My husband still laughs when we eat strawberries in my house. Why? That’s me (well, the lower half is me…).

My big, beautiful, comfortable, adorable-if-I-do-say-so-myself, STRAWBERRY LUSCIOUS NIGHTGOWN. My mother bought it for me at the end (well, maybe the middle…) of my first twin pregnancy because nothing else fit me. It became my favorite and most worn item of clothing through bed-rest (twice). XXXL, black with a big, red strawberry in the middle and LUSCIOUS written below it in handwriting that sparkled with glitter. It was me, and I loved it. I delivered my first set at 36+ weeks and my second set at 33+ weeks, and delivered each set weighing exactly 225 pounds (an 85 pound weight gain). Neither pregnancy was a piece of cake – although I certainly ate a lot of cake. No matter how swollen and massive I’d become, something about that Luscious Strawberry nightgown made me feel GOOD…

Fast forward: I’m not wearing that nightgown anymore and that last set of twins just turned four. Sitting across from me at a swanky NYC restaurant is the gorgeously pregnant ROSIE POPE in a hot pink ruffled top with leggings from her collection. Rosie is 8+ months pregnant with the little brother to her 2-year-old son. Rosie has an amazing maternity line and offers prenatal and postpartum classes at her Mom Prep school. Rosie is also starring in her own reality show – Pregnant in Heels – soon to launch on Bravo TV.

Despite the strikingly different appearance of each of us at this end stage of pregnancy, we had a LOT in common and it was a wonderful conversation. We shared very similar views on parenting and had a few laughs on the juggling and balancing of starting a business while raising young children. So, I wanted to introduce you all to my new friend, Rosie Pope!

Rosie, you look simply ADORABLE pregnant. How are you feeling on the inside?

NERVOUS! I HAVE HAD A PRETTY TOUGH PREGNANCY SO FOR ME IT IS ALL ABOUT GETTING THIS LITTLE BABY OUT SAFE AND SOUND AND WELCOMING HIM INTO OUR FAMILY. I AM LUCKY THAT WHAT I DO FOR A LIVING MEANS I AM SURROUNDED BY MANY AMAZING WOMEN WHO ARE BEACONS OF STRENGTH AND KEEP ME THINKING POSITIVIELY. I AM ALSO RIDICULOUSLY EXCITED AS MY DUE DATE GETS CLOSER AND I AM NEARER TO MEETING THIS NEW LIFE… IT IS INDESCRIBABLE.

What do you believe the connection is between clothes and the woman during pregnancy?

YOU NEED TO FEEL GOOD DURING YOUR PREGNANCY. NOT ONLY FOR YOUR HEALTH BUT FOR THE BABY'S TOO. AND I KNOW ONE THING FOR SURE – LOOKING GOOD, LADIES, MAKES US FEEL WONDERFUL. SO I REALLY DO BELIEVE HAVING MATERNITY CLOTHES THAT MAKE YOU LOVE THE WAY YOUR BODY IS CHANGING AND EMBRACING THIS PERIOD OF YOUR LIFE IS SO, SO IMPORTANT IN THE GRAND SCHEME OF YOUR PREGNANCY. LOOK GOOD, FEEL GOOD, AND BE HAPPY — WHO CAN ARGUE WITH THAT?

You work closely with expectant mothers through your Mom Prep school. Could you share what you believe to be most important contributing factors to feeling good – inside and out – during pregnancy?

KNOWLEDGE. I KNOW YOU MIGHT BE ROLLING YOUR EYES AND RECALLING SOME HIGH SCHOOL OR COLLEGE PROFESSOR BANGING ON ABOUT HOW KNOWLEDGE IS POWER, BUT LET ME TELL YOU WHEN IT COMES TO HAVING A BABY IT REALLY, REALLY IS. BEING A PARENT IS A SCARY RESPONSIBILITY, AS WELL AS THE BEST THING THAT CAN EVER
HAPPEN TO A PERSON. AND JUST AS WE'D PREPARE FOR ANY OTHER RESPONSIBILITY ONE SHOULD PREPARE FOR PARENTHOOD, LEARNING AS MUCH AS WE CAN ABOUT HOW TO TAKE CARE OF THIS NEW LIFE THAT WILL BE ARRIVING SOON. THIS LEARNING PROCESS IS FUN AND INSPIRING AND CAN RANGE FROM BEING ABLE TO PERFORM CPR, TO MASTERING BREASTFEEDING, ALL THE WAY THROUGH TO BABY YOGA AND HOW TO TAKE GOOD PICTURES OF YOUR CHILDREN. IT'S THE BEST EDUCATION ANYONE CAN EVER GET!

As I listen to Rosie talk about feeling good, remaining positive and educating yourself, I do remember why that STRAWBERRY LUSCIOUS NIGHTGOWN is so important to me. It represents a time in my life when the ONLY priority was about bringing healthy babies into this world. As I expanded and expanded (sitting in bed for three months eating balls of mozzarella cheese will do that to you!), I really did feel beautiful, and I knew I was doing the best possible thing for my family. As I look at pictures now of those times, I am glad I lost the baby weight (!), but those images never cease to bring a smile to my face of a time when I slowed down and focused on what mattered most.

Pregnancy is one of the most special times we will ever have, and we should do everything we can do feel good, strong and happy during that wonderful journey!