Belly Mamas

Ch-Ch-Changes

2011-07-06T13:33:00.000-06:00

We are working on some exciting new changes at Belly Mamas, so we will be MIA for the next little while.

Stay tuned!

Kim

celebrating the two of us

2011-06-02T09:44:00.000-06:00

I'm not sure how long it will be until we add #2 to our family, but right now, I really really like my little family. My daughter is now 19 months old and independent!!! How can I look at having another baby when my daughter feeds herself, puts on her own shoes, sleeps 12+ hours at night and sometimes still takes 2 naps a day, plays so quietly by herself, and gives me hugs and kisses voluntarily!!

Don't worry, we will have more kids, eventually, but right now I wanted to celebrate that it will only be us two for a little while. Meaning, mommy and daughter. We had plans of having our kids 2 years apart, but we've had some set backs lately. Instead of being sad at our unfortunate trials, I wanted to rejoice that my daughter is such a beautiful spirit and the wonderful (and sassy at times) toddler she's turning into.

I made these Easter dresses for us from scratch and I think they turned out pretty cute! Check out my personal blog with the process I went through.

here and here

Enjoy!

I think a short photo shoot with just one child is so simple and beautiful.

I definitely want to keep this up with each child we have.

Amazon Mom!

2011-04-20T08:55:00.000-06:00

Did you know about this? My sister clued me into it and I'm pretty excited. I wish I had known about it sooner!

-Kim

KSL Article for Pregnant Women

2011-03-28T08:33:00.001-06:00

My friend at A Foodie Stays Fit posted a link to this article and I think it's a must-read for anyone who is or will be pregnant! Very interesting.

67% off Shutterfly Photo Book

2011-03-15T12:22:00.000-06:00

Head over to Groupon today for a great deal on a 20-page, 8x8 photo book. I have one of my baby's birth story and first 6 months and it is such a fun keepsake. It is super easy to make and looks really nice. Have fun!

-Kim

Need More Sleep?

2011-03-08T12:38:00.001-07:00

If you're a mom, the answer is probably yes.

Check out this post on sleep by Green Smoothie Girl:

http://www.greensmoothiegirl.com/blog/

Sweet Dreams!

-Kim

A Magazine to Talk About

2011-03-02T13:30:00.000-07:00

Hi Gals.

Just wanted to let you know about a little magazine I work with. And love. I think you will love it too!
The current issue is the best yet, in my humble opinion. Check it:

http://www.latterdaywoman.com/

So many great articles on how to be more fashionable—something most of us moms can use help with, eh?

There are also lots of inspiring stories, recipes, giveaways, craft tutorials and much, much more.

P.S. The magazine's companion blog is updated daily with so many great posts like movie reviews, recipes, fashion advice and health tips. You should probably add it to your blogroll.

the trading post

2011-02-28T10:51:00.003-07:00

so ladies, i just launched a brand new blog today!!

click here to check it out:

the trading post

today i am giving away two pairs of handmade baby shoes

so head on over for a chance to win :)

one of the purposes of the blog

is to promote small businesses that i love.

if you, or someone you know has a cute little shop, send them my way!

otherwise, enjoy all of the free giveaways, trading, and auctions

that are coming your way!

Sharing a Secret . . .

2011-02-25T14:08:00.000-07:00

Hi Friends!

Just wanted to give you a heads up about the new web site—Bitsy Bug!

It is a deal site that gives moms big savings vouchers on baby stuff from the best online stores.

They launch Monday, Feb. 28 and will be helping moms discover the best places to buy baby/kids clothes, furniture, and gear online.

Happy Shopping,

—Kim

Salt Lake Prenatal Massage Review

2011-02-14T09:33:00.001-07:00

I'm always up for a day at the spa, but when I'm pregnant, I feel like it's a medical necessity :). Add to that some chronic pain issues I've dealt with for years that have sent me in search of a good massage upwards of a hundred times throughout my life, and you've got quite the connoisseur of fine massages. Although I (almost) always enjoy one, it's very rare that I'd give a five star rating or even go so far as to refer a therapist or practice to someone else. To me an exceptional massage therapist is one who can find tension and then listen to your body's signals to know how deep to penetrate to release it, while still making it a relaxing experience for you. That's a hard skill to perfect, so I'm always in search of someone who fits this description.

At the beginning of this pregnancy, I started having some especially intense pain and longed for an amazing massage that could help relieve my stress. I researched the benefits and dangers of prenatal massage and felt really confident that it would be beneficial for me and (as long as the therapist was educated in this area) perfectly safe. So I was slightly devastated when I was turned down over and over again by people saying they wouldn't work on anyone under 14 weeks along (Rebecca dispelled that myth for me - you'll have to ask her why when you go).

When I found Salt Lake Prenatal Massage (owned by Rebecca de Azevedo Overson, LMT) and read their website, I was almost in tears (sounds dramatic, but who isn't a little more emotional during pregnancy?). I was so relieved to have found someone who was educated and specialized in this area. The only problem- I lived in AZ (oh you lucky Utahns). So when we traveled up to UT for the holidays, I could hardly wait to schedule my appointment.

When I got to Rebecca's office, I tried not to be too hopeful, in case it ended up being a mediocre experience like so many pregnancy massages are. It is just hard to be relaxed when most therapists make you lie awkwardly on your side. I almost hugged her when I saw that she used orthopedic pillows that allow you to lie face down, safely & comfortably, without ANY pressure on your belly or breasts. And then I asked her if I could buy them for my own bed (how I miss sleeping on my stomach!). Too bad they cost like $1000 :(

It also bugs me when the massage turns into more of a backscratch because the therapist barely dares to touch you in fear that they might accidentally hit the 'magic labor button'. Really? I know there are certain things that should be avoided during pregnancy (deep work in the legs, for example), but I'm pretty positive that rubbing my feet will NOT send me into labor (believe me- I've tried). So I was really impressed when for one happy hour I completely forgot that I was even pregnant and just felt my muscles release one by one. It was amazing!

Although I won't be able to head up to Utah whenever I get a crink in my neck, you Utahns can go and see Rebecca whenever you like (I'm so jealous). She even provides child care (how cool is that?) so you can come pre or post baby. And check out this tidbit from her website for you pregos that are desperately awaiting delivery: "Past Your Due Date and REALLY don’t want to be induced? Come DAILY for only $50/session until the baby comes. (We’ve yet to see a client more than 5 days in a row… just sayin’…we can help.)"

So from all of us child-bearing women, thank you, Rebecca, for having the courage to address this section of the population. You are performing such a great service and helping us to forget about some of the woes of pregnancy so that we can just focus on all that is wonderful about having a baby.

You can check her out at: http://www.slcprenatalmassage.com/

And stay tuned for an awesome Salt Lake Prenatal Massage GIVEAWAY!!!

-Jen

ah, sleep

2011-02-09T13:13:00.003-07:00

Remember how nice it was to get a full night's sleep? Oh, you don't? Yeah, unfortunately those sweet, snuggly babies bring with them a whole lot of tiredness. However, there is hope. You will eventually get a full night's sleep again. I'm hoping to give you some tips that might make that time sooner, rather than later.

Now before I get into this, I need to say that I don't claim to be any sort of sleep expert. I only know what worked for me and my baby. And that may or may not work for you and yours. Every baby is different and every mom is different. You need to do what you feel is best with your child.

Before I had my baby, I was determined to find the magic formula for getting him to sleep through the night from birth. I read a couple different books and asked around to every mom I knew trying to inhale any and all tips I could. I became somewhat frustrated because it seemed like everyone had a different opinion and that every book contradicted what the previous one had said. I knew it was possible though because I could clearly see through my associations (family, friends, co-workers, etc) that there were kids that were awesome sleepers and some, well, not so much. I was pretty desperate to help my child be one of those awesome sleepers because I'm a working mom and I knew I wouldn't be able to do it all if I was getting up multiple times a night for years on end.

So here's what I did. I took bits and pieces of advice from a couple different books (my favorite being Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child) and went from there.

-I knew a schedule was important so that's where I started. My baby pretty much put himself on a 3 hour eating schedule so I went off of that and changed the order of things a bit. He was falling asleep during or right after feedings and only sleeping for short spurts at a time, never really being fully rested. I did everything I could to keep him awake after he would eat, play with him, then when I noticed his "sleepy cues" I would put him to sleep. Which brings me to the next point....

-I feel one of the keys to having a good sleeper is teaching him/her to put themselves to sleep. Put the baby down when they are drousy, but not asleep. He needs to know how to soothe himself to sleep. That way, when your baby wakes up in the middle of the night, he can put himself back to sleep instead of needing you to do it. For me, this involved some crying. It didn't take my son long to realize it was not so fun to be put in his crib, all alone, in a dark room. What baby wouldn't prefer to be snuggled and rocked to sleep? However, I knew it wasn't realistic for me to do that. I wanted to rock him to sleep because I wanted to occasionally, not becuase he demanded it. I'm not going to lie and say it was easy...I hated listening to him cry, but it only took a couple days and to this day he goes down for naps and nightime like a dream. You may be lucky and not have to let yours cry, but mine is a stubborn little guy and I knew it was the only way.

-For a long time (for me it was close to a year!) your baby will be ready to go to sleep after only 1-2 hours of being awake. When I first read this, I thought it was crazy. But sure enough, once I started paying attention, my boy started showing his tired signs after an hour and a half. This was the window of opportunity. If I waited too long to put him down, he was overtired and did not go down as easily.

-Babies thrive on routine and I honestly believe they have a happier, more pleasant disposition when they are getting all the sleep they need. Like I mentioned in my last post, I learned early on that when his schedule got rocked, I paid for it dearly the next day. His sleeping was off and he was much more ornery. Again, this makes total sense- think of how you are when you don't get the sleep you need?

-Create a bedtime routine. Things that you do everynight that cue your baby that it's time to go to sleep. We did bath, lotion rub down, book, singing, prayers, then down he went. He LOVED his bedtime routine.

-For the most part, keeping your child up later will not help him to sleep longer/later. I fought to keep my baby up around 7 pm every night because I wanted him to sleep as long as possible into the night. Finally I decided to just give in and let him go to sleep for the night then. Sure enough, that night he slept for the longest amount of time he had ever done since he was born. He still wakes up earlier if we try to keep him up later. It always backfires.

My baby is almost 18 months and he has slept 12 hours straight everynight (minus a few here and there due to sickness and teething) since he was about 4 months. He has always had a consistent and reliable nap schedule and he loves his sleep. He even asks me to go "na nights"! I definietly got lucky, but I honestly think the majority of it is because of the sleep habits I tried to instill in him.

I have to admit I was a little nervous to write this post. This is a very touchy subject for most people and there are SO many different opinions out there. I just wanted to share some of mine. Right or wrong, this is what I did and what worked for us. You may not want to put your baby on a "schedule" or you may not want to let your baby "cry it out". That's totally fine. This is just one of the many areas that we as mothers have to use our "mother's intuition". You do what you feel is right and I wish you all the best of luck. Sweet dreams :)

-Karlee

Baby Eczema Tips and Product Review

2011-02-07T11:58:00.002-07:00

miniOrganics

When I found out about miniOrganics, an line of Australian-made organic baby skin care products, I was excited. I wanted to try the Superfine Jojoba, an oil ideal for improving dry, itchy skin. My baby has eczema on her ankles and hands which can get very itchy and raw (poor girl) so I am always willing to try ANYthing that claims to help eczema.

miniOrganics sent me their "3-Step Prescription"—Calming & Hydrating Mist, Superfine Jojoba, and Infant Moisturizer. I love the smell of all three, and I love that they have only natural, safe ingredients for my baby's sensitive skin. I have definitely noticed that my baby's skin stays moisturized longer, and her eczema spots are healing. The improvement is almost instant when I put the Superfine Jojoba on. Although I secretly hoped these products would make my girl's eczema go away completely, that didn't happen. But I was really impressed with the results.

Although I've already used my entire tub of moisturizer, I'm excited to keep using the Hydrating Mist and the Superfine Jojoba (I can even put it in my baby's bath or use it as makeup remover for myself.)

miniOrganics also has a line for pregnant women and new mothers that I'd love to try.

Now, onto some other things I've found to help my baby's eczema . . .

Eczema Tips

Baths
I used to think baths dried out baby skin, but I learned that it actually restores moisture if you don't use soap in the water, and if you lather them up with lotion immediately after the bath.

Hydrocortisone Cream
I try to avoid using this very much because is a steroid, but it is the most effective way to take away itch, so when I put it on my baby's eczema spots, they have a chance to clear up without getting raw from bring scratched.

Heavy Lotion
Lotion for dry skin/eczema needs to be thick and greasy. I have tried a lot of kinds and my favorites are Eucerin, Cetaphil and Aquaphor. Never use a scented lotion or one with weird chemicals in it.

Oil
If your baby has eczema spots like mine does, lotion alone won't cut it. Get a skin conditioning oil (I love the Arbonne brand, Miracell and miniOrganics). Apply it right after a bath before lotion, and throughout the day as needed. Oil is great because it really gets absorbed into the skin and restores moisture.

Diaper Bag Remedy
I love having a travel size eczema solution for when I am out and about. My stepmom gave me this to try—it's an all natural first aid pocket stick with emu oil and other healing herbs in it. I know it's totally random, but it is awesome! But it helps you stay on top of your baby's super dry skin and it's so convenient to keep in a diaper bag.

If any of you have more eczema tips, please share!

—Kim

A simple headband tutorial, just for You!

2011-02-03T19:03:00.000-07:00

I L.O.V.E creating headbands for my baby girl. She always has a headband on, but usually 5 minutes later she discovers it and yanks it off. But, I tell her everyday "Girls always have their hair done." Little does she know, Mama isn't always keeping her own rule. But, she thinks I'm fabulous and really, no one is looking at me when we're together anyways :-)

So here you go.

The Perfect Headband

Start out by cutting out a piece of felt, probably 1-2 inches wide. The side of the base of the flower will depend on how big you want your flower to be.

Then, cut out your fabric. These pieces were about 2.5-3 inches wide. I wanted this to be a bigger flower. Probably cut out about 20-25.

Here's my stack.

Okay. Take one circle. Fold it in half.

Then, fold the first third.

Then, fold the other third the other way, so it makes an S figure when you look from top down.

A trick I found was to clip off the bottom. It helps keep the points together and sticks better to the felt.

Use your hot glue gun, put some on the end of the fabric, and press it to the middle of the felt circle. Then, just start adding more and more around the center one.

Here is mine. Almost done. There are a few ends that are longer than the others. Clean those up carefully just by cutting.

The best way I have found to make lots of headbands is to buy elastic bands. I found this great set of 3 different sizes from the dollar store for $1! Can you believe it!!! :-) I cut this one 15 inches long.

Glue down one side.

Glue down the other side.

Glue down another circle of felt to cover the back.

And there you go! It is SO gorgeous on your little baby. I seriously get compliments every time my daughter wears this style of headband. I even made a smaller one for myself, but then I realized that even though the headband fad for adults is cute, it is definitely not cute on me!!!

Enjoy!

-Meagan

baby names.

2011-02-01T12:41:00.005-07:00

how do you name your child?
do you stick with family names?

do you have a theme (names that start with a certain letter, or names that are after somewhere on the map)?

do you wait until baby is born and then decide?

with both of our children we had a name picked out before they were born,
but then waited to make it official/announce the name until after we saw our baby at birth.

i always love to look at top names from the previous year,
so with that i now give you...

TOP 12 BABY NAMES OF 2010
GIRLS:                       BOYS:
1.Sophia                                 1.Aiden
2. Isabella                              2. Jacob
3. Olivia                                3. Jackson
4. Emma                                  4. Ethan
5. Chloe                                 5. Jayden
6. Ava                                   6. Noah
7. Lily                                  7. Logan
8. Madison                               8. Caden
9. Addison                               9. Lucas
10. Abigail                              10.Liam
11. Madelyn                              11. Mason
12. Emily                                12. Caleb

source for top names found here...
they list all top 100 names of 2010 if you'd like to see more:)

Online Deals for Baby

2011-01-31T08:00:00.000-07:00

Since I am on vacation right now, I thought I'd share a few great links I've used to find discounted items for my little bebe.

Enjoy!

P.S. I am sure there are a billion more. Please tell!
Babysteals.com

Eversave.com

PearTwig.com (Cute diaper bags for a good deal!)

Zulily.com

—Kim

never say never

2011-01-26T20:42:00.003-07:00

Before I became a mom, I swore I would never do certain things. Well, now that I'm eating my words, I'd thought I would share a few of them with you all.

I swore I would never be that crazy, paranoid mom. Guess what, it comes with the territory. If my child sleeps in half an hour past his normal wake up time, I'm in there checking on him every 5 minutes, sure that he has stopped breathing.

I swore I would never be that mom whose whole life revolves around their baby's sleep schedule. Yep, gave in there too. I realized very early on that I paid for it dearly if it didn't. Being on a schedule made for a much happier baby and consequently, a much happier mama.

I swore I would never let my child have any treats or processed food. I've taken pride in the fact that it took my boy 15 months to even try mac & cheese, however, I have given in and let him have "unhealthy" food a lot more than I ever thought.

I swore I would never talk about my child's bowel movements in public like I was discussing the weather. Somehow, it doesn't seem so disgusting when it comes from a baby. But, in all reality, it is.

I swore I would never let my child crawl around on my dirty kitchen floors. Ha. Who has time to sweep and mop their floors everyday?? Not me.

I swore I would never let my child watch a TV show or DVD over and over. Sure enough, there are times when pushing "play" again buys you just enough time to allow you to finally finish getting ready.

I swore I would never let my child be the kind of kid who cries in the middle of the toy aisle because he wants a certain toy. Hmmm, already been there. What do you do?

So there you have it. This blog wouldn't be very entertaining if we weren't real right? Don't judge too harshly.

cute etsy finds for baby.

2011-01-24T18:56:00.003-07:00

1. Zuzii's Shop

2. Mary Yarn's Shop

3. Anapaulaoli's Shop

4. Just 2 cute accessories

5. Ms. Tip's Shop

6. Yatoil's Shop
7. Purple Poppy's Shop

8. Kateendle's Shop

And the Winner Is . . .

2011-01-19T17:08:00.000-07:00

Zakary!

This 9-month-old cutie stole our hearts.

But you made it hard for us with all those cute babies!

Congrats, Melissa. Contact Lindsey to claim your prize.

Baby Contest Entries

2011-01-16T16:13:00.002-07:00

Here are the cuties who entered our first cutest baby contest.

Who makes your heart melt most?

Stay tuned to find out who wins the photo session with
Lindsey Orton Photography!

Adelyn

Simone

Crew

Zakary

Greta

Liam

Jameson

Olivia

Sophie

Steele

Kristen

Winter Walks with your Baby

2011-01-13T16:18:00.001-07:00

While you anxiously await the results of our Cutest Baby Contest, I thought I'd throw a question out for discussion—

What do you think about taking your baby outside in the dead of winter?

Here is my two cents, for what it's worth. I'm all for it. In fact, I have a New Year's resolution to go for a walk outside with my baby every day.

I know Utah Valley has some serious air quality issues, dangerously so during the winter. But unless I hear a warning on the news about life-threatening air quality, you'll see us bundled up and going for our daily stroll. Here are some reasons I'm lovin my new goal:

My baby girl has been down and out with croup for the past few days, and the doc said the cool winter air can clear her breathing passages.

I have had some random bouts of insomnia lately and research shows that spending 30 minutes a day outside can improve sleep.

I have also had some not-so-random bouts of the winter blues. Sunshine, however little, does wonders in terms of mood-lifting.

I swear the more time we spend inside, the more prone we are to get sick. That's just what I think, but I'm pretty sure I've heard that people are more prone to illness in winter not because of the cold weather, but because everyone is spending more time inside, breathing re-circulated air from dusty vents.

And who couldn't use a little bit of extra exercise? If you're preggie, getting your circulation going by walking outside can help prevent swelling and balance out those crazy pregnancy hormones.

So here's to another walk tomorrow—polluted air and all! Oh, and I have a stroller cover like this. I got it when my baby was a newborn and it was a lifesaver—it got us outside after she was born (in the dead of Winter).

—Kim

Cutest Baby Contest!

2010-12-16T11:36:00.000-07:00

We Belly Mamas are so excited to announce our first-ever cutest baby contest!

The winner gets a FREE one-hour photo session with the amazing Lindsey Orton of Lindsey Orton Photography! She covers the Utah County and Salt Lake area.

It's simple. Just send ONE photo {any photo} of your cutie {1 year old old or younger} to bellymamas (at) gmail dot com with the following info:

Child's name:
Child's age:
Submitter name and e-mail address:
Parent's names:
Short description of photo

DEADLINE: JANUARY 16TH, 2011

Feel free to comment here with questions. We may have left something out in our excitement to see your cute babies.

The Hunt for Nursing Bras

2010-12-13T10:43:00.000-07:00

Good nursing bras are hard to find. Sure, you can grab one at Target or Walmart that will get the job done, but I've found that they generally lose their shape, wear out quickly, give you little or no shape or support, and aren't that comfortable.

That's why I love Bravado Bras. Yes, the best ones are more pricey than I normally pay for underwear, but so worth it if you are a nursing mom.

This Mama Rocks is giving one away!

Anyone love their nursing bra? I'd love to hear about more good options.

--Kim

Where do you find cute Maternity clothes?

2010-12-07T20:47:00.001-07:00

When I first got pregnant, I freaked out a bit and thought that I needed clothes NOW. I bought maternity clothes that fit me prior to really getting any sort of belly. I clothed the "belly gut that doesn't have a good preggo belly shape" you know what I mean?? I was not stylish at all, and stretched out way too many clothes as my belly grew. And boy, it grew. and grew...and grew...

I found that at the end of my pregnancy, all I wanted to wear was leggings and big shirts. But, I really didn't have anything for the in-between era. I'd say, 5-8 months. Do not get me started with month 9. I was a beached whale on our couch. The Hanes pack of 5 v-necks and my maternity Old Navy yoga pants were a daily sight in our house. My husband still loathes those pants. I...may or may night still sleep in them some nights :-) Just too comfy! (don't tell Stacy or Clinton!!)

I think the best advice I can give to a new mom is to buy the basics.

1. Jeans

2. Tees

3. Dresses

and of course, accessories jazz up ANY plain, already worn 2-3 times this week, nothing fits...Accessories solve ANY problem with a drab outfit.

1. You need to get a great pair of jeans. I suggest getting two pairs. If you can manage, you can rubber band your button shut for awhile. Use this tutorial to make your own bella-band. When I was pregnant, I just wore longer tanks to cover my rubber band job, but this tutorial teaches you how to make one yourself! Definitely on my first-to-do's when I get pregnant again!

I bought my favorite pair of jeans from The Gap. I am a firm believer in their jeans. I bought a demi-panel pair and an adjustable waist pair. Both were fabulous. The quality and price are outstanding. You can't go wrong with anything Gap.

here

-Or-

If you don't want to spend that much, Old Navy, Target, and Motherhood Maternity offer great jeans too. I just recommend trying them on because your body can change so much during pregnancy. And getting jeans a size bigger at the beginning isn't a bad idea either!

2. You know what's great and exciting? Forever 21 came out with a Maternity line. Unfortunately, most stores do not carry them so you have to order on-line. The quality probably won't last through multiple pregnancies, but for 9 months! Perfect!! I love their basic tees.

All under $10!!!

here

And how about these fun tops. All under $20!

okay okay. You can tell I just LOVE that F21 came out with Maternity clothes!

I found this awesome website called Flybelly Maternity! Cute and hip shirts for under $25! They have a bunch of other great trendy clothes for cheap too. I've never ordered from them, but if you do, let us know how you like it!

3. Dresses. Fabulous during the summer. Fabulous during the winter. Add tight or leggings, a sweater, good accessories and you can wear the same dress for multiple pregnancies if they fall at different times during the seasons!

here

of course some Gap dresses...

(only $17.99 right now at Gap.com!)

So elegant and slimming!

Love a great jean skirt.

Love this!

Your goal making any smart Maternity purchases, is to really be practical. I try not to spend much at all on maternity clothes. If you know you're early expecting, look for on sale items throughout the year. It might be hard at your first pregnancy to think, I will NEVER get that big. Truuuuust me. I did not at ALL think it was possible for my 5 foot 4 frame to gain 40 pounds. I wish I had gotten my clothes for later in my pregnancy. It is so important to still feel good about your image and self esteem. You are amazing because you are creating and carrying a life, YOUR baby, but on the down side, your body is changing so frequently and sometimes it is hard to still feel like yourself when you are morphing at a outstanding rate!. A new maternity outfit always made me feel sexier and more like me!!

--Meagan

"Goat Milk Stuff" Soap Review

2010-11-30T20:20:00.003-07:00

So in all fairness, I’ve never been much of a soap person. I prefer not to use the icky grainy greenish stuff that costs about 30 cents a bar, but other than that, I’m not too picky. However, after using Goat Milk Stuff’s soap—I might have taken a step closer to becoming a soap person.

First of all, it looks super cool. It comes it its own cloth drawstring baggie with the logo printed onto it. The soap itself isn’t molded into a nice neat little form, but is a marbled, rippled bar that makes you think of old-fashioned claw-feet bathtubs and water heated on the stove.

The first bar I tried was was the Black Raspberry. It smells absolutely heavenly—and not in a sickeningly sweet, cloying way (like a cheap candle, you know what I mean). It smells fresh and doesn’t get old or wear off. My entire bathroom smells like someone cooked a raspberry pie in there (however weird that sounds, it’s a great!). The Oatmeal, Milk and Honey scent soap was every bit as sweet and fresh smelling.

Now on to actual bath usage—winters here are kind of a nasty, dry-out-your-skin affair, but not nearly as much with this soap. It totally didn’t dry out my skin and actually left it feeling much better than pre-shower. It has lasted quite a while (even with my husband hogging it) and doesn’t leave yucky crusty gunk in the soap dish for some reason (maybe because it’s completely natural? Even the color of it is made without dyes or synthetic colors.)

Anyway, I’m glad these soaps last so long, and when I run out I’m definitely going back for more. Check out the web site at www.goatmilkstuff.com and see for yourself (they’ve got some intriguing holiday soaps up for grabs), and there’s some cute pictures of goats also. So long, Ivory . . .

—Noelle

How to Respond to (Stupid) Things People Say

2010-10-14T22:00:00.002-06:00

Nothing seems to inspire the output of advice and well-meaning comments that pregnancy and new babies do. And let’s face it. Some of the advice and the comments will probably make you want to swing your belly like a wrecking ball and say, “Yup, big as an elephant!” as the less-than-innocent commenter flies through the air. But . . . it’s probably better to use words. So here are some ideas:

1. For the unintentionally rude comment (e.g., Wow your ankles look huge!”), I sometimes just smiled and said “Thanks!” or “Thanks for the feedback.”

2. Choose to be amused instead of annoyed. This isn’t always easy, but it can be done.

3. If you don’t know the commenter, you can always pretend not to speak _______ (insert your native language. Probably English, since you’re reading this).

4. If you’re dealing with unsolicited advice (especially delivery horror stories or “proven methods to calm a colicky baby” stories, changing the subject (doggedly, if necessary) will usually do the trick. With these types of comments, you usually know the person, so you’ve gotta be a little more careful here. I usually found that it was more painless to say, “So, tell me about your new job,” or something, than to say, “Actually, Aunt Bertha, my pediatrician says . . .”).

Ok, now for a couple that I really find amusing but you probably shouldn’t actually use (under most circumstances anyway . . . J)

1. For pregnancy-related hugeness comments, try responding with, “I’m not pregnant.”

2. And my all time favorite . . . Resort to third-grade tactics. It’s a surefire response no matter what the comment. If someone says “Your baby needs a hat,” you simply respond, “No you need a hat.” And so forth.

But seriously. Whatever it is you say or don’t say, let the experience make you a more empathetic mom/friend in thinking twice before judging another belly mama. Like it or not, we’ve all likely been on the “well-meaning but exasperating advice” end of things.

make your own: finger puppets!

2010-10-11T13:50:00.000-06:00

i am all about fun, easy, and inexpensive craft ideas.

especially crafts that my little guy can enjoy.

that probably explains my recent obsession with felt. who would have guessed that a sheet of felt could offer endless possibilities for crafts--and for only about ten cents a sheet!

lately, i have been on a finger puppet kick. since i have already made some farm animals, and need a horse to add to the collection, that's what this tutorial will be:

{my pre-made finger puppet pig, cow, and chicken}

the best thing about this project is you don't need a sewing machine!

here is the line-up of what you will need:

{a needle, glue gun, thick thread, scissors, and light and dark brown felt}

i already had the felt pre-cut, but the size of the finger puppets are approx. 1-1/2" wide x 3" tall. i just rounded the tops to create the look i was going for.

the ears are just small triangles--you can make them as big or as small as you want.

and the actual head of the horse, again, was something i just eyeballed. i wish i knew how to make a printable pattern for you. but the pictures below show the face pretty up-close and personal so i think you should be able to do it. if you have any questions at all, let me know!

once everything is cut out and glued into place, you are ready to start stitching! {is glued a word??} this is my favorite part. the stitch is actually really easy, so don't run away if you aren't a sewer.

if you are new to the blanket stitch like i was, check out this great tutorial by future girl.

and then, just go to town on your horse! stitch around the entire edge of the horse, starting inside the finger puppet to hide your knot. at the end of the stitch, i just make a double knot, and then cut as close to the knot as possible to hide it all.

a word of warning: when gluing on the mane + ears, make sure you glue on the back side of each piece. i forgot to do that with the horsie, and because of that i was unable to do the blanket stitch on the front. i continued the stitch on the back, but now the horse isn't as uniform as the pig. just remember that when you are making your own! :)

and here is the finished product! our little barn is now complete.

{if you are interested in making a barn as well, check out the link below to handmade by jill. her quiet book is inspiring!}

you aren't limited to animals with finger puppets, either! i made these little historical finger puppets for a project i had in school. they took a little more time {especially since i decided to get so intricate on some of them...} but i was very pleased with how they turned out! if you need further directions on how to make people, feel free to email me: bellymamas@gmail.com

{beethoven, leonardo da vinci, king louis VI, shakespeare, martin luther, and queen elizabeth}

if finger puppets aren't exactly your thing, but you are still interested in playing around with felt, check out these sites. i can almost guarantee that you will find something to satisfy your little one {or you!}:

adorable felt food + quiet book: homemade by jill

butterfly mobile: bugs and fishes

pillow with rosette clusters: felt furnishings

felt wreath + woven felt placemats + felt flower pillows + rose bud barrettes: the purl bee

what other fun, inexpensive crafts have you made for your little ones??

i'd LOVE to hear!

take time for yourself.

2010-10-07T21:59:00.001-06:00

it's important that as a mama you remember to take time for yourself.

whether it's a moment of meditation,

a solo trip to the store,

or just doing something you love.

make a wish, dream big, start a new hobby, take a deep breath,

embrace motherhood, embrace your spirit, and remember to take time for you.

Halloween Ideas for your Baby

2010-09-30T07:45:00.002-06:00

I love Halloween. When I was little, I spent months brainstorming my costume with my mom and almost always ended up switching it last minute. Typical, right?

Halloween has a different meaning for me now that I have my own family. Last Halloween, I was in labor for 15 hours with my sweet daughter. My doctor delivered my newborn baby while wearing a Halloween tie, and all of my nurses had on orange scrubs or spider web tee-shirts. I bought a cute Halloween outfit for her to wear home, and she ended up being bigger than newborn sizes. We couldn’t even put it over her head!! I was very disappointed (but happy she was a chunky healthy baby)! I knew from that day, Halloween would always be exciting for us. Hopefully, not as gory as last year. I promised myself not to be that kind of mom that dressed her 5 year old in a Nordstroms Gift Box. –ahem ahem Thanks Mom!-

Here are some great ideas for this year for your newborn to toddler child. Thankfully, most of these ideas range from 0-3 months all the way to 5T! I know some of you can spurge a bit on costumes. And some even sew and create your own. (email us those ideas!).

All under $25.00

Monkey; Elephant; Giraffe; Ladybug; Princess Leia; Dragon; Hamburger

If I knew about these newborn ideas, I would have brought home our baby from the hospital wearing one of these! Perfect for newborn-3-6 months.

Penguin, Cat, Lion Pumpkin, boy and girl skeleton

The best family costume that I've seen:

The best advice I can give you is to be creative and ask around! Every Halloween party that my husband and I have been to we are the most "decked" out. After getting over the initial shock of being the only one with full face paint and costumes, everyone said that they wished they dressed up too! So, don't be that awkward family not dressed up. You have a month to get your costumes together! Email us your pictures and we'll post them up after Halloween!

-Meagan

Having Trouble Sleeping?

2010-09-17T07:26:00.000-06:00

Anyone who knows me well, knows that I use to be the deepest of deep sleepers. I could sleep anywhere- on the floor, in movie theaters (husband hated that one), through a fire alarm (probably not so good). It wasn't until after giving birth to Jayne that I started suffering severe insomnia. It would take me 2 hours or longer to fall asleep at night. I was waking up every couple hours throughout the night as wide awake as could be while my baby was snoozing the night away in her crib. I was exhausted during the day. My doctor reassured me that it was likely just anxiety or stress of having a new baby. I found this somewhat hard to believe because although it was definitely a new adjustment having this baby in my life, I wouldn't have said I felt very stressed or anxious about it. I had a lot of help around the house from my husband and was lucky to have a pretty easy going baby. Regardless, I didn't question the docs advice and tried every trick in the book to help calm my body and mind before bed: hot showers, stretching, yoga, sleep medicine, meditation, lavender oil, adjusting my diet- and nothing was working. It wasn't until I started doing some serious research on insomnia and possible side effects that I figured out a thing or two (or three or four). I thought I would share it with you in hopes it might help any of you out there who may be struggling with the same thing.

There are many factors that could be affecting your nights sleep. It may even be a combination of a few. Common reasons are stress, anxiety, or depression. But did you know insomnia can also be a side effect from birth control or even breastfeeding?! It wasn't until I started researching and thinking back to when my insomnia started that I realized I wasn't sleeping because of a combination of my birth control (I was on the Depo Shot) and breastfeeding. The hormones from both were giving me the side effects of sleep insomnia. Lack of sleep was also contributing to stress and anxiety, two extra factors that were inhibiting my sleep- like one really bad cycle. It was a total nightmare! As a result I switched birth control (no more birth control hormones for me!) and weaned my daughter off breastfeeding and switched to a bottle. As soon as I did those things I started sleeping better and better. Now I am able to sleep through the night again, and the stress of that nightmare is behind me.

Don't lose hope if you are struggling with sleep after having a baby. Do your research, meet with a doctor, and get it resolved.

There are not many things worse than missing out on a good nights sleep. Get those much needed zzzzzzzzz and start sleeping like a baby again! (well, a baby that sleeps through the night anyway, right?)

Homemade baby food 101

2010-08-26T21:20:00.001-06:00

You make your own baby food? Really? Isn't it so much easier to just buy the jars at the store? I don't have that much time.

I got comments like these all the time from friends and/or family members when it was discovered that I make my son's baby food. To be honest, I thought some of the same things: that I didn't have the time and that it would be much too difficult. I had a great homemade baby food mentor who showed me otherwise.

First off, I'll tell you my reasons for wanting to make my child's baby food:

1) Making your own baby food is SO much cheaper. By like 1/2! The first month of making baby food, I did a little price comparison and I would have spent double buying the jars (or plastic tins now). That is reason enough to sign me up!

2) Homemade baby food is healthier. You know exactly what the ingredients are and you never add things that end in "acid" or "concentrate".

Now, here a few things to know about making your own baby food. The 411, if you will.

The whole process is cook (steaming or roasting), puree, then freeze. You have to cook most foods to soften them up enough to puree them. I just use my steamer that came with my pan or I roast (mainly vegetables) them in the oven.

A food processor is ideal for pureeing, but I use my blender that's attached to my Bosch and it has worked wonderfully. All you have to do is add a little water (or leftover cooking liquid if you've used a steamer) and puree away. Just add liquid until it is a nice yogurt consistency.

Once pureed, all you do is pour into your containers and put in the freezer. I found that ice cube trays (I loved the silicone ones!) are the easiest and cheapest. Once frozen, pop into labeled freezer bags and you're done.

Easy enough, right?

Besides the money saving, one of my favorite parts has been being able to be creative and come up with different concoctions. I was lucky enough to have my husband (who happens to be a fabulous cook) right along side me pureeing away. He enjoyed making the baby food just as much as I did, and loved cooking up combinations for our babe. Obviously, easy things to make are bananas, sweet potatoes, or squash. But some of my son's favorites were blueberries & pears, applesauce with cinnamon and raisins, cauliflower gratin (cauliflower, tomato and cheese), and sweet potatoes & broccoli. The possibilities are pretty much endless :)

As far as the time commitment? Honestly, I only spent a couple hours every few weeks. Most of that time was just waiting for food to steam or cool down. And that is making enough food to sustain my eat-as-much-as-a-horse son! Surprising even to me, it does not take much time at all.

To go from the frozen ice cubes of food to the table, I would simply put how ever many cubes I wanted in a small ziploc bag and thaw in hot water for a few minutes. If I was really good and on top of things, I would set out the baggies for the whole day the night before to thaw. But we all know that didn't happen very often. Personally, I didn't like the idea of nuking all of my babe's nutrients out, so I stayed clear of the microwave. However, if you don't have any microwave nuking fears, then it can make it that much easier for you!

Now that my son's almost done with the babyfood days, I will say that I actually enjoyed the whole process and without any question will be making babyfood for the rest of my children!

Any of you make your own babyfood? Any tips that you'd like to share?

I have A TON of babyfood "recipes" that I'd be happy to forward along, so feel free to send us an email (bellymamas@gmail.com) if you want them!

2010-08-23T10:00:00.004-06:00

Who's Your Daddy: Creating a Parenting Partnership that Works

Before I had my baby, I envisioned myself as a capable, independent mom who would do her “job” and let my husband do his jobs. Sort of a separate but equal kind of thing. I looked down a little bit on moms who, when said husband came home from a long day at work, immediately handed him a poopy, crying baby. (If you’ve read my other posts, you may be coming to realize that I was way too judgmental of moms. Good thing I am one now and eat my words—and thoughts—all the time, huh? J )

Anyway, that perspective was a tad unenlightened to say the least (with a few caveats anyway), and I’m grateful my husband didn’t share the same view. He’s been a huge help from day one. It helps me with the work and responsibilities a baby brings, and maybe even more important, it makes me feel like he understands how difficult being a mom is sometimes, since he’s willing to step up to the plate even after he’s had a long day at work or school. So, moving right along, here’s a few things we’ve learned along the way/learned from watching others about making the parenting partnership work:

• One of the things I initially found so frustrating about motherhood was that the job never ends, especially in those first few months when baby is waking up round the clock. During those months I daydreamed about having a job that would let me clock out and go home, to spend my evening in peace, recharge, and prepare for the next day. Sharing responsibilities in the evening keeps you from getting burned out. For the first few months especially, we made it a point of having some out-of-the-house errand I could do—by myself—once my husband got home. I know running an errand seems like a little thing, but it was so nice to have a minute to myself. As Luke got older, and when my husband’s schedule allowed for it, we stepped this up a bit. Now I take a class once a week for about an hour and volunteer once a week for a couple hours, while the boys have some Daddy-son time.

• One of the things I’ve had to keep myself in check with is expecting my husband to take over completely once he gets home for the day. Sharing the load is crucial to a healthy partnership, but sometimes I selfishly decide that I’m the only one who’s had a long day, and now I deserve a break (some guys have this same attitude about coming home from their job).

• Don’t get into “whose job is harder” arguments. Nobody ever wins these, and it just makes both of you feel bad/like your contribution isn’t valued. However, I have found it very helpful to talk to my hubby about why being a mom is hard sometimes/what I feel like I need the most help with. Don’t keep your frustrations and concerns in—but do remember that how you voice them is crucial.

• On the same note, it also helps me to hear about my husband’s day/what he’s working on/what he’s got on his plate and his concerns, etc. Sometimes it feels like he gets to go off and “have fun” while I stay home with Mr. Poopypants (no offense, Luke). It helps to have a reminder that this isn’t the case.

• Take the lead in getting in the habit of thanking one another for help/showing appreciation, even for things that seem routine. Maybe it’s part of your routine that your husband usually gives baby a bath each night. Thank him for doing it anyway.

• Try not to stress about it if Daddy doesn’t do everything exactly “right” when he’s on baby duty. Just be grateful he’s on baby duty J Critiquing him for not strapping the diaper on just right is a surefire way to discourage him from wanting to change it. It’s a given he’s not going to do things the way you do them, but try not to stress out about it. You’ll all be just fine.

preparing for life with two.

2010-08-19T19:36:00.005-06:00

when we found out we were pregnant with our second baby,

i was so excited i jumped up and down in the bathroom,

but then moments later i felt overwhelmed and very, very nervous.

how was i going to care for not one, but two little people?

would preslee (my daughter) think i loved her less when the baby came?

how was i going to nurse the new baby and give enough love and attention to preslee at the same time?

what if they both woke up in the night at the same time?

these questions ran through my mind for the full nine months.

the day before i had my sweet jonah boy i cried for preslee.

her world was about to be rocked and i felt so worried.

but then he was born.

and it was so amazing to see her staring at his little face and poking his little nose.

she liked him, well at least she was impartial to him:)

and things fell into place.

not every moment was, nor has been, smooth.

but they are brother and sister and their love runs deep,

even at their young ages.

so what can be done to prepare for two?

i would say:

*talk to your child, at their level, a lot about the baby that will be joining your family.

*buy them a baby doll and teach them how to be soft and gentle.

*plan to involve your child in most everything once the baby comes. if you make them feel important and helpful with the baby they will be more apt to enjoy, rather than resent, the time and attention the baby needs.

*realize that there will be moments where two are crying at the same time, where you just wish you had one more hand, where you will be overwhelmed, where adjusting will take time...

those things are normal and to be expected.

and also, realize that you are giving your oldest child a lifelong friend,

you are teaching them that they aren't the only person on the planet to love,

you are giving them a lifelong gift.

shortly after i had my jonah,

i wrote this post about life with two:)

what has helped you prepare for life with two?

love, tam

Pregnancy Battle Wounds: How to Avoid Them

2010-08-15T11:15:00.002-06:00

Stretch Marks: It's true — these nasties are primarily hereditary. But you can decrease your chances of getting them (or at least make you feel like you are) by smothering those stretch-mark-prone areas (thighs, tummy, boobs) with intensely moisturizing lotion throughout your entire pregnancy and beyond. I used Palmer's cocoa butter and it worked for me. Plus, it was on the cheaper end of body butters.

Extra Weight: It's hard to get to the gym — let alone out of the house sometimes. I have always been an excersizer, but after becoming a mom, my motivation tanked big time. I had to give myself something to work towards or else there was no way I was going to run three miles after getting four hours of sleep. So, I signed myself up for a half marathon. It was scary. I have never done one before (it is this Saturday!) But it really made all the differerence in getting me out on a run.

If you are still pregnant, you gotta exercise if your pregnancy permits (most do). That will help you get back to your pre-pregnancy weight more than anything else.

{Click here for more on excersizing while pregnant}

Tummy Flab: Even with lots of exercise, this can remain a problem area. So, you have to eat well. I know, I know. After nine months of no feta, you want to go crazy. Start with something simple — reduce the amount of processed foods you eat and turn to whole foods instead. Another easy way to eat healthier is to not buy the bad stuff in the first place. If I have a package of oreos in my cupboard or ice cream in the freezer, you better believe I will finish them off in no time — especially when I am home a lot and often too tired to make a real lunch. In addition to diet, core exercises will help a lot. Try Pilates!

{Read Karlee's awesome post here for more on how to lose the baby weight.}

Loss of Libido: This is more common than you may think. While you're pregnant, hormones can take you a number of directions. You may "in the mood" more often than ever, or you may find that your oversized belly makes alone time a little harder to enjoy. If you're become a mom and have been given the green light after your recovery period, you may be lacking libido because of a number of factors: lingering hormones from pregnancy and breastfeeding that can lower libido and lubrication, discomfort with your post-baby body, sleep deprivation and emotional fulfillment from your little one. Whatever the reason — if you're feeling less inclined to hop into bed with your guy, don't stress. It's normal. But do something about it — there are things you can do to get back in the mood. You can talk to your doctor for helpful tips.

{Check out this post for more on post-baby marriage.}

—Kim

Bringing Baby Home

2010-08-11T15:43:00.000-06:00

So you survived labor and delivery and have a tiny new roommate to show for it. Now what? It might sound like a silly question, but I know I’m not alone when I say that my apprehension level rose a few degrees as I prepared to leave the hospital and bring my new bean home. It meant that the “call nurse” button was going away, along with the night nursery, along with the endless supply of whatever it was I needed at the moment to help care for this little person with innumerable needs and only one way to communicate them all (Since I had a C-section I had a little more time in the hospital to get comfortable with this life) I learned a lot over the next few days, such as:

1. The ride home from the hospital was UBER stressful. Partly because I’d never been in the car with a baby this young (let alone MY baby) and partly because my whacked-out hormones kept me convinced that tragedy was going to befall my new baby any second. I was really quite shocked when we pulled up to our house without having been involved in a collision. Know that it gets better, if the ride home stresses you out too.

2. We stocked up on diapers too much. Don’t go out and buy several jumbo packs of the newborn diapers. First of all, your baby (like mine) might be on the verge of outgrowing them the second he’s born. And babies often grow surprisingly quickly in those first few months, so what fits today might not fit very well in a month.

3. Take the baby books you’ve read and the advice you’ve received (and will continue to receive constantly) with a grain of salt. You’re not failing as a parent if your baby isn’t responding to the “proven methods to calm colic,” and you’re not doing something wrong if he or she cries quite a bit that first couple months (2 to 3 hours a day is considered normal, unfortunately, but it does pass). Don’t hyperventilate about it if your baby isn’t on a set schedule by three days old either. Everything takes time, and it’s a whole new world for the both of you.

4. Remember that you don’t need all that much to bring a baby home. Mostly, baby needs you, some diapers (the hospital will give you plenty to get started on), and a safe place to sleep. If you weren’t quite prepared with every little thing, it’s okay. There’s nothing wrong with accumulating supplies as you need them, and it’s nice to have an excuse get out of the house.

5. Go on a date with your husband while someone you trust watches the baby, after you’ve been home a few days. You might not be feeling super hot, but go out anyway, if only for an hour or so. You can get cabin fever without even realizing it that first little while especially.

—Noelle

Momtuition

2010-07-28T14:44:00.002-06:00

"Spanking" By Norman Rockwell

   I was one of those first time moms-to-be that read everything under the sun in preparation for life with a baby. I was pretty well-read on techniques to help my baby nap like a champ and sleep through the night. I knew all about the most recommended baths, lotions, diaper rash ointments, mattresses, bottles, teething remedies ... you name it. I learned the early signs of colic, jaundice, fever and allergies.
   And while I think a lot of that reading helped (my baby does nap like a champ and I'm convinced I have the best baby bath around) it took me a few months to learn that the best thing I can do for my baby is trust my own instincts instead of looking to books, google searches and even pediatricians and well-meaning friends and family members for answers.
   I felt a huge wave of relief when I finally decided to make decisions based on what I thought instead of checking with the "experts" or experienced parents who think they have the answers. Babies have unique needs, preferences and personalities, and for the most part, there are no general fix-its that work for every baby. Sometimes it can be frustrating to share a problem with someone and they say, "Oh just do this and it will work out." Sometimes it just doesn't. Don't get me wrong — suggestions and advice from others has helped me immensely, and I will continue to ask for it from time to time. I just wish I had been prepared from the dawn of new-motherhood for how much of it would come my way and how much of it I would have to discard.
   So, all you fellow research/Google-everything new moms out there, give the mouse a rest, put the book down and trust yourself. You'll connect more with your baby and be more in tune with his or her needs that way.

—Kim

Check out this Giveaway!

2010-07-12T12:52:00.000-06:00

It's not too late to get your bod into shape for summer.
This amazing giveaway will help you do that.
Good luck!

Birth Day

2010-07-07T11:08:00.001-06:00

My husband and I were so excited when we found out we were pregnant with our first baby on the first day of spring. I had an easy, joyful pregnancy, so I hoped the labor and delivery would be the same. Although that wasn't exactly the case, I still think of my daughter's birth day as the best day of my life.

It all started on Monday, Nov. 30th, at 10:30 p.m.

After almost a week of pre-labor contractions that were keeping me up at night, things started getting a little more intense. My contractions were four to five minutes apart and lasted close to a minute long. I labored on my own for a couple hours, using the relaxation techniques I learned in my Hypnobabies classes and breathed through each contraction until I felt like I needed a little extra help to make it through them. I woke up my husband around midnight and he applied pressure to my back and talked me through the contractions.

Around 3 a.m., we decided it was time to call my doula, Melissa. I was thinking this was probably "it," but couldn't quite wrap my mind around it — especially since I was so worried about the contractions just going on for days like they had been. Melissa came over and worked her magic. She helped me through each contraction by applying pressure to just the right spot on my back, sometimes on my hips, and by helping me try lots of different positions to ease the intensity of each contraction. She brought her essential oils (lavender, orange and lemon) and put them in my candle warmer to permeate the air with their calming/energizing smells.

I was already tired at this point from not sleeping much the past week, so I tried to take a little nap. I wasn't really able to take a real nap, but I did doze off for the few minutes in between contractions. When the sun came up, I put on my upbeat music mix. Melissa recommended making a few different playlists for my labor day, so I did. Studies have shown that women who listen to music during labor report feeling less pain.

Melissa made some omelets and fruit salad for breakfast, then we went on a walk. It was such a perfect day outside. Perfect, but pretty hilarious for the standers-by to see a bundled up, exhausted pregnant lady randomly collapse into her husband's arms every few minutes while another lady pressed on her back. We sure got some funny looks, but I didn't really care at this point. The walk actually made my contractions a little easier for some reason. We went back home and had some lunch, I went through more contractions in different positions, (my birthing ball was my best friend during labor!) and the contractions were getting more intense. At 6 p.m., after 19 and 1/2 hours of laboring at home, we all thought it was time to go to the hospital.

And the drama sets in ...

We drove to the hospital in rush hour traffic, and any mother will agree that having contractions in the car is not optimal. We made it to the hospital and I got checked in the triage room. I was completely effaced and dilated at a 3+, but they wouldn't admit me until I was a solid 4. The midwife on call suggested I go walk around Target or something. Love the midwife, hated her suggestion. I could barely stand up at this point! We decided to walk the halls of the hospital for two hours and get checked again. Still a 3+. The midwife gave us 3 options: go home, hang out in the triage room until I could be admitted, or take a shot of morphine so I could get some sleep. But the problem with the morphine, she said, was that it may or may not work for me. It could work for 20 minutes, or up to 6 hours.

Everyone left to give us privacy to think our options over. It was really a moment of despair for my husband and I. We did not want to go home. Not because we were too anxious for our baby girl to come — we knew she was already on her way. The desperation was that I was completely exhausted physically and emotionally. I really didn't know if I could continue. Also, I had always wanted an unmedicated birth, but if things kept going how they were, I knew I wouldn't be able to handle it. The tears came. My sweet husband, who told me later how worried he was about me despite the reassuring smile on his face, asked me what I wanted to do. Then he said one of the most heartfelt, pleading prayers I have ever heard.

Then I told him I wanted that morphine.

It was one of the best decisions I've ever made. Who knew a shot in the butt would ever be an answer to my prayer? The morphine started working immediately. We decided to go to my mom's house because her beds are so comfortable. When we got there, my husband basically carried me to the bed and I zonked out for four hours. Bliss. When it wore off, I woke up at 2:30 a.m. and the contractions picked right up where they left off. I called for my husband and he sent in Melanie, a doula-in-training/angel from heaven who came to help while Melissa went home and rested. Melanie was incredible. So sweet and motherly. She helped me through the contractions for a couple of hours and Melissa came back. I labored at home until 8:30 a.m., when my sister brought her chubby little baby Kate to show me the end product I was going towards — it was good motivation.

When I started feeling slight urges to push during contractions, we thought it would be a good idea to head to the hospital again, crossing our fingers that I was far enough along this time.

We hit rush hour traffic again. When we finally got to the hospital and went into the triage room, I heard some serious screaming and moaning down the hall. I tried to convince myself it was just a fussy kid that sounded like a woman in labor. Then the nurse said, "Oh, that lady is doing an unmedicated birth — thus the screams!" I hoped I wouldn't be screaming like that because it sounded just plain painful. When the nurse checked me, I was dilated 8 centimeters — and I was SO happy.

I was admitted to a room, got into the tub, and things moved really quickly. I was at a 9 1/2 then a 10 in under 2 hours. I was surprised at how little I cared about privacy at this point. Yes, I brought a modest little sports bra to wear in the tub, but it stayed in the bag. I figured the delivery staff had seen plenty of nakedness. The only thing I cared about was remaining calm during my contractions and getting my baby out! The pushing urges started getting stronger, so I went to the bed and got into a side-lying position, and started seriously pushing. I was excited to be at the pushing stage because I knew I was so close to the end and would meet our baby girl so soon. It was nice to get kind of a break from contractions and do something "more productive." I compare the pushing to when you are violently ill with the stomach flu and your whole body tenses up as you can't help but throw up. I didn't feel any nausea or anything ... but the urge to push was really strong and draining. The midwife didn't do any coaching — she just let me push when I felt like I wanted to, which I liked.

The midwife asked me if I wanted her to break my water. But I remembered seeing the hook they use to break water in my Hypnobabies class — it looks like an extra long knitting needle. The thought of having that thing inside me was anything but pleasant. But the thought of speeding things along was tempting. Before I had a chance to answer my midwife, another pushing urge came and my water broke like a balloon. Everyone said they heard it! I just felt it.

Now it was time to get down to business. I had my husband put on my upbeat music mix. I was just pushing along when everyone excitedly said they could see my baby's head. My mom said, "She has dark curly hair just like you had!" That little sneak peek gave me some extra motivation to push. I got her head out, and then the rest of her body slipped out like a jellyfish — all to the tune of Weezer's "Holiday."

The first thing I said when my baby came out was "I did it!" I felt SO relieved. And ecstatic — both that my baby girl was here and that I actually made it through the undmedicated childbirth I had wanted so badly. My midwife handed my new daughter to me right away. I tore a little and bled a lot, so there were stitches and shots to be reckoned with, but they didn't phase me much because I felt like I could do anything at that point. I was completely awake and energized the entire day. The fact that the little brown-haired baby I was finally holding in my arms was mine and that my body knew how to get her here on its was an absolute miracle.

One thing I learned that day is that I can do anything. And when it comes to giving birth, women are so much stronger than they give themselves credit for.

beck's arrival

2010-07-01T14:39:00.003-06:00

The day before Beck was born (two weeks before my due date), I started noticing that the swelling in my huge cankles wasn't going down, like it normally did, when I put my feet up. I remembered reading somewhere that this could be a symptom of pre-clampsia, so I had one of the Physical Therapists at my work take my blood pressure for me. Sure enough, reading said high. I had him take it several times throughout the morning and it just kept on getting higher and higher. My BP had stayed well below normal my entire pregnancy so I called my nurse, just in case. She wanted me to come in that afternoon so they could check things out.

Deep down I think I knew that this was the end- that the Dr. was going say that it was safer to have my baby now than keep him in there with threats of pre-clampsia looming. But I was in total denial, and even told my husband he didn't need to come to the Dr. with me, it was "no big deal."

Luckily, my husband insisted, and even went home to get our hospital bags before he met me at the Dr. Good thing he did, because when my BP continued to skyrocket, I was told I was having my baby and was admitted right then!

Since I wasn't dilated or effaced at all, they started me on a pill to "soften" things up a bit the entire night. At 6 a.m. they got the pitocin going and at 8 a.m. my water was broken. This (in conjunction with upping the pitocin) produced some intense contractions, and by 10 a.m., I was begging for the anesthesiologist. The epidural was wonderful! For me, it was perfect because I could still feel the contractions, it just didn't hurt. Glorious!

{Insert 6 long, boring hours of absolutely nothing}

I was checked every hour, and every time I would get my hopes up just to be disappointed with a "Still at a 2." I was having frequent, strong contractions, but my body was not making any progress. One time I even got a "Well I'll give you a 2+", but I'm pretty sure he just wanted to make me feel good. At 3:30, the Dr. came in to up the pitocin one last time and said that if I didn't start to progress, we were going to have to start talking C-section (Beck's heart rate was showing signs of distress with some of the contractions). I did not want to go the C-section route, so I was praying my little heart out.

At 4:00 p.m., I started to feel some major pressure. I honestly felt like I had to poo and was terrified because the thought of having a bowl movement during birth was mortifying to me. The pressure got worse and worse with each contraction and so I mentioned something to my nurse when she came in to check on me. She said, "oh good, maybe your starting to progress now." During the couple contractions that she was there, I suddenly had the involuntary urge to push. I knew she probably thought I was a "crazy, first time mom," but I asked her if she could check me because I really thought I needed to push. She (almost reluctantly) agreed and we were all shocked when she yelled out, "Oh my gosh, your a 10, and his head is right there!" Yep, I went from a 2 to a 10 in half an hour!

She called the Dr. right down, did a couple practice pushes with me, I pushed a couple times once the Dr. arrived, and little Beck was born!

There are honestly no words to describe my emotions as he was placed on my chest for the first time. My breath was literally taken away as I looked at this perfect, tiny, little boy that was mine. All mine.

jayne's birth story in a nutshell

2010-06-28T22:45:00.001-06:00

i'm going to share it the same way i wrote it the day it happened

(with some slight modifications since my mind was a tad fuzzy at the time...)

2:30 am. contractions woke me up. not painful but consistent.

4:00 am. heading to hospital (contractions already 2 1/2 min. apart)

6:00 am. Steve helping relieve some pressure during contractions (still feeling pretty good). On constant monitoring as jayne's heart rate is dropping occasionally (they tell me this is not good), my contractions are very close together, and I'm only at a 2 1/2 (yikes).

8am.-10:15am. ONE MAJOR BLUR. My water breaks and things get really intense. Some periods of no break in between contractions. Getting nervous as jayne's heart is being monitored and still having drops. Have to lie on my side in the hospital bed for rest of time to get best possible heart rate for her- and to avoid c-section. At this point I am having very intense contractions 1 min. apart and some back to back double. Steve and my mom were the best team ever, coaching me and being so supportive as I start to have transition like contractions- however, I am still only at a 5 1/2. At this point I am pretty much scared I'm going to die (not really, but really).

THUS, I opted for an epidural. The anesthesiologist was amazing. I was really scared and nervous about getting the epidural because I was worried it would slow down my progression and that I would end up having to get a c-section since jayne's little heart wasn't doing its very best. However, I was also having incredibly strong contractions at such a relatively early stage in the game and was finding it too difficult to stay in one position while trying to manage each contraction. The last thing I wanted was a c-section (which they said i would likely have if jayne's heart rate did not improve). Thankfully, the epidural couldn't have gone any better. I started progressing much faster as I was relaxed and could stay on my side in comfort (its hard to stay in one position without medication, as it feels more comfortable to move or walk around). It was such a relief to be totally comfortable and just let my body do its work, and it was even more of a relief to see my body progressing and jayne's heart rate doing better and better as time went by.

1:30pm. My doctor checks me and baby is at a plus 2. Its time to push (YAY!)

2:10pm. Begin pushing.

2:36pm. Our sweet little jayne is born!

Nothing has ever compared to the miracle we experienced with Jayne's birth. I know we were being looked down upon from above and that everything worked out properly and the way it was suppose to. Everyone's prayers and love on our behalf were felt and answered. The feeling we had seeing Jayne for the first time truly testified of God.

Birth is such an incredible miracle.

Holding Jayne for the first time was the best feeling I have ever had in my life.

welcoming baby maxwell

2010-06-21T13:31:00.007-06:00

around 3:45 am, on september 26, i woke up with contractions, but they weren't super intense so i just got up and walked around trying to get comfy. they weren't stopping, so around 4:15 i woke my husband up {it took a good ten minutes for him to actually wake up enough to understand what i was saying} and told him what was going on. he sweetly suggested that i roll over and he'd scratch my back. i didn't think that would do the trick...but i did, and within two seconds of him scratching my back, he was asleep again. i kept trying to get comfortable but nothing was working. this went on for two more hours, until finally i decided that enough was enough. i really didn't want to get sent home from the hospital but at this point, i didn't care. if anything, we would be able to get pre-registered. i finally got danny out of bed and we threw a few essential items into the diaper bag and around 7 am we were on our way to the orem community hospital.

as soon as we arrived, my contractions basically stopped {go figure!} but we went in anyway and checked in. the nurse asked for my name, and i told her, while smiling. i'm sure she thought "she thinks she's in labor...but she's not..." they admitted me to the back, had me change into a gorgeous hospital gown, and minutes later sent a nurse into check me out.

within seconds of checking me, she said, "yup! i feel a head! you are dilated to a four so let's get you admitted and start your i.v. you are going to have a baby before you know it." we couldn't believe it.

the next few hours were a complete blur. ann {my nurse} escorted us back to the room where we would stay/deliver the baby and then she started my i.v. and called the anesthesiologist to get my epidural started. by the time he got there {around 9:30} i still wasn't in a lot of pain but the second i got my epidural...i was in heaven. people tell you epidurals are amazing, but i guess you can't fully appreciate them until you are the one receiving it. after 9:30 am, i didn't feel any pain. at all. it was amazing.

around 11 dr. judd came in and broke my water for me to speed up the process a little bit. he estimated the baby would be born around 4 pm {i was still only at a five} so he left, and danny and i just hung out. still in shock. {i think it was finally starting to sink in that we were about to become parents}

at 12:30 ann checked me again and i was at an eight. she said, "looks like this baby is coming sooner than we thought!" and she went off to call dr. judd. i decided then was a good time to call my mom and have her head over to the hospital and by the time she got there at one, my room was filled with nurses and doctors getting ready to deliver a baby.

at about 1:05 they told me to start pushing...and at 1:13 maxwell scott entered this world. it was the MOST spectacular thing that i have ever witnessed or been a part of. seeing my little boy for the first time was miraculous. i couldn't stop crying. dr. judd made fun of me, telling me i was crying more than the baby.

but seriously, it was wonderful.

i couldn't have asked for a more perfect day.

the birth story of jonah.

2010-06-17T21:08:00.009-06:00

I delivered my sweet Jonah on December 31st, 2008 at 5:50 AM,
sixteen days before his due date.
he is my second born.
he came out with my strawberry hair and his daddy's features.
his birth was really different than what i had expected it to be.
it was a natural birth.

and here is the story...

the day before jonah was born i woke up feeling as if my belly weighed an extra 100 pounds.
it was so tight and i could feel that things were changing, like maybe his head was about to come out...
that day i walked a lot, ate an oreo mcflurry, washed baby clothes,
and then i wondered if today would be the day.
but then again, he wasn't due for 16 more days.

the evening rolled around and we decided to go swimming.
it felt so good to be weightless in the water.
we went home, put our little girl to bed at about 8:30,
and it was then that i knew i was feeling "real" contractions.
i labored at home until the pain really set in.

we went into the hospital at 2 am.
i was only at a 3, so they put me in a recovery room thinking it would possibly be 10 plus more hours until he came.

shortly after, my contractions were coming hard, really hard.
i asked for my epidural, but my nurse said it was too early.
all the while i'm sure she was thinking i was such a wuss!

the hours passed...still no epidural.
those hours were almost unbearable for me.
i hadn't prepared for a natural birth at all and was in too much pain to think straight.
my husband did his best to help me get through the pain, but i remember his voice sounding so faint as i tried to take myself to another place to run from the booming contractions.

at 5:30 i told my husband that he was coming.

and coming he was...

we were in the room alone when i started to push, in fact we had been in the room alone all along.
then pam came in.
she was a calming, obviously experienced nurse, who then announced that the baby's head was in sight.

she delivered my jonah right then and there.

it was all so indescribable!
the pain, the joy, the fulfillment.
and although i hadn't planned for a natural birth, there were so many amazing things about it.
i have never felt so much in my life...physically, emotionally...
and although it went different than i had planned,
it all turned out just fine.
beautiful in fact.

the first time my daughter preslee met her new brother...

here's pam, the nurse that delivered him:)

and here are my jonah and preslee now...

p.s. just so no one is scared to deliver a baby now...my nurse was new and inexperienced, hence the unusual circumstance of jonah's birth... that probably happens one in a billion times, so don't be scared that your nurse wont give you an epidural per your request.

Luke’s Birth Story

2010-06-15T10:00:00.000-06:00

Like most expectant mothers, by the time 40 weeks rolled around, I was ready to have my baby NOW. However, I told myself (and everyone else) that he would probably arrive late, thereby hoping to jinx him into coming early. And I guess it worked, because two days before my due date, I was up all night with regular contractions. That morning, I timed them and was thrilled to find that they were only four or five minutes apart. They weren’t too strong yet, though, so I decided to go into work (my office was 2 minutes away from the hospital).

After about an hour, the contractions started picking up the pace a little bit, and since I wasn’t having a particularly productive morning at the office (shocking, I know) I decided I might as well head over to the hospital to see if they’d admit me. I was a little afraid that the nurses would point fingers and laugh if they decided it was too early to admit me (I know you all worry about the same thing deep down) but everyone was very nice and took me seriously. They hooked me up to a monitoring station, where I sat for an hour or so sipping juice before they determined that yes, the contractions were holding steady at 3 minutes apart, but I wasn’t dilated much, so it would be better if I came back when the contractions were stronger in a few hours or so.

A little disappointed, I called my husband (not wanting to be caught driving if the contractions stepped it up), who told me that his office was having a work party at Tucanos for lunch. Spouses were invited, and while it seemed like sort of a weird thing to do to go out to lunch in early labor, we figured it was a free meal of delicious food. So we went. While there, the contractions stepped it up big time, and by the time lunch was over I was about ready to keel over from trying to look perky while wanting to yell and possibly curse every three minutes. My husband’s hand was a mangled claw from my squeezing it under the table.

However, despite the painful lunch, I didn’t want to go back to the hospital unless I was SURE this was real labor (I didn’t want to be sent home twice. Prideful, prideful). The nurses at the hospital had told me to come back when the contractions were so strong I couldn’t talk through them (I never did figure out what they meant by that, by the way. I could yell the whole time. Did that count?) So I went home and tried to take a bath. Tried to watch a movie. But I wanted to die, so I figured that was good enough and went back to the hospital.

They admitted me, thank all that is holy, and things progressed pretty rapidly from there. The epidural wasn’t nearly as bad as I’d thought it would be. In fact, after it was placed I told my husband how much I loved it every five minutes or so for the rest of labor. Only a few hours passed, and I was ready to push. So I pushed. And then pushed some more. And some more. After three hours, they decided my baby just wasn’t angled right, wasn’t going to come on his own, and they needed to do a C-section.

The rest is a little bit of a blur, since by then it was 2 a.m., but after some slicing and dicing and some pain-killer that didn’t quite work, I heard the song I’d been waiting to hear: baby boy’s cry. I’m sure I’ll never forget the moment my husband brought him over and let me see his little face. I think the phrase “all worth it” sums it up pretty well.

Giveaway Winners

2010-06-08T08:34:00.000-06:00

Drumroll please ...

Bonnie and Amanda!

These lucky ladies will each win a copy of Lullaby Renditions of Kanye West. Just e-mail us and we'll tell you how to claim your prize.

Congrats!

{and sorry for the late announcement}

Rockaby Baby! Review & Giveaway

2010-05-31T10:00:00.011-06:00

Think babies can’t listen to rock music? Think again.

The folks at Rockabye Baby sent us a few CDs to review. Here’s what we think:

{Lullaby Renditions of AC/DC}

For those of you who aren’t married to a classic rock junkie who knows every word to every AC/DC song, they’re the Australian band who brought you “Hell’s Bells,” “Highway to Hell,” “Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap” etc.

As you can gather, their songs don’t naturally fall into the baby-friendly category. But when I popped the CD in and heard the gentle monotrone music, I was pleasantly surprised. In fact, I started laughing as I imagined rocker guys in a studio tapping their feet as they play monotrones and triangles to the subdued melody of “Back in Black” (my favorite song on the CD. Very catchy.)

I was surprised even more when I played the CD for my baby girl. She was fussy, but as soon as she heard the music, she calmed down and started listening intently — no joke.

AC/DC now has a softer side, and my husband couldn’t be more pleased to introduce our daughter to one of his favorite bands this early on.

—Kim

{Lullaby Renditions of Kanye West}

Kanye West Lullabies: Oxymoronic? Maybe. Good listenin’? You betcha.

When you think of Kanye West, the words “peaceful,” “pleasant,” “lulling,” and “soothing” come to mind, right? So maybe not. But maybe they will now, with Rockabye Baby, Lullaby Renditions of Kanye West.

I wasn’t quite sure what to expect when I popped in the CD, although I smiled at the album artwork as I flipped through the jewel-case booklet. Inside the case I found paper doll cutouts of a baby brown bear wearing a diaper—and his R&B outfit complete with microphone and boombox. You’ll also find a page where you can record your little rockstar’s name, “birthday to be celebrated by future fans,” “favorite foods that will be demanded in future dressing room,” etc.

The music began to play, and instead of drums and guitars I got a tinkling, soothing melody (the back cover says mellotrons, vibraphones, and bells. I know what the last one is.) I immediately recognized Kanye’s “Good Morning,” though if I hadn’t known the song beforehand, this rendition would have fit in with any children’s lullaby CD.

So here’s my take: I’m sold. I have nothing against “Once There Was a Snowman” or “Pop Goes the Weasel” (although I have serious questions about the deeper meanings of the latter), however I sometimes feel a little too “babied out” when I have those songs stuck in my head 24/7. With “Rockabye Baby” (there are tons of other iterations, by the way: U2, Coldplay, Queen, Beatles, Nirvana, etc.) I got the best of both worlds: lullabies my baby liked mixed with songs I knew and liked. There aren’t any lyrics to “Rockabye Baby” (so don’t worry, your lil’ shawty won’t be exposed to Kanye’s choicer gems.)

Really, if you think about it, rock and R&B aren’t all that different from a lullaby. Strong rhythm and repetition are key to both. So take away the more “adult” lyrics, tone down the heavy-duty instruments, and you’ve got something baby appreciates. Plus, sometimes it really helps to have “Da-da-da-dat dat don’t kill me can only make me stronger” running through my head as I change a particularly ripe diaper.

—Noelle

{Lullaby Renditions of Journey}

As my Journey-obsessed husband opened this CD, he thought it would prove to be a major butchering of the beloved tunes that defined his guitar-playing style from his youth.

As the first few notes tinkered the ever reckognizeable, “Open Arms” in music box fashion, we were both instantly mesmerized. A shared glance and jinxed expression of, “Cool!” sent us both giggling and aching for more. The next few songs sent us reminiscing into the days of our youth, while proving pleasant and soothing to our energetic 10-month-old.

I admit that although Journey’s strong melodies lend themselves to be effortlessly transformed into quiet lullabies, some songs just never should be played in a nursery. It was hard to listen to the signature guitar rif of “Don’t Stop Believin” being played on a subdued xylophone (or a similarly synthesized instrument). But if you can get past that and the cheesy cricket noises shamelessly added to every song, then you’ll love this subtle introduction of the ever-popular Journey to your rocker-in-training.

—Jeni

And now for the giveaway. Two lucky readers will win a copy of Rockabye Baby’s Lullaby Renditions of Kanye West. Rock on!

1 entry: (mandatory) Become a follower of Belly Mamas using the link on the left.

Extra entries:

3 entries: Add the Belly Mamas button to your own blog and leave a comment here with a link to your blog.

3 entries: Send an e-mail to 10 of your friends with a link to Belly Mamas, and copy bellymamas@gmail.com. Leave a comment here once you've sent the e-mail.

2 entries: Become a fan of Belly Mamas on Facebook and leave a comment on the wall. Remember to comment here too so you get your entries counted.

2 entries: Blog about Belly Mamas on your own blog, and leave us a comment here with the link to your post.

Winners will be announced here Monday, June 7.

The Cans and Can'ts of Pregnancy

2010-05-28T21:39:00.002-06:00

{the hubs and I on a lovely hike ~ 6 mos preggo}

I swear, as soon as you see those two pink lines, immediate worry and paranoia seem to take up permanent residence in your mind. It's not just about you anymore, and your body is now responsible for growing a little human. Wow, talk about pressure huh?!

Luckily, our body's capabilities are nothing short of miraculous. While it is more important than ever to take care of your body now, I'm here to help you realize that the list of "can'ts" while you're pregnant isn't quite as long as you might think.

CANTS:

- As far as eating goes: obviously, drugs and alcohol are a no go. You should also keep caffeine intake to a minimum and avoid sushi, deli meats (unless they're heated through), soft cheeses, and certain types of fish (mercury levels too high).

- You can't take most over the counter medications. Always check with your doctor before taking anything, especially during the first trimester.

- You can't overexert yourself during exercise. Remember, don't work so hard that you are breathless. Oh, and no contact sports of course.

- You can't lift heavy objects. You may feel silly, but let other people do the lifting for you.

- You can't paint. Be careful and avoid strong chemicals...even some cleaning products. "Sorry, honey. I really shouldn't be scrubbing the bathroom and inhaling the fumes."

-You can't get a period. Hallelujiah!

-And last, but not least, you can't see your feet :)

Now for the CANS:

- You can and should exercise. But you already know how I feel about that.

- You can eat healthy. Yes, technically you are eating for two, but remember that second person is the size of a grapefruit right now. Also, there's a big difference between dieting and eating healthy. Please, don't diet while you're pregnant.

-You can use pregnancy as an excuse for all sorts of fun things: going to bed early, crying at the drop of a hat, your newfound pant size, wearing the same 2 outfits over and over, using your belly as a shelf, the list could go on and on...

- You can enjoy your changing body. Growing a baby is unlike anything else in this whole world, enjoy every moment. Even the swelling and backaches. They won't last forever, and when they're gone, you'll miss the feeling you had while you were pregnant.

The best advice I can give you is to relax, be smart (just use common sense), and enjoy the preggo journey! If you have questions about specific worries, ask your doc, even if it is just to put your mind at ease!

What is the most common "can't" that you always hear??

-Karlee

It was all i could think about...

2010-05-25T18:07:00.002-06:00

... ICE CREAM.

Not just any ice cream, but the oreo mcflurry kind from McDonald's.

i even ate it the day i went into labor, for good luck i suppose :)

i wonder if carrying a boy is what made me crave the sweets.

i have heard that myth, that having a boy or girl will determine the things you tend to crave.

i've also heard that some pregnant women crave laundry detergent ... um, that's one you might

not want to act on.

when i was pregnant with my daughter, it was fruit that i craved.

plain fruit and smoothies,

the kind from jamba juice.

in my last weeks of pregnancy with her it's pretty much all i ate.

so, with each pregnancy i acted on what the books said,

even though it may have made my bum bigger :)

i catered to my cravings some, not all, but some of the time.

and i quite enjoyed it :)

according to this article published just last month, here are top ten things pregnant women crave:

1. ice cream

2. pickles

3.anchovies

4. salt

5. heavily spiced foods

6. laundry starch (so it is true!)

7. red meat

8. cheese spread

9. pizza

10. pineapple

what kind of cravings have you had?

—tamara

10 Things that Change When You’re Pregnant

2010-05-20T10:00:00.002-06:00

So . . . right off the bat, many of these things are not pretty. Pregnancy is cute from a distance, but up close and personal, it’s kind of wacked out. So, get ready, get set . . .

1. Morning noon and night sickness. I really believed that “morning” sickness would be restricted to the morning before I got pregnant. I was sadly misinformed; mine was actually worse at night.

2. Random people will invade your personal space. Ever had a stranger run up to you and lovingly caress your bellybutton before? Hopefully not. But get ready. It will probably happen with shocking regularity.

3. Be prepared for a new sensitivity to any news stories or anecdotes related to bad things happening to babies or children. I never liked these stories before, but they never hit home accompanied by the force of hormones.

4. Your bellybutton will do weird things. Might change from an innie to an outtie. Might basically disappear in a hairline like mine did. It’s fascinating, really.

5. You will become hairier. Combine the prenatal vitamins with baby hormones running through your veins, and you won’t make fun of Cousin Bertha and her mustache anymore.

6. Constipation. I will never make fun of constipation issues ever again. Pooping rocks will instill that kind of compassion in a person.

7. Your feet may begin to resemble the Elephant Man’s (no offense, Elephant Man.)

8. You’ll probably gain a new superpower: sense of smell. I’ve had a couple of friends start to think their husbands smelled weird during pregnancy. Thankfully that didn’t happen to me, but I could smell a tunafish sandwich several miles away.

9. Your sense of privacy will probably go down a little. Between checkups at the OBGYN and then labor and delivery itself, a whole lot of people are going to be up in your business. They’re helping, really.

10. Your apparel will change. I know this seems obvious, but unless you are rich (and hey, you might be!) you will probably have a few maternity tops and pants that you will wear in a rotating cycle and want to burn after you are no longer pregnant. I know they have lots of cute preggo clothes now, especially compared to yesteryear, but it still doesn’t change the fact that you have to wear them every other day for a long time.

I know I might be coming across as a downer . . . but someone already posted on things to love about pregnancy (check out the post, it’s not all bad). I just wanted to shed some light on the hairier side for y’all J Good luck and happy tweezing!

—Noelle

Recovery: What your Doc Might not Tell You...

2010-05-17T07:50:00.003-06:00

{minutes after i became a mama}

before i get started, i just want to make sure i have a few things very clear:

1. every single pregnancy is different!

2. i chose to have an epidural and i also had to get an episiotomy. that may be a little tmi but i think it greatly affected my healing process.

3. i really, really, really don't want to scare you sweet soon-to-be mama's. however, the things i am about to tell you were unknown facts to me pre-birth. oh how i wish someone would have filled me in!

4. remember that BILLIONS of women have given birth! you can do it!! the "after math" of birth is totally worth the countless snuggles, kisses, smiles and hugs you will get from that sweet little babe.

{similar to the one below! isn't he cute??}

so. without further ado.

things i wish i would have known:

i bled. a TON after having my little boy. everyday i woke up thinking, "today is the day that this gush of blood will stop gushing." that day didn't come for awhile.

my advice? stock up on those mega pads that they give you at the hospital. those things were my best friends for the weeks following birth. you may feel like a grandma but i promise it's okay.

i felt like i was going to be immobile for the rest of my life. okay, that may be a little sarcastic, but the first week was pretty darn bad.

my advice? don't resist when your husband encourages {forces} you to take walks with him every day. even if it is just to the mailbox! it is probably going to be the last thing you want to do but it will help immensely! getting out of the house, breathing in some fresh air, and exercising your body is just what it needs.

there is a lot of talk about stretch marks during pregnancy. what i failed to hear about were the stretch marks on your boobs! i chose to breast feed my son and apparently my body thought it needed to produce enough milk to feed quintuplets. it took about a week to finally regulate.

my advice? if you feel like your boobs are about ready to explode, call your doctor/midwife. and if they give you good advice, pass it along to me! i don't really want that happening again with baby number two.

lastly, it HURT {really bad} to poop. i'm pretty sure it was mostly due to my awesome stitches.

my advice? as soon as you are allowed to eat, drink prune juice! my husband told me to, and unfortunately i didn't listen. i'm thinking i'll pay attention next time. also, those baths they tell you to take work wonders. take them religiously.

lastly, don't try to take on more than you can handle.

my advice? your body will take as much rest as you give it! take naps whenever possible and accept any help that comes your way. enjoy spending as much one-on-one time with your hubby and your new baby as you can. this is a special, wonderful, amazing time of life. i look back at these pictures now and wonder where my little baby has gone.

{little max, just a few weeks old}

do YOU have something to add to the list??

--jessie

Getting Back Your Pre-Baby Body: The Healthy Way

2010-05-12T07:44:00.006-06:00

{photo found here}

Now that the babes out, we all expect to be able to leave the hospital in our pre-baby skinny jeans with six pack abs. Right?? Ha. Not so much.

I wish I could tell you that all the pounds you accumulated in your nine month adventure left with the baby on birth day. If that happens to any of you, please don’t tell me. I don’t want to have to hate you. For the majority of us “normal” folks, the quest to regain your pre-baby body is not an easy one. While my son is totally worth it, I never dreamed my squishy stomach and pregnancy booty would hang on for so long. However, with some effort and a little (ok, let’s be honest, a lot of) self-discipline, I am winning the fight to get my pre-baby body back. Before I get into my suggestions to help with your quest, I need to make a couple disclaimers:

1. Avoid quick fixes and unreasonable expectations. Fad diets may sound
appealing, but not only is it hard to continue with something that is so
extreme, the weight will never stay off if you don’t make a realistic lifestyle
change.

2. Put the focus on your health. Make changes to your diet and activity
level because it’s good for your body. The weight loss is obviously an awesome byproduct, but your main motivation should be for your health. Trust me, your body will thank you.
Now that that’s said, onto the tips:

- Cut out the crap: contrary to popular belief, not all calories are created equal. Eating fresh, real foods will be the biggest contributor to your weight loss. Eliminate processed foods with “empty” calories and replace them with fruits, veggies, and whole grains. Instead of reaching for crackers (even if they make health claims), grab an apple. Feed your body things it can use.

- Incorporate cardio AND weights into your workouts. Both will help to change the squishier version of you. While it’s important to get the calorie burn of cardio, training your muscles will firm you up and increase your metabolism.

{photo found here}

- 80% of how you look depends on what you eat. It’s true. You could run 6 hours a day and do 1000 sit ups everyday and still not have rock hard abs. The only way to completely get rid of the “pooch” (or butt, thighs, etc) is to eat right. Remember, keep it realistic. If you deprive yourself of everything, you’ll eventually find yourself binging during a moment of weakness. I give myself one treat a week. That way, it’s easy for me to be strict during the week knowing that if I really want it, I can have the ice cream I’ve been craving. I just have to wait for it. This also makes my indulgences much more satisfying.

{homemade granola with bananas}

- Don’t only focus on the numbers. You may lose your “baby weight” really quickly, but your body isn’t so much reflecting that. Or in my case, I’ve been fitting quite nicely into my normal clothes for months now (some are even getting too loose), but according to the scale, I still have 4 pounds to lose. Everyone’s body is different and everyone has different goals. Remember, focus on being healthy.

- Above all, be patient and don’t be too hard on yourself. Slow and steady wins the race right? Your body went through some major changes during pregnancy and you can’t expect it to revert back in an instant (I’m saying that to myself just as much as you guys!). Even though you may not be completely happy with what you see in the mirror, know that it is a more beautiful version of yourself because you are a mother.

{me and my babe}

If you are good to your body, your body will be good to you! If you have any questions or want healthy recipes, leave a comment or send an email (bellymamas@gmail.com). I’d be happy to help in your quest!

-Karlee

A Day in the Life of Jayne (10 months old)

2010-05-06T21:25:00.012-06:00

7:30 am awake chatting away in crib

7:45 am get her out of crib, change diaper, snuggle
(dad will often take care of this one while i get some more sleep...what a man!)

8:00 am breakfast time- yogurt and oatmeal today

8:30 am play time (this is the time i check my email, take care of things around the house, laundry, etc.)

9:00 am go for a run in the jogger. dad came this time too.
jayne loves looking around outside as we move along.

9:45 am get ready for naptime
(read a couple books, bottle while singing songs, snuggle, down in crib with her mr. monkey)
10:00 am down for morning nap (this is when i shower and get ready for the day)
11:45 am awake chattin' away in crib.
i get her out, change her diaper, and play together or with her toys for a bit
12:15 pm lunch (fruit and veggie or maybe whatever i'm having)

12:45 pm bath in the sink. jayne never wants to get out.

1:00 pm get dressed and ready for the day
1:15 pm go to park, run errands, whatever may be happening

2:00 pm get ready for nap (same routine as morning nap)
2:30 pm down for afternoon nap

4:30 pm awake. wasn't very happy about me taking her picture.
get her out and change her diaper. go downstairs and get a snack.

4:30-6:00 pm play with toys or go to park if we didn't go earlier or run errands depending on the day. today we got ready for our yard sale we are having. she played with toys while we organized (toys often involve kitchenware. spatulas and tupperware are a favorite.)

6:00 pm dinner (fruit and veggie) play with daddy when he's done working.
sometimes we'll go out for dessert after dinner or go rent a movie.

7:45 pm bedtime routine
(a bath if need be, lotion rub down, change diaper, get in PJs, bottle while singing songs,
recite "good night moon", prayer, snuggle time)

8:30 pm bed!!! this is when i finally get some alone time with my mr.

rinse and repeat!

-Dayna

Your Post-Baby Marriage

2010-05-04T12:12:00.000-06:00

{Photo courtesy of Forever Bliss Photography. Yes, my baby has a naturally-occuring mohawk. Now you know.}

In lieu of my four-year anniversary, I thought I'd share a word or two on married life with a new baby.

A few years ago, before I was pregnant or even thinking of taking the dive, a co-worker told me that having a baby "definitely" puts a strain on your marriage. That scared me. I had a happy marriage and did not want to compromise that. I asked my sister, who had a 1-year-old boy at the time, if she felt like having him put a strain on her marriage. She said "No. If anything, it's made us closer and made our marriage stronger." So I realized, as with many "facts" people tell you about marriage and parenthood, it is what you make it. If you expect marriage to be hard, it will be. If you expect a baby to put a strain on your marriage, it will. But it doesn't have to be that way if you choose to make it otherwise.

I'm no authority on perfect post-baby marriages. In fact, I have been guilty of putting my baby's needs before my husband's a little too often, and I can count the number of times we've been out as a couple over the past five months on one hand. But once I realized that my marriage was taking a backseat to my motherhood all too often, I discovered some tips that have helped make my relationship with my husband my first priority. Maybe they'll help you too.

1. Have date night every week. At least. I'm not talking about a full-blown four-hour festivity every time. If all you can do is get out for half an hour to take a walk, get a treat or go for a drive, that's great. The important thing is having one-on-one time, sans baby, to connect as a couple. Oh, and try to keep talk about your baby to a minimum and use this time to focus on you and your hub.

2. Don't Skimp on Affection.

When you have a newborn baby depending on you for everything, snuggling with you and looking lovingly into your eyes, your need for affection and attention is filled very nicely. That along with the changes your body has been through, the hormones of breastfeeding, and lack of sleep creates a recipe for disaster when it comes to being affectionate with your man. But remember, he still needs that affection — possibly more than ever. Even if you have to designate 15 minutes of "snuggle time" every day — especially during your recovery time — do it. (For more on this, click here.)

3. Keep it in Perspective. I recently interviewed a "happy couple" for a magazine feature and asked them how they kept their marriage so strong over the years. The husband said he knew a lot of people who put their marriages on the backburner while they focused on their kids. "But if you just focus on your kids," he said, "What about when your kids are gone? Is the flame in your marriage gone too?"

That's a scary thought. There are a lot of empty-nesters getting divorced these days — a phenomenon called "Gray Divorce." I wonder how many of those divorces could be avoided if couples put more time and effort into their marriages while they are raising kids instead of letting that flame die.

What are some things you do to keep your marriage happy?

—Kim

Love your Post-Baby Body: Hapari Swimsuit Review

2010-04-26T10:00:00.004-06:00

{All photos courtesy of Hapari.com}

Ready or not, it's swimsuit season. And if you're like me, you're a little self-conscious about showing off the battle wounds you've gained from pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding.

So when Hapari sent me the Girl's Night Out Butterfly Tankini swimsuit for review, I was excited (and just a little nervous) to put it on. But I was very pleased. Why? Because the bottoms have a nifty little feature called Tummy Tuk — a thick band that slightly sucks in that little pooch and smooths out those not-so-lovable love handles. The bottoms are brief style, so they provide all the coverage I need and want. Also, for support and shape, the top has an empire seam and soft cups. Thank you. (I haven't tried them, but Hapari also offers Illusions —silicone inserts for a full-bust look without the surgery.) Another cool thing is that the top's straps can be changed into a halter, tank or criss-cross.

I love the flattering fit of this suit and feel like I can face my first post-baby swimsuit season relatively unafraid. Thanks, Hapari!

{This is the suit. Sexy, huh? NO that is not me. Did you really think I would post a photo of me in a swimsuit here?}

{This is the back. Love it!}

If you are looking for stylish, tankini swimwear, visit Hapari.com!

The Return of Aunt Flo

2010-04-22T08:03:00.002-06:00

I know there are a couple males who follow this blog out of curiosity — or better yet, out of a genuine desire to understand their pregnant wife better. Right gentlemen? Either way, consider yourself warned: this post is all about menstrual cycles.

Let us begin. A year and two months of no period was bliss. A definite perk of pregnancy and subsequent nursing. But I got a little too comfortable with the absense of that not-so-pleasant gift from mother nature. I hoped and almost assumed it would stay away for months to come. But Monday turned into a dreaded day when I marked the return of my least favorite "aunt."

I forgot just how unpleasant she is. And I forgot how strikinlgy she resembles her wicked step-sister, labor recovery. The back pain, the bloodflow and the inability to stand for too long because of the pressure bearing down gave me flashbacks of recovering from my baby's birth, and the birth itself ... because my contractions felt a lot like intense waves of period pain.

In my opinion, it would have been considerate of mother nature to let me ease back into the world of having a period with a gentle one. No such luck. I was not exempt from experiencing the full-blown package: the wacked-out emotions of PMS, cramps, bloating — you name it.

So, I breathe a sigh of defeat, dust off my boxes of tampons and reclaim my status as a menstruating woman. I guess I should be thankful I even have one, right? It means I'm healthy and can have babies. I think I'll work on that thankfulness later.

Pregos— relish your non-period bliss. Really relish it.

Oh and by the way, it was getting back on birth control that forced my period to come. Talk about a love-hate relationship.

—Kim (the Belly Mama on her period. Bleh!)

Giveaway Winners ...

2010-04-20T14:58:00.000-06:00

Well there were two prizes, and two people entered. :) You both win tickets to the Utah Valley Women's Expo, MS BabyPlan and Nicole! E-mail us to claim your prize and we will tell ya how to get your tix.

Giveaway #2! You have until TUESDAY, APR. 20TH.

2010-04-15T08:00:00.004-06:00

Ever been to the Utah Valley Women's Expo? If not, you're missing out! This expo is about all things women: Food, fashion shows, prize drawings and plenty of shopping. It makes for a fun day out with the girls. You can bring your little ones too, of course. The show always has pregnancy and newborn items like the Belly Button and the ModMum wrap.

The expo is happening April 23 and 24 from 11am to 8pm. Tickets are usually $5 per person, but we are giving away two sets of two tickets so you can grab a friend or family member and check it out. Remember to leave a seperate comment for each entry.

1 entry: (mandatory) Become a follower of Belly Mamas using the link on the right.

Extra entries:

3 entries: Add the Belly Mamas button to your own blog and leave a comment here with a link to your blog.

3 entries: Send an e-mail to 10 of your friends with a link to Belly Mamas, and copy bellymamas@gmail.com.

2 entries: Become a fan of Belly Mamas on Facebook and leave a comment on the wall.

2 entries: Blog about Belly Mamas on your own blog, and leave us a comment with the link to your post.
1 entry: E-mail us with a question about pregnancy or newborns.
1 entry: Leave a comment on one of our past posts.

Good luck!

P.S. Fear not, outside-Utah readers! We have pa-lenty of giveaways coming up for you.

—Kim

Unmedicated Childbirth — Is it for You?

2010-04-08T08:00:00.094-06:00

{Photo courtesy of Forever Bliss photography}

Since we just had a post about epidurals, I figured we'd have one about the alternative too. First, let me echo what Noelle wrote — this is a personal choice and you need to do what you are most comfortable with, and not let other people make you feel inferior for your decision. People can make you feel wimpy for automatically choosing an epidural, and people can make you feel crazy for choosing to skip it. Either way, you will probably get all sorts of opinions from people, but you get to choose how you react to what they say.

There were plenty of people who told me I was crazy for not wanting an edpidural. I remember talking to some friends about my decision when a lady who was standing nearby and heard what I was saying told me her husband was an OB GYN and basically said I had no idea what I was talking about — that childbirth without an epidural is excruciatingly painful and anyone who chooses to do it is loony. That couldn't have been less true for me. Well, maybe I am a little loony but that has nothing to do with my birthing preferences.

Some of my reasons for choosing to go sans epidural included my lifelong fear of needles, my tendency to favor the natural way of doing things especially regarding health (you'd be hard-pressed to even get me to take a Tylenol for a headache), and just plain wanting to see if I could conquer the challenge. I was also a little wary of the side-effects and risks (although rare) epidurals can pose. {Most of my friends and family have had epidurals and had great experiences with them, so I don't think it's anything to seriously worry about.} Whatever you decide, I think there is a lot of value in researching both options so you can make an educated, personal decision and know what you are getting into.

Everyone's childbirth experience is so different, and there are many cases when even though the mother has planned out her ideal chilbirth scenario, things go unexpectedly and they have to adjust their plan or completely throw it out the window. But for those of you who are serious about going unmedicated, here are some things I recommend. Most of these tips would be great for any kind of birth you choose.

Commit to your decision as early as possible.
Even as a teenager, I always thought "natural" childbirth was intriguing. When I got pregnant, I knew I wanted to go that route, but once I started really looking into it I realized it was no walk in the park and that for me to be able to mentally and physically handle it, I would need to commit to that decision 100 percent from the start so I could be prepared. I didn't commit right away, because I knew once I did, I wasn't going to retreat. I needed time to decide if I was up to the task and if it would be worth it. After a lot of thinking, praying, reading and talking to people who had experienced childbirth with and without epidurals, I decided to commit. There were definitely still times when I questioned myself and got scared, but as I tried to stay confident and positive, I felt excited for the challenge.

Take a specialized class.
I took a Hypnobabies course about a month before my due date, and for me, it was the key to being able to give birth without the edpidural while staying relaxed and positive. Hypnosis for childbirth definitely sounded hokey to me at first, but it isn't as wierd as it sounds. It just teaches you powerful relaxation techniques that work wonders if you jump into the training with both feet. But even if I had gone the epidural route, the things I learned in the course would still have helped me immensely. Epidural or not, you are going to feel some contractions, and learning what to expect and how to relax your mind and body makes them a lot easier to deal with. Also, the course teaches you a ton about pregnancy and childbirth so you can see the whole picture and make the decisions that are best for you. One of the things I like best about the course is that it encourages a positive outlook on labor, which is so valuable especially with the inevitable horror stories that surround pregnant women. This is who I took my Hypnobabies course from. Worth every penny.

Stay positive.
There are undoubtedly going to be times when you question your ability to do this. You're inevitably going to hear a lot of horror stories. People are probably going try to talk you out of your decision. But you are not them and their horrible experiences are not yours (Hypnobabies does a great job of teaching you how to enter your bubble of peace whenever people talk negatively about childbirth). You can do this. Stick with your decision and be excited and confident about it every single day, even if you have to tell yourself affirmations in the mirror (or listen to them on your Hypnobabies CD).

Get a doula.
Don't know what a doula does? Click here. You may have the same hesitations I did when I first heard about doulas. I thought I wanted the least amount of people in that delivery room as possible, and inviting some lady I didn't even know to witness such a personal experience didn't make sense to me. And I figured my husband or my mom could help in the same way she did. Not so. Believe me — if you get a great doula (like Melissa) you won't regret it. She was on call for me from the time I hired her early in my pregnancy until a couple of weeks after I gave birth. Actually, I still contact her once in awhile with my questions! It was so comforting to always know I could call her, even in the wee hours of the morning with questions or concerns. She instilled confidence in me that I was more than strong enough to have a wonderful unmedicated childbirth. She came to my house as soon as I felt like labor had begun. She was chipper, even though it was 3 a.m. and she had a 36-hour birthing marathon ahead of her. She made meals for us, put pain-relieving pressure on my back during contractions, helped me find comfortable positions, helped me know what was going on and when to go to the hospital, she stayed by my side while Clay got some much-needed rest, she helped communicate to the hospital staff how I wanted things to go, and she helped us both stay calm and reassured during my 36-hour labor (most of which was spent at home),which brings me to my next tip:

Plan to labor at home as long as possible.
You will be much more comfortable and much less likely to get an epidural. For me, I wasn't even dilated enough to be admitted after 19 1/2 hours of labor at home. While that long isn't the norm, most (not all, but most) first-time moms do experience a pretty long first stage of labor.

Bring a birthing ball.
I would not have been able to do it without my big, pink exercise ball. It is amazing how getting into different positions on the ball eased the pressure of my contractions. I used it throughout my entire labor.

Make a music mix.
You've heard about all the studies about how music can ease stress and depression and just plain make you happy. That definitely comes in handy during labor. I made a calm, wordless mix for when I needed to rest and relax and an upbeat mix for when I needed extra energy and had to get down to business. The delivery staff loved working to some good tunes too. Feel free to e-mail me if you want to know the songs I had on my labor day mix.

Be flexible.
Do everything you can to prepare for the birth of your dreams, but remember this is something you and your body have never done before. Your labor may be harder or longer than you expect and there may be unforeseen complications. If you end up deciding an epidural is in the best interest for you and your baby, don't beat yourself up over it. A safe, healthy, happy baby (and mom) is the first priority here. And when you hold your own sweet baby in your arms, how he or she got there probably isn't going to seem so important anymore.

You can read my full birth story here. And I am more than happy to answer your questions or give you pep talks :)

—Kim

Getting an Epidural — Is it for You?

2010-04-04T10:00:00.002-06:00

So epidurals. If you look anywhere on the Internet, you’re going to find myriad studies that say epidurals do cause labor to slow down and increase the risk of C-sections and fetal distress, and you’re going to find just as many that say the exact opposite. Basically, it’s hard to create an end-all study with so many factors at play, such as obstetrical monitoring, amount and type of medication used, patient factors (which vary a great deal), and investigator bias.

Anyway, this post would be uber long if we went into all those studies here, so my best advice is to do your research and talk to your doctor—and also to refrain from judging other moms who made the opposite choice you did. If you elected natural childbirth, you’re not morally superior to the mom who got an epidural as soon as possible. And if you got an epidural, the natural crowd isn’t crazy. All I’ve got for ya is my opinion and experience, so take from it what you will.

I opted in favor of an epidural for a few reasons, the most important of which I didn’t want to be so exhausted from hours of contractions that I was too zonked out to fully appreciate the arrival of my baby. I was in labor for a long time, and from my experience with the contractions I had before I received my epidural, I knew I would have been completely dead by the time my baby arrived—eighteen hours later. I also wanted to spend the last hours with my husband sans baby in relative peace instead of pain (I know some of you feel that pain is a mental thing, but let’s just agree to disagree on that point.) One other point I’d like to make here: I was super nervous about a big needle being inserted into my back. But it was just the mental image I needed to get past. Reality was totally fine. The anesthesiologist will give you a shot with an itty bitty needle first to numb the area and then give you the epidural. All I felt was the prick of the first needle, and was nothing compared to a contraction.

An epidural was right for me. It helped me feel like myself, and it helped me focus on what was happening around me. It also made contractions a breeze. However, an epidural might not be for you. I’d also like to point out that good advice was given in a previous post—even if you are 100 percent planning on an epidural, be prepared for the possibility (don’t worry, it’s relatively unlikely, but still) that you might not be able to get one if the right combination of events align.

—Noelle

Cloth Diapering

2010-03-31T09:46:00.000-06:00

Interested in giving cloth diapering? Read this guest post from Claire, a FuzziBunz distributor.

***

Getting started using cloth diapers can be a bit daunting — there is definitely a learning curve! Here is some glossary-style info that will hopefully clue you in to the new world of cloth — no pins and plastic pants. These are not our mother's cloth diapers!

Cost: I don't know the cost if you have to use a laundromat to wash, but if you have your own washer and dryer, the cost is WAY less than disposables. The difference is in the thousands of dollars, so even using a laundromat you would save lots and lots of money using cloth. It is completely ridiculous how much money we throw away on disposables. Literally. They are about 25 cents a piece!

Here's how the yearly cost breaks down, using the new "perfect size" FuzziBunz as an example:

Cloth 0-6 months: $359 (20 @ $17.95/each)

Disposable 0-6 months: ~$250

Cloth 6 mth - 2 1/2 years: $287 (16 @ $17.95/each)

Disposable 6 mth - 2 1/2 years: ~$813

Totals:

Cloth: $646 (20 @ $18.95/each)

Disposable: $1,063

Cloth x 3 kids: $646

Disposable x 3 kids: $3,189 (assuming prices don't go up)

Another great way to go is one-size, again, using FuzziBunz as the example:

Cloth 0-3 years: $379 (for 20 at $18.95 each)

Disposable 0-2 1/2 years: $1,063

Even factoring in washing and drying, you are still coming out way ahead. The initial upfront cost is the part that can be a little daunting, but save up — it is worth it! Or get fewer at the beginning, and as you would like more, or budget for more, get them then. I sell FuzziBunz, and can get a good deal for you.

Accessories: You'll need a diaper pail with a liner. I put baking soda in the bottom of my pail, a lovely citrus-colored circle at the top and use a mesh bag to hold the diapers/inserts. This is the diaper pail that I have. I just got it at Target (or for a baby shower gift ... hmm ... I should remember). I also had this one for a little while, but it was for my disposables (yes, I had two diaper pails). FuzziBunz has a great diaper bag that you can hang wherever, and soon I'll be replacing my pail with it!

When I first started I used prefold diapers, but now I only use them for changing pads. They are perfect. For poopy diapers, I take the diaper in the prefold to the toilet, swish a little and put it back in the prefold to take to the pail.

Changing: Depending on the type of diaper you use, you'll be need to change a diaper about every 2 to 4 hours — very similar to a disposable. The hemp/microfiber inserts can hold a lot.

Diaper Rashes: You can use cloth with diaper rashes, but you have to use a liner because you don't want to stain the diapers or inhibit the diapers absorbency. When my babies got bad rashes I used disposables ...or nothing at all. I'd just sit them on a soft cotton prefold with their bums covered in all sorts of stuff, because I could care less if my prefolds aren't absorbent!

Laundry: Do you have your own washer and dryer? If not, CDing could be kind of a pain. Again, depending on how many you get determines how often you do laundry. 24 is a good number for newborns, and that puts you doing laundry every 2nd or 3rd day. 18 is good for mediums, again, doing laundry every 3rd day.

Newborns: I wouldn't start using cloth until your baby is a couple of weeks old. The meconium just isn't fun with any diaper! And give yourself time to adjust to a new baby in the house!

Nighttime Diapering: If your kids are anything like mine, they are super-pee-ers at night time! Even double-stuffing the diapers didn't hold everything, which meant that the moisture-wicking advantage of micro-fleece didn't work and there would be red bums in the morning. Disposables can hold SO much liquid! Have you ever forgotten a swim diaper and left them in a normal one in the pool? Crazy.

Also, I use disposables on trips. It's just not so fun toting the diaper pail around, or doing laundry at your in-law's house.

The Poop: I swish dirty diapers a little in the toilet before putting them in the pail. It really isn't bad. :o) Prefolds are handy to have so you don't drip on the way from the toilet to the pail. Eew! Blowouts are no more common in good cloth diapers than in disposables.

And now, some types of diapers and their accessories for you to choose from:

All-in-one (AIO) Diapers: These are just what they sound like — it's all there. No stuffing or anything. But they are more apt to hold smells and take longer to dry. {BumGenius, Swaddlebees}

Contour & fitted diapers: Shaped diapers made to fit under a cover. Contours don't have leg elastic or snaps, fitteds do. A less expensive option. {Kissaluvs}

One-size: A diaper meant to last from birth to potty training. {BumGenius, FuzziBunz, Happy Heinys}

Pocket diaper: You put an insert into a shell - usually with PUL (waterproof material) on the outside and microfleece that touches baby's skin. They clean very well and dry fast. {FuzziBunz, Swaddlebees, Happy Heinys}

Prefolds with covers: Definitely the least expensive, but the cotton against the baby's skin has to be changed as soon as it gets wet to avoid irritation and rashes. Ouch. This is what our mom's used — only no pins this time around. There are great little contraptions called Snappis that hold the prefold in place.

Sized diapers: Specifically sized for weight/height/etc. {FuzziBunz, Swaddlebees}

Covers: Necessary for contoured, fitted and prefold diapers. {Bummis, Swaddlebees}

Diaper Doubler: Basically another insert that you put in your diaper when you want some extra absorbency. Usually a little smaller than a regular insert.

Inserts: What you put into a pocket diaper. Made of microfiber, hemp or cotton. The first two are the least bulky, and are super absorbent. Most come with a microfiber insert.

Liners: These go between the baby's bum and the diaper. They can be made of anything, but the best ones are made of microfleece because of the wicking capability. They make for easy poop changes. They also have flushable liners so there is never any swishing. I've tried them though, and they tend to just give wedgies because they don't stay in place very well.

Microfleece: A super-thin fleece that causes the moisture to wick away from baby's skin, so when you change your baby their little bum is dry.

I hope that answers some questions ... and probably brings up more — so feel free to email me!

Claire

clairelaine@gmail.com

For all you pregos out there ...

2010-03-29T09:58:00.000-06:00

Listen to this little ditty. Call me emotional, but it makes me cry every time I listen to it because it reminds me of the magical moments of pregnancy.

—Kim

Gotta See this.

2010-03-24T10:00:00.000-06:00

The Belly Mamas can't wait for this documentary about all-things baby. Click here for the preview.

Baby Sleep Training: What I Found to be True

2010-03-21T12:08:00.015-06:00

Alright, peeps. Its the post you've all been waiting for. The one that's going to magically make your baby sleep through the night starting at day one.

We certainly wish so, right?

I would bet money that most moms would say the #1 challenge of having a newborn baby is the lack of sleep (unless they have the perfect child that sleeps through the night at day one). There are not many things worse than being woken up several times in the night over and over and over again. Who likes to function on a few hours nights of rest? Not me. And I am pretty sure not you either. Knowing this about myself, I was set on teaching my baby sleeping skills fresh out of the womb. Of course every mom has their own theory as to what's the best way to get babies to sleep through the night. You may find that what works for me may not necessarily work for you. It's up to you to decide what is best for you and your baby. With that said, let me share with you some things that I found to be true in helping babies sleep at an early age.

Now let me get up on my soap box.

For some, there is this notion that babies shouldn't be put on a schedule until they are older. I don't know where people get this idea. My theory is this: they are going to have to learn good sleep habits sooner or later. Why not sooner, rather than later? It will be so much harder for them to learn them when they are older and already have their patterns and habits fixed, and may even cause some serious stress for both of you. Start good habits early on! Babies thrive on schedules. They will trust you and feel more secure when they have a consistent and good sleeping routine. I also believe that babies are happier and less fussy when they are on good sleeping schedules and getting the sleep they very much need (much like adults). There is nothing more secure and comforting for a baby than a predictable schedule. Scheduled naps and scheduled bedtimes are all important for a new baby. They know what to expect. Also, it gets them into predictable routines and habits that will make them better sleepers for the rest of their lives.

Of course, each baby will vary on when they begin to sleep through the night. However, I feel that sticking to these following suggestions will help your child be a better sleeper, getting you the nighttime sleep you have been eagerly waiting for.

(With that said I want you to keep in mind that simply because you are following a schedule does not guarantee a sleeping baby through the night. Especially in the first few months, your baby may be getting up several times to eat. That is ok. Doctors say that by four months your child can safely sleep through the night without needing to get up to eat. By this time you can be training your child to sleep through the night if you want to get a full night's sleep yourself. Some babies may even start sleeping through the night earlier without needing to get up to eat, and some may even take a little longer, but keep in mind the 4-month mark.)

ROUTINE: Babies love routines. Routines help your baby know what to expect at bedtime so they learn that its time to sleep. As part of bedtime routine I try to remember the 6 Bs. Here they are:
Bath
Body lotion
Bottle (or boob)
Book
Binky
Bed

You can obviously add to or change this list and make it your own. Its not so important what you do, but that you do the same thing each night. You can also modify your routine for naps so babies can distinguish the difference.

*Keep in mind: Later to bed does not mean later to rise! Babies actually sleep much better when they go to bed earlier. Doctors say the prime time is anywhere from 7:30 to 8pm.

SWADDLING:
- Swaddling seems to work best for most babies. Babies like to feel secure and safe and swaddling seems to do just that. It is also said to be a safety precaution against SIDS. As they get older and swaddling becomes less optimal, you can begin training your baby to fall asleep without being swaddled (we will save that for another post down the road).

ATMOSPHERE:
- Some mothers find that putting on some soft music before bed helps their baby sleep better. I actually felt the opposite. I found that little to no stimulation was the best type of atmosphere (the only exception being a white noise- a fan, for example). A very dark, quiet room is best to reduce the amount of stimulation they get while sleeping. The reason being- babies are constantly being stimulated throughout the day and it's important for them to not be overstimulated. Overstimulation will make it harder for them to sleep. Nap time and bedtime should be a time where stimulation is almost nonexistent.
- Doctors say that babies sleep better in a comfortably cool room with more layers (versus a warm room with less layers). This also stands true in preventing SIDS.
- For naps in the day, purchasing some blinds or drapes to cover the windows is a great way to block out the light. "Night lights" are not very necessary for young babies. In fact, I would not recommend them until your baby is starting to be potty-trained and will need to get up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom.

SLEEP TRAINING METHODS: There are several sleep training methods that are used. Everyone likes their own for their own reasons. Here I have shared a few with my personal feelings about each one.

1. Crying it Out: Some moms are against this method with the idea that crying is harmful for the baby, or unkind and a betrayal of the trust your baby is developing about the world around him. Some mothers simply find it difficult themselves to hear their little one crying (and if you find you are that way then maybe this is a method you do not want to choose). Sleep experts who support the CIO method say it isn't traumatic for babies to cry alone for short periods of time with frequent check-ins by Mom or Dad — and the end result is a well-rested, happier child. They say no-tears sleep strategies may cause babies to be overly dependent on comfort from a parent at bedtime, making it harder for them to learn to soothe themselves to sleep. You'd be surprised that as hard as it is to let them cry out it out- they quickly learn how to go to sleep without crying at all, making it much easier for you and for whoever may be watching your baby. It is also a great way to help your little one learn to sleep on his/her own, creating great sleep habits for the long run. There are many great books on the market that give more information supporting each side. Ultimately, it is up to you to make a decision that is best for you and your baby.

2. Feeding to Sleep: I believe this to be one of the worst ways to train your baby to go to sleep. Not only does it make your baby dependent on feeding to sleep (making it hard on you) but it teaches them poor eating habits as well.

3. Rocking to Sleep: if you are going to rock your baby to sleep, then you will most likely need to rock your baby to sleep every night. They will learn that to be their routine and they will need it. If you don't want to have to be dependendent on rocking your child in order for them to fall asleep at night, then I'd recommend you do not do it.

4. Binky for Bed: Binky or no binky. Here are the pros and cons with regards to bedtime- the binky will help them fall asleep and can be a good source for getting the couple extra hours you might want in the morning. Downside- you'll have to get out of bed to put it in their mouth. You can really go either way with this and still have a great sleeping baby.

5. A lil bit of everything: This makes the least sense to me. Inconsistency will only confuse your baby making it harder for him to sleep.

CONSISTENCY: With whatever method you choose, consistency is vital. If you are going to teach your baby to go to sleep on his own with the crying out method, then you have to let him cry it out. You can't let him cry it out one night, and the next night go get him out and rock him to sleep. This will only throw him off and interrupt what you are trying to teach him. When your baby is in bed, he needs to stay in bed. The second you take him out of the crib you are teaching him that in order to go back to sleep mom has to come get me and rock me back to sleep (otherwise i will cry and cry until she does so). If he gets up in the middle of the night, give him a minute to see if he can soothe himself back to sleep. This is so important for a baby to learn in order to have good sleep habits as he gets older. If he is really having trouble going back to sleep, then it may be a good opportunity to go in and give him his binky (if you are using one).

*Keep in mind, however, that situations may warrant a change in method for a short time being (ex. if your baby is ill, a new atmosphere, as your baby gets older, etc.).

NAPS: I can not stress enough how important naps are throughout the day. When babies get their scheduled naps throughout the day they will sleep so much better at night. They will be less fussy and happier. Make sure your baby is having consistent naps and getting the recommended sleep he/she needs. Here is a good link to give you a general idea of the amount of sleep your little one should be getting.

CONFIDENCE: Being the confident capable mother that you are is so important. Babies can sense stress, anxiety, and worry and it can make them irritable. Remember, you can do this! You are a great mom! Just because your baby is crying or is not sleeping does not mean you are a bad or an incompetent mother. Part of confidence also entails sticking to something you are going to do. You need to follow through with your decisions. Be confident with your teaching and habit forming.

Lastly, remember that each baby is unique and may vary in sleep training. What may work for one baby may not work for another. Ultimately it's up to you to make the best decision for you and your baby.

I know that's a load of information all at once about a somewhat controversial topic. I hope some of my personal insight helps.

Stay tuned for my upcoming post on helping Mom sleep too.

In the meantime, sweet dreams!
- Dayna

How to Look Awake when You're Tired

2010-03-19T10:00:00.002-06:00

So, I was running outside on a sunny, beautiful day (yesterday). I loved feeling the sun on my face and the impact of my feet slamming the sidewalk. I saw a couple approaching, and when they passed me, the girl turned to the boy and said, "Oh, she needs more sleep! She has bags under her eyes."

Ouch.

But I can't blame her. I do need more sleep. And I do have bags under my eyes. Next time I go for a morning run, I'll think twice before skipping the under-eye cover-up — especially after a night of waking up every couple of hours.

As I was making my way home from that bittersweet run, I thought I'd share some tips with you tired mamas and mamas-to-be on how to look more awake than you really are. You better believe I'm going to follow these a little more closely now.

Cover up those bags. It's called concealer for a reason, ladies. I like Mary Kay concealer because for $10, you get a tube that can last you a couple of years. I also like Maybelline's Mineral Power concealer because it's light and not cakey at all. If you have a concealer you love, please share.

Red is dead. When it comes to eyeshadow, avoid colors with red or dark pink tones — they'll highlight the red in and around your eyes. Light pink, on the other hand, is great for awake-looking eyes and glowing cheeks. Green (the 80s are back!) and white and creme are good eyeshadow colors too.

Rub it in. A gentle eye cream is a must for tired eyes. I currently use and like Neutrogena Radiance Boost,
and I've heard good things about Aveda Tourmaline Charged and Garnier Anti-Puff. I'd love to hear what you gals use.

Ice, Ice Baby. Place a cube of ice or the corner of an ice pack under your eyes before applying makeup. It will constrict your blood vessels and reduce puffiness.

Getting your blood pumping. Exercising for even for 20 minutes a day will do wonders for your energy level, your ability to sleep better and your circulation, which means looking (and feeling) less tired. Even if you can't go for a jog outside or fit in a session at the gym, just do some Pilates hundreds at home or a workout video to get some great benefits. I'm loving Jillian Michael's 30-Day Shred — it's only 20 minutes long!

Catch some Zs. Maybe chasing them down, tackling them to the ground and tying them up is a more accurate idiom for us, right? But the truth is, sleep (even a 15-minute catnap) is obviously the best way to look and feel less tired. Stay tuned for a post from Dayna on how to sleep better.

Until then, I wish you many days in this beautiful Spring (almost) weather without any comments on the bags under your eyes.

—Kim

Discount: Gap, Old Navy and Banana Republic

2010-03-18T10:00:00.003-06:00

The Belly Mamas love baby clothes from Gap and Old Navy. So soft and so cute.

Click here to get 30% off your purchase (online or in-store) now through this Saturday. A lot of items are already on sale, so you could get some serious steals with this discount.

Happy shopping!

Sleeping Like a Baby: Newborn Sleep Tips

2010-03-16T11:02:00.000-06:00

There isn't anything quite like slipping peacefully into dreamland ... and staying there for a full eight hours. I lovvvve my sleep and before I got pregnant would sleep deeply, long, and wouldn't wake until those precious eight hours had ticked away. I would usually wake up slowly, taking in those beautiful morning hours, and then find my way to the bathroom to get ready for the day. My, how times have changed.

The first few months of pregnancy weren't too bad at all {sleep wise}. The little baby inside me was still small enough that I could sleep on my stomach with ease. Then the second trimester set in. Tossing and turning all night got really old, really fast. I longed for the nights when I got eight hours of uninterrupted sleep. Eventually, though, at some point during the night I found the perfect spot and got enough sleep to hold me over until my afternoon nap. That was when I was pregnant.

Fast forward with me now to the first day of my son's life. I was exhausted, but also in awe at this brand new baby! Words couldn't describe how proud, happy and amazed I was. It was a great day. He slept like a champ in the hospital and the nurses would wake me when it was time to feed him. I loved it. Life was good.

Then, we went home. I don't know what happened, but our baby did NOT want to sleep. At all. Those first few nights were rough and all I wanted was two hours of sleep. Two! But there seemed to be something wrong all night and he just wanted to be held and cuddled ... How could I say no to that?!

After weeks of waking every couple of hours I thought I was going to die {ok ... it wasn't that bad. But it was pretty bad.} I was not used to this whole lack of sleep thing, and I was definitely not a fan. I started talking to everyone I knew and got their advice on teaching your baby to sleep. And oh my goodness am I glad I did! If only I had known this before our baby was born ...

The moral of the story? Don't lose hope! Though it may feel like you will never get another restful night again, you will!

Here are my top three tips to helping your baby {and you} fall fast asleep:

Establish a ROUTINE. I can't stress this enough. Babies love being on a schedule! Try to put your babe down at {relatively} the same time every night. And before wrapping them up burrito-style, have a few set activities that you do every night. {Example: Every night we give our son a bath, lotion rub down, put on jammies, read, sing, pray and say good night} This seems to clue babies in and lets them know that this is different than just nap time.

Watch the ATMOSPHERE. Who likes going to bed with the lights on and lots of noise?? Not me. Setting the mood for sleep may help out more than you think. Dim the lights and talk softly.

Try to let them FALL ASLEEP on their own. This will help out big time in the long run.

—Jessie

Giveaway Winner

2010-03-15T15:07:00.000-06:00

The {randomly picked} winner of our first giveaway is Brittany!

Congratulations, Brittany. You have 48 hours from now to e-mail us with your shipping address to claim your free copy of Mommy's Little Breastfeeding Book.

Our next giveaway is coming soon, and you're gonna love it.

Breastfeeding Basics & a Giveaway

2010-03-10T12:19:00.005-07:00

It's true — breastmilk is the best source of nutrition for your rapidly growing baby. It wards off infection and sickness for your baby. Breastfeeding helps you lose weight and it guards against postpartum depression and cancer. And it's free.

But even with all the incentives, breastfeeding can be difficult. I heard that a lot before I had my baby, and always wondered what could be so hard about something so natural. And honestly, it was not as hard or painful for me as some people made it sound. But here are some difficulties I did have:

Soreness, but it wasn't unbearable and it didn't last too long — maybe a week or two. I remember my mom telling me it gets to the point where you feel no soreness at all and I was so excited for that day to come. It did! Also, I felt like I was a milk factory because of how often I was feeding my baby (about every hour and a half in the beginning). I remember thinking "Is this all I'm going to be doing for the next year?" but the feedings get much less frequent and less time-consuming. Overall, it just takes some time and practice to get the hang of it, but in my opinion, it is well worth any inconvenience it may bring. Here are some things that will help:

Get Support. If your husband knows how beneficial breastfeeding is and how important it is to you, you are much more likely to stick with it.

Get a Boppy pillow. This magical donut-shaped pillow will become your breast friend.

Love your Lanolin. It will help you avoid sore, cracked nipples. I recommend Lansinoh Lanolin. All you need is one tube. I didn't even get through half of mine.

Feed your baby right after birth. Your newborn's suckling instincts are at their highest right when they exit the womb and are placed on your belly. Let your baby bob his/her head around and find his/her way to the nipple.

Get all the help you can. Every hospital has a lactation consultant — a one-on-one breastfeeding expert to show you the ropes. She will help your baby latch like a pro from the start, and that is invaluable. Also, take advantage of workshops your hospital offers. Nurses are always right at your fingertips and can help you as many times as you need.

Pump it up. Get an electric or manual breast pump (depending on how often you are planning on pumping) and learn how to use it before baby comes. Pumping can relieve engorged breasts, and it's nice to have some breastmilk stocked up once you introduce a bottle. That way, your husband can feed the baby while you get some rest. Also, it comes in handy when you have a babysitter, you're driving, or you're out and about and don't feel like whippin' it out in public.

Go Under Cover. Get a nursing cover. That way, you can nurse comfortably when people are around and not have to leave the party. Check out this post too see my favorite (and free!) nursing covers.

Don't Give Up. There is always help. Find your local La Leche League group for hotlines, classes and other resources to help make breastfeeding a positive experience for you.

Read all about it. There are plenty of breastfeeding web sites and books out there. Speaking of which ...

It's time for the first (of many) Belly Mamas Giveaway! One lucky reader will win a free copy of Mommy's Little Breastfeeding Book by Michele Carnesecca, a nurse and lactation consultant at American Fork Hospital in Utah.

This little book is a quick, easy read and will get you off to a great start with breastfeeding. The giveaway ends March 15th and the winner will be notified by e-mail, with 24 hours to claim the prize.

For all entries, leave a comment with your name and e-mail address and how many entries you are earning with each comment.

For one entry (required) become a follower of Belly Mamas by clicking on the right. Tell us your name and e-mail address in a comment and tell us you follow.

Extra entries:

(4 entries) Add the Belly Mamas button to your own blog and leave a comment here with a link to your blog. (If your blog is private, you'll have to invite us to view it :) )

(3 entries) Send an e-mail to 10 of your friends with a link to Belly Mamas, and copy bellymamas@gmail.com.

(2 entries) Become a fan of Belly Mamas on Facebook and leave a comment on the wall.

(1 entry) Blog about Belly Mamas on your own blog, and leave us a comment with the link to your post.

Good luck!

—Kim

Pregnancy and Exercise

2010-03-08T11:00:00.001-07:00

Excuse me ladies, while I take away your pregnancy card for a minute.

While there have been (and will continue to be) many completely justifiable situations that have merited the pregnancy card, exercise isn’t one of those — despite what you may have heard.

I’m just going to lay it out — exercise during pregnancy is good. Very good. In all reality, there are very few circumstances where it isn’t. I know how much you would love to use pregnancy as your ticket to take a nine-month break from anything that involves physical activity, but trust me, you’ll be sorry later. Nine months later to be exact. Here’s why:

Exercise can help alleviate some of the common pregnancy woes — back pain (by strengthening the muscles that support the back) and increased circulation (which means less varicose veins, leg cramps, swollen ankles, and a couple other things that I don’t really want to delve into on a public blog — feel free to look them up).
Exercise can help lull you into a more peaceful, deeper slumber — which will continue to get more difficult as the pregnancy goes on. Believe me, you will want all the help you can get when it comes to sleep.
Exercising throughout pregnancy will help decrease unnecessary weight gain, making it easier to lose the pounds post-baby.
Exercise has been shown to make you feel good. Something to help balance the crazy hormones? Sign me up! This was one of the best benefits for me. I felt like it was the one thing that made me feel like myself, and I craved that.
Exercise can help prepare your body (and mind) for childbirth. It increases the strength of your muscles and your cardiovascular system, both of which you will use extensively during labor and delivery. I have no doubt that my weekly strength and spinning classes contributed to my awesome delivery and recovery. Both the physical and mental endurance you develop through exercise can help you go through labor like a champ.
Exercise will give you more energy throughout the day. Sure, during your sweat fest at the gym, you may not be feeling energetic. However, increasing your endurance and strengthening your muscles will make it easier to do everyday tasks that will become increasingly more difficult as your belly expands (rolling over in bed, anyone?).

Have I convinced you yet? In case you don’t believe me, go here and here to read more.

That being said, there are things you need to be careful of.

Always consult your doctor to get the OK before you start any exercise program.
Avoid exercising to the extent of being breathless. Also avoid contact sports, exercising in hot weather, and lying flat on your back (once you get into your 2nd trimester).
Above all, listen to your body.

Alright, I’ll get off my pro-exercise soap box. I guess that’s what a degree in Exercise Science has done to me. See ya at the gym, ladies.

—Karlee

Stay tuned this week for the first Belly Mamas giveaway!

Packing for the Hospital

2010-03-06T20:04:00.000-07:00

I have a feeling that most first-time moms are like me when it came to packing the hospital bag. Secretly hoping my little bean would come early, I had the bag packed (ok, and my husband’s too . . . ) and in the trunk of our car way before necessary. But erring on the side of too early never hurts. It sure beat trying to get everything together while timing contractions. As for the bag itself, however, in hindsight I could have made things easier on myself. So, here are my recommendations when it comes to THE BAG:

• In all honesty, the only things you really need for baby are the car seat (install this a couple weeks beforehand too, to avoid stress) and a cute going-home outfit (Don’t worry though, your baby won’t go home naked if you don’t bring an outfit. The hospital will provide little cotton t-shirt things for your baby to wear during his or her stay, and you’re free to take baby home in this if you’d like). The hospital will provide you with diapers, wipes, and really anything else baby needs while he/she’s there. Live it up.
• Socks were the only clothing item I wanted during my hospital stay. If you feel more comfortable in a nightgown than the hospital gown, you can bring one, but it’s probably going to get nasty. So my advice? Just simplify. Wear the gown, but bring socks to keep your toes toasty. That said, you will want to bring an outfit you can go home in. It’ll probably have to be maternity clothes (sad, I know, but have hope: your pants will fit again soon.) Since you’ll still look 4-6 months preggo.
• Bring a toothbrush and toothpaste for you and your husband and a hair brush. Don’t worry about other toiletry items, since the hospital will have shampoo (it’s not Pantene, but it worked great), soap, and sanitary pads (essential). If you have to have make-up, bring it too.
• The people at a certain mother-related store basically told me that if I did not buy five nursing bras and nursing pads the hospital would kick me out. This was not true. In all likelihood, your milk won’t come in until after you leave the hospital, and even if it does, one or two bras will suffice, and the hospital will provide nursing pads.
• Bring a camera/video camera, and bring your charged cell phones. You’ll be bursting to tell everyone you just had a real live baby.

In the end, as cheesy as it sounds, it’s not what you take with you, but what you take away. As you leave the hospital you won’t be upset that you forgot to upload your “birthing playlist” to your iPod. You’ll be focused on your new beautiful bald, diapered roommate.

-Noelle

What to Expect (and What not to Expect) on your Labor Day

2010-03-05T11:00:00.000-07:00

"Hee, hee, hoo" are the gentle sounds of my breathing, the lights are dimmed with soft music playing in the background. My epidural kicked in hours ago and I am sleeping through contractions while my husband holds my hand. The Dr. arrives, and with just a few pushes, my precious baby is out and placed in my arms.

Oh wait, that was just a dream.

Although for many, labor has been known to be just as dreamy — for many, it has not.

After all, it is called "labor" for a reason.

So, what I'm going to tell you is to expect the unexpected, while remembering through it all that the reward is great.

When I went to the hospital to give birth to my little boy, I had planned on an epidural.

For various reasons, no epidural was received.

It was the hardest thing I have ever done.

Before I went in to give birth I expected the nurses would treat me and my baby like just another patient coming through, but instead they were especially kind, going out of their way to hold my baby and visit with me.

And although my labor was completely different than what I had expected, it was beautiful all the same.

If you ask me, nothing makes you feel stronger than giving birth to a sweet new baby.

So, here are some things I think you can expect:

You might have some Braxton Hicks contractions well before your baby is ready to come. While these can be annoying and even sleep-depriving, know they are preparing your mind and body for the real thing.

When the real thing has begun, your contractions will get increasingly more intense and closer together. The best thing you can do in early labor is try your best to get some sleep. Your body is about to run the marathon of labor.

The majority of hospitals won't admit you until you are dilated to four centimeters.

You will most likely have a support team (nurses, doctor, significant other) there to cheer you on.

If you are prepared, your experience will be more pleasant (study up on natural birthing techniques even if you are planning on receiving an epidural. Epidural or not, approach labor with a strong, positive mind, believing you are strong and that your body was made to do this.

The pain of labor will end, whether by epidural or by the actual arrival of your baby.

If you deliver in a hospital, you will most likely be moved into a separate recovery room after your baby is born. Most woman stay in the hospital for 24 to 48 hours after delivery.

One thing is certain — your life will be changed forever, for good :)
happy laboring.

—tamara

stay tuned for tomorrow's post on what to pack for the hospital!

Postpartum Depression and the Baby Blues

2010-03-02T11:27:00.000-07:00

A couple caveats to begin this post: first, postpartum depression and the baby blues aren’t the same thing. They differ in duration, severity, and treatment. Secondly, since I don’t have firsthand experience with postpartum depression, the main focus of this post will be the baby blues. However, I would like to mention post-partum depression, since it affects a significant number of woman who have babies. In fact, some women go through pre-partum depression as well, experiencing medical depression before the baby arrives. I’ve had several friends who have experienced post-partum depression, and once on the other side they’ve stressed the importance of 1.) acknowledging the problem, 2.) opening up to people you trust about what’s going on, 3.) and getting help in the form of counseling, medication, or both. Post-partum depression isn’t in your head, it isn’t a result of you being weak or not loving your baby enough, and it isn’t likely to just go away on its own, You deserve help, and so does your baby.

And what about the baby blues? Before I had my little boy, I steeled myself for my hormones to be out of whack, having read everywhere that I’d probably be a little bit down a few days after the baby arrived. I figured that since I was prepared, it’d be easier to handle the “blues.” And I guess in a way it was helpful to know what I was feeling was normal, but it didn’t help tame those hormones one iota.

The best way I can describe my experience with the baby blues was “unbalanced” (which I guess makes sense, given the hormonal situation). One minute I felt so lucky that my baby was healthy and that he was finally here, and the next minute I felt suddenly overcome by sadness and worry. Extreme worry was a BIG part of my experience with the blues. A couple days after I had my baby, I heard about a woman who had dropped her baby in the hospital my sister worked at (the baby was fine) and I nearly came unglued, just knowing the same thing was going to happen to me, I couldn’t stand watching the news because anything bad that had happened in the world had happened to somebody’s baby, and what if that happened to my baby someday? I know all mothers worry about their babies in this way to a degree, but it’s the degree that made it the blues. I couldn’t stop thinking about all the terrible things that could befall my little boy, topped off with feeling cruddy and just plain not like myself a lot of the time.

The good news? It felt like I’d never feel “normal” again, but after a couple of weeks, that’s what happened. It really helped to share my feelings and worries with my husband, who, knowing I wasn’t quite myself, listened patiently and let me get it all out. It also helped to write what I was thinking and feeling down in a journal—another way to get it out of my system. So hold on, find someone you can trust, and have hope. However, remember that if your worry and feelings of sadness persist, worsen, or if you have thoughts of harming yourself or your baby, there is help.

—Noelle

Wanna be a Hot Pregnant Lady?

2010-02-26T12:40:00.000-07:00

Check out this maternity boutique. There are always deals on their facebook page, which you can so easily access if you become a Belly Mamas fan on Facebook. (You know you want to.)

Bottles and Pacifiers: The Great Debate

2010-02-24T14:31:00.000-07:00

Just so you know from the get-go, I’m not an impartial party to this debate. I’m all for bottles and pacifiers (bring it, La Leche). However, I know there’s disadvantages to using them (especially in certain ways), so we should cover that first. Another thing to note when it comes to bottles and pacifiers is that it depends on your baby’s personality. Some babies are going to be much more compatible with bottles and pacifiers than other babies, no matter how perfectly you use them/don’t overuse them. Anyway, on to the cons:
• “Nipple confusion” can occur if bottles are used too early (before about 3 weeks) or too often, which can make breastfeeding difficult. Baby may also decide that he or she likes the bottle better, with its even, faster flow and may go on a nursing strike.
• Weaning a baby from a pacifier can be tough, especially if your baby becomes really attached
• Babies who overuse pacifiers and bottles can have problems with teeth coming in correctly
• If you use formula (rather than pumped milk) in the bottle, baby’s diapers are stinkier

Moving right along, I opted to use both pacifiers and bottles (alongside nursing) despite these cons because of two words: options and sanity. That said, let’s take a look at the pros:
• As for pacifiers, babies LOVE to suck on things. Its hardwired into their systems. Sometimes your baby is crying simply because he or she wants something in their mouth. You could offer to nurse 20 times a day, but this will a.) wear you out, and b.) your baby isn’t hungry all 20 times, and contrary to the popular myth, babies CAN overeat when nursing.
• Contrary to a popular myth, pacifiers do NOT cause nipple confusion
• The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends letting babies sleep with a paci for the first year of life, since it decreases the risk of SIDS
• Our baby hates the car seat (shocking, but I’m sure I’m not alone), and a pacifier helps us all feel much more sane at the end of a car ride/drive more safely I’m sure too.
• As for bottles, most babies easily adapt to eating from both a bottle and the breast (nipple confusion is not the norm). This allows for someone else to take a feeding once in a while. This basically saved my life, since our baby isn’t a champion sleeper to say the least. With a bottle, my husband can take the first feeding, letting me get a couple more precious hours of sleep. It’s also nice to know that if we’re late getting back to a babysitter, our baby will take a bottle, and we aren’t stuck with visions of a screaming, starving baby until we can get home (tip: introduce a bottle by the end of the second month at the latest, or its likely baby will reject it).

As with everything, do what’s best for your particular baby. All I can say is that I’ve found that using these tools in moderation can be a real lifesaver.

—Noelle

Must-Reads for Mamas-to-Be

2010-02-22T14:55:00.000-07:00

Here are a few book recommendations from the Belly Mamas. Of course, we didn't have the time (or desire) to read every book under the sun, so please let us know which ones helped you during your pregnancy and new-mommyhood.

The Girlfriend’s Guide to Pregnancy

Mommy's Little Breastfeeding Book:
101 Tips your Baby Wants you to Know about Nursing

Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child

The Happiest Baby on the Block

The Baby Whisperer

Your Pregnancy Week by Week

Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy

A word of caution before you dive into any literature that deals with pregnancy and motherhood: You'll come to find there are countless theories on how to teach a baby to sleep or how to ensure a healthy fetus, and many of these theories contradict each other. Unfortunately, there isn't a 100-percent correct pregnancy or motherhood book that has all the answers (as far as we know, anyway. Let us know if you've found it!), so the Belly Mamas suggest reading a variety of books and putting to use the information you find most helpful and feel most comfortable with.

Happy reading!

Life After Baby: 7 Must Do's

2010-02-19T16:22:00.000-07:00

I don't know about the rest of you, but in those early weeks of being a new mother, there were times that I felt like my very own life was being sucked out of me to compensate for this new, tiny, wrinkly, rapidly-growing one that was handed to me at the hospital (which, ironically, got her life from literally sucking the necessities out of me every three hours of the day. Hence, sucking the life right out of me. Makes sense, right?). As much as I loved being a new mother and all the wonderful things it entails, it was still overwhelming, challenging, and at times, quite difficult. Most of the time I didn't feel like myself, but rather a mere zombie-like slave to my baby's every minute need. I felt like the simple things I did so easily every day (like maintaining good hygiene, not kidding) seemed almost impossible to accomplish. It was hard. Some nights I questioned how I was going to be able to do this the rest of my life without sacrificing my sanity for it.

Been there?

It wasn't until I committed to these 7 things that I realized I could still "have a life" (so to speak) while still meeting the needs of my precious newborn. Committing to these 7 things helped me feel "alive" (especially during those early weeks), but overall helped me to realize that my life really didn't need to change as much as I had thought. Best of all, I kept my sanity and was a better mom for it.

I hope they do the same for you. Here they are:

DON'T SAY "NO" TO THE SHOWER Make showering a requirement every single day once your baby is born. This may sound like a simple task to some of you, but in that first week it can be hard. I felt a thousand times better and happier when I made this a priority at the start of my day. Your body might be saying no, but push past that feeling and get in. Whether you are tired, sore, or you think your baby needs you, no excuses! A hot shower will help you feel fresh and rejuvenated for what might be a long day. Now, are you worried what you will do with your baby? If you have help, take advantage of it. Hand your baby off to your mother, sister, husband, or whoever is there with you at the time. Don't have help around 24/7? When I didn't have help around I used a bouncer. Get one if you don't already have one. Keep one in your bathroom and set your baby in it while you get ready. The vibration and music will relax him, and who knows, the rush of the shower and blow dryer may even put your baby to sleep. Success!

MAKEUP Along with a shower, putting on some much needed makeup may help you feel like yourself. You might be thinking, "is she serious? makeup?" You'd be surprised that even if you are just going to be home all day in sweats you'll still feel sexier and womanly with that little touch. Plus, you won't be feeling bashful when you have those unexpected visitors at your door. They may even give you some feel-good comments that will make your day that much better.

GET OUT Don't be home-bound or bed-bound during the early weeks. This is a time you may think you can't/shouldn't go out. This is false. Staying in can often lead to the unwanted baby blues. Get outside and explore even if its just for a few minutes. If someone can watch your little tyke at home while you get a short walk in, awesome. Otherwise, put your baby in the car seat and in the stroller and head out! Of course you'll want to limit any strangers getting really close to your new baby in the first couple weeks, but that much needed sunshine and outside air will make you feel a world of a difference. Plus, easy walks are a great way to help speed up your recovery.

SAY "YES" If help is ever offered, TAKE IT! There is absolutely no need for an I-can-do-it-myself attitude at this point in your life. People want to help and this is the time to accept because soon there won't be any more offers. And if no one is offering... ASK! You'd be surprised at how many people would love to help but aren't sure where the boundaries are in offering or giving help to new mothers. Having much-needed help can give you the time to do some things that are important for you (like getting showered and ready, taking a nap, having some personal time, etc.)

PLAN DATES Whether it's with your husband or girlfriends, make it a weekly priority to get out on a date. If you can't leave your baby, take your baby with you! Your baby doesn't need to be an excuse for not getting out of the house every once and a while. Having that much-needed time for yourself will save your sanity. Coordinating "Mommy Clubs" (weekly get-togethers with other moms and babies) are a great way to have some adult time while your little one gets to socialize with others his age.

GET YOUR R & R Everyone needs their own personal "me time." Rest and relaxation are two words you can not do without as a new mother! Take a break each week to get a massage, get your nails done, or simply do something that is relaxing to YOU. Even something as simple as an afternoon nap or a massage from your loved one can often do the trick. (Everybody says to "sleep when the baby is sleeping" and yet nobody ever heeds that advice. Please heed! Chores and cleaning can be left for another time down the road, or better yet — for your husband/helper!)

ENJOY HOBBIES Don't give up on the things you love after you have a baby. Keeping your hobbies as part of your everyday life is important. When your baby is napping or playing alone contently is a great opportunity to do what you enjoy. Sewing, cooking, scrapbooking, photography, reading, working out, yoga ... whatever it is — keep it a part of your life.

Remember, although life will never be the same after you have a baby, it doesn't have to be as drastically different as you might think. Sticking to these 7 things will save you your sanity and make you a happier mom. And if mom ain't happy, ain't nobody happy. Isn't that how the saying goes?

Now go get a life.

- Dayna