Melificent

Oh Fandom Maternity Giveaway!

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Tee; c/o Oh Fandom Maternity | Jeans; Old Navy | Necklace; Fandomly Designs | Shoes; Jane.com | Polish; Essie’s Licorice| Lipstick; NYX’s Bewitched

So remember how I was always complaining that there was no fandom maternity wear during my pregnancy? Well, now there is! I was contacted by Oh Fandom Maternity to feature one of their awesome maternity tees, but unfortunately, was not able to in time since I was told I would be induced. The tee actually arrived the day after Luna was born, so a flat lay was the next best thing I could show you all!

Cassie decided to start Oh Fandom because she realized the Harry Potter generation was starting to have kids of their own, and wanted to give them the geeky options that they so desired. The company is starting with only Potter designs, but hopes to expand to other fandoms very soon.

I personally love the quality of the tees and think they go great with my favorite pair of maternity skinny jeans from Old Navy. Pair them with some vampy lips and nails, and I think you have the perfect Fall geeky mama look! Now, lucky for you, since I am no longer pregnant (& don’t plan on being pregnant again for a long while – if even), I am giving away this awesome tee in a size small. The giveaway will run for one week, until 11/13/15, where a winner will be chosen at random. All you have to do is follow these 3 easy steps:

1. Follow @melificent on Instagram
2. Follow @oh.fandom.maternity on Instagram
3. Leave a comment on this post with your favorite Harry Potter moment

*US entries only

Life with Luna: 2 Weeks

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It’s hard to believe that yet another week has gone by with our little Luna bug. She is quickly growing – now weighing in at 5lbs, 13 oz and measuring 19 inches. That’s nearly a pound heavier and 1 inch longer than at her last visit a week ago! She’s so incredible and proving that her IUGR diagnosis is not going to stand in the way. I always knew she was a little warrior since she was in my belly, and she has validated that every day since she has been with us.

Her little personality is starting to show with each day – she wants what she wants when she wants it and isn’t shy about vocalizing her anger when that doesn’t happen (especially with food). Tummy time is not her favorite activity, but she’s getting stronger and tolerating it much more – it’s just so hard to find time for it since Luna spends most of her day either eating or sleeping! She loves being held against my chest while in our nursery rocker and especially when the soundtrack is set to Borns‘ new album (Mommy absolutely loves it too).

I’m finally starting to sleep when she sleeps but not consistently. Now that the hubs is back at work (where did that paternity leave go?!), I take advantage of her nap times to get things done, but I know I’m eventually going to have to slow down and take naps right along with her. But despite the banging headaches, sleep deprivation and moments of pure anxiety (why is dressing a tiny little baby so difficult?!), I can honestly say that I have never felt so fulfilled in all my life. It’s like a hole was filled that I didn’t even know was there, and it’s absolutely beautiful.

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Do you want your own Luna Cat pillow (or any other fandom plushness for that matter)? Check out The Geeky Giraffe on Etsy and make sure to use my coupon code for 15% off: Meli15

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Life With Luna: 1 Week

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It’s pretty hard to wrap my head around the fact that it’s been a week since I gave birth to my little girl (at the time of this post). It seems like only yesterday that I was in that hospital bed wondering what you would look like and if you would be healthy and strong. You have defied all odds since. An amazing eater, a peaceful sleeper, an all around incredible baby. I find myself just staring at you as you sleep, and thinking how I could have possibly gotten so lucky to have such a magical little being in my life that I get to call my own.

Every day I worry: I put you in warm clothes, wrap you in 2 blankets, and always make sure you are wearing a hat to maintain your body temperature so that you don’t expend all your calories trying to keep warm. I can’t sleep when you sleep because I always have to have an eye on you (whether it be myself or Daddy). You smile from gas, but we like to think it is genuine. You love it when we laugh, hold you close and play you music.

I’d like to join the masses and say this transition has been super difficult and that we are in “baby boot camp,” but honestly, I thought it would be worse. I am happy to stay up and be sleep deprived if it means I get to look at your face. You have brought your Dad and I even closer after last year’s struggles. I value family more. All in all, you are the best thing I have ever done.

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Do you want your own Luna Cat pillow (or any other fandom plushness for that matter)? Check out The Geeky Giraffe on Etsy and make sure to use my coupon code for 15% off: Meli15

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Luna’s Birth Story

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Luna and I are safely back at home now, while we continue to transition into parenthood and attempting to get a little routine going. I wanted to make sure I shared my birth story on the blog before the details got hazy (truth: they already are) because I really enjoyed reading other bloggers’ recaps. A lot of the time, people won’t share the nitty gritty of their labor experience, but I think it’s important to be truthful. It helped me anticipate and prepare for what that day would possibly bring in store for me and I’m glad it did.

At about 36 weeks, Luna was diagnosed as being IUGR (Intra-Uterine Growth Restriction). Basically, that means your baby is not growing as they should be. Case in point, she was measuring 33 weeks at 36. I was immediately ordered to get ultrasounds done twice a week leading up to the end of my pregnancy. It was then that they discovered that she was in the 4th percentile in terms of weight. I was terrified. I looked up IUGR online (bad idea) and terrible scenarios like stillborns and emergency c-sections were immediately thrown in my face. Because of this diagnosis, my doctor believed it was best to induce me at 38 weeks so that we could be in control of her growth and nourishment rather than my body. Cue: anxiety.

12106952_10153178896140036_6870859564084539774_nButton designs by Aviva || Button makers: Cheapest Buttons Net

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Things I Want Myself to Remember…

As I near the moment when I will be made responsible for another person’s life (I’m being induced today!), I have been putting a lot of thought into the kind of parent I want to be. What values I want to instill in my child – the kind of child I want to raise. I know a lot of people will be weighing in on what we should or should not do, so I want to jot down these reminders that I have learned (some the hard way, others not) as I grow older (but none the wiser, it seems).

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This has been resonating very strong with me lately. I’ve had some experiences this year that have exposed me to the power of “hive mind” and “groupthink,” and its ability to make you feel guilty or shunned. Never lose yourself and don’t be afraid to make the right decisions for YOU. Now, I saw this on a professional level, but I will definitely be applying it to my new family. I know many people will have opinions, but the only one I’m going to take into account is my own and my husband’s because ultimately, we will know what is best for our little party of 3. But, again, this applies to all areas of life. Don’t let yourself be roped into making a decision (or not) because you don’t want to let people down or feel like you would be mocked, ignored or ostracized. No one is living your life but YOU and you only have one, last time I checked. Be selfish.

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