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Sexy Momma - Feeling Sexy During and After Pregnancy Some people think that the word sexy and pregnancy do not belong
together. I have to disagree. In fact, I have hear many men say
that a woman is her sexiest and most beautiful when she is
pregnant!
So, how do you go about feeling sexy when your belly is
expanding and your body is going through so many changes? So many women tell me they feel unattractive when they are pregnant, but they don't have to! read more
The good news is that the days of the maternity tent dress are
over! Today's maternity wear is hip, trendy and yes, even sexy! The designers have brilliantly combined comfort and
fashion in clothing that you can start wearing as soon as you
discover you are pregnant right on through post-partum and
beyond.
Just wearing your husband clothes may be economical - and they
may fit fine over your expanding belly -- but they will not have
a good fit everywhere else! Buying bigger sizes in regular
clothes is also never a great idea if you want to feel good
about yourself. I'm sorry to say you will just look bigger and
feel frumpy.
There are several "basics" that every woman should have when she
is pregnant. For your first pieces, try to stick with basics
that will go with everything. A couple of good pairs of pants,
jeans or skirts are a good place to start (your lifestyle will
determine which is best for you). Add a top or two and you are
on your way! Then, as you "grow", add tops in fashionable prints
and colors that will mix and match with your basics, giving you
fresh new looks, as well an occasional, much needed,
psychological boost. If you are really keen, splurge on some
"not-so-practical" tops or bottoms to round out your maternity
wardrobe. Remember, many of today's styles can be worn after
baby too!
If you cannot afford a whole new wardrobe, or even if you can
and don't want to spend the money, you need to get yourself at
least a couple of basics and one outfit that makes you feel
beautiful and sexy -- there is no price for the way an outfit
like this will make you feel!
Don't forget your underwear! If your underwear binds you are not
going to feel comfortable. There are so many great styles
available now! And if you're a thong wearer, there's no reason
to stop now. Maternity thongs, as well as the bikinis and
briefs, are available in a wide variety of fabrics and colors.
Chances are you will probably require several different bra
sizes throughout your pregnancy. No matter which type of bra you
choose, fit is important. There should be room for expansion
around the rib cage and room for expansion in the cup, but not
so much that the bra does not provide adequate support. Have fun
with your maternity and nursing bras -- there are so many
options available!
There are also some great skin care products available now.
Pamper yourself with some luxurious creams or body wash! Take
some time out for you -- you deserve it!
Remember, when you feel good, you look great -- even sexy!
About the author:
Anne Cavicchi is a mom and owner of Annie's Maternity Corner --
dedicated to providing a large collection of fashionable
maternity and nursing wear to allow you to express your own
style comfortably during and after pregnancy. We also carry all
the products you will need for after your child is born.
Accessories, diapers, sleepwear, breast pumps, playwear, and
everything in between! www.maternitycorner.com
Fighting the Pregnancy Blahs
Author: Lee-Anne Robert
Every pregnant woman has experienced the pregnancy blahs. I can
remember feeling so big and unattractive throughout my two
pregnancies, and secretly wishing for the pregnancy to be over
so that I could have my body back and fit into my normal
clothes. It's sad to say, really, because pregnancy is such a
beautiful experience and the fact that you created this little
human being that is developing in your body should make you feel
wonderful through every step of the way.
Oh, but those pregnancy blahs kick in! Your stomach is growing,
you cannot fit into your normal clothes, you can't see your
feet, you waddle when you walk, your feet and legs are swollen,
and other additional physical changes make you feel, well, blah!
Sometime during your pregnancy, you may even start to feel bored
with the pregnancy and/or feel depressed. Yes, those raging
hormones kick in too.
Here are some tips in helping to beat those pregnancy blahs:
1) Eat healthy and get plenty of rest. Choose healthy foods and
ensure that your intake is nutritious.
2) Exercise. Even a short walk in the outdoors will uplift your
spirits.
3) Make yourself feel attractive by taking the time to groom
yourself. Do your hair and put on makeup. We all feel so
confident and alive when we look good.
4) Buy maternity outfits that will make you feel good. Don't buy
just because they fit you.
5) Ensure to include pretty accessories in your daily wardrobe
such as nice earrings or a pretty scarf. Most of us raid our
spouse's closet for clothes that we can wear throughout our
pregnancy. Lovely accessories even dress up your spouse's
wardrobe.
6) If you start to feel bored with your pregnancy, choose an
activity that you will enjoy to help you through the boredom.
Many woman will prepare for the baby by going shopping or
decorating the nursery. Other woman choose a hobby such as
gardening, preparing a scrapbook, writing in a pregnancy
journal, etc.
7) Roughly 10 percent of women experience mild or moderate
depression during pregnancy. If you feel persistent depression
or anxiety, seek professional help.
8) Spend quality time with your spouse. Go for a romantic dinner
or out to a movie. Enjoy this time because it's hard to find
time after the baby is born.
9) Take time out for yourself. Motherhood is just around the
corner so take this time to enjoy your independence.
Although it may seem like 9 months is taking forever, really, it
goes very quickly. Enjoy the wonderful experience of pregnancy
each step of the way. There will be a time in our lives when our
children have grown up and we wish to live the pregnancy
experience all over again.
You can beat the pregnancy blahs! Feel good about being a woman
and feel good about bringing a wonderful new baby into the
world.
About the author:
Lee-Anne Robert is a mother of two young children and the owner
of Cuddles 'n Gifts at http://www.cuddlesngifts.net
Nursing in Style
Author: Anne Cavicchi
Many women are uncomfortable nursing in public. But today's
nursing fashions can help you nurse with confidence, comfort,
and style -- anytime, anywhere!
The basics
A good breastfeeding nightgown or pajamas will help you with
those first days in the hospital or at home. Learning to
breastfeed can be a challenge in itself; you don't want to be
struggling with your clothing too! You will also be glad for the
convenience for those night feedings and those days when you
just don't get dressed (and yes, there will be some of those!)
Chances are you probably needed several different bra sizes
throughout your pregnancy. And often even your best guess at
your post-partum bra size was not quite right. No matter which
type of bra you choose, a good fit is important. Your bra needs
to provide adequate support while providing easy access to your
breasts for feeding. Have fun with your nursing bras -- there
are so many options available!
Out and About
Every nursing mother should own at least two tops (or 1 top and
1 dress) to give her the ease of nursing access and overall
comfort. A nursing tank top, even in cold months, is also a good
basic as it can be worn under a sweater or other non-nursing
garment. If you plan on nursing for a long period of time, treat
yourself to a few more tops as time goes by (after all, you are
saving a fortune by not buying baby formula!). Pair your top
with your favorite jeans, dress slacks or skirt and you are all
set! Most people won't even know that you are wearing nursing
clothing!
Some of the more popular access options include:
Crop Over Top - Dual Slits: The crop overtop lifts to gain
breastfeeding access to two vertical slits on lower panel.
Dual Side Panels - Central Slits: Side panels open to gain
breastfeeding access to one or two slits on the lower panel.
Vest Front - Dual Split Or Extended Arm Holes: Vest front lifts
or opens to access breastfeeding opening (dual slits or extended
armholes)
Central Pleat Dual Slits: Central pleat parts to gain
breastfeeding access to slits on lower layer.
One option is not necessarily better than the other; it's just a
matter of personal preference. Enjoy your baby and the
breastfeeding experience.
About the author:
Anne Cavicchi is a mom and owner of Annie's Maternity Corner.
Annie's is dedicated to keeping the expectant and new mom
comfortable and stylish. We also carry all the products you will
need for after your child is born. Accessories, diapers,
sleepwear, breast pumps, playwear, and everything in between!
http://www.maternitycorner.com
How to Make a Time Capsule for Your New Baby
Author: Nancy Wurtzel
Looking for an unusual and memorable gift? Why not preserve a
slice of history by creating a time capsule as a gift for your
new baby?
Your personally designed time capsule preserves history, popular
culture, special memories and can help link generations of a
family together. It is truly a unique and thoughtful gift that
will be cherished in later years.
There are a number of steps to keep in mind when creating a time
capsule gift.
MAKE YOUR OWN HISTORY Traditionally, a time capsule provides a
"snapshot" of a specific day in history, so focus mainly on the
baby's birth day or events happening near that date.
What information is important? A summary of current events to
depict what was happening in the world makes the time capsule
very relevant, and details about popular fads, movies, sporting
events and books will also be interesting to read about decades
later. Be sure to include important information about your
child's family as well, which helps to make it a really
personalized gift.
TIME CAPSULE 101 1. Start Early. The best part of any time
capsule is the thought and preparation that goes into it. Be
sure that you don't rush the process, so start during the middle
months of your pregnancy. If you leave everything until the last
minute, it will look that way!
2. Choose a Container. Think cool and dry when you search for
just the right container. Check online for affordable time
capsules and you will find a variety of styles. Some will even
engrave the child's name on your selected capsule. However, to
make it very simple, you can make your own capsule by choosing a
sturdy metal container that can be properly sealed.
3. Select an Unsealing Date. Perhaps you want to set a
significant date, such as your child's 21st birthday, high
school graduation or marriage. It is exciting for everyone to
look forward to the time capsule unsealing, so set a date or
event and stick to it!
4. Put it in Writing. This is especially important if the time
capsule will be opened far in the future. Make a capsule
document that details everything about it, including the
contents, unsealing date, purpose of the capsule and who should
be present when it is unsealed. Then keep this document in a
safe place.
5. Storing the Time Capsule. Although you may be tempted, it is
not advisable to bury your capsule. You are likely to move or
forget exactly where it is buried, and the contents could be
damaged by the elements. It's a better idea to give the capsule
a special place in your home -- perhaps the fireplace mantle or
on the family piano. Let the capsule become a conversation piece
as you show it to friends and family and talk about its
significance.
CAPSULE CONTENTS
The key to a meaningful time capsule is to make it personal,
relevant and interesting. Following are some ideas on items to
include and more importantly a few to leave out.
First, it is strongly recommended not to include food, drinks or
liquids -- basically, anything that could ruin the contents or
create a bad odor.
Instead, consider coins, money, stamps, a small keepsake album,
baby's first photos, a video, an audiotape that you recorded for
your baby, your family tree and finally a variety of newspapers
and magazines. Write a letter or card to your child explaining
the time capsule's purpose -- be sure to use acid-free paper
that won't deteriorate as quickly. Cards and photos are an
excellent choice, but consider creating them with acid-free
paper as well.
You can choose contents that are lighthearted and funny or more
serious and reflective. Just remember that you set the tone.
Your baby's time capsule is your creation, so have a great time
making this personalized and unique gift.
To learn more about the history of the time capsule and how to
register your personally created capsule, please visit the All
About Baby website.
About the author:
Nancy Wurtzel is the founder and owner of All About Baby, an
ecommerce site located at http://www.allbaby.com. All About Baby
specializes in personalized and memorable gifts for children as
well as interesting and helpful child-related site content. Ms.
Wurtzel has over 20 years of marketing and communications
experience. She consults with small businesses seeking to enter
the marketplace or grow their existing ecommerce business.
The Name Game: Tips For Picking the Best Baby Name
Author: Nancy Wurtzel
Expectant parents spend hours preparing the nursery, poring over
pregnancy and delivery books and going to childbirth classes.
Yet surprisingly, many decide their child's given name within a
matter of minutes, often spending more time selecting the right
car seat or stroller.
What should parents-to-be consider when choosing a baby name?
All About Baby, a personalized children's products company that
has seen all types of name combinations, has come up with
helpful tips to make the process interesting, fun and successful.
USE BOOKS AND THE INTERNET First, start with the experts. The
choices today are staggering with more than 50,000 common names
and spelling variations. Begin with some basic homework by
buying a few baby-name books or a baby-name software program.
Check online for the best buys.
You can also use the internet by tapping into dozens of internet
sites that list popular baby names, some websites even offer
customized search programs, complete with the meaning and origin
of the names.
BEGIN KEEPING A LIST Somewhere during the middle of your
pregnancy, start jotting down some of your favorite selections.
Next, begin mixing and matching the first and middle names along
with the baby's last name to see how you like various
combinations. How do the names sound together? How do they look
on paper? This is the time to ask others for their opinion, so
keep an open mind and have a little fun considering a wide range
of names for your little one.
At the same time, keep in mind that names often bring up a
myriad of emotions, and sometimes parents can have very
different reactions to their partner's favorite choices. So we
advise being respectful of your partner's feelings.
Trendy names are really in fashion -- especially with
celebrities. However, there is always something to be said for
the old standards that have endured the test of time. For
instance, Bambi Nevada might seem like a cool choice today, but
consider what is the best selection for an entire lifetime. What
will this name look like decades later on a business card?
Along these same lines are exotic spellings and invented names,
which are also in wide use today. Remember that kids can
sometimes be cruel and a highly unusual name could be fodder for
playground teasing.
As an adult, just think how many times during an average week
you give and spell your name. Do you want to give your child a
name that he or she could really resent later?
If you absolutely love a name, but can't tolerate the nickname
that often goes with it, then think twice.
For example, I have a friend who named her son Michael, even
though she hates the nickname, 'Mikey'. Now the mom spends far
too much time and energy correcting kids, teachers and other
parents who refer to him by the dreaded nickname. It's just not
worth it.
HAVE SOME BACK-UP CHOICES Since ultrasound tests are not always
interpreted correctly, All About Baby recommends choosing names
for both sexes. Even when you think the gender is a certainty,
it is still a good idea to have a back up name. Why? Sometimes
the name that seemed perfect during your pregnancy just isn't
the right match when the new baby finally arrives.
This actually happened to another mom that I know, who was
having her second son, a boy. They learned the sex of the baby
during pregnancy and planned for months to name their new son,
Cameron Michael.
However, when I visited their home a few days after the baby's
birth, I learned the parents had named him Matthew John. His
mother's explanation was that after his birth, they all realized
'he just didn't look like a Cameron.' And you know, she was
right, he looked like a Matthew John!
PICK THE NAME THAT IS RIGHT FOR YOUR CHILD Everyone seems to
have an opinion when it comes to baby names, and family members
can be especially outspoken. While it's fun to hear suggestions,
especially during the first part of your name search, keep in
mind that ultimately your child's name is your decision. It is
impossible to make everyone happy.
Naming your infant is one of the most important tasks you will
ever undertake. A person's name is truly a lifetime gift, and it
helps define your child -- within the family, to friends, at
school and to the outside world. If you consider the options
carefully and select with love, you really can't go wrong.
For a complete list of 20 Helpful Baby-Naming Tips as well as a
wide variety of other interesting child-related content, visit
http://www.allbaby.com.
About the author:
Nancy Wurtzel is the founder and owner of All About Baby, an
ecommerce site located at http://www.allbaby.com. All About Baby
specializes in personalized and memorable gifts for children as
well as interesting and helpful child-related site content. Ms.
Wurtzel has over 20 years of marketing and communications
experience. She consults with small businesses seeking to enter
the marketplace or grow their existing ecommerce business.
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