Wine, Sushi, Salami While Pregnant?

During my first pregnancy I obsessed over Foods to Avoid. I steered clear of all soft cheeses (even though, it's really only unpasteurized cheese I could have avoided), I rarely ate deli meat (if any), I stayed away from coffee and wine. I had some wine during the last trimester but since it tasted like vinegar to me, it wasn't all that hard.

This time around I'm much more relaxed about it all. Not sure if ths is a good thing but it's definitely less stressful! I enjoy my soy chai latte daily, eat deli meats and cheeses in moderation and have even eaten sushi (gasp!). Anyway, I'm still having trouble with the wine part. Even though it tastes oh so good when it hits my lips there is still a little guilt associated. Like, is this hurting my baby?

I should also point out that during my first pregnancy I had an aversion to meat and craved sweets and carbs. This time around I crave meat, vegetables and fruits so overall I am eating a bit healthier.

That said, I honestly believe that I am not hurting my baby by having some wine here and there. Otherwise I wouldn't do it. The hard part for me is that many doctors say that there are no conclusive studies that show exactly just how much is ok vs. harmful. But just today I read that even a little drinking could lower a baby’s IQ. Oye vay.

Anyway, I didn’t write this post to get lectured on what I should and shouldn’t do. But I am curious… Were you more relaxed about the eating and drinking the second time around? Come on, be honest!

NOTE: I am not suggesting that women who are pregnant should eat sushi, drink wine and enjoy deli meat like it’s going out of style. I’m simply sharing my relaxed attitude on food and drink during my second pregnancy. 

The New Happy Hour

Instead of meeting up at a bar, we gathered in my living room filled with an exersaucer, play mat, books and toys galore. We enjoyed a glass of wine and snacks while our babies played with each other. The conversation revolved around sleep (nap times, night sleep, routines, sleep training…it amazes me how this topic never tires), feedings (many of us are enjoying the introduction of solids), our husbands (their involvement with their babies), the joys and challenges of motherhood so far, this, that and the other. This happy hour is a great way for me to incorporate some of my old life back into the mix and stay social.

The Special Bond Between Mothers (doesn’t need to include wine)

Getting together with a group of moms is like getting together with some of your closest friends even if you've only just met. We can talk about our babies incessantly without being totally annoying; we can laugh and sympathize with each other at first time parenting blunders (I accidently fed Taz too much milk once and it all came back up). But for me, mostly it's a safe place, kind of a support group where there are other moms who are going through similar experiences. It also gives you and opportunity to brainstorm and ask questions. There is a special bond between mothers that's hard for me to explain but if you're a new mom you know where I'm coming from.

This is the bond that I share fellow Mommy Betas Natali, Jennifer and Nathalee. I don’t know what I’d do with out them.  I think I cried straight for the first couple of months after brining home Taz and they were all there for me more than they could ever know. They are amazing Mothers, wives and friends and I'm so fortunate to get to share my experience of motherhood with them.

Mommy Groups…for that matter Daddy Groups too

I’m a huge advocate of Mommy groups.  If you aren’t a part of one I think it’s a great idea. For those who work full time, even if you can’t attend a mother’s group in person sometimes it’s nice to be able to ask questions over email or just communicate with other mothers online. This goes for Daddies too!

I think I found my new Friday afternoon activity. Cheers to the new happy hour! How do you keep social with other mommies and daddies?



Hello Baby, Bye Bye Friends (and old life)

Having a baby doesn't have to mean losing all of your friends who don't have a baby. And it doesn't mean never doing the things you used to do. I'm working hard to continue to do many of the things that I used to... just in a different way. It's important for me to spend quality time with friends, QT with my husband and also get some alone time. Here are some things that I do to make sure I get to do all of these things and more.

Babysitting Exchange - I have two girlfriends who I trade babysitting with. Josh and I will choose a night that we want to go out and my girlfriend will come over to babysit Taz while her husband stays home with her baby. And vice versa. The great thing is that a) we're leaving our babies with someone we know and trust b) we don't have to fork out $$ for a sitter and c) it's a for sure night out of the house.

Girls' Nights In
Have your girlfriends over for dinner. Cook together, catch up and enjoy the company.

Play Hostess
Josh and I plan double dates with good friends and invite them to our place. We can put Taz to sleep and then enjoy our friends without worrying about getting home to relieve the babysitter.

Get Fit
In a previous post I talked about my plans for getting up early to workout. The early morning work out definitely didn't work out for me :) For the past couple of weeks I've been doing at home work out videos. Sometimes I do a quick 20 min video while Taz is awake and I make faces at her the entire time. She thinks it's funny and I get a work out! (Coleen S. thanks for this tip). It's been great and I have a ton more energy. My husband also has three days a week of time where he has the option of working out while I'm home with the baby.

Grandparents to the Rescue - If your parents are close by or like to visit make sure to leverage them. It's a great opportunity for your baby to spend time and get to know their grandparents and it's also a great opp to get out of the house.

Mommy and Baby Wine Dates / Happy Hour - Too good to be true? I'm party of a mommy group and we recently had a play date where we enjoyed wine and cheese while we caught up with each other. It was nice and relaxing. And just last week I met a girlfriend at a neighborhood restaurant and had a glass of wine. It was a quick "hi and how are you" get together but it was so nice to catch up. 

You Know You’re a New Mom If…

I was thinking the other day “My, how things have changed,” and how funny so many of those changes are so I’d thought it would be a hoot to put together a “You Know You’re a New Mom If” list. Please add to the fun!

• You’ve added white and brown to your wardrobe (spit-up and poop.)
• You consider dinner out and a glass of wine to be a big night on the town
• You’ve forgotten to close your trunk open during or after a shopping excursion
• You catch yourself speaking baby talk to friends and your hubby
• You can’t remember what you had for lunch, or anything for that matter
• You own 5+ pairs of leggings
• Naps are orgasmic