About Cafe MicheleZ

Photo by PrinceEdsmommy

November is Prematurity Awareness Month and I just learned of a test that can predict a woman's risk for preterm birth -- it's called fetal fibronectin testing (fFN Test) and it's similar to getting a Pap test.

I've never been more aware of preterm birth than I am right now -- I'm in the high risk category since I'm having twins. But I'm just about 34 weeks pregnant now, so I'm in a good place. But what about others with risk factors? Who is at risk?

Photo by Emmy_Dollface

My first trimester I was amazed at my growing belly. It's funny...looking back at it  now it was so small! I had terrible morning sickness all day, but was still was thrilled to be carrying twins.

Second trimester had some ups and downs, but there was a point where I felt so great, so healthy, and pretty, sporting a cute bump.

Now I'm in my third trimester and hello heartburn, edema, carpal tunnel, and tons of crankiness. I'm almost ready to scream, Get these babies out of me!!

Photo from Gap

These Gap ads are everywhere, you know the commercial where they are singing and dancing around and everyone looks all festive yet still casual? Then there's the magazine ad where I think the models are positioned in the shape of a snowflake or something?

Sigh. This ruffle plaid shirt.

Sigh. The marketing apparently works because I really really want one.

After getting through most of my first trimester eating cold cuts for lunch almost daily, I learned I'm wasn't supposed to eat deli meats during pregnancy...unless they are heated up.

So that next time I ordered my turkey and cheddar on whole wheat, I instead asked for grilled turkey and cheddar so the heat would kill off any listeriosis.

Photo from ShoeDazzle

Would you join a shoe society? One where Kim Kardashian is your personal shoe stylist (along with other celebrity stylists)?

I'm intrigued. I love shoes.

At ShoeDazzle, for just $39.95 a month, each month you get a new pair of shoes.

Here are the details...

Photo from Amazon

My doula has me drinking two cups of red raspberry leaf tea a day. Luckily it's really yummy and its said to be really good during pregnancy because it's great for the uterus.

I have my sister drinking it too because she wants to have a VBAC and I thought it would be great for her to strengthen her uterine wall.

Me with shorter semi side swept bangs.

I've had short bangs that went straight across and I've also had really long side-swept bangs -- can you tell I'm a huge fan of bangs for myself?

The side swept bangs look better on me and that makes sense now that I've got these tips from stylist Antonio Prieto.

Bangs, or fringe as he calls them, can look great if you first identify your shape of face, then get the right fringe cut.

Photo by AshBayGrammy

Before I got pregnant, I had asked myself that very question hundreds of times. Along with "What's wrong with me?", "Am I not meant to have kids?", "Did I do something to make this not happen?"

It also didn't help that some people who knew I was trying to conceive had some things to say that were hurtful. I'm sure they didn't mean it but when you hear something like, well, you spent a lot of time having fun and going out a lot so maybe that's why it's not happening for you, it can make you want to scream.

Here's the thing...it's not like I was some big party person -- I'm actually kind of a square when it comes to that...I barely drink. But even if I did, that doesn't often mean anything in the scheme of things when it comes to getting pregnant. I know a woman who has been on every drug imaginable and has gotten pregnant...oh, maybe seven times.

Photo from The Organic Pharmacy

Since I can't bring the spa to you, I wanted to bring some elements of being pampered to one lucky CafeMom.

The Organic Pharmacy has such incredible products -- they are one of London's best makers of organic and homeopathic beauty and health products. 

Cleopatra's Milk Bath and Scrub Spa Gift Set is infused with rose petals, and the essential oils of rose, jasmine, and yling ylang, buffing your skin and making it silky smooth. Sounds fantastic, right?

Ooh I would like a bath right now!

Want to win this Spa Gift Set? To enter, tell me...

Photo by Baby Hawk

Designed from the Chinese Mei Tai baby carrier, Baby Hawk is one continuous piece of fabric crafted to securely hold your baby close to you.

You can wear the carrier on your hip, or  front or back, and you can also choose from many designs. Good for newborns and kids up to 40 pounds...that is, if you can carry them that long. (Can you? Seems like it would kill my back!)

I even saw one mom on the website wearing two -- with one baby in the front, one in the back. Strong mama!

As much as I would like to, I don't think I can do that with my twins. One goes with hubs, the other goes with me.