Whatcha Expecting?

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.

Well, it’s the end of season two, and this time Claire and Kate have actually planned for their season finale instead of just going right up until a baby is born! Kate and Claire take the occasion to revisit this season’s topics and update us on where their babies are now. What milestones have they both reached? Is Rodney saying mama yet? Has Anthony been sleep trained? And what might be next in store for both babies (and also their parents) when we return for season three? Get these answers, and maybe one or two more if they’re feeling generous!

Weekly Plugs:

Solid Starts

The Catchy

Going outside

Our podcast!

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

Music by Christopher Morucci

Follow @whatchaexpecting.

This is the week that Claire has finally sleep trained her baby…sorry, toddler. What method did she use? Were earplugs required? Claire talks through how being competitive with Kate helped drive her to sleep train (you’re welcome), and the benefits it’s had for her and her family. Meanwhile, Kate shares her own plans for upcoming sleep training, and the considerations she’s weighing in managing night feeds. They chat with Joe about the sleep regressions to expect in the future — there will be none, of course, right? Right?

Weekly Plugs:

Stand up popcorn machine

Jiffy Pop

Blackout film for windows

Tension curtain rods

Pop Corners

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

Music by Christopher Morucci

Follow @whatchaexpecting.

This week we’re talking…about talking! While Kate’s baby is babbling up a storm, Claire’s toddler is starting to use all kinds of words. Just one problem; the one word he won’t say, is mama! The two discuss the different methods Claire’s tried for getting him to say her name, and the two marvel at how babies understand our identities as mothers at the most primal level. Will Rodney say “Claire” before he ever says “mama”? What sorts of things are they both excited to hear their babies talk (or gossip) about? Tune in to hear all the non-mama words!

Weekly Plugs:

Legislation

BabyQuip

Baby carrots

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

Music by Christopher Morucci

Follow @whatchaexpecting.

Maternity leave is over! As Kate returns to work, she discusses what it’s been like to slowly ease her way into a new routine. Claire recounts what it was like when her maternity leave ended, and how surprised she was to find herself suddenly rusty at skills that used to be second nature. They both consider what it’s like to come back when who you are has so fundamentally changed, and how to manage and embrace those changes. Come for the life lessons, stay for the tangent on the cost of daycare!

Weekly Plugs:

Changing your default meeting time to 25 and 50 minutes — give yourself buffer time!

Hot cocoa

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

Music by Christopher Morucci

Follow @whatchaexpecting.

It’s official: Claire’s son Rodney is finally a toddler! As we celebrate the anniversary of Claire’s C-section, also known as Rodney’s birthday, Claire reflects on what it feels like for her baby to be growing up. Will they throw a party? Who is a party really even for? After a year of being a parent (or 5 months in Kate’s case), what skills have they both gained? Joe offers his advice on navigating the toddler years, and the three get into very tense arguments — oh well, their friendships were fun while they lasted!

Weekly Plugs:

Our podcast (rate and review us!)

Goodnight Moon

Watching your kids while they sleep

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

Music by Christopher Morucci

Follow @whatchaexpecting.

We’re breaking up your regularly scheduled ice storm programming with a little fun in the sun! Back from a recent trip to Florida, Kate shares her travel tips for navigating airports as a breastfeeding MAMA! Claire recalls an early trip she took with Rodney to California, and shares how she’s approaching a family beach vacation a little bit differently. They consider the balance of work and travel preparations vs. relaxing and having fun when vacationing with a baby, and what it’s like to see familiar destinations through their eyes.

Weekly Plugs:

Our podcast!

Mamava App

Sarah Wells

Takedowns:

NYC Kindergarten application process

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

Music by Christopher Morucci

Follow @whatchaexpecting.

Drumroll, please; Kate’s baby has been cleared to start solids! But what goes into baby meal prep? What will be on the menu? Kate and Claire discuss what it’s been like for Claire as she and her husband introduced Rodney to solids, how they’ve shared in the responsibilities and joys, and what anxieties still arise as he eats more solids than…uh, liquids. Joe shares more about his family’s journey with allergens, and they consider the fears and opportunities for growth that arise as your baby navigates new foods.

Weekly Plugs:

Solid Starts

Manhattan Valley Pediatrics

Sleepwise Consulting

Claire’s algorithm

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

Music by Christopher Morucci

Follow @whatchaexpecting.

CW: Body image, Self image, Weight loss

Fresh from a personal training session, Claire shares a bit about her workout plan and current goals targeting one highly specific part of her body. Kate and Claire reflect on how their body images have shifted during pregnancy and postpartum, how their relationships to their bodies continue to evolve in unexpected ways, and what features they have come to appreciate as mothers. Come for the complex conversation, stay for Kate’s anecdote about a problematic dermatologist.

Weekly Plugs:

Sydney Cummings Houdyshell

Morning pages

Getting heart rate monitor to 100 bpm

Fitbod app

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

Music by Christopher Morucci

This week, Kate and Claire check in on how feeding their babies has been going. Last season they discussed breast is best vs. fed is best; now that Kate is a MAMA, how has her breastfeeding journey actually gone? Claire reflects on nearly a year of formula feeding, and considers what it will be like as the balance shifts away from formula and towards solid foods and cow’s milk. What would they do differently in their feeding journeys next time? And has there ever been a less relatable anxiety than Kate’s this week?

Weekly Plugs:

Tomato soup and grilled cheese

Hobonichi Techo planner

Banana and peanut butter on toast

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

Music by Christopher Morucci