World Prematurity Day!

To all of the parents out there who have held their small and fragile babies, I salute you. I have had 3 of my own full term healthy babies and of course baby Aggy who was also term and very healthy!  I cannot imagine the way that it feels leaving your sweet baby behind at the hospital to go home and focus on the rest of your family or to return to work.  To wonder how your baby's health status will change by the day, hour, or even moment. 

I am honored to be a human milk donor to Prolacta Bioscience and today, at 11 months postpartum, I have donated about 22,000 oz (that is 168 gallons!) of milk to Prolacta.  Because of this milk that I send, and many other donors, these micropreemies are having much better outcomes! 

Photo Credit -- Prolacta Bioscience

Check out this VIDEO by Prolacta that shows a sweet little premature baby's journey from being born at 13 inches and 1lb 8oz at less than 24 weeks to the toddler that she is now!

Also as another note, Happy 11th Month Birthday Aggy!  I often get asked how she and her family is doing.  With a nearly one year old baby, I am sure they are quite busy with life and loving a cuddly and most likely squirmy baby but I haven't heard from them in three months.  My answer usually is "I am sure they are doing wonderfully!  They are just busy as parents of babies are!"  I do miss hearing from them and seeing photos, but as surrogacy goes, contact is never guaranteed post birth!  I am happy for the wonderful memories we shared together!  It was actually 2 years from today that we met in person for the first time too!  (I have a keen memory for details like that!)

So wherever you are Aggy, I hope you are celebrating!  I can't believe you are almost a year old!!

Stitch Fix, Surrogacy Update, New business pages!

Lots of incredibly exciting stuff happening here!

I got a really great email from E&L on the 17th -- Sweet baby Aggy is 8 months now!  She has the most beautiful expressive blue eyes. I am certain her parents are just so smitten with her!  They sent me a few photos -- one of her in an airplane -- I knew this kid would be a jetsetter.  She is so lucky to have such cultured and cool parents!

Next, I want to do a super quick surrogacy update with kind of a cool story.  So the couple I am matched with live local to me.  I can't remember what I wrote before, but one of them does the same job my husband does in the military but he works as a civilian now and is a reservist as well.  The other one works in DC at a Federal government agency.  We haven't talked about how much I can share yet, so I cannot share their names but we will use the initials C & E (C being the reservist and E being the one who works in DC).


So we are working with a RE down in Richmond that I have worked with before and we are waiting for a consult -- they were booked out a bit so it is taking us longer to get in. Our family opted to cancel a cruise because of the Zika virus too so that is unfortunate but I am not willing to take that risk!


A few weeks back, my friend Diana was visiting me from out of town but I needed to go visit with E & C to go over some legal stuff and just chat as it has been a few months since we had met up even though we only live about 10 miles apart.  The day before we met, my husband saw C walking into his work while he was waiting for a shuttle to go get our car from the shop.  Now this doesn't seem that big of a deal, except they don't work in the same building and they had only met once and recognized each other.  Pretty cool small world thing. Then Diana & I went over to their house and had some appetizers and chatted for hours.  The next day, we were heading up to Baltimore to go to an Orioles game and we were about an hour and a half from home and stopped at a chick fil a as a last minute decision before we hopped on the light rail to go into Baltimore.  Diana and I walk in to grab food for the family and there was a guy at the counter that looked just like C but I thought "I must have him on my mind since we just saw them last night..." I said "Doesn't that look like C?" to Diana.  She said "If that is not him, it has to be his twin!" 

Sure enough, C was up there for duty weekend and wearing his cammies.  Small world stuff.  I am not necessarily into signs or whatever, but this time.. the odds... Yes, We are matched with the right couple.  It was just really a cool small world thing!  We should have some dates coming up once we have the consult with the clinic so wait for an update regarding that!

Next, my doula business is doing great things!  Remember crying doula?  We are partners in business.  Here is her business' Facebook Page Anchored In Hope Birth Services We both joined an agency -- Our Bios at Doulas of Northern Virginia but more importantly, I have taken on my own clients and I am enjoying what I am doing with this business.  I wanted to share my Always Faithful Birth Services Blog (It is a work in progress, I am brand new to blogging for business).  This blog will be interesting topics pertaining to parenthood, pregnancy, doulas, military life.  There will be something for everyone so go on over there and subscribe to it!  Also check out my Business Facebook Page and I have started Always Faithful Birth Services Instagram today as well -- I will be active over there, but again, its brand new!

 Now onto my August 2016 Stitch Fix reveal!  I did have another one but it was a total flop.  Worst one yet but that's okay, not every batter gets a home run!

 In my request note, I asked for navy and blue pieces especially a dress for head shots and group photos for the doula agency's website.  They are also the colors for my business coincidentally! 

An overview of the items I received

I love this skirt! (Verdict - Sent back -- I couldn't justify the price but I think I died a little inside when I sent it back!)

I love this shirt! (Verdict -- Kept!)

I love these two together!!!

Look how amazing this skirt makes my backside look!!

Every girl needs a skirt like this!

A different top with the skirt and my gorgeous girl!

Such a cute top (Verdict - Sold on the boards because it wasn't big enough for my chest and the buttons puckered)

Cute top and detail (Verdict - Sent back.  As much as I wanted to love this one, it looked terribly boxy and large on me)

Look at the amazing detail on this top!

This one should have been amazing but Aggy totally tore up my belly and i was afraid I would throat punch someone if they asked me when I was due! But I love the colors of this one.  (Verdict - sent back)

Because it is always more fun when you have a group of models -- Piper says "Messy Hair, dont care!"

As always, if you are interested in signing up for stitch fix, I would love for you to use my Stitch Fix Referral Link

Keep your eyes peeled for more updates soon and I would love it if you ventured over and checked out some of the sites I listed above! 

Doula Business & Surrogacy Update!

Okay, so my blog has been a bit slow as of lately.  Not too much to post other than my awesome Stitch Fix clothes but I wanted to bring this back to surrogacy and birth related stuff for at least one post.

First of all, I have mentioned it before I think, but after my amazing birth with the phenomenal crying doula, she has moved me to actually become a doula myself.  I am training in 2 weeks to become a labor and postpartum doula.  This is my dream -- to work in the labor and delivery, pregnancy and postpartum field.  Not only am I becoming a doula, but I also had a job interview at a local birth center and was offered a job that day!  We have to figure out hours and pay  as well as child care, but can you believe it?  Two dream jobs coming together at the same time? 

Here is the beautiful logo for my new business Always Faithful Birth Services.  My friend Amanda from Camp Lejeune so kindly drew it up for me! 

I wanted something that was military related without being saturated in military lingo.  The Marine Corps motto is Semper Fidelis which means Always Faithful.  Those in the military community will understand that this is a nod to the military, but one day, Kurt will separate from the military and we will move on to a place where there probably won't be as many military members/families around.  I needed something that was also flexible enough to be understood to those who are not affiliated with the military and I will always be faithful to my clients.  Taking it further, the honor courage commitment is my promise to my clients and their promise to themselves.  I will always honor their birth wishes and help them have the courage to have commitment to the birth that they desire.  The symbol means faithfulness or loyalty. 

These are the two color palettes I am working with.  I wanted something that also was patriotic and military without being saturated in Ooh Rah feelings.  I like the glittery gold from the one palette to take the place of the chocolate in the other palette but I may stick with the chocolate color still.  I haven't 100% decided.  I also like that there is the subtle pink and blue of baby boys and girls in the colors I chose! 

So there you have it -- my new business has a name. I have the domain for my business and I am working on building a website slowly.  I will probably start out on FB mostly because I am familiar with that platform but I am going to make a beautiful website when I have the time to sit down and figure it all out!  Right now i have a lot going on in life and need to keep up with what is already on my plate before thinking about seconds!

Now for surrogacy news!  I am sure a lot of people are waiting for some kind of update.  E&L and I decided back in January that we may or may not do surrogacy again in the future.  They told me that if the perfect couple fell in my lap, that they hoped I would match with them... well, that is exactly what happened!  I was talking to a local IF couple about clinics and attorneys and my experience in Virginia with surrogacy and the legal process.  We were not looking to match at all but eventually after talking for a while about the process, we decided to meet!  They are a lovely couple and one of them even does the same thing my husband does and is a reservist so they have lots to talk about!  They adored my kids and we just all got along really well! 

They have just had a phone consult with the attorney and a consult with the clinic to start the process last week.  I did have to cancel my upcoming cruise because of the Zika Virus being active in 2 of the 3 ports, but that means maybe time for a vegas trip with my husband instead!  We plan to start working together at the end of this year or beginning of next year and hopefully, we will be just as successful and the journey will be just as smooth as it was for my last journey! 

When I have more news, I will definitely update!!!  Wish me/us luck!

Stitch Fix #5

This is a just a fly by post to show you my fix #5.  I am pumping then heading to bed so it has to be a fast one!

Trade mark Box shot!

First my note for Chelsea-- Gotta love the incomplete sentences and the choppy writing.  But when you see that you are about to be styled, you run in fast and hurry up and write something!

Note from Chelsea

I wanted to love this top.  The print and the style were just my style.  But the fabric was not.  I did not like the texture of this as it had polyester in it.  So I sold it on the boards!

I loved this top on the cards and even liked it in person, but my boobs were just to out there.  I would not have felt confident showing that much skin!  I tried to style it dressier and with a casual outfit. Sold it on the boards

These pants were just okay when I first styled them.  I just didn't like them.  They felt too long.  They were just meh.  I sold them on the board.  But then I tried to style them again for these photos right before I sent them out to their new owner and had immediate remorse.  When styled like this, I thought they were super cute!  But ... nevertheless, they went to their new owners! 

This is the dress I got on the last fix in purple/blue but I asked her to resend it in a different color. I am guessing they couldn't find it in my size so she sent it in black which is super versatile!  I love this dress and how it fix.  Without and with a cardigan -- kept it this time.  Didn't want to have send back remorse!

Finally, this cute wrap dress.  The first thing you see is my boobs.  You cannot unsee them but it is so flattering that I am definitely keeping this one!  It's a great business casual piece when paired with my ruffle blazer from fix #2 or 3 or a cute summer date dress! 

Here is the price list and with everything, I paid about $33 for 2 dresses because I had some credits and also selling the other pieces allowed me to get the 25% discount on these! 

If you are interested in checking out stitch fix, check out my other posts about how they work (you get sent 5 pieces and tell them a price point to stay within.  You pay a $20 styling fee and if you buy something, that fee goes towards that item.  If you buy all 5, you get a 25% discount.  If not, you get a prepaid envelope to drop the fix back in!)  Melanie's Stitch Fix Referral Link

Exciting news to come when I have a chance to sit down and write about it too!  My doula training is on the horizon with lots of new and exciting things to go with it! 

Fix #4 Revealed

So I got my 4th fix and it was a winner for sure!  The prices were a bit high on the bottoms but it was the first time I actually got bottoms since I joined Stitch Fix but I will talk more about the quality of the items sent vs the price later.  I won't chat too much about what stitch fix is, but if you want to know more about the service, check out my other stitch fix reveals.  I really feel that my stylist has my wants nailed down!

Here is my referral link if you want to sign up!  For $20, you get to play dress up and potentially try something you would never try in a store -- so what do you have to lose?

Melanie's Stitch Fix Referral Link

Here is my note from the fabulous Chelsea:

My beautiful fix all folded up in their trademark shipping style:

First I will highlight the Market & Spruce Girona Eyelet Detail Top.  $64  This top really is beautiful and fit me well.  It was a versatile top that could go with shorts, skirts, jeans -- pretty much anything! A shirt under this top is a requirement since it is not lined, but you could choose nearly any color to jazz it up. This shirt is the same shirt with all of the bottoms in the rest of the photos as well.
Verdict - Keeper

Next up Kut from the Kloth Cai Bootcut Jeans.  $88. 
I am typically a Target or Old Navy jean wearer.  I've never had any high end jeans.  I pulled these out of the bag and was wowed immediately.  They were a very thick and heavy weight denim.  I loathe shopping for pants and jeans.  Loathe it. I stick to what I know fits.  I don't step outside of the box of jeans that work for me ever.  That is one of the reasons I have not requested any bottoms prior to now.  I shimmied into them, buttoned them right up and they felt like a dream.  They fit my waist perfectly, hugged all of the right places... but they were super long.  Even in the petite length.  I could not justify keeping these only to spend more money to alter them and the boot cut wouldn't have fit quite right once they were hemmed anyway.  But, had the length been correct, I would have spent the amount that they asked me for.  They feel like they are totally worth it!
Verdict: Return

Kut From the Kloth  Gracelyn Pencil Skirt $58
I loved the color of this skirt, but it didn't feel very pencil on me.  It was just a miss in general for me.  It didn't hit the right length and was just mediocre to me.  I think I would have liked it better if the length was longer than knee length like most pencils skirts.
Verdict: Return

Margaret M  Emer Jacquard Print Straight Leg Pant  $98

These are a very hot item on the Stitch Fix boards.  People pine for this brand of pants and have them in multiple colors. I was very excited to receive these and they did not disappoint... but the price... the sticker shock. I almost didn't try them on because I knew I would want them if I tried them on.  So I tried them on... Like a glove.  They fit beautifully.  The color was a rich gem tone teal color.  They were perfectly the right length, the right fit and they were very flattering for my body and just about every shape I have ever seen this brand of pants on! 
Verdict:  Keeper

Gilli Kamile Knit Ruched Dress  $54

Finally, this dress.  This.Dress.  I saw this same dress on one of the boards but it was navy blue on top and floral and it was just beautiful so I actually requested this dress in my note to my stylist.  I try not to do that so specifically because that goes against the idea of using stitch fix -- If I knew what to buy myself, I wouldn't need someone to send me items to take me out of my comfort zone.  But I just knew I had to try this style on.  When I pulled it out of the box, I immediately thought "This is far too small-- no way it will fit me and even if it does, it will not be flattering!!"  I was wrong.  Totally wrong.  This dress was beautiful.  Simply gorgeous.  I really love the cut and style and this is one of those dresses that I feel that would be flattering to just about any shape.  

Verdict: Keeper

Here's the price list:

SO I would say that Fix #4 is definitely a success.  But with that.... I do have to give more information.  After my surrogacy, I feel so drawn to the pregnancy/labor/delivery/postpartum world and I just feel the calling to work in that field as I always have.  Nursing school is just not an option right now.  With my husband being in the military and the instability of where we will live plus the fact that we have 3 young children, I just cannot imagine being able to complete nursing school in the foreseeable future.  That doesn't mean that I don't want to do it, it just means that I have to put my family's needs before my own for a bit longer.

I have recently decided to become a certified labor and delivery and postpartum doula and the price of that is a bit over $1000 for the classes.  It is worth it, but I chose to keep the money I would spend on this fix and put it towards my doula class registration fee.  So I sent everything back... even the amazing dress.  And now I am kicking myself for sending it back because I really would have loved to wear it this weekend for the retirement ceremony we are traveling to go witness.

Since I had kept 5/5 in the past, Stitch Fix reached out to me and said "Looks like we missed the mark on this one!" and offered me a $20 credit for the next styling fee.  I emailed them back and told them that they definitely had not missed the mark and I wanted to keep Chelsea as my stylist.  They still credited my account anyway!  This company is amazing.

So come early June, I will be sitting in a classroom, becoming the next certified doula.  It's funny how surrogacy keeps impacting your life even once you delivered the baby and life seemingly turns back to normal!