Aubrey Thomason and Benjamin Van Houweling of Ypsilanti have already named the twin girls they’re expecting this fall. Andrea Rose and Roberta Rose will join big brother Shepherd. Because two of Thomason’s sisters lost babies at full term, she is acutely aware of how fleeting life can be. “It does happen that a pregnancy is the only time that you have with the child,” she says. “I want to engage as much with the life of the child as long as they are living, and so knowing the gender and naming the babies is a way to do that.”
Pregnancy craving: Lemon water
Favorite store for baby stuff: Once Upon a Child. I am not buying anything new that is only for temporary use!
Favorite baby gift: The gift of breast milk. I had a tremendously difficult time producing enough milk for Shepherd, and through the gift of donated breast milk, he exclusively had breast milk for the first nine months.
Favorite mom gift: My best friend put together an essential oils/plant extract/salves/etc. kit for me for all kinds of postpartum concerns.
Best advice you’ve received? Drink lots of water and take care of yourself.
Favorite web sources: Facebook parenting forums for baby wearing and breast-feeding are so helpful. Mama Natural is a more recent resource I have found.
Tips for the early weeks: Line up help in advance. Doulas for birth and postpartum are essential. If you think that something is wrong with baby, don’t wait for a professional to tell you.
Best part of raising a family in Ypsilanti: I grew up in Ypsilanti. I love that I have lots of friends here, grandparents are close by and six (of my nine) siblings live around here – as well as their 16 children. … There is a strong parent community.
More about Aubrey Thomason
Age: 31
Gig: Managing partner, Zingerman’s Creamery
Spouse: Benjamin Van Houweling
Latest additions: Expecting twin girls, Oct. 3, 2016
Older sibling: Shepherd, 2
Hospital/birthing center: St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Ann Arbor or a home birth
OB-GYN: Philip V. Fleming, M.D., Caritas Center for Women’s Health, Ypsilanti
