It’s no secret that I’m pushing nine months pregnant. This isn’t a mommy blog, and thus I haven’t made its readers privy to all of the regular annoyances of the gestational cycle.
But it should be clear by now that being pregnant in Salem changes things. I’m no longer the spry, energetic blogger I once was, posting nearly every day, extending my circle far and wide, traveling nearly every weekend.
In fact, these days I’m pretty much a Weeble.
The biggest surprise of pregnancy for me is how small it has made my world. I’m still desperately seeking salem, but my consumer habits have changed remarkably over the past two or three months, and so has my energy level.
So I will make this one post on pregnant Salem with the hopes that you pregnant women, or once pregnant women, or husbands of pregnant women, or friends of pregnant women will find some value in it.
Best pickles: Auntie Becky’s dill pickles, made right here in town, have won the top prize at the Oregon State Fair. You can buy them at Roth’s — and if you were lucky enough to be there last weekend, you might have even met Auntie Becky herself.
Best hungry pregnant woman dinner: The avocado burger at Rockin’ Rogers on Market Street NE. As an added bonus, you can giggle over the Saturday Evening Post advertisements on the tables.
Best place to geek out on baby stuff: Baby Depot at Burlington Coat Factory. I have never bought anything there, but it’s wonderful eye candy for when the womb takes over.
Best second-hand baby store: Reruns for Kids on S. Commercial.
Best retail baby stores: T.J. Maxx. I bought this Small Paul snuggly sweater the other day — probably my biggest baby splurge so far.
Best maternity wear, retail: Burlington Coat Factory. As my belly (and, erm, the rest of me) has grown, I’ve been buying size 14 Calvin Klein dresses there for far less than most maternity wear costs.
Best maternity wear, second-hand: My husband’s closet. Outside of my home, Value Village. I’ve heard Goodwill has a pretty good selection as well.
Nicest people to pregnant people: E.Z. Orchards’ staff. It must be the abundance of produce and the donuts at the door.
Any I have missed? I still have about four weeks left and haven’t ruled out taking many more trips outside before settling in for winter.
Those burgers are amazing, and I think the Zellinskis are nice to just about everyone. With my last pregnancy I constantly craved It’s It’s ice cream bars, which is ice cream between two oatmeal cookies, dipped in chocolate. But since the only place I know of to get them here is the Shell station in Monmouth, I made do with Rice Dream Moon Pies from Lifesource. Also, I know it’s totally a cliche, but Les Schwab always has killer customer service, and they plain spoil the pregnant gals…bring you tea and an ottoman, expedite your service etc. It’s like a mini spa but scented with popcorn and rubber.
Wow, Les Schwab, doing it for the lovely ladies with lumps! I’m so impressed.
Best place to get awesome, high quality and safe baby carriers that is semi local to Salem (is at least the closest vendor to Salem): http://www.sweet-pickles.com/
Best place to learn about using those carriers:
http://www.mamaroo.org/
Best and possibly the only independent childbirth education and breastfeeding counseling services in our area:
http://www.emilyavalon.com/
Yay for links for local mamas and papas – I love info on anything that makes it easier and fun! <3
Thanks for the tips, KFS. I’m needing a baby carrier, so I’ll check them out. I’m guessing I’ll be spending a lot of time on your site now…
Just found your blog – and I am so glad you have this info here! I 6 months pregnant and am starting to look for stuff. Thanks!