Katie Gagnon

Katie Gagnon is a public relations consultant and freelance writer from South Jersey. She founded Kathleen English Communications, LLC in 2009 in Philadelphia. A frequent flier and avid traveler, her favorite place in the world is the beach in Longport, NJ. She lives in New Jersey with her husband and son.

July 12, 2016

Parenting

Traveling abroad when pregnant: Part I

by Katie Gagnon

My first flight while expecting was just a few days after I took the positive pregnancy tests in January. I opted out of the body scanner and metal detector when going through security; I didn’t have a pre-flight cocktail; and I brought a copy of What to Expect When You’re Expecting to read on the plane.

July 5, 2016

Parenting

Knitting memories: Creating priceless presents for future generations

by Katie Gagnon

A skill passed from mother to daughter yields homemade traditions.

June 28, 2016

Parenting

Buying non-maternity clothes while expecting

by Katie Gagnon

Buying a ton of maternity clothing that I would wear for only a year seemed like a waste of money if I could buy larger-sized clothing from Knit Wit that would fit comfortably during my pregnancy, and could be altered as necessary to fit postpartum.

June 21, 2016

Parenting

My nontraditional baby shower

by Katie Gagnon

When my Mom asked what I envisioned for my baby shower, I told her I wanted an unconventional party. Typically, baby showers are just for the expecting mom and attended mostly by women.

June 15, 2016

Women's Health

A terrible match: My pregnancy and my migraines

by Katie Gagnon

Battling severe headaches is always a pain, but expecting makes it way more complicated

June 14, 2016

Katie's Baby

A terrible match: My pregnancy and my migraines

by Katie Gagnon

Battling severe headaches is always a pain, but expecting makes it way more complicated

June 7, 2016

Parenting

Maternity beach: Not your grandmother’s bathing suit

by Katie Gagnon

Summer is my favorite season because I am obsessed with the ocean and the beach. I’m perfectly happy spending time down the shore when it’s snowing, but I’m euphoric when basking in the hot sun and swimming in the sea. Now that summer is upon us, I have experienced a new first as an expecting mother: wearing a maternity swimsuit.

May 31, 2016

Parenting

Announcing a pregnancy – to tell or not to tell?

by Katie Gagnon

The day that I took the positive pregnancy tests, I called my parents to tell them the news. My Mom burst into happy tears and my Dad exploded with joyous laughter. It was a really special moment. I asked my parents not to tell my sisters yet, saying I wanted to confirm with my doctor first. Of course I called Colleen and Kerry about 10 minutes later. I was bursting with excitement!

May 24, 2016

Parenting

No place like home: a Jersey Girl is moving back east

by Katie Gagnon

When I picture myself as a mother, I see my children surrounded by family. I envision my dad teaching his grandkids how to swim in the ocean, and my mom collecting seashells with them along the South Jersey shore. I see my sisters as aunts, pushing a stroller along the Philadelphia sidewalks; I see cousins playing together, becoming lifelong friends. This was how I was raised: with more than 30 first cousins, nearly two dozen aunts and uncles and my grandparents just a drive away. I always hoped for the same for my children.

May 17, 2016

Women's Health

With baby on the way, it's goodbye Tito's, hello mocktails!

by Katie Gagnon

Ryan and I planned to start trying for a baby in the new year, so I decided to stop drinking on Jan. 1. When I found out two weeks into 2016 that we conceived on Dec. 28, I realized that my baby and I were swimming in Tito’s Vodka on New Year’s Eve. And then sweating off our hangovers in the steam room of a spa on New Year’s Day. Mother of the Year nominations can commence.