Essentials for a Momma to Be

It has been many years since I was pregnant and things have changed ALOT!  My Facebook feed has been filled lately with birth announcements and pictures of adorable new babies.  So are you a soon to be mom? Or do you know someone who is having a baby?  Here are some great must have recommendations:

1. A pregnancy (body) pillow or extra pillows.  Pillows are a good way to get more comfortable in bed. Tucking one pillow under your tummy and another pillow between your legs supports your lower back and may make sleeping on your side more comfortable. You can also buy pillows made specially for pregnancy. A wedge-shaped pillow supports your tummy when you lie on your side. A full-length body pillow will support your back and cradle your belly.

2. Tennis Balls. I know, you’re like, “What?” But seriously, keep a couple of these handy. When you’re further along, have your hubby or significant other roll one around on your lower back with his hand using firm pressure; it’s amazing. You can even do it yourself, using a convenient wall and a bit of balance–but be careful! Also great during back labor.

3. Aveda ‘Stress Fix’ Soaking Salts. These natural lavender scents help with sleepless nights and restless legs. These soaking salts used at the end of the day or early in the morning soothe those achy body parts!

4. Ginger. Ginger is wonderful for dealing with morning sickness, especially the kind that never goes away! There is candied ginger, which is slightly chewy and spicy-sweet, but you can also add it to foods or try it in homeopathic remedies.

5. Wintergreen Essential Oil. Wintergreen is a natural muscle relaxant.  However, it is really strong when concentrated so mix a few drops with almond oil to dilute {check the packaging on your oils to see if they are concentrated}. It also works wonders on headaches when applied to your temples.

6. Almond Oil. All over the body, twice a day – will help to avoid stretch marks at all costs!  If I only knew this way back when.  🙂

When I asked my customers what their top picks were for “must have momma products”  The first one was a Zip Top Organizing Tote.  It is water resistant, has 7 outside pockets and is the perfect size for carrying everything you will need.  It is a practical solution for mom before baby is born and then is can be used as a bag to take to the hospital. It can be personalized with their name, an icon or just leave it blank.

Next up was Thirty One’s Double Duty Caddy.  This makes a GREAT mobile changing station for anywhere in the house.  It has 2 separate interior compartments and 4 exterior mesh pockets, there’s plenty of room to take whatever you need with you when you’re on the go.  it will hold up to 15 lbs.!  It is approximately: 10.5”H x 10”L x 8”D

  

What were some of your favorites when you were pregnant?  I wanted Mexican food 24/7, crazy right?  Let the expectant momma make a wish list and let me help coordinate what she wants and needs.  What about a surprise Thirty One Baby Shower?  Who doesn’t love a party?

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

When Fear Rules Your Thoughts

Thank you Tayler Beede for today’s message…

I can be pretty wimpy sometimes. I thrive on routine, and I don’t like change. Which means I have a difficult time dealing with trials as well. Often times I just simply shut down.

But recently I faced a situation I couldn’t wimp out on. I found out I was pregnant just three months after a traumatizing miscarriage. I was so unbelievably thankful for a baby I could hopefully hold earth side. However, this time I faced different complications, and the news that my baby could likely have disabilities. I found myself driving to a specialist every few weeks, feeling terrified all the time, and honestly, barely functioning.

It all felt like way too much, and I let it completely debilitate me. I didn’t face it with faith, praying and hoping in the Lord. Instead, I worried, and lost sleep, and let everything around me crumble. Yes, I prayed often for the health of my baby, but I didn’t let my faith lead me, I let fear rule my thoughts instead.

And at 29 weeks, after several long months of panic, I was told my baby was 100% healthy.

Wow, looking back I now realized how much time I wasted worrying and panicking and not trusting the Lord in His plan for all of this. But despite my lack of faith, God still used that experience in amazing ways.

He strengthened me in ways I never thought possible. He got me through, day by day, even when I thought I couldn’t make it another minute. He was with me through all of the ultrasounds, ER visits, blood tests, and scary appointments. Though I didn’t call on Him as much as I should have, He was still there, making beautiful things according to His plan.
And on May 6, late in the night, my beautiful, perfect son was born after 24 hours of hard, anxiety filled labor. It was such a visual picture of how we never know exactly what God is making of something when we’re in the middle of the trial. And oftentimes, we even doubt that anything is coming of it at all. But after all of that struggle, I was given the gift of being a stronger mama to this boy whom I love so fiercely.

Throughout my pregnancy, I had 2 Corinthians 4:18 as the wallpaper on my cell phone:

“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

Looking back, that was so fitting. Because we know that in the end, whether we see it or not, God is working towards finishing His work in us. Had my son had the disabilities they told me he did, I would have loved him 100% as much. But I let the fear of the unknown terrify me rather than trusting in the Lord that he had amazing, eternal plans for my son no matter what.

So if you’re facing a tough situation, and you just don’t know how any good can come out of it, know that you are trusting God who has a perfect plan and a perfect track record.

He is making beautiful things.

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

Essentials for Pregnant Mommas

It has been many years since I was pregnant and things have changed ALOT!  My Facebook feed has been filled lately with birth announcements and pictures of adorable new babies.  So are you a soon to be mom? Or do you know someone who is having a baby?  Here are some great must haves:

1. A pregnancy (body) pillow or extra pillows.. Pillows are a good way to get more comfortable in bed. Tucking one pillow under your tummy and another pillow between your legs supports your lower back and may make sleeping on your side more comfortable. You can also buy pillows made specially for pregnancy. A wedge-shaped pillow supports your tummy when you lie on your side. A full-length body pillow will support your back and cradle your belly.

2. Tennis Balls. I know, you’re like, “Wha?” But seriously, keep a couple of these handy. When you’re further along, have your hubby or significant other roll one around on your lower back with his hand using firm pressure; it’s amazing. You can even do it yourself, using a convenient wall and a bit of balance–but be careful! Also great during back labor.

2. Aveda ‘Stress Fix’ Soaking Salts. These natural lavender scents help with sleepless nights and restless legs. These soaking salts used at the end of the day or early in the morning soothe those achy body parts!

3. Ginger. Ginger is wonderful for dealing with morning sickness, especially that kind that never goes away! There is candied ginger, which is slightly chewy and spicy-sweet, but you can also add it to foods or try it in homeopathic remedies.

4. Wintergreen Essential Oil. Wintergreen is a natural muscle relaxant.  However, it is really strong when concentrated so mix a few drops with almond oil to dilute {check the packaging on your oils to see if they are concentrated}. It also works wonders on headaches when applied to your temples.

5. Almond Oil. All over my body, twice a day – trying to avoid stretch marks at all costs!

Why not put together a Diaper/Baby bag filled with these things?  Practical solutions for mom before baby is born and then is can be used as a bag to take to the hospital.  Or better yet, it can be a diaper bag.

The Zip Top Organizing Tote by Thirty One is water resistant, has 7 outside pockets and is the perfect size for carrying everything you will heed during your pregnancy as well as after your bundle of joy arrives.  It can be personalized with their name, an icon or just leave it blank.

Add a zipper pouch or a mini zipper pouch for all of those little things – hand sanitizer, tissues, Tums and maybe their favorite granola bar.

  

Is there anything I’m missing? What were some of your favorites when you were pregnant?  I wanted Mexican food 24/7, crazy right?  Let the expectant momma make a wish list and let me help coordinate what she wants and needs.  What about a surprise Thirty One Baby Shower?  Who doesn’t love a party?

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!