Content Warning: Suicide, Alcoholism

This week, Kate and Claire are joined by an actual mental health expert…Aimee LeCours! Aimee is a stand-up comedian, improviser, mom, and licensed mental health counselor. She produces and hosts Psych!, A Stand-Up Therapy Comedy show (how cool is that)?! Kate and Claire ask Aimee the hard hitting questions like, should every parent be in therapy? Why did she go into the mental health field? Why do parents always think about death? You know, fun stuff only! Note: episode does not replace actual therapy (sorry).

Weekly Plugs:

Swim lessons for kids - New Yorkers or find an ISR instructor near you.

Harlem Meer

Florida Comedy Collective

Editing, recording, post production and dad insights by Joe Leonardo.

Music by Christopher Morucci

Follow @whatchaexpecting.

This week, we’re getting a GRASP on things – because Kate’s baby has his pincer grasp! Seemingly overnight, he can now pick things up with his thumb and index finger, a milestone that Claire didn’t realize was a thing until Rodney’s nine month appointment. The two talk about how quickly big changes can happen, and how something seemingly so small can mean the beginning of the end of the baby phase, a fact which Kate doesn’t have any feelings about so you can stop asking now, OK?!

Weekly Plugs:

Hanna Andersson

Green Garlic

Libraries

Editing, recording, post production and dad insights by Joe Leonardo.

Music by Christopher Morucci

Follow @whatchaexpecting.

Big news! Claire is finally…unemployed! With Claire’s job having ended, Claire has a clear sense of her identity and everything is fine. Kate and Claire discuss the logistics of the workday, and how Claire will be balancing her time now between freelancing and being a MAMA! The two discuss the role that your career plays in your sense of self as a mother, and what the future might look like for them both. Sidenote, totally unrelated, if you need someone to assist on your social media needs, we know a very talented tradwife person with a little time on her hands.

Weekly Plugs:

A good beach read

Project management software

Monday.com

Crocs

Nordstrom Rack

Editing, recording, post production and dad insights by Joe Leonardo.

Music by Christopher Morucci

Follow @whatchaexpecting.

This week, Kate spent her first night(s) away from her baby for a humor writing reunion! Claire also spent her [insert large number here]th night away from Rodney for one of the final weeks at her job. What was the trip like for Kate? Has travel away from family gotten easier or harder for Claire? Kate and Claire discuss how spending time away from your family can be occasionally guilt-inducing, but also restorative to your sense of self. Mostly, just tune in to hear Kate gush about St. Nell’s (guess what her plug is this week…you’ll never guess!).

Weekly Plugs:

St. Nell’s Humor Writing Residency

Emily Flake

Baby shoes with traction

Reusable water balloons

Editing, recording, post production and dad insights by Joe Leonardo.

Music by Christopher Morucci

Follow @whatchaexpecting.

This week, Kate and Claire (mostly Claire) are having some big feelings about big feelings. As Rodney has fully entered his tantrum-having toddler era, Claire is struggling to navigate whether to give him what he wants to hold her ground. (She definitely never gives in, obviously.) Kate and Claire marvel at the size and newness of all their kids’ feelings, and reflect on the big stuff making them feel big feelings right now as grown ups. Who knew big feelings weren’t just for kids?!

Weekly Plugs:

You Make My Heart Go Vroom

Boogie Manja Sketch Show

How to Be a Saint

Editing, recording, post production and dad insights by Joe Leonardo.

Music by Christopher Morucci

Follow @whatchaexpecting.

This week, Kate and Claire discuss who is and is not currently the preferred parent in their household. Is it permanent? Is it cyclical? Does breastfeeding have anything to do with it? And, how can Claire sabotage Cody so that she can finally have a turn?

Real-Life Example of Rodney Preferring Cody

Weekly Plugs:

Browned Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies (undercooked)

Salted Brown Butter Rice Crispy Treats

Trader Joe's Brownie Bites

Editing, recording, post production and dad insights by Joe Leonardo.

Music by Christopher Morucci

Follow @whatchaexpecting.

This weekend, it finally happened…Kate’s family hung out with Joe’s family (and Claire’s family wasn’t even invited!) How did Joe’s kids react to having a baby in their space? How did Anthony respond to playing with such bigger kids? How will Claire ever forgive them for not flying her out for this epic hang? Kate, Claire and Joe discuss how hanging with the big kids can push you to stretch out of your comfort zone. Tune in for the heartfelt stories, stay for the babka lore.

Weekly Plugs:

Garlic

Purse pouches

Ponchos

Kossar’s

Editing, recording, post production and dad insights by Joe Leonardo.

Music by Christopher Morucci

Follow @whatchaexpecting.

This past weekend, Claire brought Rodney to a play cafe and an indoor playground. It was (mostly) super fun at the time, but reflecting on the experience, obviously, has sent her into an existential crisis. When you experience something as a parent that you enjoyed as a child, it can be really rewarding – and, surprise surprise, also anxiety inducing! What places are Kate and Claire excited to take their kids that they visited in their childhoods? And should Claire have said something to those 8 year olds who got in Rodney’s way at the indoor playground?

Weekly Plugs:

New York Botanical Gardens

Tiny Tots

Air fryers

Editing, recording, post production and dad insights by Joe Leonardo.

Music by Christopher Morucci

Follow @whatchaexpecting.

This week, it’s an episode to sink your two tiny baby teeth into! Anthony’s got his first tooth and Rodney has…molars? Wisdom teeth? No, just two and a half teeth! Kate and Claire discuss soothing your child through this painful moment of growth, and both reflect on the foods their babies can eat even without teeth. With this new phase of development comes new facets of independence and that definitely doesn’t fill Kate or Claire with any feelings at all! Come for the thoughtful conversation, stay for the tooth fairy discourse.

Weekly Plugs:

Cucumber

Slinkies

Five Below

Editing, recording, post production and dad insights by Joe Leonardo.

Music by Christopher Morucci

Follow @whatchaexpecting.

We’re back, baby! This week, Kate and Claire chat about morning routines. What do mornings look like these days with a baby? How has that changed with childcare in the mix? What weekend morning rituals have Kate and Claire picked up? Claire recounts childhood memories of “big breakfast”, a cherished tradition she wants to continue on with Rodney — and which Kate may or may not steal. And they return to the most important tradition of all — making fun of each other, of course.

Weekly Plugs:

Old Navy

Baby Gap

Challah French toast

Editing, recording, post production and dad insights by Joe Leonardo.

Music by Christopher Morucci

Follow @whatchaexpecting.