Episodes
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Episode 17: Vacations
Come along on a kid-friendly trip with The Merker Girls! They recount some of their favorite childhood travels and give unsolicited input on flying with a baby, overnight drives, SlumberPods, and so much more. Plus, stay tuned for how you can be a part of the next episode!
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Episode 16: Back to School
Jenny takes the lead in this latest episode as she grills Abbey and Ali about what it's like to send their kids into the classroom. Hear all the highs and lows of educating children - where to get the best school supplies, how to adjust to the schedule change, and listen as they reminisce about...
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Episode 15: Quality Time with Your Kids
2 weeks in a row! TMG are back and full of commitment to spending regular time with their kids. A more sentimental episode, listen to them recall fond memories of time spent with their own parents, and offer up suggestions on some of the best local haunts for kid-dates. Plus, a guest appearance…
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Episode 14: Sleep
SEASON 3! The Girls are back to discuss that all-too-elusive beast, sleep. Mostly, sleep in the first couple years of momming. Routines, nap schedules, the 5 S's, and so much more for all you mamas and papacitas out there. Plus, a Round of Accents that may offend (?) and some classic…
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Episode 13: Christmas
The Merker Girls get into the holiday spirit and discuss the highs and lows of December 25th, debate their favorite Christmas albums, movies, and songs, and reminisce about the year Jenny didn't get any presents. And stay in your sleigh as they attempt accents from Down Under.
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Episode 12: Self Care for Moms
Apologies for the unexpected hiatus. The Girls are back to discuss self care - how to find refreshment and rejuvenation in the chaos of childrearing. Hear about their hobbies, their hacks, their temptations, and their attempts at a Southern drawl. Crickets on the barbie, anyone?
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Episode 11: The NICU
Jenny and Abbey bring on Niccole Williamson to discuss navigating having a baby in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). They cover placenta previa, low blood sugar in newborns, all the pros and cons NICU life, and Irish accents.
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Episode 10: You Know You're a Mom When...
The Merker Girls pause to reflect on how much things change after kids, and all the things they swore they'd never do (the hypocrisy!). Enjoy a new segment called A Round of Accents, guess which sister brought her kid to a wedding wearing only one shoe, and hear another classic story from the...
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Episode 9: Breastfeeding
The Girls are joined by their breast friend, Julie Francis, to discuss all things breastfeeding - the ups and downs, challenges, horror stories, success tips, and every necessary supply imaginable. Plus, they've added a new segment - The Merker Girl Archives!
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Episode 8: Postpartum
SEASON 2! After a stupidly long break, the girls return to discuss life after delivery. You had a baby, now what. Topics covered are: expectations during those first 6 weeks, surprise hormone adjustments, and the merits of witch hazel (spoiler - no one knows).
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Episode 7: Jenny's Birth Story (The Home Birth)
SEASON FINALE: The Girls wrap up their first season with the birth story everyone has been waiting to hear - the home birth. PLUS - they have a bonus guest and their first male perspective! Colby joins Jenny in describing all the gory details of delivering a baby at home.
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Episode 6: Abbey's Birth Story (The C-Section)
This week, Abbey describes the confusion of going into labor, the failure to progress, and the glory of having an unplanned cesarean delivery.
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Episode 5: Ali's Birth Stories (The Standard American)
Ali travels down memory lane, recounting the labor and deliveries of her two children. Born in a local hospital, hear about the drugs, the delivery room, and an induced labor - assuming Ali's memories are accurate...
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Episode 4: Why Have Kids?
The Merker Girls welcome their first guest as Abbey and Ali sit down to chat with Ariel Bair. Not being a parent, Ariel honestly wants to know why people choose to have children. The girls reflect on their biological clocks, how kids affect marriage, whether minivans are cool, and so much more.…
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Bonus: TV Shows
On a special bonus episode, Abbey and Jenny recap their favorite TV shows to watch together as sisters!
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Episode 3: The Third Trimester
The Merker girls discuss the pregnancy home stretch - the discomfort, those wacky Braxton Hicks contractions, the importance of throwing a diaper party, and what, if anything, to do about stretch marks.
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Episode 2: The Second Trimester
In the second episode of The Merker Girls podcast, the girls discuss the second trimester of pregnancy - starting to show, gender reveals and picking a name, the dreaded glucose test, PLUS a special Francis family throwback. Be sure to subscribe and listen along each week as the girls continue...
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Episode 1: The First Trimester
The Merker Girls present their first full episode, and where better to start a podcast on mom life than the first trimester of pregnancy! The girls discuss their experiences those first 14 weeks - the highs, the lows, and Jenny's feet.
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Episode 0: Our Introduction
In this teaser episode, you'll meet Abbey, Ali, and Jenny - The Merker Girls - and learn why on earth they thought a podcast would be a good idea. Get ready to spice up your (mom) life.