Jenny Hansson, KOIN's "Good Morning Northwest" News Anchor
I sat down with Jenny Hansson for an intimate and frank talk on pregnancy, babies, family and career. It was fun! She brought her sweet 8-month old daughter, Siena, who happens to share the same birthday as myself!
Jenny grew up in California. She and her husband Joe decided to move to Oregon to be in the Great Northwest and be closer to each set of parents.
Q: When did you first find out that you were pregnant?
A: I found out the day before Thanksgiving.
Q: After you found out you were pregnant, what was the first thing you did?
A: I went out and bought five more pregnancy tests because I was worried that the original generic pregnancy test I bought didn't work. The five expensive ones all came out positive . . . of course!
Q: Who did you call after you knew for sure?
A: I waited to tell Joe that night. We didn't tell anyone for a month.
Q: How did you tell Joe?
A: He walked into the room with a bag of chips and I said, "Hey, I got somethin' to tell you. I've got some news." At first he thought it might be bad news. And I said "Well, there might be more of us this time next year." He dropped the bag of chips, came over and gave me a big hug!
Q: What was the very first thing you and your husband did to celebrate?
A: We had Thanksgiving Dinner at his family's house and kept the secret. I think they were suspicious because I didn't drink any wine and made an excuse like "I have to work tomorrow" and they were like "Ohhhhh, kaaaay?" They later told me that they had a strong idea why I really didn't drink wine.
Q: Of all the things your husband said after you told him you were pregnant, what was something you remember that was deeply meaningful?
A: (She turns to Siena, "What did your daddy say?" - as she was trying to think). He gave me a card and wrote that he always wanted to have children and that he was so excited that we were going to be starting a life together and that I was going to be the mother of his children.
Q: What was the funniest thing you can remember him saying?
A: (Can't print the funniest thing - secret) - but. (She turns to Siena, "Your daddy is funny.")
Q: How did you tell your family and your friends?
A: We told MY family on the ferry going to the island (in Washington). We had planned a trip to India and had to cancel. When asked why, I explained that it would too long a flight for me. I then explained further that at that time I might be a little large. They still didn't get it so I had to practically scream, "Because . . . I'm PREGNANT!" We told his parents over Thai food. And we told our friends through a mass email. I know...not very special.
Q: What kind of advice did your friends and family start giving you?
A: A lot of people talked to me about breastfeeding and how I would need to do it for two years and how I could easily go home on my break and do it. NOT!!! Nearly impossible! Also, I was offered lots of opinions on the family bed scenario (letting children sleep in the same bed as the parents), and how we shouldn't do it or she'll die. Others told us how great it is and it's a great bonding time. I also heard about cloth diapers from my Mother In Law who wasn't aware of a Diaper Genie. She thought all I need is a pail, bleach and water. Being an environmentalist, she assumed I was doing cloth diapers.
Diva note: Please see our Gift Ideas & Gift Projects for Mom-to-Be on GDiapers, earth-friendly diapers you can flush, compost or toss.
Q: What was the funniest piece of advice you got?
A: It probably wasn't funny to anyone but me. A few people thought I should do a natural birth underwater. Ha Ha! I'm like, "No way, I'm not doing that! Give me drugs and the C-Section!"
Q: What is the most meaningful piece of advice you got?
A: Just to enjoy the time when they are little - you're so crazy and stressed, but just take time to enjoy them because time goes by so fast.
Q: Are you going to have more?
A: Yes, one more. We'd love to have a boy, but we'll take what we get!
Q: Do you have any funny stories about your delivery?
A: Siena was due July 21. Joe knew I was in labor before I did. I didn't realize it, but I was having cramps every 10 minutes. We argued because I was lying to him about how often it was happening to me that day. I thought: I don't have time for this! We have so much going on - for instance, his dad is coming in from India. Joe continued to monitor my cramps. I would fib and say, "oh 20 minutes ago" when it was really 5 minutes ago! It got down to where I was having them 3 minutes apart. I was in total denial! I was scheduled for a c-section the next day. It seemed like tomorrow was going to happen today. So we went into the hospital and they confirmed that I was in fact in labor. They had to perform an emergency c-section. There were all these nurses and people in the room, and they final figured out who I was as a tv personality. It wasn't the best moment for me to be recognized while having a c-section!
Q: This is something that I struggle with, so I'm really curious to know: Being a successful career woman, how did pregnancy fit into your plans?
A: I had a real easy pregnancy. I leave for work at 3:30 in the morning and I didn't have morning (or evening) sickness. So it was really easy! I was a little worried about telling my boss just because I still think pregnancy is still frowned upon in certain careers and businesses and having to take time off. Plus, the natural fear of being replaced when I was on maternity leave came into factor.
On my maternity leave, one day I brought Siena into work and I felt a little less than professional, not in touch, not journalistic, sort of "maaawwwm" like. I definitely had "baby brain." I felt like I was forgetting things, not calling people back, etc. At work I dropped the ball like I forgot to set the story up and messed up.I know there are women who don't have kids, but I wonder if they look down on me now that I have a child. I do worry about things like this.
Diva Note: "Baby Brain" is a term commonly used to describe the feeling women get when they are pregnant as well as when they become new moms - it's nature's way of having the parent focus solely on the newborn child, thus making it more difficult to tend to even the simplest of tasks that have never posed a problem in the past.
Q: How are you juggling your life of motherhood now with your career life?
A: Jenny was quick to answer this question: If my mother in law wasn't here, I don't know what we'd do. It makes it so much easier. When she leaves we'll have to figure out what to do, perhaps getting an au pair. Our working hours are very difficult; day care isn't open at 3 am. I feel guilty if I don't hang out with her, so when I get home, I put on my jammies and I hang out with Siena. Life before Siena I would go out and do things after work. Now if I'm out and see other people out with their babies, I really want to have my baby with me, too.
My mom comes down when my mother in law has to go out of town for awhile. In fact, my mother in law was going to stay with us for 6 months and now she's going to stay with us for 18 months! She seems to be enjoying being with her granddaughter, but I'm sure she misses her friends. I am sure that she gave up a lot to do this for us because she likes to go out and do things.
Q: How has becoming a mom changed the way you socialize?
A: You mean with other people? (laughing) Pretty much we only do things if we can bring Siena. We're not trying to be harsh, but it's just not an option to leave her and go out. We used to go to a movie every week. We took her to see SuperBad, an R-rated movie, and people were giving us "Super" bad stares. I wasn't expecting the reactions that people were giving us! She was just a blob then! I figured if she started to make noise, we'd be respectful and walk out of the movie theatre. I did not expect the stares or obvious judgments. We have also had to decline attending social events because we are unable to bring Siena. Fortunately we're happy being a family unit and we're easily entertained on our own. It also helps [us not to feel so badly that we can't attend] that we're really tired. We notice that we do things more at people's houses vs. going out.
Q: Do you find yourself scoping the environment for baby-proofed homes? Safety plugs, sharp corners, hard surfaces?
A: We just started to. She is just now rolling everywhere. So, we're seeing her get into stuff, touching things. When they're blobs they don't go anywhere!
Q: How are you different now than you've become a mom?
A: This is kind of a cheesy answer, but it's more like I'm empathetic to others now. I see adults now as how they were or must have been as babies. If I think about someone who I may not have cared much for, I now think of them as a baby and how their mother must have just loved them so much. It gives me more to think about.
Q: Showers have always been a very important part of celebrating and helping a Mom-to-Be prepare for the birth of her baby. How did you experience your shower(s)?
A: Well, I had three showers and yours was by far the best. (I didn't coax her on this at all! Diva honor!) All were a good time, they were all different locations from different parts of my life. In California my high school friends, In Seattle my college friends and in Portland, my work friends. It was neat to have different parts of my life represented to celebrate the upcoming birth of my child.
My favorite moments
In California - they all told funny stories about me while we were growing up. It was nice to walk down memory lane. In Seattle, it was really fun seeing everyone. The one in Portland was the games - it got everyone involved. A lot of times at showers everyone is drinking punch and watching the mom unwrap presents. Your games really brought people together and everyone got involved as opposed to just being there. I really liked the Notes of Advice cards you supplied. I really like looking at them and reading some of the great advice I got. I wish I could think of some now, but I guess that's why they are on cards. I like the pictures you took, too. I think people so many times forget to take photos. I'm looking at the photos you sent me and it's such a wonderful gift to look back on that day and remember all the love. Also by far it was very organized.
Diva note: The Shower Diva attended and helped Stephanie Stricklen and Jennifer Hogan with their co-hostessing the shower for Jenny Hansson, which is why the reference to the games, notes of advice, photos and organization. The main reason for this website, TheShowerDiva.com, is so that you can have The Shower Diva at your shower too without the added expense of flying her in for your shower!
Q: What advice would you give to women who are planning baby showers for their friends and family?
A: I would ask the person who is pregnant what they want to do for their shower. Because some pregnant women don't want to play the games or they actually want to have alcohol available for their friends that drink. Get a sense of what the pregnant mom wants to do.
The Shower Diva: It's about the Mom-to-Be and how she wants to experience her shower.
Jenny: You put it best!
The Shower Diva: We get to talk to people all day long and we hear a lot of stories. We created TheShowerDiva.com in order to help guide hostesses in how to make their shower the best they can throw for their friends and family.
Q: What are some key ingredients from your shower do you think women should remember to include in theirs?
A: Definitely the baby bingo game you had because it was so personalized. (Jenny is referring to the colorful game created by none other than Susan herself! See image below. Baby Bingo can be found in many retail stores and on many online stores, but we prefer readers to visit our sponsor's site: BabyBingo.com.
Definitely have someone taking pictures. I brought my camera to every one of my showers and never used it at all. Other people did take some pictures, but you really need to assign at least one friend to be your photographer. Or even bring a few throwaway cameras. You're only pregnant for so long and you do want pictures of yourself pregnant. It was also good that you gave everyone something to go home with. (Jenny is referring to the favors we created for her shower. Here is in example of favors to offer.) People like that. It makes it special to give stuff to people.
The Shower Diva Suggestion: Order the disposable cameras Jenny talked about and place them strategically near the food, gift and favor tables. Place them next to a note which might read "Pick me up and shoot the pregnant lady!") Be sure to allocate a collection spot at the end of the shower and be certain all cameras have run out of film!
Q: What was the most important experience you took from your showers?
A: It was the connection with all the people that love me. I was able to realize how excited people were for me. I got to know people better. It was really cool.
Q: Looking back, was there one shower gift that you wish you would have received?
A: Swaddling Blankets. I had no idea about these until I took a class one week before I was going to have her. Then we had to run out and get some of those. And even though we registered for newborn clothes people went by that rule of "don't buy any newborn clothes" so we had to go out and buy some newborn clothes! All of the clothes we received were for age 6 months and older. And finally, we received items we didn't register for which is not necessarily a bad thing.
Q: Was there something that you needed for your new baby that you had no idea you'd need?
A: I had no idea we would need a sleep positioner. Up until the time my mom came to stay with us, Siena had been sleeping next to us. But then mom came in the picture and put Siena in the crib when she was 3 months old. I needed that sleep positioner for sure! (It helps to avoid tragic accidents.) I was a bit nervous about Siena sleeping in the crib "on her own", but she was fine. Yet, if Siena is right next to me, she'll start to wail.
Q: Looking back, are you surprised how much of an impact the baby showers had on you?
A: Yes, I feel like I received quite an education just from the baby showers alone. Some gifts were explained to us by the people who got them for us. We really learned a lot! Also, I learned quite a lot from the experience, stories and advice from the mothers. The showers actually became learning experiences for me. A lot of moms were there and told me what I needed, didn't need, and what I couldn't live without, etc.
Q: What surprised you most about the feelings that you had while being pregnant?
A: The most surprising thing about me was that everything felt natural and things came easy, I felt normal, not freaked about anything and typically I'm pretty uptight and paranoid. But with Siena I'm not paranoid. I'm totally good. I was very emotional, crying at every commercial or every baby I sawthat kinda surprised me too.
Q: Is there anything else you'd like to add?
A: Can it be about your shower? I know you don't typically hostess the shower, but it was really nice to have an outside planner help with the event because it really was stressful for Jen and Stephanie, the hostesses, who both have full-time careers, and it's kind of a stressful time. And to add that onto my friends who have full-time careers, it was really helpful to have the help. I know you don't typically come to the events, but you have a website that is available to everyone so it's almost like you are there at each event. It's really helpful to take the stress off your friends who are throwing you the shower. I mean, you don't want your friends to be stressed who are doing such a wonderful thing by throwing you the shower.
Diva Note: Jen Hogan continually thanked me for my help and said that my presence helped her to calm down because it was the first time she threw a baby shower and she really wanted it to be special for her good friend, Jenny Hansson.
It was a co-ed shower, which is gaining in popularity these days. Jen and Stephanie did a fabulous job co-hostessing the shower - For the guys: the BBQ and the Beer outside on the patio; For the girls: inside with games, activities (onesie kits) and favors (takeaways) and prizes.
About Jenny Hansson
After spending 8 years away, anchor Jenny Hansson is thrilled to be back home in the Northwest.
Jenny attended the University of Washington and is a die-hard Husky fan. She knows that Pac-10 football is *real* football, no matter what they say in the South!
After the U-Dub, Jenny headed to Yakima for her first reporting job at KNDO. There, she lugged around a camera, mostly in dairy farms and apple orchards, and edited her own stories. Jenny left the "Palm Springs of Washington" for a short stop in Tallahassee, Florida, and then it was off to Texas, where she spent 7 years. During her time at FOX 29 in San Antonio, Jenny was promoted from reporter to weekend anchor.
Jenny is excited to be working at KOIN, and to be back home with her family and friends. And she has learned that not all WSU Cougars are bad - she married one. Jenny and Joe had their first baby, Siena, in July of 2007. Jenny is sure Siena will grow up to be a Husky! Speaking of cats and dogs, Jenny and Joe have both - a pug named Rocky, and two cats named Rat and Fatty.
You can watch Jenny on Good Morning Northwest, or catch her health reports during the week. Those reports included her own pregnancy, with her "What to Expect" series, and in November of 2007, Jenny was diagnosed with melanoma. She covered her surgery, showing viewers what happens when they have to remove skin cancer, and she also showed how to catch the cancer early.
Diva Note: The idea surrounding a career woman being pregnant and becoming a mother in our society is slowly changing, but it still carries the stigma of not being sharp enough, available enough or capable enough of working in mainstream Corporate America. Picture the image of being barefoot and pregnant, unable to perform top job duties. In fact...it's quite the opposite!! It takes incredible intelligence, capability and strength to feed, clothe and nurture a baby as well as attend to the job duty demands placed upon an individual. Career women who have become mothers have it doubly hard and it seems that the old idea is being replaced by a strong respect that is now being given to each working mother—she has to not only be available to her career, her job, her boss and colleagues, but also be available to her child (not to mention her husband or partner!) and be a nurturing, responsible parent which takes an enormous amount of energy, dedication, patience and time.
The Women's Lib movement showed us how to burn the bra, wear the pants and tie and prove to men and to ourselves that we could do a man's job just as well as a man could. After, we find that not only are weas successful if not more capable, but some of us have been so focused on our career that we ignored our chance (and desire) for becoming mothers. Again that stigma of frowning upon a pregnant career woman ("can we really have it all?") may have deterred some of us, thus missing out on the precious days of bearing children. Some are happy with this choice while others may have found an emptiness in their lives.
I have been part of a growing group of women who initially focus their lives on careers and wait to have children later. I believe that being an older parent provides more life experience, patience, appreciation and wisdom that is passed on; however, the energy level that was available in the 20s no longer exists in an older body! I personally give thanks to those women who came before us and paved the way for us today. In a much deeper way, we now value ourselves, our minds, our hearts, our bodies, our souls, our professions and our children as never before, for they truly are the future.
Please continue to visit theshowerdiva.com as we're dedicated to supporting hostesses through providing guidelines, tips, helpful hints, recipes, diva-approved products, gift idea suggestions, and answers to your questions on how to throw the most beautiful, special baby shower or bridal shower for your friend!
Interested in more guest contributors stories? Check out our May 2008 featured guest!
