Preggisode: Week 11 from Teresa Strasser on Vimeo.
If I’m going to exploit my baby, why not start now, by exploiting my pregnancy-related emotional problems?
In this video, my husband tapes me freaking out during my first trimester. Someone told us to keep a video diary. Self absorption meets hormone surge and they get along great!
The Mr. is just a regular guy who works for a computer company, which is why he adorably, but unknowingly, shoots right into a mirror. Still, he does a decent job tamping down the tears. I’d like to say we’re kind of Sonny and Cher, but more like Sonny and Overshare.
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Acne, weight gain, snots and all, you still managed to look gorgeous in that video (seriously!) I enjoy listening to you on the Parent Experiment. You are the friend I’ve never met.
i found this a week ago and just came back because i needed to be reminded i’m not alone. i am 11 weeks, 3 days and crying all the time, feeling fat and zitty and gross. thanks for helping me feel normal.
Great site, exactly what I was looking for, I can’t get your RSS feed to work right in google chrome though, is it on my end?
I got that “rash” too….since I didn’t know I was pregnant and my doctor didn’t check he said it was an allergic reaction. So, I blamed the detergent at the gym…but now I know it was the early signs of pregnancy. It took a long time to go away…if you consider a week or two long. I haven’t had anything like that since and I am on week 20 now and I just get little pimples from time to time…nothing like the rash I got in the first few weeks of pregnancy.
I want to thank you, thank you, thank you for this post. I have stumbled upon a nasty case of adult acne (not pregnant, just livin as a single 28 yr old confined to her house due to this teenage disease!) and I had a a break down last week. Same parade of tears, self conscious loathing, and helplessness! Its still unreasonable but I feel far better knowing that I am not alone in my breaking down over such a “superficial” thing. Its not superficial, every second Im conscious of others judging my ol mug and my students whispering about how their teacher has more acne than any of their hormonaly raging bodies. But I digress, I really appreciate your post and you and the Mr. deserves a double high five (high ten?) for being so sweet and honest with each other. Id rather talk hemoroids, intestinal distress, or anal leakage over acne. acne is embarrassing in every way possible.
Oh honey!–you are a red-hot mess here
ha ha. I can see from your other postings that you’re back to yourself and you look great. I am a mama of a 2 year old now and I can appreciate and empathize with your pregnancy. You will be great!
Hey Teresa, I love the preggisodes. I have to say, however, that when first you were complaining about your pregnancy on Adam’s podcast I was a bit annoyed having been through 4 years of infertility. You have been extremely blessed, and it can be upsetting to those who have gone through this to listen to a pregnant woman whine about the everything we wish so much to have.
Having said that, I do love laughing at (I mean with) you as you lose your mind a little during these horrible hormonal surges. I know you will be and great mom, and somehow seeing these meltdowns make me feel a little less jealous. Keep up the good work.
Yes, I was self-conscious about this very thing, knowing how blessed we are to have gotten pregnant so easily – especially seeing as I’m old as shit and have had many girlie problems over the years. I try to always mention that I know I’m complaining about “high quality” problems, but that can get lost. I can’t imagine, but often contemplate, the incredible pain and confusion of infertility. I would say I feel your pain, but I probably can’t even begin to. I just empathize.
All of that being said, joy, serenity and total comfort with one’s life are not essentially that engaging. Or in my case, that true. So, thanks for cutting me some slack. I would hope it’s a comfort to know that most of us, know matter how much we seem to have, struggle in some way or another. It’s all I know to be honest about the experience, good and bad.
Also, bragging about my own happiness seems not only like a good way to jinx it (I know, crazy Jewish superstitious thing), but also a fast track to being smug and annoying.
I’m really grateful for your comment, and I get it.
Teresa, I heard the your podcast this morning and heard your comment about someone who had complained about your complaints during pregnancy and thought, “Oh s**t, she might be referring to me!” I only just now read this incredibly thoughtful and gracious response from you to my post from that time–thank you for that. I have to say I am a bit embarrassed about my negative behavior–i have a feeling you weren’t the only recipient of that emotional barfing during that painful time in my life. I think I was feeling pretty sorry for myself in those days. I have a new attitude about the whole process now and am about to continue on with our baby quest.
You are so right about always having someone else who is worse off than yourself, and I figured that out after my July comment. I am healthy, have a fabulous husband, possess two arms, and two legs, and doggonit people like me! Anyway, I am not even really sure you were referring to me but thank you anyway for reminding me of how our attitudes and thinking are so important to keep in perspective.
On a side note: Before you started called Nathaniel “Buster” we adopted to kitties one of which we coincidentally named “Buster.” (That comment sounded more interesting in my head….)
Please keep up the good work. I love the Parent Experiment and like to listen and prepare myself for what’s to come.
Sincerely,
Nicky
PS: Happy Valentines Day!
T-
Fat and shiny is never a good way to go through life.
That being said this vid was brilliant. Luckily, it’s only a phase.
Yeah that was embarrasing, you’re right! I just had my baby a few weeks ago though, so I know where you’ve been. Even though you think this is hard, life is easier pregnant. I swear. Enjoy these last bits of solitude and silence. I know people are always saying that, but it is SO TRUE. I love my little baby girl, don’t get me wrong…but wow. I’ll be a much happier (and more sane) woman when I can lay down and sleep for more than two hours in a row without dealing with baby screams, spitup, poop or all of the above. Not to mention arguing with my husband (which we normally NEVER do) and being fat still even though the baby is out.
Don’t listen to me, I’m coming off a rough night of having a colicky two-week old. Motherhood is a JOY. :/
You’re right, this IS embarrassing. I wish I never saw it.
So, when this eventually happens to my wife what do I say? Nothing?
“i know baby, i know”
“shuuuuuuut up, you’re pregnant WTF did you expect!”
“I’ll be back in three hours”
“here have some of this weird ice cream we made last month”
I think I’d just hide under the bed and say “tell me when you DON’T look like a monster so I can come out”
Wow, in this video you remind me a bit of a brunette Andrea Roth (Rescue Me)… perhaps it’s the eyebrows.
thank you for posting this video! I am at the 11 week of my first pregnancy right now, and your video was just what I needed to know that all this stuff I am experiencing is part of the program. while, I too have been absorbed in my own self-pity, your video enabled me to come out of it for a little while to laugh hysterically and knowingly along with your video. thanks for making my day!
I miss hearing you everyday! This video is hilarious and i never want to have kids now. Seriously. I’m single and i think i’m staying that way.
More videos please! You are so freakin’ funny. You must do these videos regularly. I sent this to my mom, she loved it. She’s like who’s this Teresa girl? She’s a riot!
Teresa.
I have to admit, your video taped mini breakdown made me giggle. Looks like you have a great husband, who must love the crap out of you. How adorable that he was all supportive and ready with the camcorder when your tears started flowing:)
Even if you feel like a gross parasitic host, know that you come across as a glowing, beautiful, hot mamma to be. As someone who is PETRIFIED of the idea of pregnancy, you make it look allot less scary, and allot more funny.
Oh Teresa! I’m laughing so hard I’m crying. You are not alone my friend. I am the mother of two little boys, Nathan (8) and Ryan (1) and I’m convinced that the “glow” they talk about when referring to pregnant women is really just the glistening of tears running down our faces……..it’s not easy, but it’s so so worth it.
LOL… I;m still laughing. I’m sorry and I know you probably want to punch me in the face right now, but this video will make you laugh later. I’m only laughing because I cried and felt the same exact way when I was pregnant with my son. What would drive me crazy is that my boyfriend would say the same things your husband was telling you. “baby you look beautiful… you’re NOT fat… I still think you look hot” and in your head you’re like “F*** You! You just get to sit back and relax while I DO ALL THE WORK!!” As if 9 months of insecurity and emotional hell weren’t enough, you still have the baby blues to look forward to. Those are tons of fun. Take it from someone who understands exactly how you feel… you really do look great. and 30lbs is not much. My sister gained a little over 50 lbs when she was pregnant. When you are in mommy lala land take a minute to watch this video again and I guarantee a great laugh. You’re gonna think all the stuff that made you cry is now so trivial.