Whatcha Expecting?

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 StartsThe CatchyGoing outside Our podcast!Editing, recording, post production and dad insights by Joe Leonardo. Music by Christopher MorucciFollow @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 PopBlackout film for windows Tension curtain rods Pop CornersEditing, recording, post production and dad insights by Joe Leonardo. Music by Christopher MorucciFollow @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 MorucciFollow @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 MorucciFollow @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 MoonWatching your kids while they sleep Editing, recording, post production and dad insights by Joe Leonardo. Music by Christopher MorucciFollow @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 AppSarah WellsTakedowns:NYC Kindergarten application process Editing, recording, post production and dad insights by Joe Leonardo. Music by Christopher MorucciFollow @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 PediatricsSleepwise Consulting Claire’s algorithmEditing, recording, post production and dad insights by Joe Leonardo. Music by Christopher MorucciFollow @whatchaexpecting.

CW: Body image, Self image, Weight lossFresh 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 plannerBanana and peanut butter on toast Editing, recording, post production and dad insights by Joe Leonardo. Music by Christopher Morucci

Happy new year! This week, Kate and Claire are chatting New Year’s resolutions. What practices do they want to adopt in the new year? What are they really proud of accomplishing this past year? They discuss a few anti-resolutions (a concept Kate made up that Joe may or may not have qualms with), and make some controversial predictions for the new year. What will Anthony’s first word be? What bonkers trends will MomTok influencers come up with next? Celebrate the new year with your favorite MAMAS!Weekly Plugs:Honeycrisp applesMutsu applesSasha Eastham at Mizu Louis Licari SalonRecording interviews with your kids Editing, recording, post production and dad insights by Joe Leonardo. Music by Christopher Morucci

Happy holidays! This week, Kate and Claire discuss their plans for the winter holidays with their families as new moms, and consider the role religion will play in their sons’ lives. Has Rodney been baptized? What kind of synagogue might Anthony be raised in? How do you negotiate the role of religion for your kids when two partners have different relationships to religion? You know, just some light, fun, simple topics! Come for the holiday cheer, stay for Claire’s Catholic school anecdotes. Weekly Plugs:Our Lady of the Presentation Dreidel Planned ParenthoodEditing, recording, post production and dad insights by Joe Leonardo. Music by Christopher Morucci.

The doctor is in! This week, Kate and Claire chat with family medicine doctor, Dr. Rachel Tatz. They learn more about how to make the most of your doctor’s visit, and bring her their list of burning questions. What’s a medically riskier time, pregnancy or postpartum? What should new parents be more (or less) anxious about? What even IS family medicine? We’ll discuss these topics and more, including a few listener questions! Please note: Dr. Rachel’s commentary on this episode is not medical advice. For medical advice, please speak to your healthcare provider. Weekly Plugs:Getting your car seat inspectedHannukahA nice pair of shoes   Aunt Lynn!Editing, recording, post production and dad insights by Joe Leonardo. Music by Christopher Morucci.

Ouch! This week, Claire and Kate discuss the ever important topic of boo boos. From head bonks to little finger cuts, they talk about the minor everyday injuries their sons are facing as they grow. They reflect on how physical danger was treated in their own childhoods, and how fragile they did or didn’t feel as a result. They consider what it’ll be like to have their kids out in the world as they get older, and how to manage risk without instilling too much of your own fear in your kids. Plus, tune in for Claire’s hot takes on gentle parenting (not so gentle)!Weekly Plugs:LexaproErgo Baby Embrace CarrierThe BreatherHarmonicasFollow @whatchaexpecting.Editing, recording, post production and dad insights by Joe Leonardo. Music by Christopher Morucci.

It’s a pizza party! This week, Kate and Claire recount recent adventures taking their babies out dining with them on (separate) outings for pizza. They chat about what makes a restaurant “baby-friendly”. When deciding whether to bring a baby with you out to dine, what do you owe to the other diners, to the staff, to your baby and to yourself? How do you divvy up the childcare duties when dining out with your partner? Hear all this and more — ahem — food for thought. Get it? We know you do, you brilliant listeners!Weekly Plugs:Solid StartsBlooming Hill FarmSandra BoyntonAmerican Revolution Follow @whatchaexpecting.Editing, recording, post production and dad insights by Joe Leonardo. Music by Christopher Morucci.

Season Two Episode Seven: The Thanksgiving EpisodeHappy Thanksgiving! This week, Claire, Kate and Joe share heartwarming, mundane and/or capitalist anecdotes from Thanksgivings past. They reflect on the things they’re grateful for this year, and the ways in which gratitude seeps into life in a new way. They discuss strategies for attempting to be more mindful of the things they’re thankful for on a daily basis, and close out with a special list of gratitude plugs. Did Joe do his plugs wrong, or is he maybe the only one who did them right? You be the judge!Gratitude Plugs:Leaning on familyCleverly deployed screen time Having moments for yourself Supportive partner Mom friends Pediatricians(Honorable Mention) Protein bars Getting to re-live and shape childhood Loving unconditionally Laughing at farting Follow @whatchaexpecting.Editing, recording, post production and dad insights by Joe Leonardo. Music by Christopher Morucci.

This week, Claire and Kate are talking about everyone’s favorite time – naptime! They reflect on the unique challenges of putting a baby down to sleep for a nap vs. letting them fall asleep on you for a contact nap. “Should” you cherish all the contact naps you can, or “should” you make sure you put your baby down so they don’t come to rely on you to fall asleep? Joe shares his trick to help stay in the present for these fleeting moments, and no one’s surprised that it may or may not make everyone cry. Weekly Plugs:Butterfly kisses (the song and the act)Central Park in fallHarlem MeerRichard KindContact napsFollow @whatchaexpecting.Editing, recording, post production and dad insights by Joe Leonardo. Music by Christopher Morucci.

This week, Kate and Claire reflect on the developmental milestones their babies are expected to have reached by their respective ages. Fresh off a doctor’s appointment with a questionnaire that felt like a pop quiz, Claire wonders what it says about her as a mom that she didn’t know the answer to every question. They talk through the pros and cons of various apps and books that walk you through the different developmental stages, and how easy it is to obsess over one milestone or another (spoiler alert: it’s very easy). Weekly Plugs:VerdelloBaby SparksYour Baby’s First YearReese’s Pumpkins Burt’s Bees Burp Cloths Contact Naps Cold Mist HumidifierFollow @whatchaexpecting.Editing, recording, post production and dad insights by Joe Leonardo. Music by Christopher Morucci.

Season Two Episode Four: Social SmilesThis week, Kate and Claire are seeing their sons’ personalities emerge. What makes them smile? How early on did they smile? What parts of Kate and Claire (for better or for worse) are they seeing in their sons? And how much of all this are they actually just projecting while their babies are just…being babies? With kids aged nine months old and two months old, Kate and Claire are both taking joy in the details of who their sons are in this moment. Joe reflects on his kids’ personalities and shares which elements existed from the early days. Listen to the end for some unexpected (mis)information about Vaseline!Saline DropsVaselineAquaphorMetal baby keysFollow @whatchaexpecting.Editing, recording, post production and dad insights by Joe Leonardo. Music by Christopher Morucci.

This week, Kate and Claire talk about the early days of caring for their babies — how they structure routines, scheduled feeds vs. feed on demand, and when sleep may (or may not) happen. They dive into the concept of the newborn “trenches” and whether or not this controversial term fits this unique stage. They brainstorm a few alternate terms and debate which subway tunnels may be a better descriptor of the experience. Claire talks about what life looks like now that she’s out of that tunnel, and Kate says some profound stuff, as always!Gap BabySleepea Baby SwaddleSarah & DuckHow to be a Saint by Kate SidleyFollow @whatchaexpecting.Editing, recording, post production and dad insights by Joe Leonardo. Music by Christopher Morucci.

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 ShowWeekly HumoristBoogieManja Sketch Comedy at Second CityManhattan Valley PediatricsTribeca PediatricsPlastic 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.