Take away the stuff they want. Put your food in containers that they can’t chew through, or in the fridge. Move your pets’ food and water at night. They may leave if they’ve have no reason to stay. But ultimately they have to go, even if that’s by way of lethal traps.

I was pretty confused because I had my floors redone a couple years back and don’t remember any dust.

The “rusty nail” stereotype of tetanus is frustrating to me as someone in a high risk profession (I’m an archaeologist and have to get a booster every 5 years). It’s a soil bacterium and could be literally anywhere.

Yes, I thin they believe that. I’ve seen 5 week chemical pregnancies, which before pregnancy tests no one would have known about, been referred to as “angel babies.” Something like 70 percent of fertilized eggs don’t implant, which complicates the “life begins at conception” rhetoric.

I’ve had mono, the flu, and (acute, treated) Lyme disease. The first trimester exhaustion was worse than any of those. It does get better for most, but there’s not much that can be done before the placenta “takes over.”

Bitch away! I’m nearing the end of my second trimester now and I have to say it’s been worlds better than the first. Enjoy it! 

I’m 23 weeks in my first pregnancy and I was definitely showing by 15 weeks if you were looking for it. It’s different on everyone.

That’s so funny, normally I am a tomato fiend but I could not stomach them first trimester. I’m in my second now and I like them again.

I’m 23 weeks and the soft cheese and rare meat deprivation is starting to get to me. Along with the caffeine limit. Before I got knocked up I thought the not drinking would be the hard part, but I was wrong.

The caveat with expecting better is that Oster is a statistician, not a medical professional or a scientist, and also that there are always new studies coming out (there was a big study out of Ireland recently that may complicate her interpretation of the caffeine advice, for example. Ah science.)

Congrats! I’m 22 weeks myself, and so far the only book I can really tolerate is the Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy. It’s a little gooey but nowhere near as alarmist as What to Expect, and it presents the facts in adult language. What is with addressing pregnant women as if we ourselves are children?

I tend to give out cookies or tiny bottles of maple syrup as favors.

I’m a straight woman who wears dresses and stuff and I can’t do my hair to save my life.

For most women it does get much better between weeks 12-16. More energy, less nausea. 

I’m 20 weeks pregnant right now. I had horrible gastrointestinal issues my first trimester which caused cramping, and also a fair bit of bleeding. Well, here I still am so far so good. There are a lot of symptoms that don’t get talked about. Good luck to you!

I can’t stare at the sun, I am at work for the 5 minutes it is up during the day.

Congrats! 

I saw that play with my mom last week! It was very cute. My mom hasn’t even read any Jane Austen and she still enjoyed it.

I’m also an atheist with a big fondness for holiday lights. My house is tiny but it has a porch so I like to just wrap the whole porch railing and beams in white lights.

She’s one of my favorite historical figures by far. I love her quote, “I do wish they’d had the decency to shoot me.”