Episode list

Tracy, six months pregnant, explains she has only been given twenty-two minutes by the network to tell the world about the process of artificial insemination on her way to single motherhood. After three years of waiting for a marriage proposal, Tracy was disappointed when her aloof boyfriend, Grant, gave her a "friendship ring" instead of a diamond. Recounting the disaster to her cynical coworker, Charlotte, Tracy realizes that everyone else in their office is going through important changes in their lives except her. Tracy's bitter mother, Jane, is unsympathetic to her daughter's plight, while Tracy's musician brother, Tommy, only wants to borrow money from his sister. When Tracy's gynecologist suggests she may be going through early menopause, Tracy becomes depressed. And when Tracy and Charlotte attend a coworker's baby shower, Tracy realizes she wants marriage and a family -- things Grant does not seem interested in. Finally gaining courage, Tracy tells Grant that, unless their relationship moves forward, they are through. The couple splits, but only after Tracy fantasizes about the perfect Grant -- rich and responsible. Deciding to become pregnant through artificial insemination, Tracy brings Charlotte with her to a sperm bank where they debate how to choose the best father. In the end, both Charlotte and Jane support Tracy's decision. But is Grant truly out of her life? Tracy will definitely need more than twenty-two minutes to tell this story!

Having decided that she wants to be a mother, it's now up to Tracy to find a father. With Charlotte along to help, she heads for the sperm bank in search of just the right donor. And once her good friend David refuses to help out, Tracy learns that she must hide the fact that she's unmarried in order to get the bank's cooperation. Following one final visit to her doctor, Tracy chooses anonymous donor #592, a man who Charlotte is certain she's seen at the sperm bank. With some encouragement from Charlotte, Tracy then follows Possible #592 out of the building in hopes of finding just the right moment to introduce herself. And by following him around a bookstore, Tracy hopes his movements will convey something about his personality Trailing him into a coffee bar, Tracy intervenes to keep her donor from meeting another woman waiting in line. Finding an excuse to introduce herself, she then displays a remarkable familiarity with Possible #592's life. And once he asks her out on a date, Tracy calls Charlotte for advice before deciding that she doesn't really want to get to know him -- even if he's going to be the father of her child!

When Tracy applies for a promotion at work, Charlotte warns that the money she'll make won't be nearly enough to get the nanny she's always dreamed of. So she's forced to consider relying on her mom for help. The only problem is that Tracy has no faith in Celia's ability to raise children. And after Tracy decides to have an honest talk with her, she encourages her mom to find a job. Only she never expected that Celia would apply for one in her office. Realizing that having Celia at work would be the worst thing that could happen to their already strained relationship, Charlotte insists that Tracy has to be the one to do something about it. But rather than confront her, Tracy asks the Human Resources department for help denying her mom the job. However, after seeing how hard Celia is taking her rejection, Tracy gives in and admits responsibility. As a result of Tracy's meddling, Celia won't have anything to do with her. Despite the fact that it's made her life far less complicated, Tracy cannot live with what she's done and tracks Celia down at Ernie's house to apologize. And following another round of honesty, Tracy concludes that each generation makes a little progress toward being better parents.

When her brother and sister-in-law's nanny quits, Tracy begins to wonder if she's up to the task off being a single parent. While Charlotte does her best to offer some helpful hints she's learned through experience, Celia is positive that Tracy has made the wrong choice by trying it at all. And once she seeks the advice of a single mom at work, Tracy inquires about cutting back on her schedule in order to spend time with the baby. When Ernie refuses to make some expensive concessions to keep his new nanny from quitting, she bolts, leaving only Tracy to help out. After she and Ernie hire an au pair to care for their children, Shelly asks Tracy to check up on her. And though Tracy doesn't find fault with Gretchen, a hidden video camera suggests that the new au pair and Ernie could be considering an affair. Although there's a wonderful childcare facility at work, its long waiting list is a major setback to Tracy's plans. And when forced to consider tele-commuting to solve her problem, it doesn't take long for the lack of structure in Tracy's day to get the best of her. Finally, once Charlotte makes it clear just how hard the task ahead will be, Tracy comes to grips with her own childcare situation while convincing Ernie's old nanny to return to work.

While trying to get pregnant, Tracy has planned much needed vacation in Mexico together with Charlotte. However, she has second thoughts after learning that her pregnancy could cost far more than she anticipated, especially if artificial insemination doesn't work. Although Tracy tries to let Charlotte down gently, she's forced to admit that the cost of the trip is a problem for her right now. But Charlotte has a hard time accepting it as an excuse after learning that Tracy is about to buy a new car. As she worries about her disagreement with Charlotte, Tracy thinks back to when they first met. And after remembering how Charlotte saved her from a sexual harassment seminar's so-called expert, she recalls how she also helped during a break up with an old boyfriend. And though hoping to make up, things deteriorate even further once Tracy comments about Charlotte's drinking during her own pregnancy. While Tracy is uncomfortable fighting with Charlotte, Celia sees it as an opportunity to start spending more time with her daughter. And to help come to grips with losing her best friend, Tracy recalls the times when Charlotte let her down, too. However, upon learning that her ex-boyfriend is getting married in Paris, Tracy doesn't hesitate to ask Charlotte for consolation, bridging the gap between them.

Once she's decided on a sperm donor, Tracy wants to get pregnant at the earliest possible date. Failing to anticipate was the stress involved in coordinating everyone to capture the peak of her fertility cycle, she hurries to the sperm bank to personally escort the sample to the doctor's office. However, Tracy is stunned to find Dr. Bryan has been called away on an emergency just when she needs him most. After she's finally inseminated by Dr. Bryan, Tracy's mom and Charlotte throw an impromptu party to celebrate. Then, while at a baby boutique looking for a present to give herself, Tracy encounters a handsome customer who seeks her advice. And when she develops a serious interest in Rick, she wonders if her life as a single mom could be short-lived. While waiting for Rick to call, Tracy begins to imagine just what their life together would be like. And though she's already made up her mind not to put any pressure on either of them, Rick finally calls and makes it clear he's ready for a serious relationship. So, even as Tracy doesn't want to let her expectations run too high, she's clearly interested in the possibility of having both her baby and Rick.

After meeting someone she really likes, Tracy is unsure what to tell him about her pregnancy, especially since she isn't sure about it herself. So, when Rick asks her to go away for a weekend at a mountain cabin together, Tracy says she can't. Having already put a damper on their evening, she arrives at the movies with Rick where she's surprised to find Celia and Charlotte waiting to spy on them. As the evening draws to a close and Tracy panics, she nervously invites Rick upstairs, only to turn right around and ask him to leave. But, when he returns for a goodnight kiss, she's no longer sure what to do. Upon learning that she really is pregnant, Tracy seeks Dr. Bryan's advice on how to break the news to her potential beau. And after telling her parents and Charlotte the good news, she prepares herself to tell Rick, too. When Rick shows up unexpectedly at her apartment, Tracy decides to simply break up without explaining why -- only he ends up spending the night instead. Upon waking the following morning, Tracy immediately calls Charlotte. However, when her best friend is unwilling to help, Tracy is forced to admit the truth to Rick, who decides that, under the circumstances, it would be best to think it over for now.

As morning sickness sets in, Tracy struggles with what to tell her co-workers about her pregnancy. Recalling her own family's tenuous grasp on the truth, she tries to keep anyone but Charlotte from knowing she's going to have a baby. However, when word gets out, Tracy seeks her doctor's advice on how to break the news that she's been artificially inseminated. After getting caught using her boss's bathroom when she's sick, Tracy is pressed by a co-worker about the father's identity. But, when she refuses to tell, Tracy soon finds everyone a work is courting her friendship. And while she thinks it's because they all admire her strength and confidence, Charlotte reveals that everyone else thinks the baby's father is their boss, Mr. Price. In order to squelch the rumor, Tracy is forced to tell Mr. Price. Although he doesn't have a problem with everyone thinking he fathered the child, Tracy's mom desperately searches for a cover story that will allow her to save face. As Celia's efforts expose more uncomfortable family secrets, Tracy finally decides she has no choice but to own up the facts and proudly admit the truth. The only problem is that no one at the office believes her.

Once Tracy tells Rick she's pregnant, neither Celia nor Charlotte has any faith that he'll ever call her again. Yet, after three weeks of silence, Rick does come by to see Tracy, but just to be friends. However, when they agree to a dinner date, much to Tracy's surprise, she and Rick end up in bed. When Tracy inadvertently learns of a party that Rick has not invited her to, she wonders if he's trying to keep their relationship a secret. Though Rick denies it, news of an office picnic she didn't know about either suggests he might be lying. Under pressure, Rick invites Tracy to the party. But after she buys her first maternity dress just for the occasion, his reaction to it suggests that their evening won't be an easy one. Upon arriving at the party, it's clear that Rick hasn't told anyone at work that she's pregnant. Upset that he neglected to mention it, Tracy questions Rick about their future. And while Rick is convinced that he's doing the right thing and even suggests they make a commitment to each other, Tracy gets cold feet as she realizes he doesn't really mean it. Finally, despite having decided not to get too involved, Tracy and Rick still end up back in bed just one more time.

Now that Tracy is over five months pregnant, Dr. Bryan suggests that it's time she started to slow down and take it easy. However, with a big software convention coming up, Tracy's boss is pressing her to come up with a spectacular presentation for the company. Seeing how Tracy's condition is hampering her performance, Mr. Ferris assigns Gail Tanner to help with Softfair. And despite Gail's assertion that she's just there to learn, Tracy worries that the up and coming young executive is after her job. After Charlotte warns that her new assistant's motives may not be all that pure, Tracy discovers that Gail has started taking over control of the convention plans. Although Tracy begins to wonder if giving up some responsibility might not be such a bad idea after all, Charlotte cautions her not to do anything that would let Gail undermine her authority. And to prove her point, she shows Tracy the office where the women relegated to the company's "mommy track" are at work. To keep her position intact, Tracy assures Gail that she is on top of all the Softfair plans. Pressed into overdrive in order to back up her claims, Tracy's dependability suffers, forcing Mr. Ferris to turn over more responsibility to Gail. And after being reminded of how she once undercut a pregnant co-worker in order to take over her job, Tracy begins questioning the decision to put her career first. Finally, as Celia encourages her to devote more time to being a mom, Tracy sets out to find a happy medium.

After Tracy hears its heartbeat during an office visit, Dr. Bryan suggests bringing someone along next time for a sonogram to actually see her baby. Not wanting it to be her mother, she quickly settles on Charlotte. However, when the two women unexpectedly run into Dr. Bryan at lunch, Charlotte expresses an interest in dating him and asks Tracy to set it up. Back at his office, Tracy is a little disappointed when Dr. Bryan dismisses the idea of a date with Charlotte. Unwilling to let on that she reminds him of his ex-wife, Tracy tells Charlotte that Dr. Bryan is reluctant to make a commitment. Meanwhile, after claiming that the doctor has long harbored feelings for her, Celia sets out to give Charlotte some advice on how to land him. And when the two of them hit it off, Tracy isn't so sure she wants her best friend dating her gynecologist. Admitting to being disappointed with the sex, Charlotte is all set to break up with Dr. Bryan during their next date. Accidentally telegraphing Charlotte's intentions, Tracy upsets the doctor during her next exam. And though Tracy tries her best to cover, both Charlotte and Dr. Bryan realize that she's been less than honest with each of them. Finally, even though the doctor and Charlotte are unhappy with her interference, they still rally around Tracy for the sonogram.

When Celia suggests that her children throw an anniversary party for her and Fred, Tracy doesn't feel up to planning it all on her own. However, she does see it as the perfect opportunity for her dad to finally acknowledge the fact that she's pregnant. When Fred refuses to take the bait, Tracy tries taking on all the responsibility for the party. But once a series of disagreements with her mother make her realize just how hard it's going to be, she insists that Ernie and Shelly help out. Although Tracy learns that her parents have secretly separated, Celia still insists the party go on. Breaking the news to her brother, Tracy proceeds with the plans. Meanwhile, even after Charlotte recommends that Tracy use his interest in baseball to get a discussion going, Fred still refuses to acknowledge that she's pregnant. At the party, Celia insists that someone keep her husband from dancing with a woman who made a pass at him many years ago. Watching them in action, Tracy begins to dread bringing a child into her family. And once the anniversary toast she makes to her parents conveys as much, Fred quietly suggests that she just might be right.

Listening to her brother complain about the high cost of raising kids causes Tracy to think twice about having a baby on her own. And she's really given a reason to reflect on the wisdom of her decision when Ernie reveals they both just lost $10,000 in a bad investment he made. Under pressure to come up with more money, Tracy turns to her boss for a raise. But when he doesn't come through, Celia suggests that she reconsider dating Jeff, the successful but boring nephew of a friend who's always found her attractive. At Celia's invitation, Jeff is at the house when Tracy drops by. Despite the lack of chemistry between them, Tracy is given reason to reconsider a life together after listening to Jeff describe his wildly successful business -- hair care products for dogs. And while Charlotte suggests she carefully consider all the pros and cons, Tracy';s predicament is put into sharper focus after learning that her employer will be laying off workers very soon. Panicked over the possibility of not being able to care for her child, Tracy decides to give Jeff another look. And when he makes it clear that he's more than willing to be a father for her baby, Tracy really has something to think about, especially after seeing Jeff handle a potentially disastrous situation with his five-year-old nephew. But after seeking Charlotte's advice, Tracy decides not to compromise her principles and breaks things off with Jeff.

Alerted to the baby's arrival, Celia, Fred and Charlotte show up at the hospital, only to find that it was a false alarm. When Dr. Bryan suggests that everyone make sure they are ready once the baby does come, Celia announces that she's moving in to take care of Tracy. But it doesn't take Tracy long to realize that having her mother around all the time isn't going to work. So, taking Charlotte's advice, she asks her to move. And once her dad arrives to stay, Tracy warily exchanges Celia's company for his. Meanwhile, if having her parents arguing over her wasn't bad enough, Tracy must also contend with Charlotte's thinly veiled hostility towards Dr. Bryan's young girlfriend, Jenny. When living with her father turns out to be much more work that she imagined, Tracy gently suggests that he return to his own apartment. And that's when Fred announces he's moving in full time. When she runs into her mom at the supermarket, Tracy cannot keep her dissatisfaction a secret. Meanwhile, despite Charlotte's denials, Tracy suspects she may not be entirely over her affair with Dr. Bryan. Having her dad invite friends over to watch football on television is the last straw for Tracy. But after her mom suggests leaving until the men are gone, Tracy returns home to find Celia and Fred in bed together. After Celia orders Fred out, Tracy fakes another false alarm and gets Dr. Bryan to play along, convincing her mom and dad that what she really needs is some peace and quiet. Finally, once he and Jenny are no longer an item, Charlotte agrees to a date with Dr. Bryan.

When her daughter needs to choose a Lamaze coach, Celia doesn't hesitate to force herself into the role. With Charlotte hiding her disappointment over not being asked, Tracy attends the first birthing class with her mom. However, Celia manages to quickly irritate everyone with her overbearing manner, prompting the teacher to ask that Tracy get rid of her before the next class. After seeking her best friend's advice, Tracy resolves to use Charlotte as a coach. Unable to fire Celia, Tracy then tries to get out of it by claiming the class has been canceled. But when Celia finds another one for them to attend together, Tracy ends up with two Lamaze coaches. Meanwhile, Tracy's situation is complicated further when her sister-in-law also wants to be her coach. Upon hearing that Tracy is taking a class with her mom, Charlotte couldn't be more disappointed -- that is until she learns she's also taking one with Shelly. Told of her daughter's problem, Celia tries to be reasonable, but without having to give up her job as coach. Finally, when she's unable to decide between the three of them, Tracy ends up taking one class with Celia, Charlotte and Shelly at her side.

When Brad and Digger decide to strike out on their own and start a new company, they ask Tracy to join them. Though realizing just how much she needs the stability of her job especially with the baby on the way, Tracy is attracted by the prospect of becoming a millionaire as a result of Digger's new computer software. And after recalling a missed opportunity eight years earlier that would have made her fabulously wealthy, she accepts their offer. Though Charlotte cautions her against doing anything impulsive, Tracy is determined to join Digger and Brad. However, her plan to wait six months and have the baby while still insured is upset when a venture capitalist offers them the money to start the business right away. Yet, despite warnings from both her mother and Charlotte, Tracy remains determined to leave. After turning to an old college classmate who founded a wildly successful business, Tracy begins to question the wisdom of her decision, especially after discovering that Brad is having a hard time keeping it a secret at work. And after thinking it over, Tracy decides she doesn't have the stomach for a risky entrepreneurial venture, especially now that she's about to become a mom.

As a concerned Tracy reflects on how parents pass along traits to their children, Daughter's Day arrives at the office. After bringing her difficult nine-year-old Molly to work for the day, an important meeting forces Charlotte to leave her with Tracy. And when Molly wanders off, Tracy realizes just how much work taking care of her is going to be. Meanwhile, worried about what she's inherited from Celia, Tracy begins making a list of her own faults. But the exercise backfires once her mother and Charlotte chime in with their contributions, too. Hoping to come to grips with her own shortcomings, Tracy visits a psychiatrist recommended by Charlotte. In order to deal with her inability to stand up to anyone, Tracy is encouraged to challenge a neighbor who she knows has been stealing her newspaper. Yet, after failing to get Mr. Burton to listen, she's surprised when Molly shows up on her doorstep. And after listening to her, Tracy sees that the little girl doesn't feel loved by her mom and decides to speak with Charlotte about it. When Tracy raises the subject of her relationship with Molly, Charlotte has no interest in listening. But when pressed, she admits to not paying enough attention to her daughter which, in turn, helps Tracy conquer her own fear of confrontation. Emboldened by the showdown with Charlotte, Tracy returns to confront Mr. Burton, who finally backs down when challenged.

When it comes time to have a baby shower, Tracy asks Charlotte to help. However, a conflict arises when Celia insists on being in charge. And despite some unpleasant memories of her own childhood parties, Tracy finally relents and suggests that her best friend and her mother work together. Meanwhile, after getting some bad news about the length of her maternity leave, Tracy learns that her plans to return to work may require a babysitter. As Tracy interviews prospective sitters, Celia and Charlotte square off over the shower. While Charlotte wants to invite spouses and boyfriends, Celia insists that men not be allowed. And while shopping for supplies, they even argue over a present each of them has chosen for Tracy. As a result, Tracy tries to put an end to all the bickering by hiring Beverly, the baby store's owner, as their party planner. When Celia cannot keep from giving her advice, Beverly stands her ground, forcing her to back down. And on the day of the shower, Tracy is happy with the results. At the party, Beverly finally admits that she only took the job for the money. So, after her search for a babysitter uncovers few qualified candidates, Tracy hires Beverly for that job, too.

When a sudden childcare glitch jeopardizes Charlotte's plans for a spa weekend with Dr. Bryan, she asks Tracy to baby-sit nine-year-old Molly and her teenage sister, Frances. After Dr. Bryan's sixteen-year-old son, Barry, drops in to say good bye, Tracy finds it even harder than she thought to find something to interest both girls. After once she finally gives up on getting them into bed, a defeated Tracy settles in for the night. As Sunday finally rolls around, Tracy insists that the girls do the homework like their mother asked. When Barry stops in again, Frances is happy to accept his help with her chemistry assignment. But once Tracy goes to check on them, she's stunned to find Frances and Barry just getting out of the shower together. When Charlotte returns, Tracy can't avoid telling the truth. And while Charlotte does her best to keep the news from Doug, during an impromptu family dinner, Frances reveals that she and Barry had sex. After Dr. Bryan arrives to break up with Charlotte, he's surprised to learn that Barry has defied an order forbidding him from seeing Frances ever again. However, when Frances claims that she went to see him in order to break up, Dr. Bryan realizes that he's getting what he wanted after all. And because Charlotte and Dr. Bryan exchanged harsh words over the incident, Tracy worries about the next time that they will all be together again, in the delivery room!

Tracy is determined to take full advantage of everything her pregnancy has to offer, including a better parking space at work. But at home, things take a turn for the worse when her landlord notes that the lease allows only one person to live in her apartment. Though Celia invites her to move back home, Tracy is determined to convince Eric to let her stay, regardless of the cost. And if that isn't enough, someone has started using Tracy's new parking spot at work. In an effort to combat Eric's discrimination, Tracy turns to lawyer Roberta Hunter. After hearing the facts in the case, Roberta needs proof that Eric's dislike for children is the reason behind Tracy's eviction. Unable to gain the support of the building's other female residents, Tracy realizes she'll have to act fast, especially once Eric starts showing her apartment to prospective tenants. And in an effort to get the evidence she needs, Tracy enlists Charlotte in a plan. Posing as a prospective tenant, Charlotte comes to see Eric about the apartment as Tracy secretly records their conversation from another room. However, a problem with the tape machine leaves them without the confession Tracy needs to make her case. After the plan to entrap Eric fails, a stake out of her parking space reveals that another pregnant employee has been using it. But Tracy finally gets him to let her stay after threatening to sublet the apartment to the one person he doesn't want moving into the building -- his mother.

With her due date only a week away, Tracy questions her decision to be a single parent. While Dr. Bryan says that the strange dreams she's been having are normal, Celia tells Tracy not to be alarmed by her newfound obsession for cleanliness. And things become even more confusing after Tracy runs into her former boyfriend, Rick. For a dinner date with Rick, Tracy chooses a restaurant known for a salad that reportedly induces labor in pregnant women. After fighting off a pair of expectant mothers. Tracy manages to get the last one of the night. But when Rick arrives, their evening is interrupted when she goes into labor. And once Rick helps her get to the hospital, Tracy is sent home to wait. Unwilling to leave her alone, Rick stays to notify friends and family that Tracy is about to have her baby. After a call from her dad interrupts their efforts to get reacquainted, Charlotte arrives to help. And as the contractions get closer and more severe, they all head off to the hospital where things grow even tenser when Charlotte and Dr. Bryan square off. Finally, as her family arrives to help out, too, Tracy prepares for her baby's arrival.

After going into labor while on a dinner date with Rick, Tracy is brought to the hospital where Charlotte and Celia arrive to help. When the maternity nurse announces that a strike at midnight could keep her off the job, Tracy is worried. However, after seeing her anesthesiologist, she's feeling much, much better. Meanwhile, Rick decides to wait for a more romantic moment to reveal what's on his mind. As Dr. Bryan and Charlotte argue, it doesn't take long for both of them to realize that they really don't hate each other after all. And as the birth gets close and Tracy is taken off the medication that has made her labor bearable, nothing can distract her from the pain. Meanwhile, a call from Fred's girlfriend sets Celia spinning, causing her to disown their son. With the nurse's strike seemingly inevitable, Tracy is surprised when a man her mother tried to fix her up with suddenly arrives to help, too. And as Jeff and Rick square off over who's best for Tracy, she fights through the pain as she tries to deliver without any drugs. When Dr. Bryan proposes to Charlotte, Jeff asks Tracy to be his bride. Yet, despite the unbearable pain, Tracy keeps her wits about her and doesn't give in. Finally, as Rick makes it clear that he wants a relationship, Tracy settles in to get to know her new baby boy.