May 30th, 2012

New Meaning of Pregnancy “Support”

Seriously, the indignities of pregnancy are too numerous to name. But I experienced a new one this time around that even I didn’t see coming.

I had to buy a maternity support belt.

{Seriously.}

The product description doesn’t help the sexy factor, which is woeful at this point of pregnancy anyway, but it’s an embarrassing state when you need a contraption to keep your belly in the air.

This is how I’m carrying. You can laugh, gasp, or probably more appropriate, pity me.

36weeksbaby2

You can only imagine I have to put my hands under my belly so I can walk at an expedient pace (i.e. faster than an 80 year old), and when I had my pregnancy checkup with a male doctor, he took one look at me and recommended the maternity support belt. (You know you’ve hit an all time belly low when a male doctor thinks your belly is so big you need velcro and a stretchy band to hold the sucker up.)

I tweeted about it and headed over to a local retailer in the Boston area (though the company has an online registry, shop and webinars for everyone across the country.) Isis Parenting didn’t laugh. I guess because clients come in for devices that are more, let’s just say, interesting contraptions than my needs. Someone was there to help me figure out which one was best for what I needed, was the most comfortable, and showed me how to put it on. (I kept thinking about the part in the book, “Are you There God its Me Margaret.“)

My 2.5 year old was with me, however, and he expressed extreme displeasure over the thing. The words “No Mama, No Mama” kept ringing out in the store as I put the belt on (way to be incognito.) I’m sure if my husband saw it on me too, he would probably be uttering a similar statement. Which is why I have been getting dress in the dark. (That is probably a whole other post.)

I waddled out of the store 10 minutes later with the maternity support belt on under my clothes. I wasn’t quite convinced this thing would be any good and felt rather silly that I forked over $45 dollars for something I would only be wearing for 5 weeks. Yet, the true test came the next day when I walked around the neighborhood with my toddler; no need to support my belly with my hands. Oh, and that sciatica in my hip that I’ve had the past two months? Gone.

So while I can only hope no one ever sees me in this thing, it has been a pretty sweet device. If you end up being in a similar situation, just get one. Forget the silliness factor, and think of your comfort. (Even if you deny possession of it to family and friends.)

CategoryParenting Ideas and Advice, Product Reviews for Moms, Babies and Kids | Comment7 Comments »

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May 29th, 2012

Picture and Photo Print Clothing

A really funky style trend this season are picture prints on clothing – otherwise known as photo prints.

You are probably wondering what I am talking about? Imagine taking a picture and making a skirt out of it, or having it built into the fiber of the fabric on a blouse.

You’ll see these style trends at popular retailers like H&M, JCPenney, and New York & Company at really affordable price points. Here are some fabulous examples:

PM_HM.com_PicturePrint_Blouse_1995 copy

PM_NewYork&Company_PicturePrint_ShiftDress_65 copy

PM_JCPenney_PicturePrint_BathingSuit_22 copy

 

You can also make similar items if you’re crafty. Head to a craft store like Michaels, and purchase transfer paper. Print out a favorite landscape picture onto the transfer paper. (Stay away from people or pets, think sunsets or flowers.) Buy a plain white t-shirt, a tote bag or pull out an old pair of plain shorts, and follow the directions to transfer the image to your item. Voila! A crafty way to follow fashion this summer.

Another retailer that has photo print clothing items is Anthropologie: great shoes, dresses, skirts and bags. Price point is higher than the items shown above, but the options are stunning.

All in all, it is a very unique style trend this summer, and now you can take the Hawaiian sunset with you wherever you go, (especially if you aren’t going to Hawaii.)

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Image Credit: Respective retailers mentioned on each image.

Disclosure: I did not receive any compensation for this post.

CategoryStyle | Comment1 Comment »

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May 24th, 2012

New Infant Swaddling Recommendations

As a Mom that is about to have another baby, I’m already adding more swaddling blankets, like these from Aden and Anais, as well as swaddle sleepsacks, like this one from Halo, to my parenting stash.

Swaddling Options

Yet, new information has been released about swaddling that any parent – whether you are expecting your first child or fifth child – should know about, and it may affect what products you buy to swaddle your baby.

While traditional tight swaddling may provide a newborn infant with a feeling of warmth and security, studies have found that regularly wrapping a child, below the waist, too tightly in a blanket or cloth, may lead to an abnormal development of the hip joint.

As a result, there are new infant swaddling recommendations and new ways on how to swaddle a baby by the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America (POSNA), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and the International Hip Dysplasia Institute (IHDI) are now recommending a more contemporary form of swaddling call “Hip-Healthy Swadding”, where the infant’s arms and torso are snugly wrapped, but the legs are wrapped loosely, ensuring the legs are bent up and out. Thus, the legs should be free to move, and not be wrapped in a ‘straight down’ position.” This recommendation may seem familiar as there has been a similar discussion in the baby-carrier market during the past couple of years.

How to Swaddle a Baby

Here are the new recommended IHDI techniques for safely swaddling an infant in a square blanket:

Option 1: Fold one corner of a square blanket down and place the baby with its head in the center above the folded corner. Straighten the right arm and fold the right corner of the blanket over the baby between the left arm and under the left side. Then, tuck the left arm down and fold the left corner or twist the bottom of the blanket loosely and tuck it under one side of the baby.

Option 2: Place the baby’s head above the middle of one edge, tuck the right arm down and fold the right side of the blanket over the baby between the left arm and under the left side. Then, tuck the left arm down and fold the left edge of the blanket over the baby and under the right side. Fold or twist the bottom of the blanket up and loosely tuck it under one side of the baby.

If you need a visual, here is a video to show you how to do it.

Even if you swaddled the ‘old’ way for baby number one, just like the constant changes in crib recommendations, car seat safety and more, things can change from the birth of one child to another. So even if nothing happened to your previous child under the old recommendations or standards, it is still worth looking into this new technique.

The right products are also key to this new method of swaddling. A good swaddling wrap that is breathable, and has a bit of a stretch, is perfect for swaddling, such as those by Aden and Anais.  If you aren’t comfortable with swaddling yourself, a pre-formed swaddling product like the Sleepsack Swaddle by Halo, are a great must-have.

Thanks to these awesome companies, I have a Halo 100% Cotton Sleepsack Swaddle, and a single Aden and Anais swaddling muslin wrap, in your choice of color, to giveaway to one of you, so you can wrap your baby in one of these fantastic products in the safest swaddling method possible.

For more information on swaddling, visit posna.org, aap.org or hipdysplasia.org.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Disclosure: I received a Halo Sleepsack Swaddle and a Aden and Anais swaddling set. However, all thoughts and opinions are my own, and the inspiration for the post is based on the IHDI’s published recommendations.

CategoryParenting Ideas and Advice | Comment79 Comments »

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May 23rd, 2012

Mac & Cheese Alternative

My toddler loves Mac & Cheese. No surprise right? But I hate giving it to him all the time. (He is starting to ask for it for breakfast.)

I need something else. Like, now.

When I try to give him, say, steak, this is his reaction…..

Holy Moly, right?

So I found this recipe for Grilled Chicken and Veggie Macaroni Salad from Lawrys.com. I love it for two reasons. One – because it takes about 30 minutes to make, so it can be on the table fast. Two – because it is a blend between his desire for Macaroni & Cheese and my need for him to eat some protein and veggies. And it is something all of us can eat, so I’m not having to make separate meals. (Seriously, who has time for that?)

Bonus is that this recipe makes 12 servings so you can store some for later in the week for a quick meal when you don’t have time to cook.

What you need:

1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast halves
3/4 cup Lawry’s® Herb & Garlic Marinade With Lemon Juice, divided
1 medium onion, cut into 1/2-inch slices
1 medium red bell pepper, quartered
2 ribs celery
8 ounces elbow macaroni
1 cup mayonnaise

Grilled-Chicken--Veggie-Macaroni-Salad.ashx

How to Make It:

1. Place chicken and vegetables in 2 separate large resealable plastic bags. Pour 1/4 cup of the marinade into each bag; turn to coat well. Refrigerate 30 minutes. (Though you can short cut this step if you are pressed for time.)

2. Meanwhile, cook macaroni as directed on package. Drain and rinse under cool water. Set aside. Remove chicken and vegetables from marinade. Discard chicken marinade; reserve vegetable marinade.

3. Grill chicken and vegetables over medium heat 6 to 7 minutes per side or until chicken is cooked through and vegetables are tender, brushing with reserved vegetable marinade. Cool slightly. Cut into bite-size pieces.

4. Mix mayonnaise and remaining 1/4 cup marinade in large bowl. Add macaroni, chicken and vegetables; mix until well blended. Serve immediately. Or, cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

(I also sprinkled some Parmesan cheese on top…..obviously.)

So how did that go over?

Happy Face

So if you have a similar problem getting your kids to eat, definitely check out the Lawrys website for some inspirational ideas. A lot of the time, with the right seasonings & some Houdini-like actions (e.g. hiding veggies), it definitely is worth re-introduction to see if that may do the trick. But another fun way to spice things up is to try out this new way to create an advertisement about dinner. It was featured on the Rachel Ray show last month. Here is the one I did for my toddler so you can see what I’m talking about.

You just pick a recipe (8 to choose from), a theme (Boy or Girl) and then upload a photo. In about three minutes, you have your Dinnertisement. You can share it on Facebook, Twitter, or email to the grandparents! It is a cute way to “sell” yummy dinner ideas to the family. If your child is old enough, have them pick out a recipe, theme and make a Dinnertisement themselves. They may actually eat the meal if they have involvement in the process.

In fact, if you or your child creates a Dinnertisement, leave a comment here with the link, and show us how you rock it. Or leave a quick comment about your biggest kid/meal frustration. (I think we will all be able to relate.) One of you will win a Dinnertisement Kit! It includes a Rachael Ray Lasagna Lover Stoneware, two Zak Design Serving Spoons, and five different Lawry’s Marinades and Spice Blends. (About a $60 value!)

Lawry's_giveaway

 

I hope you check it out. It is a lot of fun and see who the lucky winner was!!

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To see the contest rules, click here.

CategoryHealth and Fitness | Comment184 Comments »

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