With Lily Aldridge, Alessandra Ambrosio, and Molly Sims all confirmed as pregnant, it seems that 2012 is going to a model baby boom kind of year! Though this will be the second child for Alessandra, both Molly and Lily are preggers for the first time, and there’s no better way to prep for a baby than to learn from current moms!
Michelle Alves gave birth to her third child this month and we caught up with her to hear all about her new bundle of joy, post-pregnancy workout routine and tips on what to expect/do when you’re expecting!
MODELINIA: First things first, have you picked out a name?
MICHELLE ALVES: Not really, we have picked his Hebrew name, but not sure if that will be his name on the birth certificate. My kids call him baby Louie, like the bad dog in Marley kid’s book series.
MODELINIA: You were very active throughout your pregnancy, can you tell us a bit about what kind of workouts you were doing and how they helped you through your pregnancy?
MICHELLE ALVES: At the beginning I was doing Pilates, but then later I switched to doing two days of prenatal yoga and two days of water aerobics a week. I also had weekly prenatal massages and visits to the chiropractor.
MODELINIA: How are the rest of your kids responding to the new member of the family!?
MICHELLE ALVES: My daughter Mia wasn’t so sure at first, but now she has warmed up to him and asks to hold him all the time. My son Oliver has been in awe since the moment that he was born. When the baby cries, he says the baby is asking for him! He wants to also hold him at all times. It has sort of become a competition between the two of them of whose turn it is. The baby doesn’t seem to mind! They also like to participate with diaper changes. They are so “helpful”!
MODELINIA: Do you raise each of your children differently or do you have a specific way you go about it?
MICHELLE ALVES: I try to understand what their needs are as individuals and put that into the family context. It requires a lot of intuition, and you have to pay attention to their clues and reactions. I like to try different things which makes it fun. You end up finding a better method than whatever you tried the day before.
MODELINIA: Any special moments with your newborn so far that you’d like to share?!
MICHELLE ALVES: His birth was just surreal. I gave birth at home. My husband, mom and sister were in the room alongside with the midwife, doula, and pediatrician. It was actually magical to have the support of my family. It was so peaceful, I immediately placed him on my chest and he nursed. It was beautiful, no screams, nothing.
MODELINIA: Do you think you will continue to grow your family or is three enough for you?
MICHELLE ALVES: My son keeps saying that he is having a little brother and another sister. His school teacher even thought I was having twins! So, according to my son, I’ll have one more girl and then I’m done!
MODELINIA: What’s your post-pregnancy workout and diet routine like?
MICHELLE ALVES: I eat healthy. A little bit of everything: grains, vegetables and protein, all small portions! I will also start to work out. I’ll go back slowly, starting with yoga first and then introducing some regular weights and then evolve from there.
MODELINIA: Any advice for soon to be moms?
MICHELLE ALVES: Please work out during pregnancy, I would not have been able to push and stay in the position I did if I weren’t working out 4 times a week. Also, please don’t eat for 2! You do not need to eat double the amount food. The extra weight is not good for the baby, or for you! And good luck! It’s the most beautiful ride you will ever take.
