Some news and advice wanted

jenna8984 · December 2015

Welp, I'm about 2 weeks behind cocobella so there's another NEY bebe cooking!

H & I are so thrilled. I wasn't going to post it yet since it's so early on, so obviously if we are FB friends don't post anything.

You guys are so smart and I need help with something...my boss smokes a lot. Probably 5-10 cigs per 9 hour work day. And he absolutely reeks of it, and when he comes in my office to tell me something I die. I used to just turn my head the other way, kinda put my hand over my mouth and hold my breath a little until he left. But now that I'm in my first trimester the smell is almost unbearable. I do not want to tell him or my company for another 2 months until the "safe zone". So I don't know how to say something to keep him out of my office/ away from me. Like it's pretty impossible and unprofessional to tell your boss that they stink! We do not have any type of "friend" relationship where we joke about things either. (also do not have a window that opens) help

AlPacina · December 2015

OMG, Congratulations! I am so excited for you and your husband!

On the boss note.... I don't know what to do if you aren't comfortable telling him yet! I would say just try to combat the smell if possible. Keep something that smells good to you around? Or keep some strong smelling candies/gum easily accessible so you can pop one in your mouth when he comes to visit?

bethsmiles · December 2015

Congrats on the baby!

@AlPacina suggested the only things I could think of - basically having something good smelling at your desk and maybe something you can pop in your mouth to help. Without telling him you are pregnant, I think your options are pretty limited.

labro · December 2015

I'm loving it for the BABY ANNOUNCEMENT! Fingers crossed the rest of your first trimester is smooth and uneventful.

I don't know what to do about the smell situation. Aren't there like air purifiers/smell neutralizers on the market you could bring into your office to help circulate out the bad air? This seems to go beyond a regular "chew some ginger gum" type of situation. Your excuse could be that you're having severe allergies and need better circulation at work or something.

MissKittyDanger · December 2015

1 - yay congrats!

2 - you could talk to tell your boss early about you expecting {just boss} in order to ask if he can ease up on being around you right after a cigarette {you could blame baby, saying your hormone changes make scents hard}

3 - yay baby!! {again lol}

minskat30 · December 2015

Ahhhhh!! So freaking excited for you guys!

How are you feeling?

As to the smells, I can empathize. The slightest smells sometimes make me want to gag. India was hellish because of the smells if I'm being honest. I carried around peppermint oil and put it in a little container I could discretely sniff. I chewed a lot of peppermint gum too. I also did a lot of mouth breathing. If you can stand perfume of any sort put some on your wrist and lean into your wrist while talking to your boss. If that doesn't help, can you get up from your office when he comes to visit and tell him you are going "to get some water, etc." and can he join you while you walk?...it might help to dissipate the smell.

Very excited for you!!!

[Deleted User] · December 2015

Congrats!!

No advice beyond what has been mentioned, but I know that it sucks. I hope you're able to find a solution!

jenna8984 · December 2015

Thanks everyone!

@minskat30 That is really great advice. And December is a great excuse to be like "Oh, I wanted some Christmas smells in my office!" with some candles or peppermint oils. I haven't worn perfume in years but now I want some! lol. Seriously, when I was flying to NM last week it was only 5 hours but the whole time I was thinking to myself Minskat really is a fucking champ, I feel like crap, how did she do this all the way to and from India?! It's mostly just my head though, feeling tired and dazed, not too much stomach nausea happening so that's a plus!

speakeasy14 · December 2015

Congratulations!

I was going to suggest chewing peppermint gum and getting some essential oils to carry around. I usually spray peppermint or lavender into a scarf when I travel to hide other people's smells. If you can get away with wearing a scarf at work, that may help mask some of the smell, or at least give you shelter.

Peaseblossom55 · December 2015

Congrats!

minskat30 · December 2015

Awwww, thanks @jenna8984 - in fairness, now that I've done it, I would never again travel to India in the first trimester if I could avoid it. I sincerely hope the stomach nausea stays away for your sake. I'm still queasy even though I'm now in the second trimester. On the positive side, its gotten a lot better than it was but I may or may not have closed my door this afternoon, put my head down to my knees and prayed. It is all for a good reason though.

audrewuh · December 2015

Congratulations!!! Another NEY behbeh!

I second everyone else, try using something that smells good. I liked @speakeasy14 's suggestion of putting it on a scarf.

Good luck and congrats again!

jenna8984 · December 2015

Oh yea, my H used to be a volunteer fireman for 8 years but quit right before meeting me. His father was a fireman for 30 years and quit at the same time (politics with who was named chief I guess, and volunteer wears on you to not get compensated for risking your life). So my in-laws house is jam packed with fireman paraphernalia everywhere and I know it means a lot to them. So I took the test at work and I managed to not text H the entire day. I went straight to the store and bought fancy sparkling grape juice, and a onesie with a fire truck on it. I put them on my pillow and when he walked in from work, I said "This throw pillow is hurting my neck on the couch, can you grab my real pillow?". He was very close to crying

untouchablets · December 2015

Congrats!!

Everyone else gave great advice, I was gonna say get some nice smelling things too

Swazzle · December 2015

Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeek! CONGRATS!!!!!

I have no advice but I'm super excited for you!

AuroraRose41 · December 2015

CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have nothing to add re: smelly boss. Everyone else had great suggestions.

And the story of surprising your H is adorable!

cu97tiger · December 2015

CONGRATULATIONS!!

eilis1228 · December 2015

YAY! CONGRATULATIONS!!!! I have no advice to add, but I am so happy for you and your H!

helloliv · December 2015

I have no helpful suggestions, but YAY BABY! So cute how you told your H. Congratulations!!

KeptInStitches · December 2015

Congratulations!

lavenderfields13 · December 2015

I haven't been able to post in a bit but I'm just trying to catch up now - CONGRATS!!! So happy for you!

lc07 · December 2015

I don't usually post on this board - lurking randomly - sorry for jumping in but JENNA! I am so so thrilled for you and H! I have nothing constructive to add except I love the idea of essential oils. (Can you put that shit right on your nose?) Giving you the biggest virtual hug.