Whatcha Expecting?

It’s Whatcha Expecting’s first guest episode — featuring writer, performer, and C-Section extraordinaire, Molly O. Kemper! Kate, Claire and Molly discuss what it was like for their birth experiences to be via C-section in a world that mainly talks about vaginal birth. Molly shares her experiences with having both unplanned and planned C-sections, giving birth during COVID, postpartum depression, and more fun stuff! Kate shares a surprising indicator of health that was celebrated in the O.R., and all three marvel at what they could or couldn’t feel during the procedure. 

* Molly's article.

Weekly Plugs:

The Dead Ladies Show

Weekly Humorist

BoogieManja Sketch Comedy at Second City

Manhattan Valley Pediatrics

Tribeca Pediatrics

Plastic water bottles and cardboard (for entertaining babies, obviously)

Coffee sauce 

Follow @whatchaexpecting.

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

Music by Christopher Morucci.

After what felt like forever, the wait is finally over…we’re back for season two! Oh, and also Kate had her baby. Claire reveals Kate’s baby’s name (thanks Claire!), and Kate walks us through her baby’s birth story, obviously without a single interruption from Claire or Joe. Claire shares more about how it’s been to start to transition to life in Kansas City, and whether or not it’s been…ahem…what she was expecting?!

Weekly Plugs:

Aloha Bars

Mylicon

Store closing sales 

Strider bikes

Follow @whatchaexpecting.

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

Music by Christopher Morucci.

Surprise! Kate had a baby, which means that Season 1 of Whatcha Expecting? has drawn to a close, but don't worry! We recorded one last episode to tide you over until Season 2.

We suspect that the pain we feel in pausing our weekly chats is similar or equal to the pain of being pregnant, the pain of labor, and the pain of being newly postpartum. Kate waddles us through what it feels like (felt like) being 37 weeks pregnant while Claire reflects on struggling to feel connected in the early days of motherhood. 

Weekly Plugs:

Walmart

Costco

Physical Therapy

Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy

Follow @whatchaexpecting.

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

Music by Christopher Morucci.

This week, Kate and Claire talk about sleep. Kate walks through the foolproof system she had before she was pregnant vs. the challenges she has sleeping while pregnant. Claire reflects on Rodney’s sleep patterns and how sleep has changed for her as a mom. They consider the debate of whether sleep is worse in pregnancy or with a newborn. Joe shares his surprisingly controversial tip for falling asleep, as the three discuss the roles of anxiety, vigilance, and being needed by another human being that make sleep in pregnancy and parenthood such a doozy. 

Weekly Plugs:

Lawrence, Kansas

New York City

Mamdani Campaign

Seatbelts 

Meditation 

Mindful Astoria

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

Music by Christopher Morucci.

Claire’s moving! This week, Claire’s packing for her imminent move to Kansas. She considers the things she’ll miss about living in New York, while being excited for her new home (which has TWO bathrooms?!). Kate’s world is getting narrower as it gets physically harder to move through the world while being, medically speaking, super duper pregnant. Claire discusses what it was like to see Kate’s baby nook in her apartment, and Kate shares the shocking revelation that Claire’s clever use of space in her own one bedroom apartment inspired Kate in her own nesting, too. 

Weekly Plugs:

Whatcha Expecting? - our new Instagram page!

Lambs and Ivy Wall Decals

Stone fruit season 

NYC Ferry

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

Music by Christopher Morucci.

As Claire prepares for her move home to where her and her husband’s parents both live, Claire and Kate reflect on the roles of grandparents in memorable visits, childcare, and instilling ties between generations. Kate breaks down the differences between the coasts of Southern Florida where her future son’s grandparents live. Claire shares a controversial “bit” and/or social experiment she has in mind for her divorced parents’ role in her son’s life. Kate thinks about how she might honor her mother’s memory for her child, as both imagine the bonds they hope their children build with their grandparents.

Weekly Plugs:

Homemade Baby Puree

Little Hearts CPR

Playground Swing Sets

Follow us at @whatchaexpecting!

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

Music by Christopher Morucci.

Kate’s got a cold! Oh no! Kate examines why she seems surprisingly chill about this situation. Kate and Claire talk about their sick day routines as kids, and Kate talks about which traditions she’s taken forward as an adult (hint: not the Robitussin with codeine). They chat about Claire’s bout with mastitis, Joe’s worries around being too sick to care for his kids, and Claire’s early motherhood vigilance in taking Rodney’s temperature all the time. Kate gives Joe and Claire shockingly nice compliments, which means it’s time for her to take a sick day nap.

Weekly Plugs:

Pack and Play

Three-Tiered Woven Cart

Fast Food Apps e.g. McDonald’s and Wendy’s

Kate’s Instagram: @KateHerzlin

Claire’s Instagram: @ClaireTadokoro

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

Music by Christopher Morucci.

It’s go-bag week! As Kate preps her hospital bag, she solicits advice from Claire and Joe on the essentials they put in theirs, and what they brought that they didn’t need. They then look at what they bring with them in their diaper bags, with an unexpected turn into diaper bag ASMR content. They consider the balance of carrying what helps you feel empowered to navigate the world as a parent with freeing yourself of what weighs you down — exclusively from a capitalist, products-you-can-buy perspective, of course. (Speaking of which, don’t worry — Kate has in fact bought diapers since recording this episode.)

Weekly Plugs:

Beis diaper bag

Playa Bowls

Sleep masks 

Kate’s Instagram: @KateHerzlin

Claire’s Instagram: @ClaireTadokoro

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

Music by Christopher Morucci.

This week, Kate and Claire talk about their approach and/or aversion to birth plans. Claire recalls all the TikToks she used to see marketing anti-science birth plans, and Kate talks about some of the options she saw on MyChart that surprised her. Claire reflects on her birth experience and wishes she’d went in more prepared for different possibilities. Did you know that if you avoid reading up on something, that doesn't prevent it from happening? But also neither will preparing for every scenario? These revelations and more on this week’s episode!

Weekly Plugs:

Tomato Season

Mandarin Oranges

Shorty One-Pieces (Gap doesn’t sponsor us, YET!)

Banana Orange Smoothie (add ice for a slushie vibe)

Kate’s Instagram: @KateHerzlin

Claire’s Instagram: @ClaireTadokoro

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

Music by Christopher Morucci.

Recorded the week of Kate’s cancerversary, this week’s episode examines what genes Kate and Claire are passing onto their kids. After a highly scientific lesson on Punnett Squares, Claire notes that Rodney has her eyes, and Kate suspects her son will have her judgmentalness. They discuss their experiences surrounding genetic tests, and Kate reflects on her experience with cancer. Kate considers her fears about passing it along to a child, and looks back proudly on her younger self who drew firm boundaries and asserted her emotional needs.

Weekly Plugs:

Frozen teething rings 

Baby Tylenol (Always consult a doctor before use, obviously)

Bear-shaped Wicker Hamper 

Plums 

Infant Motrin (Always consult a doctor before use, obviously — also not for use before six months but again we’re not doctors OK thanks!)

Kate’s Instagram: @KateHerzlin

Claire’s Instagram: @ClaireTadokoro

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

Music by Christopher Morucci.