Almost...a Six Year Old

Alexandria, VA - 36 Weeks

We are getting ready for Meli’s birthday next month, I cannot believe that she is going to be six! Once they start elementary school, it just seriously flies by and so many changes occur. They seem to transform from little babies to kids overnight. As I tend to do this time of year, I reminisce on my pregnancy with Meli, her birth, and the years we have had. Facebook assists in this with all my time hop pictures.

I love brick 

 My pregnancy with Meli was (in certain aspects) more enjoyable than with Colin. My first pregnancy the morning sickness never seemed to went away. So, with Meli I had the expected 3 months or so and then I was done. No more. I craved food that was abnormal for me to do so with Meli. I surprised Will by requesting a steak dinner more than once! I am pretty sure that was our first time eating at Outback together. I also started to like peanut butter! That one stuck, but the meat cravings did not.

Mama

My position at work during this pregnancy required traveling, which was an interesting experience. I got a chance to see how other countries approach pregnancies. Like in Italy the restaurant owner insisting that I have a liquor shot after my meal (I thanked him and snuck it to my co-worker).  I will say that European airlines treat pregnant ladies so nice! It is like the princess treatment compared to US airlines. At least in my experience. I should note that most of my conus travel was done United Airlines,so I can only really say that about them. I was not treated horrible whatsoever, but a stark contrast to the European airlines I traveled with (a few different ones) throughout my pregnancy.

Love

One of my favorite things about my pregnancy (for selfish reasons) was that my doctor prescribed me to have ice cream every night. This was because once I had reach the time where you typically feel the baby kick and move, I was not feeling Meli. The only time that I would feel her was when I ate ice cream. I was totally OK with this. I love ice cream, but my stomach does not always do well with it. During my pregnancy with Meli, I had a stomach of steel. All my typical triggers for an upset stomach did not seem to bother me. So, I enjoyed my ice cream time guilt-free!

Alexandria

One reason we had to monitor Meli, was that at one point very early on she seemed to have been trying to come way too early.  My doctor kept an eye on her from then on.  This was also due to her discovering with my first birth that my body did not create the best placentas. She had likened my placenta to what they call “Smoker’s Placenta”. Now, from recent lessons-learned – I should clarify. For those who do not know me very well, this DOES NOT mean that I smoked during my pregnancy. It only means that my body creates not so great placentas and like those of someone who chooses to smoke during the pregnancy, mine deteriorate earlier than most. This is not good for the baby. That is why I have had to be induced with both pregnancies. I was not able to sustain both babies in my womb past a certain number of weeks. For some women, they have things that cause it to be difficult to deliver without a c-section, for others producing milk is difficult…For me, creating placentas is not my body’s strength. We all have our things. My doctor even told me after delivering Meli, that “I was built to deliver babies – I just cook them too fast”. Rest assured, I did not smoke at all while pregnant. I have never been what I would call a “smoker” anyways. I was what you would call a “stress smoker”. Meaning I smoked only under extreme stress (like a major break-up or my parents’ divorce) and only in my super early 20’s. I would buy a pack and then maybe buy another one 3 or even 6 months later. I have never had a cigarette while Will and I have been together (which covers both pregnancies). I do not condone smoking while pregnant whatsoever. There was even a young girl who was in the same pregnancy week that I was (IAP) that talked about smoking while pregnant. I am fairly certain that she left the group due to the comments that myself and the other moms made. Not that we were mean, but gave our thoughts and encouraged her to quit. Hopefully that clears up any confusion that maybe out there from my past posts. I hate the thought of people getting the wrong idea of me.

National Harbor

Meli has been such an interesting girl. She is such a free-spirit, stubborn (just like her mom), funny, and a tad grumpy. Her body knows when she needs food (meaning she gets hangry) and she needs her sleep. She definitely dances to the sound of her own drumbeat. I am so glad for the privilege of being her mom. It may have its difficulties at times, but any parent knows that comes with all kids. None of them are very likely to be a cake walk.  I love her difficulties and all. 

Alexandria

One of my faves

Greece, 28 weeks

Italy - 27 weeks - sadly my ownly belly pic from there

I tried to post different pictures than I usually do for post about my pregnancy with Meli. All of the Alexandria pictures and National Harbor were taken by my sweet friend, Amy.

~ Love, Hugs &; Kisses ~ The B Family