My Wine and Pregnancy

I only drink red wine when I'm pregnant.
I know, it's weird to read and hear. But it's true!

When I was pregnant with Ethan, I would have one or two glasses of red wine a week. Since he turned out so well, I've continued with that intake and maybe an extra glass or two a week with this pregnancy.

I do have rules about drinking wine with pregnancy.
1. I never drink on an empty stomach or without eating while having a glass of wine.
2. I make sure it is for relaxation purposes only.
3. I often have two half glasses of wine to make one full glass. This makes it seem like I'm drinking two cocktails instead of just one. I usually have a glass of ice water in between.
4. It's ok to have a second glass, occasionally.

When we went to the 8 week confirmation doctor appointment (for pregnancy #2), I asked the doctor what his thoughts were on alcohol and pregnancy. I'm pretty sure he rolled his eyes just a little but I feel as though it wasn't directed at me but at the ignorance that Americans have about alcohol and pregnancy.

He tells Jason and I that "Americans didn't just become smarter over the past 25 years. Humans have been drinking alcohol during pregnancy for thousands of years and we still exist as a successful species." True. "Europeans have been open about drinking during pregnancy for yeeears. Americans criticize them but they all turn out ok. Don't consume too much, have a beer with your pizza on Friday night." Yes, sir!

Of course you should only drink in moderation but there are benefits to drinking red wine*:
1. Red wine contains resveratrol which protects the heart and arteries from the effects of saturated fat.
2. Red wine raises the "good" levels of cholesterol, helps prevent the formation of blood clots, and protects your arteries from the "bad" cholesterol.
3. Red wine contains anti-oxidants which help prevent the signs of aging, osteoporosis, and type II diabetes.
4. Red wine may help prevent lung cancer from the anti-oxidant Guercetin, which assists in making radiation more effective and inhibits cancer cell's ability to function.
5. Red wine may help prevent tooth decay and gum disease.

Playing devil's advocate...

Effects of alcohol on a fetus (5 or more drinks consumed in a sitting-Whoa!)**
1. The child may have a flat face, small eye sockets, and a small head.
2. Growth problems. They may be smaller then others their age. I have always been smaller then ones my age but I'm pretty confident it's genetic.
3. Learning behaviors
4. Birth defects
5. Problems feeding or bonding as a newborn.

I am not sure where I read/heard this but it is my understanding that the biggest risk to drinking alcohol while pregnant is dehydration. Therefore, drinking water while having your glass of wine will help prevent that. You're welcome.

If all consumed alcohol harmed every babes that has been born...we'd all be screwed. But we all turned out OK, right?

Cheers!

Disclaimer: I am NOT a medical professional in any way, shape, or form. I have not done any medical research or have any intention of doing so. This is based on my opinion, my experience, and some articles I've read on the internet only. Both of my pregnancies have/had ZERO complications and are perfectly healthy children to date. I am NOT responsible for your decisions. Ever.

*Benefits of red wine on the body
**Alcohol effects on a fetus

2 under 2

This post is sort of scatterbrained...well, so am I so they go well together.

We are going to have 2 children under the age of 2.

Oh my.

It's been done before. In fact our neighbors have 3 under the age of 4, see... it's possible...right? RIGHT?!

Wait, that's just crazy talk.

It wasn't our plan but it for sure as hell was God's. Well, when he surprises us like that I can use language like that.

The due date is August 24th. Super preggers in the dead of summer. I hear it's awesome. ;)

For the first few months we were both in shock and didn't know what to think or do.

Sometimes I would forget I was even pregnant...until I would sneeze again, and again, and again. While pregnant with Ethan I had pregnancy rhinitis. I sneezed the entire pregnancy. It's back. I suppose that I'd rather sneeze all day then vomit all day but ask any woman that has been pregnant, sneezing and pregnancy do NOT go well together. I can't keep track of the number of times I sneeze on a daily basis because I loose track after 12. That leads me into annoying pregnancy symptom #2; pregnancy brain. Oh boy is it bad this time around. I once turned off my radio instead of my car, went into a restaurant for an hour, came back and the car was still running. That's what that weird beeping sound was when I shut the door, the car was looking for the keys...which were in my pocket...in the restaurant.

I've talked to a few moms that have or have had 2 children under the age of 2 and the consensus is..."it's crazy for the first few years but it's great after that" OR "it's just like having twins."

What's "the first few years?" 2 years? 4 years? 18 years? Then there's college. Oh my, 2 college tuitions at the same time.

Ethan and baby #2 are going to be less then 18 months apart.

As time passes on I get more excited that they will be so close in age. I know they will play together and be good friends but I fully expected the bickering and fighting that most siblings do.

Today, I am 21 weeks along (4/14/2013)- I am getting bigger by the day, or so it feels like it. As my mom suggested yesterday, I'm starting to waddle.

Weight gain is a big concern of mine this time. The doctor hasn't said anything but there is no way I can gain 44 lbs again like I did when carrying Ethan. My goal is 20 lbs and so far I am on my way to reach that goal. This time around I've noticed how different body figures carry differently.

But the temptations of ice cream and most of all...tater tots. Every other night I have tater tots. Every. Other. Night. Unfortunately I am also starting to have heart burn every other night. Not heartburn!!!

Time- it's flying by. I believe it's because I have a toddler to chase and take care of and there is no such things as daily naps this time around. Sleep...oh precious sleep. That's a tough one also because Ethan is either teething, has hand foot and mouth disease, has thrush, figured out how to run in his crib, throw his binkies out of his crib, etc...so he isn't sleeping through the night...well, neither am I. And I only have a few months left until I'm up every 2-3 hours feeding again. Ethan tends to sleep really well when there is nothing going on but that doesn't seem to last too long until a tooth comes through or a bad cold.

When do us mothers of young children get to sleep again? There IS hope, right?

But nothing in this world, NOTHING, beats having those little hands and arms hug you, those lips to kiss, and those precious eyes show you the window to their little hearts to fall in love with from the moment they are placed in your arms.

We are all so very blessed.