Dressing For The Holidays: Maternity Outfits

November 20, 2012 by · 6 Comments

Today we have a guest post from Jami who blogs at Young Wife’s Guide.

Being 32 weeks pregnant with twins at Thanksgiving can be tough. I am tired, feeling huge, and most of my clothing doesn’t fit right now. This can be a problem when trying to dress modestly and yet still put together some cute outfits.

One of my favorite Fall items right now is my Deborah & Co. khaki skirt. It’s perfect with so many outfits and looks. Plus it is so comfy! My favorite thing to do is pair it with a cute sweater. This is not a maternity sweater but it is perfect to wear still since it’s so stretchy.

Then pair this outfit with an adorable jacket for a whole different look. I love this jacket and works well pregnant and not!

My favorite thing for dressing modestly for the Fall is layers! Layers are perfect for dressing for cooler weather. I love to add a cami or tank underneath my shirts to make them instantly more modesty! And then layer with a cute sweater for a comfy and cute Thanksgiving outfit.

We took this picture in our boys nursery that we are getting set up! We can’t wait for our first babies.

Other favorites to wear during the fall are just simple sweaters with cami’s underneath. So comfy, simple, and cute!

What are your favorite fall and maternity fashion tips? It can be hard to dress modestly when things are constantly expanding and changing. Share with us all your favorite tips and tricks.

Jami is passionate about Biblical homemaking and striving to be a woman of God. Jami and her loving husband Jason have been married for 3 years, and are preparing to welcome twin bundles of joy into their home later this year. She has a heart for hospitality and making her home an inviting place that reflects Christ. She blogs about this passion at Young Wife’s Guide. Jami and Jason are also launching a joint vision to encourage couples to form Christ centered unions at A Biblical Marriage.

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Filed Under: Fashion, Modesty, Pregnancy

Fertility Products and Giveaway!

October 30, 2012 by · 59 Comments

I have to admit I’m one of those women. The kind that takes a pregnancy test at the first hint of nausea. It’s paid off though, because I’ve almost always discovered I was pregnant really early, been able to figure out my due date and I’ve had three of my five babies born on my due date. I don’t have any control over the last fact, but I think it’s kind of neat since it’s so unusual to have babies on their due dates.

Years ago I was buying the expensive pregnancy tests at Walmart every time I wanted to test. Even the cheap ones are $3-4 each, and that quickly adds up. Then one day I discovered Christian companies online that were selling pregnancy tests for much more affordable prices. I quickly ordered some and was thrilled with the consistent results I was getting on much cheaper pregnancy tests.

CPT Worldwide is a fantastic resource for women that want to support a Christian company that honors life, and at the same time save a lot of money on fertility products. They sell pregnancy tests that start out at .30 cents (they are on sale this week!) and the most expensive test is $1.65! They also sell ovulation tests, basal thermometer,  progesterone cream, books, and herbs that are known for helping increase fertility.

They also have an affiliate program for bloggers where they offer a 15% commission!

Would you like to try some of their products? CPT Worldwide is giving away a $20 gift card to use at their store. Enter below using rafflecopter!

 

 
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Filed Under: Pregnancy, Reviews

Making Babies Review and Giveaway

February 29, 2012 by · 16 Comments

**The Winner is: Jessica B** You have been sent an email!

Guest Post by Jennifer Allen
I had the opportunity to review the Making Babies DVD series, and the Making Babies Book as well. In the Making Babies DVD series you will be purchasing 3 DVDs for $75.00. Shoshanna Easling presents her information in a very energetic and informative manner. I was impressed with the wide range of information shared in the course of 7 hours of instructive pregnancy and postpartum help.
In Making Babies DVD Volume 1 you will find recipes, remedies, herbal concoctions, and information about pregnancy in the first trimester such as dealing with morning sickness. There is some brief information about fertility and conception.  This DVD is 2 hours 30 minutes long.
In Making Babies Volume 2 you will learn how to make healthy recipes, remedies, herb concoctions, and information about the second and third trimesters, exercise, birth preparations, and more. This DVD is 2 hours 15 minutes.
Making Babies Volume 3 is full of more healthy recipes, remedies, herbal concoctions, and information about birth, postpartum, loosing weight, getting into shape, and more. It is 2 hours 20 minutes long.
I found each DVD follows the general format of a lovely outdoor location where Shoshanna shows you how to make a herbal concoction or remedy. Following this is a pregnancy tip, followed by a recipe she shows you how to make in a beautiful indoor kitchen, and some more helpful tips. You are following along with Shoshanna during her pregnancy, birth, and postpartum time. I learned a great deal of herbal information I was not aware of shared in the DVD’s.  Some of the tinctures and herbal recipes shared would be worth the purchase of the DVD’s on the merit of that information alone. I was impressed with the quality of the filming for these DVD’s.  It made watching these very pleasant, along with Shoshanna’s cheerful sharing of information. 
I enjoyed watching Shoshanna in the kitchen as she shares many healthy recipes in the DVD’s. A huge part of a healthy pregnancy and baby can be on the way you eat. I thought she shared some delicious looking recipes.  At the end I was so inspired by her recipes that I want to try and use them solely for next month’s menu plan. She uses lots of vegetables and good proteins without tons of exotic items that would cost you a fortune when grocery shopping. She does feel it is best to go gluten free during portions of your pregnancy and after baby’s birth so there are gluten free recipes shared as well.

Following the Making Babies DVD series is the awesome Making Babies Book available for $35. Talk about being impressed! I was blown away by this 480 page book. The minute you open the book the first thing that jumps out at you is how beautiful it is. That may sound funny, but the photography is so gorgeous throughout the book. With bright lovely photos, Shoshanna’s signature energetic style jumps out at you through the pages. 


Beyond that, the book begins following the Making Babies DVD’s. You will find the recipes and herbal remedy recipes from Making Babies DVD Volume 1, followed by the recipes for Volume 3 and 4. Moving on from there is a large section titled My Pregnancy Cookbook.  There are over 100 recipes shared running from Beverages to Breads, Desserts, Breakfast, Main Course Salads, Sauces and Condiments, Vegetables and Side Dishes. Following this is a “Did You Know” section with basic tips and suggestions shared for a healthy pregnancy. Grandma’s Remedies section covers practical recipes for pregnancy, nursing, and beyond. A Baby Diary is included with approximately 50 pages to fill in for the 1st month of pregnancy to the birth of your child. Despite the Making Babies title I would recommend this book to any woman on the basis of healthy recipes and herbal remedies alone. I know I will be using it for next month’s menu plan!






Would you like to win a set? The Bulk Herb Store has graciously agreed to giveaway a set! Enter using the Rafflecopter Form below (email subscribers please click through to enter). 






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Filed Under: Giveaways, Motherhood, Pregnancy, Recipes, Reviews

Establishing a good milk supply

February 23, 2012 by · 14 Comments

So you’ve just had your baby and you want to nurse. As a first time mom I well remember the awkward feeling trying to learn how to nurse a baby. It did not come easily for me when I had my first. My son lost weight for the first three weeks, and only after much prayer and perseverance on my part did we establish a good nursing relationship.

I’m currently nursing our fifth baby and so far everything has gone just beautifully. Here is what I do to get off to a good start:

1. Do NOT set a schedule! It is absolutely critical when trying to establish a good milk supply that you nurse whenever the baby wants to nurse, and avoid any sort of schedule. That pretty much means the first few weeks you sit and hold the baby and nurse. Now is a good time to grab a great book, or find some encouraging blogs to read. Or read aloud to your other children!

2. Avoid pacifiers or bottles. You don’t want to confuse the baby with artificial nipples when trying to establish your milk supply. Let your baby nurse for comfort as well as for nourishment, it will really help  build your milk supply. I’ve introduced pacifiers after a month or two if needed, but by then most of my babies would not take one. Deborah has yet to like one, she acts like I’m choking her when I’ve tried it!

3. Drink lots of water. Everyone says this but it really is true. You need lots of water to sustain a great milk supply. Keep a water bottle by your chair and drink, drink, drink! I ask my two oldest children to refill my water bottle throughout the day for me as I nurse.

4. Use a good nipple ointment to avoid cracked nipples. Nothing hurts more than nipples that are open and bleeding. I’ve had that happen before due to thrush and I’ve never felt more like screaming from pain than during that time. I’ve always used lanolin but I really dislike how sticky it is. Before having Deborah I purchased Natural Nipple Butter from Earth Mama – Angel Baby brand. It was wonderful! I put it on frequently as it wasn’t a bother to use, and I even used it Deborah’s hands and feet when they were dry and peeling.

5. Have a nursing pillow close by. While not necessary, a nursing pillow can be very useful during that season where you do little else but nurse. My favorite one is called My Breast Friend (this happens to be the same one Michelle Duggar uses). I’ve used a boppy before, but I feel this gives a lot more support for both you and the baby.

6. Supplement as needed. If after doing all these things your supply is still low, use some herbs God has given us for the breastfeeding mom. Fenugreek, blessed thistle and alfalfa are the ones commonly used. The Bulk herb store has a tea you can drink called mama’s milk tea that has excellent reviews.

7. Pray, pray, pray! Sometimes that is the only thing that gets you through. With our oldest son we had tried lots of different things, but one day it just all came together and he started nursing and gaining weight. I really feel that God blessed us in that. We had done all we could and it still wasn’t working. So don’t forget to pray for God to guide you and bless you if you are really struggling establishing a milk supply.

Snuggle and hold that wee one close, they grow so fast! Nursing is a wonderful time to sit and gaze at your little one, talk to them, and pray for them. Yes, at times it can be trying as you feel so stuck to your baby all the time. There is no break and you are the only one who can keep the baby satisfied. But it is very worth it as you are giving your baby the nourishment God designed for it!

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Filed Under: Health, Motherhood, Pregnancy
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