the night we conceived that I was pregnant as crazy and insane as that sounds! As soon as it was soon enough to know, I took a test {or 3} and they confirmed! I just knew…it was a gut feeling from the beginning—I also knew it was a girl right away.

What was your initial reaction to being pregnant?
Extreme delight! This is my 3rd child and I definitely wanted to have one more before I turned 30 years old. The baby is due in March and I turn 30 in June.

How did you tell your husband/partner?
I couldn’t keep it in once I knew so I just told him to hurry home because I had a surprise-I went to the store and had bought a onesie that said “Daddy’s Girl” and put that along with the pregnancy test that said “Pregnant” on his desk.

Did your husband/partner react in any certain way?
He said “No way!” in disbelief that I was right from the get-go {the conception night} he literally made me get the kids in the car and we headed to Target to get another test so he could see the beginning to the end of the testing—and the result! LOL I was a tad bit upset to be honest but, once the shock wore off for him he was excited and called everyone.

Can you describe the moment you saw your baby for the first time during the ultrasound?
Just excitement—pure joy. They are so funky looking at first but, I knew that little pea would look cute eventually. The heartbeat flickering on the screen was the best.


How do you feel about your changing body?
I am loving it this time around. Like I said, I know that this is my last child so, I have embraced the belly. I have taken a picture of the tummy weekly since about 17 weeks.

What do you love most about being pregnant?
The “glow’ that you know you have. After the initial morning sickness goes away I always feel like my skin looks great and I am always smiling. Just the joys of knowing there is a tiny person fluttering around in your belly is amazing.

Do you have any odd or different cravings?
CAKE! My oldest child is a girl and I was the same with her—craved cake all the time! It’s not really odd but, it’s funny.

Do you or did you have morning sickness? If so, what have you found to calm your morning sickness?
I had terrible nausea which was sadly better than previous pregnancies for me. I had my head in the toilet for 3 months straight with my son so just the nausea this time around was way better. I found that Ginger Snap Cookies did the trick for me and also eating small snacks all day long.

Do you know the gender of your baby? If so, have you chosen a name?
We know it’s a GIRL! We actually had the ultrasound done after we had done one of those at home gender tests and the gender test said it was a girl so then the ultrasound was just a confirmation. We have chosen a name-we were most excited about picking a name.

Is there a special story behind the name?
We are naming our baby girl Suriyah Frances. Suriyah was the name of my husbands great grandmother and Frances was the name of my great grandmother. We wanted a very traditional Arabic name for a girl.

What are some necessities you would suggest to other pregnant women or women who are trying to get pregnant? Any creative alternatives to maternity clothes?
I always had an easy time getting pregnant. I thank God for that blessing. I really think that when you are ready, you will get pregnant and you have to just trust that it is in God’s hands. I have to admit that I don’t own very much maternity clothing at all. I own maternity jeans and wear lots of tank tops underneath slightly larger tops than I usually wear. The styles now are way more forgiving for pregnant moms and are roomy and longer making it easy to wear with a bump.

Does the thought of labor make you nervous?
I am having a planned C-section but, I do think of the chance that I will have to go through natural child birth and in all honesty, I am frightened of that!

Have you chosen to get the H1N1 vaccination?
I did! My doctor told me that another patient of his who is expecting got sick with the virus and she had the baby 10 weeks early and was in the hospital on a respirator for weeks. I couldn’t imagine taking that risk.

Anything else you would like to add?
As stressful and crazy as any one pregnancy can be, I think that the end result is always worth it. If you have never had a child before just know that in the end, when that little person is in your arms it is just the beginning of one of the most beautiful relationships in your lifetime. You will now know what true unconditional love is-and it’s amazing.

If you or someone you know would like to be spotlighted on the GlaMOMorous World Blog, please contact us at sales (at) braelynbountybug (dot) com. Each expecting lady highlighted will receive a FREE Tot Tag of their choice.

February Special

I'm a hopeless romantic so of course I love the month of February...roses, candlelight, kisses, and if you're lucky...diamonds ;o). While this month is filled with LOVE, it is also filled with a Prego Planner SPECIAL! Celebrating the love you have made, Braelyn Bounty Bug will be offering Prego Planners at a special price of $19.95 during the month of February. If you are pregnant or know someone how is, the Prego Planner is the ultimate companion when there is so much to DUE.